🪚 Framing & Carpentry

• backing BAK-ing ▶ EN
  respaldo rehs-PAHL-doh ▶ ES

  Extra framing added so drywall, cabinets, or fixtures have something solid to fasten to.

  Add backing for the grab bars in both bathrooms. — Pon respaldo para las barras de apoyo en los dos baños.

• baseboard BAYS-bord ▶ EN
  zoclo SOH-kloh ▶ ES

  The trim board that runs along the bottom of the wall at the floor.

  Cope the baseboard at the inside corners. — Perfila el zoclo en las esquinas interiores.

  Also: zócalo (general) · moldura de piso (PR)

• beam beem ▶ EN
  viga BEE-gah ▶ ES

  A heavy horizontal member that carries joists or other loads across a span.

  It takes four guys to lift that beam onto the posts. — Se necesitan cuatro para subir esa viga a los postes.

  Also: trabe (MX)

• bearing wall BAIR-ing wall ▶ EN
  muro de carga MOO-roh deh KAR-gah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A wall that holds up the floors or roof above it; never cut or remove one without engineering.

  Shore the ceiling before you open up that bearing wall. — Apuntala el techo antes de abrir ese muro de carga.

• bevel BEV-el ▶ EN
  bisel bee-SEHL ▶ ES

  A cut that tilts through the thickness of the board instead of across its face.

  Put a ten-degree bevel on the top of that post. — Hazle un bisel de diez grados a la punta de ese poste.

• birdsmouth BERDZ-mowth ▶ EN
  boca de pájaro BOH-kah deh PAH-hah-roh ▶ ES

  The notch cut in a rafter so it seats flat on the top plate.

  Don't cut the birdsmouth too deep or you weaken the rafter. — No cortes la boca de pájaro muy profunda o debilitas el par.

• blocking BLOK-ing ▶ EN
  trabas TRAH-bahs ▶ ES

  Short pieces of lumber nailed between studs or joists for stiffness, backing, or fire stops.

  Put blocking where the cabinets will hang. — Pon trabas donde van a ir colgados los gabinetes.

  Also: bloquin (US)

• bottom plate BOT-um playt ▶ EN
  solera inferior soh-LEH-rah een-feh-ree-OR ▶ ES

  The horizontal member at the bottom of a wall that the studs stand on.

  Snap a line so the bottom plate sits right on the layout. — Tira una línea para que la solera inferior quede justo en el trazo.

  Also: pleit de abajo (US)

• brace brays ▶ EN
  puntal poon-TAHL ▶ ES

  A diagonal member that keeps a wall or frame from racking or tipping.

  Nail a brace on every wall before you let go of it. — Clava un puntal en cada muro antes de soltarlo.

• casing KAY-sing ▶ EN
  chambrana chahm-BRAH-nah ▶ ES

  The trim boards that frame around a door or window opening.

  Keep a quarter-inch reveal on all the casing. — Deja un cuarto de pulgada de filo en toda la chambrana.

• chalk line chok lahyn ▶ EN
  tiralíneas tee-rah-LEE-neh-ahs ▶ ES

  The string tool loaded with chalk that snaps straight lines on slabs and lumber.

  Snap a chalk line for the bottom plate. — Truena una línea con el tiralíneas para la solera inferior.

  Also: chicote (MX)

• circular saw SUR-kyoo-lar saw ▶ EN
  sierra circular see-EH-rrah seer-koo-LAR ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The handheld power saw with a round blade, the main cutting tool in framing.

  Set the circular saw depth just past the thickness of the board. — Ajusta la profundidad de la sierra circular apenas pasando el grueso de la tabla.

  Also: eskil (US)

• collar tie KOL-er tahy ▶ EN
  tirante tee-RAHN-teh ▶ ES

  The horizontal board that ties opposite rafters together up near the ridge.

  Nail a collar tie at every other rafter pair. — Clava un tirante a cada dos pares.

• cripple KRIP-ul ▶ EN
  montante corto mohn-TAHN-teh KOR-toh ▶ ES

  The short stud above a header or below a sill that keeps the stud layout going.

  Fill in the cripples above the window header. — Rellena con montantes cortos arriba del cabezal de la ventana.

