D

Damper

A flap that controls or obstructs the flow of air or other gasses.

Datum
The fixed starting point for surveying or measuring.

Daylighting

Illuminating the interior of buildings with natural sunlight.

Dead Flat

Having no gloss at all, when referring to paint.

Deadening

Construction designed to prevent the transmittance of sound.

Deck Insulation

Before a flooring system is installed, these thin sheets of insulation are placed on concrete surfaces.

Designer

A skilled professional who designs houses and details of that residence. Includes interior design, landscaping and more.

Design Heat Load

Total heat loss from a building under the most severe conditions likely to happen.

Device Cover

A protective cover over an electrical box or device.

Diagonal Bracing

This form of bracing diagonally connects joints at separate levels.

Dimmer Switch

An electrical switch used to control the brightness of a light fixture.

Diverter
Valve used in plumbing fixtures, (such as faucets, showers, bathtubs), that divert water to different outlets.

Domestic Marble

A marble extracted from the country or area where the home in which it's used is built.

Doodlebug

A divining device used to locate underground piping and conduits.

Door Buck

Simply a door frame.

Door Header
A beam redirecting the weight or load from above a door to the side door studs.

Double Glazing
A window using two panes of glass. Double glazing helps to improve energy efficiency and insulation in homes.

Double Hung Window
Typically constructed of wood, this window is made up of two panels that slide vertically to open.

Drop-Sheet or Drop Cloth
Used to cover/protect furniture and floors during interior painting projects.

Drawer Roller

A device with a metal or fiber wheel rotating in a metal frame used in easing the sliding of a drawer open or shut.

Drawer Slides

A mechanism using guides and rollers to guide and support a drawer.

Drip Edge

A strip installed at roof eaves to force drops of water to drip clear of the side of a building.

Dry Rot
Thriving in moist and damp conditions, this fungus eats away at wood fibers.

Drywall
A manufactured plasterboard encased in a thin layer of cardboard used for wall surfaces. Usually comes in panels.

Duplex Paper

Wallpaper consisting of two separate papers pasted together. This paper is used to create an embossed effect.

Dutch Door

A door with two separate leaves, one above the other. This enables one to be open while the other is shut.