Grade Beam

Related terms

• Beam

  A primary horizontal member that carries loads from joists or framing across a span to posts or walls. Opening up a floor plan usually me…

• Concrete

  A mix of cement, aggregate, and water that cures into a hard structural material used for footings, slabs, and foundations. Curing time a…

• Footing

  The widened concrete base below a foundation wall or post that spreads the structure's load over enough soil to prevent settling. New str…

• Grade (Wood Flooring)

  NWFA appearance classifications (Clear, Select, #1/#2 Common) based on color variation, knots, and character — a look-and-cost choice, no…

• Span

  The clear distance a member bridges between supports. Span tables (or an engineer) set the size and spacing required for a given load.

• Helical Pier

  A screw-in steel pile driven to stable soil to underpin or support a foundation. A common engineered fix for settlement without large exc…

• Glulam

  Glued-laminated timber — a structural beam of bonded dimensional lumber, often used where the beam is exposed for appearance.

• Hydrostatic Pressure

  Water-table pressure pushing against foundation walls and slabs — the driving force behind most basement leaks and wall bowing.