Scab
Piece of lumber ties two other pieces together to strengthen the joint and provide support.

Scab Ledger
Horizontal framing piece which serves as a point to stop for the rafters of a hip roof where the hip rafters don't reach to the ridge but are stopped at the gable end, to form a Dutch Gable roof. It also is nailed across the last of the set of common rafters on a gable roof to form the shortened gable end base.

Scaffold
Temporary structure erected to allow work to be done on a building or other structure, above the floor level, that would otherwise have to be done using a ladder.

Scaffold Bracket
Structure, usually triangle in shape, which attaches to a wall to form the base for the placement of scaffold planks.

Scaffold, Hanging
Scaffolding, for use with exterior work on multi-floored buildings, that is suspended from the building and can be raised and lowered.

Scaffold, Morgen
Scaffolding towers, not attached to a wall but freestanding, which support a platform section between them, allowing the platform to be raised and lowered. The basic towers can be adjusted for height with extensions when the towers are erected. This type of scaffold is excellent for use when erecting walls.

Scaffold, Sectional
Type if scaffolding which utilizes metal sections, which are attached to each other and may be stacked as high as needed for work on a high-rise building but becomes less practical at extremely high levels.

Scaffold, Swinging
Scaffolding, for use with exterior work on multi-floored buildings, that is suspended from the building and can be raised and lowered.

Scale
1. Model depicting what a structure physically looks like. The dimensions are drawn on a proportionate basis to the real thing, such as ¼ scale, which equals ¼ inch to 1 foot.
2. A series of marks used in measuring or registering or comparing weights.
3. Peeling or flaking of a surface.

Scaling
1. The flaking off of thin pieces of concrete from its surface.
2. Removal of the tabs on existing asphalt roofing shingles prior to installation of a new roof because they are bent or curled and removal is necessary to form a suitable base for the shingles.

Scallop
Rounded edging on arches or trim.

Scantling Lumber
Yard lumber about 2 inches by 8 inches, often attached to a larger piece.

Scarcity
Inadequate supply of something. When there is a scarcity of housing, it results in price increases of those available.

Scarf Joint
Joints that are formed by bevel cutting the ends at the proper angles so that the boards fit together on an even level.

Scarifier
1. Instrument used to mark the first coat of stucco or plaster so that a gripping surface is formed for the second coat.
2. Powered roller which scores grooves into cured concrete by use of hardened steel cutters.

Scenic Easement
Easement with the objective retaining property in its natural setting and forbidding construction of something that would block the beauty or view.

Schedule
1. A timed plan for a procedure or project.
2. A list or inventory of details, often as an explanatory supplement to a bill of sale, deed, will, tax form, etc.

Schedule E
Part of Form 1040, shows income or loss from real estate transactions including net rental income.

Schedule, Fixture or Lighting Fixture
List, which is normally part of a drawing, specifying the electrical fixtures and the lighting fixtures and showing where they are to be used.

Schedule, Material
List, on a building plan, detailing the materials needed to complete the job.

Schedule, Symbol
Legend that defines the symbols on a construction drawing, with their meanings.

Schematic
Plan diagram showing, for example, the electrical wiring circuits or the plumbing system.

Schematic Designs
Renderings of housing plans, both floor and exterior.

Schematic Plan
Outline or diagram of a structure or group of structures used for planning purposes.

Scissors Roof Truss
Type of roof truss used to provide surface for sloped interior ceilings due to its steep exterior slope with a bottom chord whose middle angles up.

Scleroscope
Testing machine, which drops a diamond-pointed hammer through a glass guide tube onto the material to ascertain the hardness of the material. Material hardness information is important when designing metal components so that the wear resistance or brittleness can be figured into the design.

Sconce
Wall mounted lighting fixture or bracket that holds candles.

Score or Scoring
1. Roughing a surface to make it more receptive to a second coat of material.
2. Marking a line with a knife or cutting too.
3. Decorative grooves in masonry.

Scored Block
Unit of masonry that has a groove across the middle of the block so that it appears to be only ½ block.

Scotia
Deep concave molding, often found at the base of a column.

Scraper
1. Type of earthmover which is used to level and grade the ground for roadways or on constructions sites by use of a cutting blade under the machine which scrapes the soil and deposits it in the bucket.
2. Hardened edged tool which scrapes surfaces clean.

Scraper, Paddle Wheel
Earthmoving equipment that is used to finely grade surfaces by using a paddle-wheel blade to rotate and scrape off the top later of the soil, depositing it in the bucket.

Scratch Awl
Sharply pointed tool which scratches lines on surfaces.

Scratch Coat
The first coat of stucco or plaster which is roughened to hold the second coat.

Scratch Cost
Initial plaster used on a lathe.