1. flashing
   roof
2. driveway

A roof is one of the most important parts of a house. It's the shelter that keeps weather and wild creatures (and creepy people) from clambering over the walls and into your living room.

1. soffit
   gable
2. window

Primitive houses of yesterday didn't have any windows. The result? Dark, scary interiors that Martha Stewart definitely would not approve of.

1. chimney
   wall
2. window

Long, thin walls are key to home construction. They provide support for the roof and serve as a critical barrier that keeps the outside world at bay.

1. toilet
   joists
2. gutters

Gutters are a system of channels intended to funnel water away from the house. If you've ever forgotten to unclog your gutters during a rainstorm, you might have found water in your basement.

1. chimney
   gutter
2. siding

The chimney is a stack that carries gases and other byproducts of combustion into the outdoors. Without a chimney, an indoors fireplace would be exceedingly unpleasant, and you know, probably deadly.

1. flipping
   flashing
2. flak

Flashing is a strip of metal meant to divert water away from protrusions (like chimneys) that push through the roof or walls. Improperly installed flashing is a common cause of destructive water problems.

1. plywood
   siding
2. rafters

Siding is a barrier that's attached to the walls of a house. Paired with the roof, siding helps to keep most weather outside where it belongs instead of allowing thunderstorms to sweep through your kitchen.

1. plumbing
   HVAC
2. carpet

The HVAC system controls all aspects of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, thus the acronym. It integrates the furnace and air conditioner into a series of ventilation ducts that send warm and cool air throughout the structure.

1. stairs
   teleporter
2. helicopter

Not every home features more than one level. But for those that do have a basement or second floor, stairs are a necessary component that helps you walk from one level to another.

1. shingles
   kiln
2. bridges

Roof shingles are a critical aspect of home construction. Affixed to the roof (and sometimes, walls) they repel rain and other weather elements.

1. skylight
   night light
2. disco light

A skylight is a window that's installed in the roof. Skylights are a fabulous way to bring natural light into a structure … but improperly installed, they can result in serious water intrusion.

1. shingles
   hearth
2. shag carpet

The hearth is the portion of the floor directly in front of the fireplace. Often made of stone or brick, it protects the flooring from damage and reduces the risk of fire.

1. garage
   basement
2. attic

In a home with a pitched roof, the attic is the space above the living areas, and a properly insulated attic can drastically affect temperatures in the home. Some attics are converted to living spaces, but often they are left empty because they're difficult to access.

1. chase
   rafter
2. soffit

The soffit is the underside portion of the roof that overhangs the walls. Vented soffits (evident by holes or slats) allow for greater air circulation in the attic.

1. drip edge
   faucet
2. flooring

The drip edge is a type of metal flashing that's meant to guide water into gutters. Properly installed drip edges guide water into the gutters … not behind them.

1. bathroom fan
   furnace
2. air conditioner

Air conditioners cool the air and then distribute it throughout a home. In very hot weather, central air conditioning drastically improves quality of life.

1. header
   footing
2. fireplace

The footing of a home is the area that supports the foundation wall. The footing is usually made of reinforced concrete.

1. roof
   rafter
2. wall sheathing

Wall sheathing is panels that are used to brace walls and to provide support for other materials, such as siding. Plywood is often used for the sheathing.

1. outlet
   insulation
2. drywall

Insulation is a vital component of house construction. In the walls and attic, fiberglass insulation with a high "R" value keeps the home cozy and comfortable in all types of weather, particularly when paired with an effective HVAC system.

1. gable vents
   floor vents
2. umbrella vents

Gable vents placed on the ends of a home's roof make a tremendous difference in the amount of air that flows through the attic. That, in turn, makes the temperatures in the living spaces much more comfortable.

1. fascia board
   crown molding
2. baseboard

Crown molding is like a fancy baseboard, but it's for the top of your wall instead of the bottom. Crown molding may be incredibly intricate woodwork, or perhaps a prefabricated bit of plastic.

1. backsplash
   footing
2. ridge board

A ridge board built into a roof helps to support the ends of the rafters. It helps to move the load of the roof toward the walls and foundation.

1. window sill
   top plate
2. foundation

A home's foundation is buried into the ground and supports the entire structure. A properly built foundation increase the integrity of the home as a whole.

1. flue top
   floating floor
2. dehumidifier

A flue top (or chimney cap) is a piece of material that covers the top of the chimney. Without this cap, precipitation can drain directly into the chimney … something that you definitely want to avoid.

1. header
   floor joist
2. rafters

Floor joists are the large pieces of lumber that support the subfloor. In places where the joists also support walls, the floor joists are often doubled or tripled for extra strength.

1. wall stud
   wallboard
2. wallflower

Wall studs are typically 2 x 4 boards that provide the basic framework for a wall. Drywall or other materials are attached to the wall studs.

1. header
   flooring
2. sill plate

The sill plate is often made of treated lumber, and it helps to secure the home to the foundation. The fact that the wood is treated helps to protect against rotting and termites.

1. backfill
   backhoe
2. back plate

Backfill is soil that's placed next to the home's foundation. It is sloped and graded to move water away from the structure.

1. frieze
   fascia board
2. concrete slab

Concrete slabs are sections of horizontal concrete often used to support floors and ceilings. Most slab homes don't have basements.

1. gridiron
   girder
2. treadwork

Girders are horizontal support beams used in many types of buildings. They are often I-beams, and sometimes connected to other girders. Together, they have incredible strength for construction purposes.