  Also: cripol (US)

• crosscut KROS-kut ▶ EN
  trozar troh-SAR ▶ ES

  To cut a board across the grain, shortening its length.

  Crosscut the plates to length before you lay out. — Troza las soleras a la medida antes de trazar.

• crown krown ▶ EN
  corona koh-ROH-nah ▶ ES

  The natural bow along the edge of a board; joists and rafters get installed crown up.

  Sight down the board and mark the crown. — Mira a lo largo de la tabla y marca la corona.

• crown up krown up ▶ EN
  con la corona para arriba ▶ ES

  Install the board with its bow facing up so the load flattens it out.

  Set every joist crown up, no exceptions. — Coloca todas las viguetas con la corona para arriba, sin excepción.

• cut list kut list ▶ EN
  lista de cortes LEES-tah deh KOR-tehs ▶ ES

  The written list of every piece to cut with its length and quantity.

  Give the saw man the cut list for the whole wall. — Dale al cortador la lista de cortes de todo el muro.

• decking DEK-ing ▶ EN
  entablado ehn-tah-BLAH-doh ▶ ES

  The boards or panels fastened over joists or rafters to form a floor, deck, or roof surface.

  The roof decking goes on as soon as the trusses are braced. — El entablado del techo se instala en cuanto las armaduras estén arriostradas.

  Also: dekin (US)

• double top plate DUB-ul top playt ▶ EN
  solera doble soh-LEH-rah DOH-bleh ▶ ES

  The second top plate that overlaps wall corners and splices to tie walls together.

  Lap the double top plate over the corner at least four feet. — Traslapa la solera doble sobre la esquina cuando menos cuatro pies.

• drill dril ▶ EN
  taladro tah-LAH-droh ▶ ES

  The power tool that bores holes and drives screws.

  Charge the drill batteries before tomorrow. — Carga las baterías del taladro antes de mañana.

• eave eev ▶ EN
  alero ah-LEH-roh ▶ ES

  The lower edge of the roof that hangs out past the wall.

  The gutters hang along the eave. — Las canaletas van colgadas a lo largo del alero.

• fascia FAY-shuh ▶ EN
  fascia FAH-see-ah ▶ ES

  The board nailed across the rafter tails at the edge of the roof, where the gutter mounts.

  Run the fascia straight even if the rafter tails wander. — Deja la fascia derecha aunque las puntas de los pares vayan chuecas.

  Also: imposta (general)

• fire blocking FAHYR blok-ing ▶ EN
  bloqueo cortafuego bloh-KEH-oh kor-tah-FWEH-goh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The blocking installed in wall and floor cavities to slow fire from spreading through them.

  Add fire blocking at the mid-height of these tall walls. — Pon bloqueo cortafuego a media altura en estos muros altos.

• frame fraym ▶ EN
  armar ar-MAR ▶ ES

  To build the wood skeleton of walls, floors, and roofs.

  We frame the second floor next week. — Armamos el segundo piso la semana que entra.

  Also: framear (US)

• framing hammer FRAY-ming HAM-er ▶ EN
  martillo de armador mar-TEE-yoh deh ar-mah-DOR ▶ ES

  The heavy hammer with a milled face and straight claw used for framing.

  He drives sinkers in two hits with that framing hammer. — Con ese martillo de armador mete los clavos en dos golpes.

• framing square FRAY-ming skwair ▶ EN
  escuadra de armador ehs-KWAH-drah deh ar-mah-DOR ▶ ES

  The big L-shaped square used to lay out rafters, stairs, and check corners.

  Use the framing square to step off the stair stringer. — Usa la escuadra de armador para trazar la zanca de la escalera.

• furring strip FUR-ing strip ▶ EN
  listón lees-TOHN ▶ ES

  A thin strip of wood fastened to a wall or ceiling to level it or give a nailing surface.

  Fur out the block wall with furring strips before the drywall. — Forra el muro de block con listones antes del tablarroca.

• gable GAY-bul ▶ EN
  hastial ahs-tee-AHL ▶ ES

  The triangular wall section at the end of a pitched roof.

  Frame the gable end after the trusses are set. — Arma el hastial después de montar las armaduras.

  Also: geibol (US) · culata (general)

• guardrail GARD-rayl ▶ EN
  barandal bah-rahn-DAHL ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The rail system that keeps people from falling off an open edge; OSHA requires it above six feet.

