Every finish carpentry term Sun's Up crews use, one home per term, in plain language. Search or browse from A to Z below, click through from any guide the first time it uses a term, or jump straight to a category hub.
Some words go by more than one name on a real jobsite. Search either one, the alias and the term both find the same page - there is exactly one home per term, so nothing here duplicates.
83 more terms are already drafted and sourced but not yet verified enough to publish. We would rather leave a word out than get it wrong on something a crew reads on the job - they will appear here as we clear them.
Hubs
- Doors - 44 terms
- Moldings - 25 terms
- Stairs - 28 terms
- Closets and Built-ins - 12 terms
- Hardware - 16 terms
- Joints and Cuts - 16 terms
- Layout, Fit and Shop Talk - 15 terms
- Tools - 54 terms
- Fasteners, Glue and Materials - 18 terms
- Jobsite and Business - 11 terms
- Specialty / Built-ins - 5 terms
Jump to a letter: # · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W
#
- 1/4in Crown StaplerToolsAlso called: crown stapler, narrow-crown stapler.
- 10in Miter SawToolsAlso called: backup miter saw.
- 15-Gauge Angled Finish NailerToolsAlso called: 15-ga finish gun.
- 16-Gauge Finish NailerTools
- 18-Gauge Brad NailerToolsAlso called: brad gun, brad nailer.
- 23-Gauge Pin NailerToolsAlso called: pinner, micro pinner.
- 2P-10 (CA Glue Plus Activator)Fasteners, Glue and Materials
A
- A Hair / A WhiskerLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- AcclimationDoorsAlso called: acclimate.
- Apron / Stool (vs. Sill)MoldingsAlso called: window apron.
- Attic Access (Cover)MoldingsAlso called: scuttle, scuttle lid, scuttle hole cover.
B
- Back DamDoors
- Backing / BlockingMoldings
- BacksetDoorsAlso called: bore-to-edge distance.
- Ball-Bearing Hinge / Spring HingeHardware
- BalusterStairsAlso called: spindle, picket.
- Baluster ShoeStairsAlso called: metal baluster shoe, rail shoe.
- BalustradeStairs
- Barn Door (Track, Anti-Jump)Doors
- Base ShoeMoldingsAlso called: shoe molding, shoe mold. Shop talk: shoe.
- BaseboardMoldingsAlso called: base, base molding, base trim, mopboard, mop board, skirting board, floor molding, base board.
- Bevel GaugeToolsAlso called: sliding bevel, T-bevel.
- Bifold (Pivot, Aligner)Doors
- Biscuit Joiner / Plate JoinerTools
- Block PlaneTools
- Bondo (2-Part Wood Filler)Fasteners, Glue and MaterialsAlso called: 2-part wood filler.
- Bore / Cross Bore / Latch Bore / Double BoreDoorsAlso called: bore hole, cross bore.
- Bread Loaf / Finger Groove (Rail Profiles)Stairs
- Brick MouldDoorsAlso called: brickmold, brick molding.
- Bullnose (Profile)Moldings
- Butt Hinge / Leaf / Knuckle / Barrel / PinHardwareAlso called: NRP.
- Bypass Door (Track, Guide)DoorsAlso called: sliding closet door.
C
- CA Glue Plus ActivatorFasteners, Glue and MaterialsAlso called: 2p-10.
- Cap Rail / Wall CapStairsAlso called: knee wall cap, half-wall cap, stair cap.
- Carpenter's Pencil / Mechanical PencilTools
- Cased OpeningDoorsAlso called: passage, open frame.
- CasingMoldingsAlso called: door casing, window casing, architrave, trim.
- Caulk GunTools
- Ceiling Beam (Faux Beam)Specialty / Built-ins
- Chair Rail / Picture RailMoldings
- Chalk LineToolsAlso called: chalk box, snap line.
- Change OrderJobsite and BusinessAlso called: CO.
- Chisel SetToolsAlso called: chisels.
- Circular SawToolsAlso called: skilsaw, sidewinder.
