Saturant - Asphalt used to impregnate an organic felt base material.

Saturated felt - An asphalt-impregnated felt used as an underlayment between the deck and the roofing material.

Self-sealing shingles - Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive.

Self-sealing strip or spot - Factory-applied adhesive that bonds shingle courses together when exposed to the heat of the sun after application.

Selvage - That portion of roll roofing overlapped by the succeeding course to obtain double coverage.

Shading - Slight differences in shingle color that may occur as a result of normal manufacturing operations.

Sheathing - Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.

Shed roof - A roof containing only one sloping plane. Has no hips, ridges, valleys or gables.

Single coverage - Asphalt roofing that provides one layer of roofing material over the deck.

Slope - The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in inches, to the run, in feet.

Smooth-surfaced roofing - Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules (coated).

Soffit - The finished underside of the eaves.

Soil stack - A vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

Span - The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.

Specialty eaves flashing membrane -  A self-adhering, waterproofing shingle underlayment designed to protect against water infiltration due to ice dams or wind driven rain.

Square -  A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet.

Square-tab shingles -  Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure.

Starter strip - Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves that provide protection by filling in the spaces under the cutouts and joints of the first course of shingles.

Steep slope application - Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes greater than 21 inches per foot.

Step flashing -  Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane.

Strip shingles Asphalt shingles that are approximately three times as long as they are wide.

SABER SAW - a saw that cuts on the upstroke, good side of wood faces down.

SADDLE - A ridge in the roof deck, whose top divides two sloping parts of the roof so that water will be diverted to the roof drains.

SASH – The window frame, including muntin bars if used, to receive the glazing infill.

SCALE - The relationship between actual measurements on a page of plans or blue prints and the actual measurements of the building represented by the plans or blue prints.

SCRATCH COAT - The first coat of plaster derives its name from cross-raking which is performed on the wet surface to improve bond with the following brown coat. It is considered a base coat plaster.

SCREEDING - The wood or metal straightedge used to strike off or level newly placed concrete when doing cement work. Screeds can be the leveling device used or the form work used to level or establish the level of the concrete. Screeds can be hand used or mechanical.

SCRIM - A woven or mat-type fabric that is used as a membrane sandwich between other

material to provide reinforcement and stretch resistance.

SCUPPER - An outlet in the wall of a building or a parapet wall for drainage of water from a flat roof.

SCUTCH - A bricklayer’s cutting tool used for dressing and trimming brick to a special shape. It resembles a small pick

SEALANT – An elastomeric material with adhesive qualities applied between components of a similar or dissimilar nature to provide an effective barrier against the passage of the elements.

SELF-HEALING - A term used to describe to a material which melts with the heat from the sun's rays, and seals over cracks that were earlier formed from other causes. Some waterproof membranes are self-healing.

SELF-LEVELING - A term used to describe a viscous material that is applied by pouring. In its uncured state, it spreads out evenly.

SELVAGE - The unsurfaced strip along a sheet of roll roofing which forms the under portion at the lap in the application of the roof covering.

SEPARATION – In concrete application, what happens to concrete when it is dropped directly with a flat chute causing the concrete to separate, usually occurring at a 1:2 slope.

SERVICE CONDUCTOR – In electrical contracting, the supply conductors that extend from the street main or from the transformer to the service equipment.

SERVICE DROP – In electrical contracting, the overhead service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including the splices, if any, connecting to the service entrance conductors at the building.

SETTING BLOCKS – Generally rectangular cured extrusions of neoprene, EPDM, silicone, rubber or other suitable material on which the glass product bottom edge is placed to effectively support the weight of the glass.

SFD or Single Family Dwelling - A house built for the purpose of a single family as opposed to multi families such as a duplex or apartment complex.

SHADING COEFFICIENT – The ratio of the solar heat gain through a specific glass product to the solar heat gain through a lite of 1/8" (3mm) clear glass. Glass of 1/8" (3mm) thickness is given a value of 1.0, therefore the shading coefficient of a glass product is calculated as follows:

SOLAR HEAT GAIN OF THE GLASS IN QUESTIONS S.C. = Solar Heat Gain of 1/8" clear Glass

SHED ROOF - A roof having only one slope or pitch, with only one set of rafters which fall from a higher to a lower wall.

SHEATHING - Plywood, gypsum or wood fiber encasing walls, ceilings, floors and roofs of framed buildings. It is the first layer of outer wall covering nailed to the studs or rafters.

SHEETROCK - Panels made primarily from gypsum installed over the framing to form the interior walls and ceilings. Sheetrock is often called gypsum board.

SHELF LIFE – Used in the glazing and sealant business to refer to the length of time a product may be stored before beginning to lose its effectiveness. Manufacturers usually state the shelf life and the necessary storage conditions on the package.