  Nobody works that deck edge until the guardrail is up. — Nadie trabaja en esa orilla de la losa hasta que esté puesto el barandal.

• handrail HAND-rayl ▶ EN
  pasamanos pah-sah-MAH-nohs ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The rail you grab going up or down stairs; required and checked by code.

  Install a temporary handrail on those stairs today. — Instala un pasamanos provisional en esa escalera hoy mismo.

• header HED-er ▶ EN
  cabezal kah-beh-SAHL ▶ ES

  The beam over a door or window opening that carries the load across the gap.

  That garage door takes a double 2x12 header. — Esa puerta de garaje lleva un cabezal doble de dos por doce.

  Also: dintel (general) · jeder (US)

• hip rafter hip RAF-ter ▶ EN
  limatesa lee-mah-TEH-sah ▶ ES

  The rafter that runs diagonally along the outside corner where two roof planes meet.

  Set the hip rafter first, then fill in the jacks. — Coloca la limatesa primero y luego rellena con los pares cortos.

• house wrap hows rap ▶ EN
  membrana hidrófuga mehm-BRAH-nah ee-DROH-foo-gah ▶ ES

  The fabric stapled over the sheathing that blocks water but lets the wall breathe.

  Lap the house wrap shingle-style and tape the seams. — Traslapa la membrana hidrófuga como teja y encinta las uniones.

  Also: taivek (US)

• hurricane tie HUR-ih-kayn tahy ▶ EN
  amarre para huracán ah-MAH-rreh PAH-rah oo-rah-KAHN ▶ ES

  The metal connector that ties rafters or trusses to the wall so the wind can't lift the roof.

  Code requires a hurricane tie at every truss. — El código exige un amarre para huracán en cada armadura.

• I-joist AHY-joyst ▶ EN
  vigueta de I bee-GEH-tah deh EE ▶ ES

  An engineered joist shaped like an I, with wood flanges and a panel web; never cut its flanges.

  Only drill the I-joist web where the chart allows. — Solo perfora el alma de la vigueta de I donde lo permita la tabla.

• jack stud jak stud ▶ EN
  montante de apoyo mohn-TAHN-teh deh ah-POH-yoh ▶ ES

  The shorter stud under the header that carries its load down to the plate.

  This header calls for two jack studs on each side. — Este cabezal pide dos montantes de apoyo de cada lado.

  Also: yak (US)

• jamb jam ▶ EN
  jamba HAHM-bah ▶ ES

  The vertical side piece of a door or window frame.

  Shim the jamb plumb before you nail it off. — Calza la jamba a plomo antes de clavarla.

• joist joyst ▶ EN
  vigueta bee-GEH-tah ▶ ES

  One of the parallel horizontal members that carry a floor or ceiling.

  Run the joists sixteen on center across the beam. — Tiende las viguetas a cada dieciséis pulgadas sobre la viga.

  Also: yoista (US)

• joist hanger joyst HANG-er ▶ EN
  estribo para vigueta ehs-TREE-boh PAH-rah bee-GEH-tah ▶ ES

  The metal bracket that supports the end of a joist against a beam or ledger.

  Fill every hole in the joist hanger with hanger nails. — Llena todos los agujeros del estribo con clavos de herraje.

  Also: janger (US)

• king stud king stud ▶ EN
  montante rey mohn-TAHN-teh RAY ▶ ES

  The full-height stud nailed at each side of an opening, running from plate to plate.

  Nail the king stud to the header before you set the jacks. — Clava el montante rey al cabezal antes de poner los cortos de apoyo.

  Also: king (US)

• landing LAND-ing ▶ EN
  descanso dehs-KAHN-soh ▶ ES

  The flat platform at the top, bottom, or turn of a stair.

  Frame the landing first and work the stringers off it. — Arma primero el descanso y de ahí trabaja las zancas.

• layout LAY-owt ▶ EN
  trazo TRAH-soh ▶ ES

  The marks on plates, slabs, or decks that show where every wall and member goes.

  Check the layout twice before you start nailing walls together. — Revisa el trazo dos veces antes de empezar a clavar los muros.