- CleatClosets and Built-insAlso called: ledger.
- Closet Rod / Rod Socket / FlangeClosets and Built-insAlso called: closet pole, hanging rod, pole socket.
- Code Terms: Rail Height, Graspability, 4in Sphere RuleStairs
- Colonial / Clamshell / Craftsman (Flat) ProfileMoldings
- Combination SquareToolsAlso called: combo square.
- Compound MiterJoints and CutsAlso called: compound cut, compound angle.
- Compressor vs. Battery (Pneumatic vs. Cordless)Tools
- Construction AdhesiveFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Cope (Coped Joint)Joints and CutsAlso called: coped joint, cope cut, cope joint.
- Coping SawTools
- Cordless DrillToolsAlso called: drill/driver.
- Core (Hollow / Solid / Solid Wood)DoorsAlso called: HC, SC.
- Corner BlockMoldings
- CountersinkTools
- Countertop / Countertop ShelfClosets and Built-ins
- Cross-Legged (Jamb)DoorsAlso called: out of plane jamb. Shop talk: twisted strike jamb.
- Crosscut vs. RipJoints and CutsAlso called: crosscut, rip cut.
- Crown Molding / Spring Angle / Bed MoldMoldingsAlso called: crown moulding, cornice.
- Crown SpliceMoldings
- Cubby / CubbiesClosets and Built-ins
- Cylinder / ThumbturnHardwareAlso called: thumb turn.
D
- Dado / GrooveJoints and Cuts
- DeadboltHardwareAlso called: deadlock.
- Dial InLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Digital Angle FinderToolsAlso called: digital protractor, angle gauge.
- Door BumpHardwareShop talk: hinge bump.
- Door Leaf (Slab)DoorsAlso called: slab, door slab, leaf.
- Door Stop (Hardware)HardwareAlso called: hinge pin door stop, hinge-pin stop.
- Double Hang / Long HangClosets and Built-ins
- Dress It / Ease the Edge / Break the EdgeLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Dry FitLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
E
- Edge BandingClosets and Built-insAlso called: edge tape.
- Egress (Egress Window / Door)Doors
- Eyeball / EyeballingLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
F
- Factory EdgeLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- False TreadStairs
- Field (Layout)Layout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Field (Panel)Moldings
- Finger-Joint (FJ Primed) / Clear Pine / Poplar / Oak / Maple / MDFFasteners, Glue and MaterialsAlso called: finger-joint stock.
- Finish Nail Sizing (Penny System)Fasteners, Glue and MaterialsAlso called: d (penny).
- FlashingDoorsAlso called: flashing tape.
- Floating ShelfSpecialty / Built-ins
- Floor Guide (Barn Door)Doors
- FlushLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Flush CutJoints and CutsAlso called: flush trim.
- Flush-Cut Pliers / NippersToolsAlso called: flush cutters, end nippers.
- Framing Nailer (21-Degree)ToolsAlso called: framing gun.
- Framing SquareToolsAlso called: steel square, carpenter's square.
- French Door / Center-Opening (Astragal, T-Astragal, Flush Bolt, Dummy Pair)DoorsAlso called: inactive leaf, slave leaf, passive leaf.
G
- Glue (Tool-Kit Sense)Tools
- Granite SupportClosets and Built-ins
- Guard (Guardrail)StairsAlso called: guardrail, guard rail.
H
- Handing (LH, RH, LHR, RHR)Doors
- HandrailStairsAlso called: rail.
- HardboardFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Head CasingMoldings
- Header / King Stud / Trimmer (Jack) StudDoors
- HeadroomStairs
- Hinge LeafHardware
- Hinge Mortise (Gain)HardwareAlso called: mortise.
- Hinge-BoundDoorsShop talk: bound at the hinges.
- Hollow Metal FrameDoorsAlso called: HM, HMF.
- Horizontal Bar RailingStairsAlso called: pipe railing, horizontal pipe railing.
