GLOSSARY
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© 2009, AWI, AWMAC, WI - Architectural Woodwork Standards - 1st Edition, October 1, 2009
As may be updated by errata at http://www.awinet.org, http://www.awmac.com, or http://www.woodworkinstitute.com/awserrata/SKIRT BOARD: A trim member similar to base, run on the rake along the wall adjoining a stairway. The skirt board covers the
joint between the treads and risers and the wall. Also, the similar member below the treads at the open side of a stairway. A wall
routed to receive the treads and risers may replace a skirt board.SLEEPER, BASE: A support member, usually vertical in placement, between the front and rear members of a non-integral toe
base or kick assembly.SLICED: Veneer produced by thrusting a log or sawed flitch into a slicing machine that shears off the veneer in sheets.SLIGHT: Barely perceptible, but not to the extent as to detract from the overall appearance of the product (as a measurement of
natural or machining characteristics).SLIP-MATCHED: A sheet from a flitch is slid across the sheet beneath and, without turning, spliced at the joints.SMOOTH, TIGHT CUT: Veneer cut to minimize lathe checks.SOFTWOOD: General term used to describe lumber or veneer produced from needle- and/or cone-bearing trees (see
hardwood).SOLID PHENOLIC: A composite of solid phenolic resins molded with a homogenous core of organic fiber-reinforced phenolic and
one or more integrally cured surfaces of compatible thermoset nonabsorbent resins.SOLID STOCK: Solid, sound lumber (as opposed to plywood), that may be more than one piece of the same species, securely
glued for width or thickness.SOUND: Absence of decay.SP: See solid phenolic.SPANDREL: The triangular element in a staircase between the stringer and the baseboard.SPECIES: A distinct kind of wood.SPECIFIC GRAVITY: The ratio of the weight of a certain volume of a substance to the weight of an equal volume of water, the
temperature of which is 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).SPLINE: A thin narrow strip forming a key between two members, usually of plywood, inserted into matching grooves that have
been machined in abutting edges of panels or lumber to ensure a flush alignment and a secure joint.SPLINE JOINT: A joint formed by the use of a “spline.” Splines customarily run the entire length of the joint.SPLIT: A separation of the wood due to the tearing apart of the wood cells.SPLIT HEART: A method of achieving an inverted “V” or cathedral type of springwood (earlywood)/summerwood (latewood),
plain-sliced (flat-cut) figure by joining two face components of similar color and grain.SPLITS: Separations of wood fiber running parallel to the grain.STAIN: A variation (normally blue or brown) from the natural color of the wood. It should not be confused with natural red heart.
In finishing, produces the desired undertone color with proper distribution, depth, and clarity of grain. Selection of the type of stain
used is governed by the desired artistic result. In natural wood, a variation in the color tending toward blue or brown, but not to be
confused with naturally occurring heartwood.STAINING: An optional operation in wood finishing to achieve the desired undertone color and complement the wood with proper
distribution of color, depth of color, and clarity of grain.STAIRWORK: Wood material to form a stair or to clad stair parts constructed of materials other than wood, and that are custom-
manufactured to a design for a particular project.STANDARD LACQUER: In finishing, a nitrocellulose-based lacquer without additives.STANDING TRIM: Generally combined in the term “standing and running trim” and refers to the trims of fixed length delivered to
the jobsite (e.g., door jambs and casings, premachined window stools).Glossary (Page 21 of 25)
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