  Also: leiaut (US)

• ledger LEJ-er ▶ EN
  solera de apoyo soh-LEH-rah deh ah-POH-yoh ▶ ES

  The board bolted to a wall or beam that joists hang from, like on a deck.

  Flash the ledger before you hang the deck joists. — Ponle botaguas a la solera de apoyo antes de colgar las viguetas de la terraza.

  Also: leyer (US)

• level LEV-el ▶ EN
  nivelado nee-beh-LAH-doh ▶ ES

  Perfectly horizontal, with no slope either way.

  Shim the beam until it reads level. — Calza la viga hasta que marque nivelado.

• lumber LUM-ber ▶ EN
  madera mah-DEH-rah ▶ ES

  The sawn wood boards and framing members used to build.

  The lumber package lands on site Wednesday. — El paquete de madera llega a la obra el miércoles.

• LVL el-vee-EL ▶ EN
  viga microlaminada BEE-gah mee-kroh-lah-mee-NAH-dah ▶ ES

  An engineered beam made of thin wood layers glued together, stronger than solid lumber.

  The plans call for a double LVL over the kitchen opening. — Los planos piden una viga microlaminada doble sobre el claro de la cocina.

• miter MAHY-ter ▶ EN
  inglete een-GLEH-teh ▶ ES

  An angled cut, usually forty-five degrees, so two pieces meet at a clean corner.

  That trim corner needs a tight miter. — Esa esquina de moldura necesita un inglete bien cerrado.

• miter saw MAHY-ter saw ▶ EN
  sierra de inglete see-EH-rrah deh een-GLEH-teh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The chop saw that swings down and pivots to make square and angled crosscuts.

  Cut all the blocking on the miter saw so it's consistent. — Corta todas las trabas en la sierra de inglete para que salgan parejas.

• nail nayl ▶ EN
  clavo KLAH-boh ▶ ES

  The metal fastener driven into wood; framing uses 16d and 8d sizes mostly.

  Use galvanized nails on the treated lumber. — Usa clavos galvanizados en la madera tratada.

• nail gun nayl gun ▶ EN
  pistola de clavos pees-TOH-lah deh KLAH-bohs ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The pneumatic or battery tool that shoots nails; keep your hand clear of the shot.

  Never point the nail gun at anyone, even with the tip down. — Nunca apuntes la pistola de clavos a nadie, aunque tenga la punta abajo.

• notch noch ▶ EN
  destajar dehs-tah-HAR ▶ ES

  To cut a slot or step out of a member so another piece or a pipe fits in it.

  Notch the post to receive the beam. — Destaja el poste para recibir la viga.

• on center on SEN-ter ▶ EN
  a cada ah KAH-dah ▶ ES

  Measured from the center of one member to the center of the next, like studs sixteen inches on center.

  The joists run twenty-four on center. — Las viguetas van a cada veinticuatro pulgadas.

  Also: a centros (general)

• OSB oh-es-BEE ▶ EN
  OSB oh-EH-seh-BEH ▶ ES

  Oriented strand board, the panel of pressed wood chips used like plywood for sheathing and subfloors.

  The walls get half-inch OSB, the roof gets five-eighths. — Los muros llevan OSB de media pulgada y el techo de cinco octavos.

• overhang OH-ver-hang ▶ EN
  volado boh-LAH-doh ▶ ES

  Any part of the roof or floor that sticks out past the wall below it.

  The plans show a two-foot overhang all the way around. — Los planos marcan un volado de dos pies en todo el perímetro.

  Also: voladizo (general)

• partition wall par-TISH-un wall ▶ EN
  muro divisorio MOO-roh dee-bee-SOH-ree-oh ▶ ES

  An interior wall that separates rooms but doesn't carry structural load.

  The partition walls go up after the roof is dried in. — Los muros divisorios se levantan después de que el techo quede cerrado.

  Also: tabique divisorio (general)

• pitch pich ▶ EN
  pendiente pehn-dee-EHN-teh ▶ ES

  How steep the roof is, given as inches of rise per foot of run.

  This roof is a six-twelve pitch. — Este techo tiene una pendiente de seis en doce.

  Also: inclinación (general)

• plumb plum ▶ EN
  a plomo ah PLOH-moh ▶ ES

  Perfectly vertical, checked with a level or plumb bob.

