Wall, Common – A vertical separation completely dividing a portion of a structure from the remainder of the structure and creating in effect a building which from its roof to its lowest level is separate and complete unto itself for the purpose for which it is designed, intended or used, such wall being owned by one party but jointly used by two parties.

Wall, Party – A wall jointly owned and jointly used by two parties under easement agreement or by right in law and erected at or upon a line separating two parcels of land each of which is, or is capable of being, a separate real estate entity.

Wall Plate – In wood-frame construction , the horizontal members attached to the ends of the studs. Also called top or bottom plates, depending on their location.

Wane – Bark or lack of wood from any cause, except eased edges, on the edge or corner of a piece of lumber.

Warp – Any variation from a true surface such as bow, cup, twist, etc., generally resulting from defective seasoning.

Water Bar – A bar set in the joint between the wood sill and masonry, or wood sill and sash of a window, to prevent penetration of water. Also called Weather Bar.

Water Closet – Defined under “Plumbing Terms”.

Water Service Pipe – Defined under “Plumbing Terms”.

Water Table – (1) The level below which the ground is saturated with water.

                       (2) A ledge or offset on or above a foundation wall formed to shed water.

Watt – Defined under “Electrical Terms”.

Weather Bar – See “Water Bar”. 

Weather Check – A groove on the under side of a projecting member to form a drip to prevent rain from running down the wall or entering the joint.

Weather Stripping – Strips of felt, rubber, metal or other material, fixed along the edges of doors or windows to keep out drafts and reduce heat loss.

Web Member – Defined under “Truss”.  

Weephole – A small hole, as at the bottom of a retaining wall or masonry veneer, to drain water to the exposed face.

Weld, Fillet – A weld of approximately triangular cross section joining together parts that overlap or that meet at an angle.   

Winder – A step, generally triangular in plan, used at a change in direction of a stair.

Window, Parts of –

            Balance – A device used to counteract the weight of the sash for ease of operation.

            Light – Window pane; the term is used to designate the number of separate panes             which make up the entire window.

            Lintel – The horizontal top piece of the window framework.

            Mullion – The perpendicular members which divide the bays or lights of windows or screen-work.

            Muntin – A horizontal member which divides lights of glass, windows, or doors.

            Pane – A glass surface in a window. A window may include a number of panes or             may consist of a single pane.

            Rough Frame – Framing of the enclosure in which the finish window frame is placed.

            Sash – A light frame of wood, metal or plastic either fixed or movable which holds the glass. See “Sash Types”.

            Sill – The base of the window frame sloped on the outside to shed rain.

Window Types –

            Awning Window – A frame containing one or more sash, each of which is             installed in a vertical plane and is hinged to permit the bottom of the sash to open outward.

            Bay Window – Window which projects outside the main line of a building and the compartment in which it is located extends to the floor.

            Casement Window – A frame with a sash hinged at the side to open in or out.

            Check Rail Window – A frame containing at least a pair of sash which are             engaged when closed. The sash are installed in a vertical plane and designed to be moved either vertically or horizontally.

            Clerestory Window – A window which occurs in the wall of a clerestory.

            Dormer Window – A vertical window in a dormer for lighting a room adjoining a sloping roof.

            Fire Window – A window with its frame, sash and glazing which, under standard             test conditions, meets the fire protection requirements for the location in which it is to be            used. 

            Hopper Window – A frame containing one or more sash, each of which is installed in a vertical plane and hinged to permit the top of the sash to open inwards.

            Jalousie Window – A frame containing a number of movable shutter-like             overlapping glass panels.

            Oriel Window – A window or group of windows that projects beyond the wall of a building and is usually carried on brackets or corbels.

            Sashless Window – A window with a wood frame containing at least two lights of glass with polished or ground edges, or sash with light metal or plastic edges.  At least one light of glass slides horizontally or vertically.

Wired Glass – Glass reinforced by a layer of wire mesh.

Wire Nails – Defined under “Nails, Types of”.

Wood Framing –

            Bridging – A method used to resist twisting of joists and for stiffening floor             construction by fitting either crossed pieces or solid blocks between the joists.

            Cap – The upper half of the top plate in wood-frame walls and partitions.

            Balloon Framing – A method of wood-frame construction in which the studs             extend in one piece from the foundation wall to the top plate supporting the roof.

            Plank Framing – A type of construction which employs flat vertical structural             members with horizontal beams let into them and having an infilling of planks on edge.

            Post and Beam Framing – A system of construction in which posts and beams             support the loads and the infilling walls are non-load bearing.

            Western Framing (Platform Framing) – A system of framing a building on which floor joists of each storey rest on the top plates of the storey below (or on   the foundation sill for the first storey) and the bearing walls and partitions rest on the subfloor of each storey.

Wood Lath – Thin narrow piece of wood used as a base for plaster or stucco.

Wythe – A continuous vertical section of a masonry wall having a thickness of one masonry unit.