Gutters are used to capture water falling on a roof, and controlling where it goes when it reaches the ground. This water needs to be channeled away from the house or it is likely to find it's way through the foundation, and into the basement.
Gutters may be strictly functional or decorative like the copper gutters shown here.
Gable – The triangular end of a building where two sloping roofs meet.
Gable End Walls – The triangular end of an exterior wall above the eaves.
Gable Roof – A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Contains a gable at each end.
Gable Vent – A metal or wooden insert with slanted openings arranged to allow entry of ventilation air but keep out rain. (Note: Circular roof vents or a ridge vent may be used in place of gable vents in some houses).
Gambrel Roof – A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper. Contains a gable at each end.
Girder – A main support beam in the floor framing system; often made of steel or wood, it rests on posts while the floor joists rest on it.
Glass Felt – Glass fibers bonded into a sheet with resin and suitable for impregnation in the manufacture of bituminous waterproofing, roofing membranes and shingles.
Glass Fibers – Glass in a strand form. The ingredients are essentially the same as those found in any glass product, such as a window pane or drinking glass.
Glass Mat – A thin mat of glass fibers with or without a binder.
Glazed Tile – Ceramic tile with a fused facial finish composed of ceramic materials. The glaze is essentially a liquid form of colored glass that provides color and texture that can be manipulated to produce the desired design and finish. Ceramic tile glaze also provides a protective function preventing staining.
Glazing a Window – refers to the process of using a putty or glazing compound to attach window glass to the window frame.
Gloss Level – Different sheens or levels of Flat, Satin , Semi Gloss or Gloss.
Glueless Tile (left) – Vinyl tiles that install with your choice of adhesive tabs or spray adhesive. Glueless tiles are sold as a system including the tile, a roll-out underlayment that has a premarked grid pattern that assists with the installation, and the adhesive tabs or spray adhesive. Glueless tile is easy to place down and easy to pick up again.
Going green – Adopting practices that reduce your overall impact on the environment. These may include reducing your energy usage, recycling, using public transportation, buying local products, and/or designing, remodeling, or buying a home that is more energy efficient.
Grace Ice & Water Shield – The leading self-adhered membrane roofing underlayment offers premium leak protection for sloped roofs subject to the effects of ice dams or wind driven rain. The membrane is designed to be applied to the roof deck prior to the application of the finished roof coverings (shingles, tile, metal).
Grace Period – The time period between the due date of a mortgage payment and the date when late charges are assessed. For example, payments due on the first of the month may have a 14 day grace period, meaning that fees will be charged if payment is not received by the fifteenth.
Grade Level – Grade refers to the construction level relative to the ground around it. Below grade is below ground level, on grade is at ground level, and above grade is above ground level.
Graduated Payment Mortgage – A mortgage with monthly payments that are smaller at the beginning of the loan period and gradually increase by a specified amount for the first five or ten years, after which they become fixed. A GPM has a fixed interest rate and fixed loan period.
Granules – Ceramic-coated, colored crushed rock that is applied to the exposed surface of asphalt roofing products.
Gravel Fill – Layer of gravel or loose rock placed under the foundation to provide drainage and protect from damp floors.
Green Design – A design, usually architectural, conforming to environmentally sound principles of building, material and energy use. A green building, for example, might make use of solar panels, skylights and recycled building materials.
Greenwashing – The practice of making a false or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a company, product, service or technology. An example is a homeowner/REALTOR referring to his or her home/listing with a few green features as a “green home.”
Gross Income – The total amount of money you make annually from all sources. This amount is reported on your federal tax returns.
Guaranteed Mortgage – A mortgage that is guaranteed against default, such as a VA or FHA insured mortgage. Borrowers must pay an insurance premium in order to get a guaranteed mortgage (also called an insured mortgage).
Gutter – Trough attached to the eave (edge) line of the roof for gathering and carrying water away from the structure.