  Make sure that corner is plumb before you brace it. — Asegúrate de que esa esquina esté a plomo antes de apuntalarla.

• plumb bob plum bob ▶ EN
  plomada ploh-MAH-dah ▶ ES

  The pointed weight on a string used to transfer points and check vertical.

  Drop a plumb bob from the ridge to center the wall. — Cuelga la plomada desde el caballete para centrar el muro.

• plywood PLAHY-wud ▶ EN
  triplay tree-PLAHY ▶ ES

  The panel made of glued wood layers used for sheathing, subfloors, and forms.

  Stack the plywood inside before it rains. — Mete el triplay bajo techo antes de que llueva.

  Also: madera contrachapada (general) · plywood (GT)

• post pohst ▶ EN
  poste POHS-teh ▶ ES

  A vertical member, like a 4x4 or 6x6, that carries a beam's load down to the footing.

  Center each post on its footing before you plumb it. — Centra cada poste en su zapata antes de aplomarlo.

• pressure-treated lumber PRESH-er TREE-ted LUM-ber ▶ EN
  madera tratada mah-DEH-rah trah-TAH-dah ▶ ES

  Lumber treated with chemicals so it resists rot and insects, used near concrete and outdoors.

  Anything touching concrete has to be pressure-treated lumber. — Todo lo que toque concreto tiene que ser madera tratada.

• purlin PER-lin ▶ EN
  polín poh-LEEN ▶ ES

  The horizontal member that runs across rafters or trusses to support the roof material or brace long spans.

  Add a purlin brace at mid-span on those long rafters. — Pon un polín con puntal a medio claro en esos pares largos.

  Also: larguero (general)

• rafter RAF-ter ▶ EN
  par par ▶ ES

  The sloped member that runs from the ridge down to the wall and carries the roof.

  Cut all the rafters off the same pattern. — Corta todos los pares con el mismo patrón.

  Also: rafter (US) · cabio (general)

• ridge rij ▶ EN
  caballete kah-bah-YEH-teh ▶ ES

  The horizontal line at the very top of the roof where the rafters meet.

  Crown the ridge board before you set it. — Revisa la corona de la tabla del caballete antes de montarla.

  Also: cumbrera (general)

• rim joist rim joyst ▶ EN
  vigueta de borde bee-GEH-tah deh BOR-deh ▶ ES

  The joist that runs around the outside edge of the floor frame, capping the ends of the other joists.

  Nail the rim joist flush with the outside of the sill plate. — Clava la vigueta de borde al ras del exterior de la solera de anclaje.

• rip rip ▶ EN
  cortar al hilo kor-TAR ahl EE-loh ▶ ES

  To cut a board lengthwise, with the grain, to make it narrower.

  Rip that plywood down to thirty-two inches. — Corta ese triplay al hilo a treinta y dos pulgadas.

  Also: ripear (US)

• riser RAHY-zer ▶ EN
  peralte peh-RAHL-teh ▶ ES

  The vertical face between one stair tread and the next; uneven risers trip people.

  Code caps the risers at seven and three quarters. — El código limita los peraltes a siete pulgadas y tres cuartos.

  Also: contrahuella (general)

• rough opening ruf OH-pen-ing ▶ EN
  vano BAH-noh ▶ ES

  The framed hole left in a wall or floor, sized for the door, window, or stair that goes in it.

  The rough opening for that door is thirty-eight by eighty-two and a half. — El vano para esa puerta es de treinta y ocho por ochenta y dos y media.

  Also: claro (general) · rofopenin (US)

• sawhorse SAW-hors ▶ EN
  burro BOO-rroh ▶ ES

  The four-legged stand that holds lumber up at working height for cutting.

  Set up two sawhorses by the lumber pile. — Arma dos burros junto al montón de madera.

  Also: caballete (general)

• scab skab ▶ EN
  cachete kah-CHEH-teh ▶ ES

  A short board nailed over a joint or break to tie two members together.

  Throw a scab across that plate splice. — Ponle un cachete a ese empalme de solera.

• screw skroo ▶ EN
  tornillo tor-NEE-yoh ▶ ES

  The threaded fastener driven with a drill or impact driver.

  Use structural screws, not drywall screws, on that ledger. — Usa tornillos estructurales, no de tablarroca, en esa solera de apoyo.