- HornsDoors
I
- Impact DriverTools
J
- Jamb / Head Jamb / Hinge-Side Jamb / Strike-Side Jamb / Jamb LegDoorsAlso called: head, top jamb, hinge jamb, latch jamb, strike jamb, lock jamb, JD, jamb depth.
- Jamb ExtensionMoldings
- Jamb Stop (Applied vs Rabbeted)Doors
- Jamb WidthDoors
- JigsawToolsAlso called: saber saw.
- Jobsite Table SawToolsAlso called: table saw, bench saw.
K
- Kerf / Kerf-BendingJoints and CutsAlso called: kerf width, saw kerf, kerf bent.
- Kiln-Dried (KD)Fasteners, Glue and Materials
- KnobHardware
L
- Landing / Landing TreadStairs
- Laser Level (Cross-Line)ToolsAlso called: laser, self-leveling laser.
- Latch / Deadlatch / FaceplateHardware
- Level (Torpedo / 2ft / 4ft / 6ft)Tools
- Linen StackClosets and Built-ins
- Lock-Install Kit (Hole Saws)ToolsAlso called: door lock installation kit, boring jig.
- Locker (Bench with Hooks or Cubbies)Specialty / Built-ins
- LocksetHardware
- Long Point / Short PointJoints and Cuts
M
- Mantel / Mantel ShelfSpecialty / Built-ins
- Margin (Head / Strike / Hinge)Doors
- Measure Twice, Cut OnceLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- MelamineClosets and Built-ins
- Miter BoxTools
- Miter JointJoints and CutsAlso called: miter, mitered corner.
- Miter Saw (12in Sliding Compound)ToolsAlso called: compound miter saw, chop saw, slider.
- Moisture ContentFasteners, Glue and MaterialsAlso called: MC.
- Mortise and TenonJoints and CutsAlso called: M&T.
- Mudroom BenchSpecialty / Built-ins
- Mullion StripMoldingsAlso called: mull, mull post, mullion casing, mull strip.
N
- Nail PopJobsite and Business
- Nail SetToolsAlso called: nail punch.
- Newel PostStairsAlso called: newel, box newel, turned newel.
- Nosing / Return NosingStairs
O
- Orbital SanderTools
- OSBFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Oscillating Multi-ToolToolsAlso called: multi-tool, oscillating tool.
- Out of Plumb / Out of LevelLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Over-the-Post vs. Post-to-PostStairs
P
- ParticleboardFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Passage / Privacy / Keyed / Dummy FunctionHardware
- Peep Sight (Peephole)DoorsAlso called: door viewer, peephole.
- Picture-FramingMoldings
- Pin / Brad / Finish Nail / Casing Nail / CollatedFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Pitch / Pitch LineStairs
- Plinth BlockMoldingsAlso called: plinth, base block.
- Plumb / Level / Square (Condition)Layout, Fit and Shop Talk
- PlywoodFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Pocket Door (Frame, Track, Split Stud)Doors
- Power Hand PlanerToolsAlso called: power planer, electric planer.
- Pre-hungDoors
- Primer / Paint-Grade vs. Stain-GradeFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Proud / ShyLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Pry Bar / Flat BarToolsAlso called: flat bar, wonder bar.
- Pull Saw (Flush-Cut)ToolsAlso called: japanese pull saw.
- Punch ListJobsite and BusinessAlso called: punch out.
- Punch Out / Punch-OutJobsite and BusinessAlso called: punch out.
- PVA GlueFasteners, Glue and MaterialsAlso called: wood glue, titebond.
Q
- Quarter RoundMoldings
R
- Rabbet JointJoints and CutsAlso called: rabbet, rebate.
- RackedDoors
- Rail BoltStairs
- RakeStairs
- Ram Board / Floor ProtectionTools
- Rasp / File (Set)ToolsAlso called: rasp, file set, four-in-hand.
- Relief Cut / Back-Cut / Climb CutJoints and Cuts
- Return / Self-ReturnMoldings
- RevealDoors
- Rise (Stairs)Stairs
- RiserStairsAlso called: riser board.