SHINGLES - Small units of material which are laid in a series of overlapping rows as a roof covering on pitched roofs.

SHORING - A temporary support erected in a trench or other excavation to support the walls from caving in.

SHORE "A" HARDNESS – Measure of firmness of a compound by means of a Durometer Hardness Gauge. (A hardness range of 20-25 is about the firmness of an art gum eraser. A hardness of about 90 is about the firmness of a rubber heel.)

SIGHT LINE – The line along the perimeter of glazing infills corresponding to the top edge of stationary and removable stops. The line to which sealants contacting the glazing infill are sometimes finished off.

SILICONE SEALANT – A sealant having as its chemical compound a backbone consisting of alternating silicon-oxygen atoms.

SILL PLATE - The framing member anchored to the foundation wall upon which studs and other framing members will be attached. It is the bottom plate of your exterior walls.

SILL SEALER - A material placed between the top of the foundation wall and the sill plate. Usually a foam strip, the sill sealer helps make a better fit and eliminate water problems.

SILL STEP - The first step coming directly off a building at the door openings.

SINGLE PLY - A descriptive term signifying a roof membrane composed of only one layer of material such as EPDM, Hypalon or PVC.

SINGLE TEE - The name given to a type of precast concrete deck which has one stiffening rib integrally cast into slab.

SKY DOME - A type of skylite exhibiting a characteristic translucent plastic domed top.

SKYLIGHT - A structure on a roof that is designed to admit light and is somewhat above the plane of the roof surface.

SLAB ON GRADE - A type of construction in which footings are needed but little or no foundation wall is poured.

SLAG - A by-product of smelting ore such as iron, lead or copper. Also overburden/dropping from welding which may burn, melt, or discolor adjacent surfaces.

SLATE - A dark gray stratified stone cut relatively thin and installed on pitched roofs in a

shingle like fashion.

SLOPE - Incline or pitch of roof surface.

SLUMPTEST- Measures the consistency of a concrete mix or its stiffness. If the tests results are high, one likely cause would be too much water. Low slump-not enough water. The test is measured in inches.

SLOPED GLAZING – Any installation of glass that is at a slope of 15 degrees or more from vertical.

SOFFIT - The underside of a part or member of a building extending out from the plane of the building walls.

SOFTENING POINT - The temperature at which a substance changes from a hard material to a softer and more viscous material.

SOLE PLATE - bottom horizontal member of a frame wall.

SPACERS (Shims) – Small blocks of neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other suitable material placed on each side of the glass product to provide glass centering, maintain uniform width of sealant bead and prevent excessive sealant distortion.

SPALLING - The chipping or flaking of concrete, bricks, or other masonry where improper drainage or venting and freeze/thaw cycling exists.

SPAN - The horizontal distance between supporting structures such as beams, trusses or columns.

SPANDREL – The panels of a wall located between vision areas of windows which conceal structural columns, floors, and shear walls.

SPECIFICATION - Detailed written instructions which, when clear and concise, explain each phase of work to be done.

SPLITTING - The formation of long cracks completely through a membrane. Splits are frequently associated with lack of allowance for expansion stresses. They can also

be a result of deck deflection or change in deck direction.

SPUD - The removal of gravel or heavy accumulations of bitumen from roof membranes by means of chipping or scraping.

STACK - The vertical pipe of a system of soil, waste or vent piping

STACK VENT - Also called a waste vent or soil vent, it is the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack.

STANDING SEAM - A type of joint often used on metal roofs.

STATIC LOAD - The total amount of permanent non moving weight that is applied to given surface areas.

STEEL TROWEL- Tool used for non-porous smooth finishes of concrete. It is a flat steel tool used to spread and smooth plaster, mortar or concrete. Pointing trowels are small enough to be used in places where larger trowels will not fit. The pointing trowel has a point. The common trowel has a rectangular blade attached to a handle. For smooth finish, use trowel when concrete begins to stiffen.

STC (Sound Transmission Class) – A single number rating derived from individual transmission losses at specified test frequencies. It is used for interior walls, ceilings and floors.

STL (Sound Transmission Loss) – The reduction of the amount of sound energy passing through a wall, floor, roof, etc. It is related to the specific frequency at which it is measured and it is expressed in decibels. Also called "Transmission Loss."

STILE - The side frame members of a door or window (not the jamb).

STORM DOOR – A panel or sash door placed on the outside of an existing door to provide additional protection from the elements.

STORM WINDOW – A glazed panel or sash placed on the inside or outside of an existing sash or window as additional protection against the elements.

STRAIN – The percentage of elongation or compression of a material or portion of a material caused by an applied force.

STRIKING OFF – The operation of smoothing off excess compound or sealant at sight line when applying same around lites or panels.