  Also: pija (general)

• shear wall sheer wall ▶ EN
  muro de cortante MOO-roh deh kor-TAHN-teh ▶ ES

  A wall sheathed and nailed to a strict pattern so it resists wind and earthquake forces.

  The inspector checks the nailing pattern on every shear wall. — El inspector revisa el patrón de clavado en cada muro de cortante.

• sheathing SHEETH-ing ▶ EN
  forro estructural FOH-rroh ehs-trook-too-RAHL ▶ ES

  The panels nailed over studs or rafters that stiffen the frame and back the siding or roofing.

  Stagger the sheathing joints and nail to the schedule. — Cuatrapea las juntas del forro estructural y clava según la tabla.

  Also: chitin (US)

• shim shim ▶ EN
  calza KAHL-sah ▶ ES

  The thin wedge slipped behind or under a piece to make it plumb, level, or tight.

  Slide a shim under the jamb until the gap is even. — Mete una calza debajo de la jamba hasta que la separación quede pareja.

  Also: shim (US)

• sill sil ▶ EN
  antepecho ahn-teh-PEH-choh ▶ ES

  The horizontal framing member at the bottom of a window opening.

  Set the sill level so the window sits right. — Deja el antepecho a nivel para que la ventana asiente bien.

  Also: repisón (general)

• sill plate sil playt ▶ EN
  solera de anclaje soh-LEH-rah deh ahn-KLAH-heh ▶ ES

  The treated lumber bolted flat on the foundation that the wall framing sits on.

  Drill the sill plate to match the anchor bolts. — Barrena la solera de anclaje para que coincida con las anclas.

• sister SIS-ter ▶ EN
  hermanar ehr-mah-NAR ▶ ES

  To fasten a new member alongside a weak or cut one so they carry the load together.

  Sister that cracked joist with a new 2x10. — Hermana esa vigueta rajada con un dos por diez nuevo.

  Also: sistear (US)

• sixteenth of an inch siks-TEENTH ov an inch ▶ EN
  dieciseisavo de pulgada dee-eh-see-say-SAH-boh deh pool-GAH-dah ▶ ES

  The smallest mark on most tape measures; finish carpentry lives and dies by it.

  Cut it a sixteenth of an inch strong so we can plane it tight. — Córtalo un dieciseisavo de pulgada pasado para poder ajustarlo con cepillo.

• soffit SOF-it ▶ EN
  plafón del alero plah-FOHN dehl ah-LEH-roh ▶ ES

  The finished underside of the roof overhang, usually vented.

  Install vented soffit so the attic can breathe. — Instala plafón del alero con ventilas para que respire el tapanco.

  Also: sofit (US)

• span span ▶ EN
  claro KLAH-roh ▶ ES

  The open distance a joist, beam, or truss has to cross between supports.

  That's a sixteen-foot span, you need engineered joists. — Es un claro de dieciséis pies, necesitas viguetas prefabricadas.

  Also: luz (general)

• speed square speed skwair ▶ EN
  escuadra rápida ehs-KWAH-drah RRAH-pee-dah ▶ ES

  The triangular square used to mark cuts and rafter angles fast.

  Mark the cut with your speed square and follow the line. — Marca el corte con la escuadra rápida y sigue la línea.

• square skwair ▶ EN
  a escuadra ah ehs-KWAH-drah ▶ ES

  At an exact ninety-degree angle, checked by measuring the diagonals.

  Rack the wall until the diagonals match and it's square. — Ajusta el muro hasta que las diagonales midan igual y quede a escuadra.

• stagger STAG-er ▶ EN
  cuatrapear kwah-trah-peh-AR ▶ ES

  To offset joints or nails so they don't line up in a row and create a weak line.

  Stagger the subfloor joints like brickwork. — Cuatrapea las juntas del contrapiso como si fuera tabique.

  Also: alternar (general)

• stairs stairz ▶ EN
  escalera ehs-kah-LEH-rah ▶ ES

  The framed steps that connect one floor level to another.

  Rough in the stairs so the crews can get to the second floor. — Arma la escalera provisional para que las cuadrillas suban al segundo piso.

• strap strap ▶ EN
  fleje FLEH-heh ▶ ES

  The flat metal tie nailed across framing members to hold them together under load.

