Earth – Materials other than rock, resulting from the disintegration of rock masses, are broadly classed as earth. Note: The word soil, when used to designate any earthly material not rock, is a misnomer, in that the idea of fertility, or the lack of it, is conveyed when the word soil is used. (See “Soil”).

Easement – A right acquired to use another’s land generally for access to some other adjoining property.

Eave – The part of a roof that projects beyond the face of the wall.

Eave Soffit – The under surface of the eave.

Eave Trough – A trough fixed to an eave to collect and carry away the run-off from the roof. Also called a gutter.

Edge Grain – Lumber that is sawn along the radius of the annual rings or at an angle less than 45° to the radius is edge grained; this term is synonymous with quarter sawn.

Edge Nailing, Edge Toe Nailing – Blind or secret nailing, a method used in laying and nailing hardwood flooring.

Efflorescence – Formation of a white crystalline deposit on the face of masonry walls.

Egress – An outlet; a place of exit.

Electrical Terms –

Alternating Current – A flow of current that constantly changes direction at a fixed rate.

Ampere – A measure of electric current.

Cable: Armored Cable – Insulated wire having addition flexible metallic protective sheathing – often referred to as BX cable.

Ceiling Outlet – An outlet for a ceiling lighting fixture.

Circuit – Continuous conducting path through that current flows.

Circuit Breaker – An automatic mechanical device that serves the same purpose as a fuse, i.e. to prevent overheating in a circuit without overloading.

Conduit, Electrical – A protective pipe-like covering for electrical wiring.

Convenience Outlet – An outlet into that may be plugged portable equipment, such as lamps or electrically operated equipment.

Current – A flow of electricity.

Direct Current – A flow of current constantly in one direction.

Fuse – A device for interrupting an electric circuit under conditions of overloading or short-circuiting, comprising a fusible element that fuses at predetermined excess loads so as to open the circuit.

Insulation, Electrical – Non-conducting covering applied to wire or equipment to prevent short-circuiting.

Kilowatt Hour – A unit of measurement of the consumption of electric energy at a fixed rate for 1 hour; specifically the use of 1,000 watts for 1 hour.

Meter – A device used for measuring the amount of electric energy consumed.

Outlet – A point on an electric circuit designed for the direct connection of lighting fixtures, appliances and equipment.

Panelboard – A center for controlling a number of circuits by means of fuses or circuit breakers, usually contained in a metal cabinet. Switches are sometimes added to control each circuit.

Power Circuit – A circuit transmitting electric energy to a motor or to a heating unit too large to be served by an ordinary circuit.

Radio Outlet – An outlet having connected thereto an aerial and ground for the use of a radio.

Special Purpose Outlet – An outlet used for purposes other than ordinary lighting and power, usually fused separately.

Switch – A device to open and close a circuit.

Three-Way Switch – A switch designed to operate in conjunction with a similar switch to control one outlet from two points.

Transformer – A device for charging the voltage characteristics of a current supply.

Voltage – A measure of electric pressure between any two wires of an electric circuit.

Watt – A unit of measurement of electric power.

Wiring: Knob-and-Tube – A method of exposed wiring using knobs and tubes of non-conducting materials to insulate the wiring from the surfaces on that or through that it is installed.

Enamel – A hard vitreous material baked on the surface of metal, porcelain or brick, having a glossy surface; a form of paint that dries with a hard, glossy surface. An enamel paint may be either of the lacquer or varnish variety.

Enclosed Stairway – Defined under “Stairway Types”.

End Grain – The face of a piece of lumber that is exposed when the fibers are cut transversely.

End Matched – Having tongued-and-grooved ends.

End Thrust – A pressure exerted in the direction of the ends of a structural member, such as a girder, beam, truss or rafter.

English Bond – The form of masonry bond in that each course is alternately composed entirely of headers or of stretchers.

Escutcheon – A perforated plate around an opening such as a keyhole plate or the plate to that a doorknob is attached.

Excavate – To dig or scoop out as a cellar.

Exhaust Shaft – A ventilating passage used to convey airway away from rooms.

Exit – That part of a means of egress within a floor area that provides access to an exit serving the floor area, to a public thoroughfare or an approved open space.

Exit, Access to – That part of a means of egress within a floor area that provides access to an exit serving the floor area.

Exit, Horizontal – The connection by a bridge, balcony, vestibule or doorway of two floor areas at substantially the same level; such floor areas being located either in different buildings or located in the same building and fully separated from each other by a firewall.

Expanded Metal – A metal network formed by stamping or cutting sheet metal and stretching it to form open meshes. It is used as reinforcing in concrete construction and as lath for plastering and stucco.

Expansion Bolts – These are commonly used for bolting wood or iron to concrete or masonry.

Expansion Joint – A joint in a concrete or masonry structure designed to permit expansion without damage to the structure.  

Expansion Tank – In a hot-water system, a tank designed to allow expansion of the water on heating.

Exterior Trim – Exterior mouldings and members used to cover unprotected edges or joints of exterior finish.

Extrados – The upper curved line of an arch.