STRING LINE - A nylon line usually strung tightly between supports to indicate both direction and elevation, used in checking grades or deviations in slopes or rises. Used in landscaping to level the ground.

STRUCTURAL SILICONE GLAZING – The use of a silicone sealant for the structural transfer of loads from the glass to its perimeter support system and retention of the glass in the opening.

STUCCO - A type of exterior finish.

STUD - The evenly spaced, vertical framing members of a wall. See also: Wood grades.

SUB CONTRACTOR - A contractor who specializes in a particular trade such as waterproofing.

SUB-FLOOR - Material (such as particleboard) installed before finish flooring materials.

SUB ROUGH - That part of a building’s plumbing system that is done before the cement is poured.

SUBSTRATE - A part or substance which lies below and supports another.

SADDLE - A ridge in the roof deck, whose top divides two sloping parts of the roof so that water will be diverted to the roof drains.

SAW TOOTH ROOF - Where reviewed from the end, such a roof serrated or tooth profile similar to the teeth of a saw.

SCRIM - A woven or mat-type fabric that is used as a membrane sandwich between other material to provide reinforcement and stretch resistance.

SCUPPER - An outlet in the wall of a building or a parapet wall for drainage of water from a flat roof.

SELF-HEALING - A term used in reference to a material which melts with the heat from the sun's rays, and seals over cracks that were earlier formed from other causes.

SELF-LEVELING - A viscous material that is applied by pouring. In its uncured state, it spreads out evenly.

SELVAGE - The unsurfaced strip along a sheet of roll roofing which forms the under portion at the lap in the application of the roof covering.

SHED ROOF - A roof having only one slope or pitch, with only one set of rafters which fall from a higher to a lower wall.

SHEATHING - The boards of sheet type material, plywood or asphalt saturated sheets, nailed to studding or roofing rafters as the base for application of the roof covering.

SHINGLE-FASHION - The pattern formed by laying parallel felt rolls with lapped joints so that one longitudinal edge overlaps the longitudinal edge on the adjacent felts. Shingle fashion application begin at the low point on a roof so that one ply drains water to a lower one and so on to a drain or to the roof edge.

SHINGLES - Small units of material which are laid in a series of overlapping rows as a roof covering on pitched roofs.

SIGN ANCHOR - A component usually formed with steel angles which penetrates the BUR and is fastened to the deck.

SINGLE PLY - A descriptive term signifying a roof membrane composed of only one layer of material such as EPDM, Hypalon or PVC.

SINGLE TEE - The name given to a type of precast concrete deck which has one stiffening rib integrally cast into slab.

SITE - The physical grouping of a number of roofs or buildings at a geographical location.

SKY DOME - A type of skylite exhibiting a characteristic translucent plastic domed top.

SKYLIGHT - A structure on a roof that is designed to admit light and is somewhat above the plane of the roof surface.

SLAG - A by-product of smelting ore such as iron, lead or copper.

SLATE - A dark gray stratified stone cut relatively thin and installed on pitched roofs in a shingle like fashion.

SLIPPAGE - It is the sliding, lateral movement between adjacent to plies of felt along the plane of the bitumen film separating them, which results in a randomly wrinkled appearance.

SLOPE - Incline or pitch of roof surface.

SOFFIT - The underside of a part or member of a building extending out from the plane of the building walls.

SOFTENING POINT - The temperature at which a substance changes from a hard material to a softer and more viscous material.

SPALLING - The chipping or flaking of concrete, bricks, or other masonry where improper drainage or venting and freeze/thaw cycling exists.

SPAN - The horizontal distance between supporting structures such as beams, trusses or columns.

SPECIFICATION - Detailed written instructions which, when clear and concise, explain each phase of work

to be done.

SPLITTING - The formation of long cracks completely through a roof membrane. Splits are frequently associated with lack of allowance for expansion stresses. They can also be a result of deck deflection or change in deck direction.

SQUARE - A term used by the roof industry to indicate an amount of roof area equal to 100 square feet.

SPUD - The removal of gravel or heavy accumulations of bitumen from roof membranes by means of chipping or scrapeing

STACK - A vertical pipe projecting through a BUR that carries off smoke or gases.

STANDING SEAM - A type of joint often used on metal roofs.

STARTER STRIPS - In the construction of the BUR the narrow strips of roofing felts, cut from standard width rolls, that are applied at the beginning point so as to assure uniform configuration of the specified number of plies.

STATIC LOAD - In roofing the total amount of permanent non moving weight that is applied to given surface areas.

SUBSTRATE - A part or substance which lies below and supports another.

SUMP - A reservoir sometimes forming part of a roof drain. A depression in the roof deck of a building at a roof and delivery it to the drain.