  Run a strap over the header where the plans show it. — Pon un fleje sobre el cabezal donde lo marcan los planos.

• string line string lahyn ▶ EN
  hilo EE-loh ▶ ES

  A tight string stretched between points to keep walls, plates, or forms straight.

  Pull a string line down the top plate to straighten the wall. — Tiende un hilo a lo largo de la solera superior para enderezar el muro.

  Also: reventón (MX)

• stringer STRING-er ▶ EN
  zanca SAHN-kah ▶ ES

  The notched board that runs at an angle and carries the treads and risers of a stair.

  Cut three stringers for a stair this wide. — Corta tres zancas para una escalera de este ancho.

  Also: madrina (general)

• stud stud ▶ EN
  montante mohn-TAHN-teh ▶ ES

  The vertical 2x4 or 2x6 that forms the skeleton of a framed wall.

  Lay out the studs sixteen on center along the plate. — Traza los montantes a cada dieciséis pulgadas sobre la solera.

  Also: barrote (MX) · pie derecho (general) · estud (US)

• subfloor SUB-flor ▶ EN
  contrapiso kohn-trah-PEE-soh ▶ ES

  The plywood or OSB deck nailed and glued over the joists that the finish floor goes on.

  Glue and screw the subfloor so it doesn't squeak. — Pega y atornilla el contrapiso para que no rechine.

  Also: sofloor (US)

• tape measure tayp MEZH-er ▶ EN
  cinta métrica SEEN-tah MEH-tree-kah ▶ ES

  The retractable tape used to measure everything on the job.

  My tape measure walked off again, who has it? — Otra vez se me perdió la cinta métrica, ¿quién la tiene?

  Also: flexómetro (MX)

• temporary bracing TEM-poh-rair-ee BRAYS-ing ▶ EN
  arriostre temporal ah-rree-OHS-treh tehm-poh-RAHL ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The braces that hold walls and trusses up until the structure is tied together; walls without it can fall on the crew.

  Leave the temporary bracing on until the sheathing is nailed off. — Deja el arriostre temporal hasta que el forro quede bien clavado.

• toenail TOH-nayl ▶ EN
  clavar de lado klah-BAR deh LAH-doh ▶ ES

  To drive a nail at an angle through the end of one member into another.

  Toenail the stud to the plate with two nails on each side. — Clava el montante a la solera de lado, con dos clavos por cada cara.

• top plate top playt ▶ EN
  solera superior soh-LEH-rah soo-peh-ree-OR ▶ ES

  The horizontal member that runs along the top of the studs and ties the wall together.

  Nail the top plate before you stand the wall up. — Clava la solera superior antes de parar el muro.

  Also: pleit de arriba (US)

• tread tred ▶ EN
  huella WEH-yah ▶ ES

  The flat part of a step that you put your foot on.

  All the treads have to be the same depth. — Todas las huellas tienen que tener la misma profundidad.

• trim trim ▶ EN
  moldura mohl-DOO-rah ▶ ES

  The finish boards that cover joints and edges, like casing and baseboard.

  The paint crew comes after all the trim is up. — Los pintores entran cuando toda la moldura esté puesta.

• truss truss ▶ EN
  armadura ar-mah-DOO-rah ▶ ES

  A factory-built triangulated frame that spans the building and carries the roof; never cut or drill it.

  The crane sets the trusses at seven, have the walls braced. — La grúa monta las armaduras a las siete, ten los muros arriostrados.

  Also: trosa (US)

• two-by-four too bahy for ▶ EN
  dos por cuatro dohs por KWAH-troh ▶ ES

  The standard framing stick, actually one and a half by three and a half inches.

  Throw me a couple of eight-foot two-by-fours. — Pásame un par de dos por cuatro de ocho pies.

• valley VAL-ee ▶ EN
  limahoya lee-mah-OH-yah ▶ ES

  The inside corner where two roof planes meet and water runs down.

  The valley gets flashing before the shingles go on. — La limahoya lleva botaguas antes de poner las tejas.

• warped worpt ▶ EN
  torcida tor-SEE-dah ▶ ES

  Bent, twisted, or bowed out of straight; badly warped lumber gets culled.

  Cull the warped studs and send them back. — Aparta los montantes torcidos y regrésalos.

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