- Rough OpeningDoorsAlso called: RO, opening size, structural opening. Shop talk: the hole.
- Rough SillDoors
- Rough-In / Trim-OutJobsite and Business
- RoundoverJoints and CutsAlso called: round-over.
- Run (Stairs)Stairs
S
- Sanding BlockTools
- SawhorsesTools
- Scarf Joint (Joints and Cuts)Joints and CutsAlso called: scarf, splice joint.
- Scarf Location / Scarf JointMoldings
- Scope of WorkJobsite and Business
- Scribe / Compass (Tool)Tools
- Scribe / Story PoleLayout, Fit and Shop TalkAlso called: story stick, story rod. Shop talk: preacher board, jury stick.
- Self-Centering (Vix) BitToolsAlso called: vix bit.
- Self-Closing HingeHardwareAlso called: self-close hinge.
- Settling CrackJobsite and Business
- Shelf-and-RodClosets and Built-insAlso called: shelf and pole bracket.
- ShimDoors
- Shims (Cedar)Tools
- Shiplap / Nickel Gap / Starter CourseMoldings
- Sill / ThresholdDoorsAlso called: saddle, sill cap.
- Sill PanDoorsAlso called: sill pan flashing.
- Skirt boards (Stairs)StairsAlso called: skirtboard, stair skirt, stringboard, skirt board.
- Sneak Up on It / Kiss It / Hog It OffLayout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Spade BitTools
- Spec (Business Sense)Jobsite and Business
- Speed SquareToolsAlso called: rafter square.
- Spindle (Door Hardware Sense)Doors
- Spindle Count (Code)Stairs
- Split JambDoorsAlso called: rippable jamb, adjustable jamb.
- Square CutJoints and CutsAlso called: square end.
- Square Footage (Material Takeoff)Jobsite and Business
- Stair End Cap (Open Side / Inside Side)Stairs
- Sticks / RubsDoors
- Stile (Door)DoorsAlso called: hinge stile.
- Stool HornMoldings
- StraightedgeTools
- Strike / T-Strike / Full-Lip StrikeHardware
- Strike Plate (Full Phrase)HardwareAlso called: keeper. Shop talk: strike.
- Strike Plate Mortise (Latch Mortise)HardwareAlso called: latch mortise, strike mortise, strike plate mortice.
- Stringer (Cut / Housed)StairsAlso called: string, carriage.
- Stud FinderTools
- Swing / Inswing / OutswingDoors
T
- Tape MeasureToolsAlso called: tape, tape rule.
- Tearout / Blowout / Zero-ClearanceJoints and CutsAlso called: blowout, chip-out, zero-clearance throat plate, ZCI.
- The CallbackJobsite and Business
- Toe KickClosets and Built-ins
- Tolerance (Construction Tolerance)Layout, Fit and Shop Talk
- Tongue-and-GrooveJoints and CutsAlso called: T&G.
- Torx Bit (T-25)Tools
- Track SawToolsAlso called: plunge saw, guide rail saw.
- Transom (Window)Doors
- TreadStairsAlso called: stair tread, step.
- Trim PullerToolsAlso called: trim removal tool.
- Trim-Head Screw / Pilot HoleFasteners, Glue and Materials
U
- Utility KnifeToolsAlso called: box cutter.
V
- VeneerFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Volute / TurnoutStairs
W
- Wainscot / Board-and-BattenMoldingsAlso called: batten board.
- WalkthroughJobsite and BusinessShop talk: final walk.
- Wall Rail / Rail BracketStairs
- Warp / Bow / TwistDoors
- Weatherstrip / SweepDoorsAlso called: door bottom, door sweep, automatic door bottom.
- Window Seat / Window SillMoldings
- Witness MarksDoors
- Wood Filler / Spackle / 2-Part Filler / Color PuttyFasteners, Glue and Materials
- Wood ShelvingClosets and Built-ins
What does your crew call it? If you use a different word for something on this page, or we are missing a term you use every day, tell us and we will add it.