WHO: World Health Organization

Wide Cracking: A crack exceeding 1/16 inch wide; often an indication of movement or structural concern. Also referred to as deep cracking.

Wind Uplift: The upward force exerted by wind traveling across a roof.

Window Wall: A non-load-bearing exterior wall system consisting of framed window panels stacked between concrete slabs. Unlike curtain walls, window walls are installed from the interior with the bottom of each window set directly on the structural base or foundation, and do not extend past the slab edges. They align closely with the building's floors and do not span multiple floors. They provide extensive natural light and views but require individual installation at each floor level.

Wooden Lath: Thin wood strips used as a base for applying stucco to walls.

Workmanlike: Executed in a skilled manner.

Wrinkling: A term used to describe lines and folds that randomly appear in a membrane, usually caused by membrane slippage, and is the result of the slope of the roof such that the asphalt is too viscous or the membrane was not properly attached to the decking.

Wythe: A continuous vertical section of masonry that is 1 unit in thickness. It may be independent of or interlocked with the adjoining wythe(s). A single wythe of brick that is not structural in nature is referred to as a veneer. A multiple-wythe masonry wall may be composed of a single type of masonry unit layered to increase its thickness and structural strength, or different masonry units chosen by function, such as an economical concrete block serving a structural purpose, and a more expensive brick chosen for its appearance.

Yard: An open space on the same lot with a building.

Z-Flashing: A metal flashing in the shape of a “Z” that is used to prevent water from entering behind the joints of siding sheets or panels.

Zone: A conditioned space within a building controlled by a single device.

1 … 19 20 21