Straight Arch
This arch, also called a flat arch, jack arch, minor arch, segmented arch, or multi-centered arch, has a horizontal top surface, with a span of up to 6 feet, can support loads up to 1,000 pounds per square foot, with a rise to span ratio of 0.15 or less.

Straight Claw Hammer
Hammer with an almost straight claw, which fit easily under the head of a nail. A nail can be driven using only one hand by holding the nail head with the shank pointing outward from the claw. Stroke one sets the nail point in the surface and then the hammerhead is turned around the finish driving the nail.

Straight Grain Wood
Wood grain that is fine and almost parallel.

Straight Lease
Lease that requires periodic equal rental payments that will not change for the term of the lease. Also known as a flat lease.

Straight-Line Depreciation
Equal annual reductions in the book value of property. It is used in accounting for replacement and tax purposes. The depreciation method where an equal amount of depreciation expense is allocated to each full period of the asset's useful life.

Straight-Line Recapture Rate
Capitalization rate used to convert the expected income derived from a property into its estimated asset value (capitalized value). The estimated asset value may be computed by dividing the annual income generated by a property by its capitalization rate. The capitalization rate that is used is generally viewed as having two components: (1) rate of return on investment and (2) straight-line recapture rate that represents the percentage of cost that the investor believes hat he or she must recover each year in order to recoup the entire cost of the asset over its useful life.

Straight Mortgage or Deed of Trust
Ownership of real estate is placed with one or more trustees as security until a loan is repaid by the debtor and is used instead of conventional mortgages in some states. The deed of trust stipulates that, in the event of default, the trustee would liquidate the property for the benefit of the lender in a trustee's sale.

Straight Note
Loan agreement requiring only interest payments over the term of the loan with a balloon payment, of the entire debt balance, due at the end of the term.

Straight-run Staircase
Stairway that runs directly from one floor to another, with no turns or landings.

Straightedge
1. Level, straight device that is used to screed concrete or plaster to a finish.
2. Wood or metal guide used for checking straight lines.

Strain
1. To stretch tightly beyond normal limits.
2. A change in form or size resulting from force or stress.

Strainer
A device for straining, filtering or sifting, by trapping solids from fluids. A colander or sieve.

Stranded Wire
Electrical wire with bunched or braided multiple conductors.

Strap
Thin metal plate which ties boards or timbers at the joint.

Strap Hinge
Exposed hinge which is fastened across the face of a heavy door, such as those on barns, shed, etc.

Strap Wrench
Pipe wrench consisting of a heavy fabric strap with a handle, which is wrapped around a pipe and force, applied with the handle, tightening the strap, which makes it possible to turn the pipe or hold it in place. This is useful where external scratches, made by a regular wrench, would mar the appearance.

Stratify
Separation into layers such as what happens when paints are kept mixed. The lighter liquid rises to the top and the pigment sinks to the bottom. With gases and air, the warm rises to the top with the cold sinking to the bottom.

Straw Man
Individual who purchases property for another individual for the purpose of concealing the identity of the true acquirer from the seller and any other interested parties.

Street Improvement
Repairing the street for safety and attractiveness. In some localities, the homeowner is responsible for properly maintaining the street surrounding his home.

Street Stake
Marker for the first road cut made when the streets are laid out in a potential subdivision. The stakes are place along both sides of the street so that the grade can be marked for the excavating to be done.

Strength
1. The power to resist strain or stress.
2. The state of being strong and having force, power, etc.
3. The ability of a structural member to bear the weight load place upon it without breaking or bending.

Stress
A force exerted upon a thing that tends to cause strain, separation or deform its shape.

Stress, Allowable
The maximum permissible stress that is permitted to be placed safely on a structural member or pressure-retaining component. This is determined through testing and varies specifically with the material in question.

Stress Cracking
Also referred to as crazing. Fine cracking which appears in the surface of paint, porcelain, etc.

Stressed Skin
Plywood sheathing and framing bonded together to form a work unit to resist loads.

Stretcher Bricks
Method of brick laying where the bricks are laid with the narrow sides facing outward.