In construction, “male” refers to the part of a joint, fitting, or connection that protrudes or extends beyond the surface of the adjoining material, while “female” refers to the part that receives the male part. The terms male and female are commonly used in plumbing, electrical, and mechanical…
In the construction industry, “manufactured wood” refers to a broad category of engineered wood products that are manufactured from wood particles, fibers, or veneers bonded together with adhesives to create structural panels, boards, or beams. Manufactured wood products are widely used in construction for their strength, durability, and…
In the construction industry, “masonry” refers to the building of structures from individual units, which are often laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, building stone such as marble, granite,…
In the construction industry, “MDF” stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. MDF is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers and combining them with wax and a resin binder. The mixture is formed into panels using high temperature and pressure. MDF…
In woodworking and construction, a “miter joint” is a joint made by beveling each of two parts to be joined, usually at a 45° angle, to form a corner, usually a 90° angle. The miter joint is a simple joint to create but is also one of the…
In construction, “mortar” is a mixture of sand, a binder such as cement or lime, and water, used to bond together building blocks, bricks, and stones. Mortar is typically used in masonry construction to fill and seal the gaps between the building materials and to provide structural support…
In construction, a “natural finish” refers to the process of leaving wood or other materials unfinished, allowing their natural color, grain, and texture to be displayed. A natural finish provides a warm, organic look and is often used in contemporary, rustic, or traditional architectural styles to highlight the…
In electrical wiring, a “neutral wire” is a type of wire that carries current back to the source to complete the circuit. The neutral wire is connected to the neutral bus bar in the main service panel and is typically colored white or gray. In a standard electrical…
In construction, a “nonbearing wall” is a type of wall that does not support any vertical loads from the structure above. Nonbearing walls are typically used to divide the interior space of a building into rooms or areas and to provide enclosure and separation. Because nonbearing walls do…