Business / Construction Glossary

Masonry: Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, or other similar building units or materials. Normally bonded together with mortar to form a wall.

Mastic: A pasty material used as a cement (as for setting tile) or a protective coating (as for thermal insulation or waterproofing)

Mechanics Lien: A lien on real property, created by statue in many years, in favor of persons supplying labor or materials for a building or structure, for the value of labor or materials supplied by them. . . . View Full Definition

Metal Lath: Sheets of metal that are slit to form openings within the lath. Used as a plaster base for walls and ceilings and as reinforcing over other forms of plaster base.

Microlam: A manufactured structural wood beam. It is constructed of pressure and adhesive bonded wood strands of wood. They have a higher strength rating than solid sawn lumber. Normally comes in l ½' . . . View Full Definition

Milar (Mylar): Plastic, transparent copies of a blueprint.

Millwork: Generally all building materials made of finished wood and manufactured in millwork plants. Includes all doors, window and door frames, blinds, mantels, panelwork, stairway components (ballu . . . View Full Definition

Miter Joint: The joint of two pieces at an angle that bisects the joining angle. For example, the miter joint at the side and head casing at a door opening is made at a 45° angle.

Molding: A wood strip having an engraved, decorative surface.

Monopost: Adjustable metal column used to support a beam or bearing point. Normally 11 gauge or Schedule 40 metal, and determined by the structural engineer

Mortar: A mixture of cement (or lime) with sand and water used in masonry work.

Mortgage: Loan secured by land.

Mortgage broker : A broker who represents numerous lenders and helps consumers find affordable mortgages: the broker charges a fee only if the consumer finds a loan.

Mortgage company : A company that borrows money from a bank, lends it to consumers to buy homes, then sells the loans to investors.

Mortgage Deed: Legal document establishing a loan on property.

Mortgage Loan: A contract in which the borrower's property is pledged as collateral. It is repaid in installments. The mortgagor (buyer) promises to repay principal and interest, keep the home insured, pay . . . View Full Definition

Mortgage Origination Fee: A charge for work involved in preparing and servicing a mortgage application (usually one percent of the loan amount).

Mortgagee: The lender who makes the mortgage loan.

Mortise: A slot cut into a board, plank, or timber, usually edgewise, to receive the tenon (or tongue) of another board, plank, or timber to form a joint.

Mudsill: Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called sill plate. Also sole plate, bottom member of interior wall frame.

Mullion: A vertical divider in the frame between windows, doors, or other openings.

Muntin: A small member which divides the glass or openings of sash or doors.

Muriatic Acid: Commonly used as a brick cleaner after masonry work is completed.

Mushroom: The unacceptable occurrence when the top of a caisson concrete pier spreads out and hardens to become wider than the foundation wall thickness.

Nail Inspection: An inspection made by a municipal building inspector after the drywall material is hung with nails and screws (and before taping).

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