| Sash |
| The movable panel of a fixed window frame. A doublehung window has two sashes. |
| Septic tank |
| A system for disposing waste and sewage where a community sewerage system is not available. Typically consists of a septic tank and absorption field. |
| Setback |
| A required distance between the house, property lines, and the street. Setbacks are established by local zoning ordinances or deed restrictions. |
| Shakes |
| Wood shingles that are hand split and used for roofing and siding. |
| Sheathing |
| Solid panels used to cover the exterior frame walls before the exterior finished material is applied. |
| Sheetrock |
| See Drywall. |
| Shingles |
| Small thin pieces of material made of wood, asphalt, or slate, used to cover the roof and sometimes exterior walls. |
| Shut-off valve |
| A plumbing device that turns off the water supply to the house or to an individual fixture located in the house. |
| Side yard |
| The minimum allowable distance between the house and the side property lines. |
| Sidelights |
| Narrow vertical window-like units that may be located on the sides of entry doors. |
| Siding |
| Overlapping boards used as an exterior finish material. |
| Sill |
| A horizontal element forming the bottom frame of a door or window. |
| Sill plate |
| The treated, horizontal member between the floor framing and the top of the foundation. The purpose of the sill is to transfer the floor and wall loads to the foundation. |
| Soffit |
| The horizontal underside of an eave overhang. |
| Sole plate |
| The horizontal framing member that forms the bottom of a stud wall. |
| Span |
| The unsupported distance between two supports. |
| Specifications |
| A written document giving detailed instructions to the Contractor. |
| Square |
| A measurement of 100 square feet (10’x10’). |
| Stake out |
| Identifying the boundaries of the property and corners of the house by means of stakes and markers. |
| Stile |
| The vertical side parts of a panel door or a window. |
| Stool |
| A flat molding installed at the inside bottom of a window and above the apron. |
| Stringer |
| The diagonal structural support for finished stairs. |
| Stucco |
| Plaster or cement for surfacing interior and exterior walls. |
| Studs |
| The precut, vertical, wood structural supports used in wall framing. |
| Subcontractors (subs) |
| Specialized tradesmen who are hired by the General Contractor. |
| Subflooring |
| The structural material that spans the floor joists and provides a base for the finished flooring. Subflooring is usually made of plywood and is glued and nailed to the floor joists. |
| Sump |
| A means of collecting water, usually from a wet basement. The water is then removed by a sump pump. |
| Survey |
| An engineered drawing that indicates the location, form, and boundaries of a tract of land and/or building. |
