Glass 
A hard, brittle, translucent or transparent, substance which is made by fusing silicates with soda or potash, lime and other metallic oxides; it is then cooled rapidly to prevent crystallization. 

Glass Blocks 
Translucent glass blocks that are held together with mortar or plastic strips with silicon sealant and used to build non-bearing walls or partitions. 

Glass Cutter 
Tool used for cutting or etching glass. To cut, a line is scored where the glass can be broken out. 

Glass Door, Sliding 
Door with two or more glass panels, which are mounted in a frame of wood or metal. One the other frames is stationery and the other is mounted on rollers so that it can slide along a track to open and close. They are often used for patio doors because of the light proved through the glass. 

Glass Drill Bit 
Used to drill holes in ceramic tile or glass, this drill bit is either diamond or carbide tipped. 

Glass Mesh Mortar 
Unit ½ inch thick sheets of hard material composed of cement and fiberglass, which is used as a backing for ceramic tile or as an underlayment in showers, wherever a moisture barrier is needed, because it is waterproof. Cement board is installed much like drywall; the 3 x 5 foot sheets are cut to size and fastened using drywall screws. Joints are sealed with drywall joint tape and thinset mortar or the tile adhesive. Wonder Board and Durock are the two most well-known brands, with wonder board being used generically. It is also called cement board. 

Glass Pliers 
Also called glazier's pliers, they have either rubber faced jaws or jaws made of plastic to hold the section of glass to be removed. 

Glaze Coat 
1. Final coat in paint finishing. 
2. Top layer of asphalt in a built-up roof. 

Glazed 
Windows fitted with glass panes. "Double glazed" refers to a window with double panes. 

Glazed Tile 
Ceramic tile wit a powdered glass material called frit applied prior to firing. The frit is fused to the tile, forming a hard, shiny surface. 

Glazier 
One who installs glass. 

Glazier's Pliers 
Pliers with rubber faced jaws or jaws made of plastic to hold the section of glass to be removed. They are also called glass pliers. 

Glazier's Point 
Arrowhead shaped slivers of sheet metal, which are used to temporarily hold the glass in place in a frame during installation. 

Glazier's Putty 
Substance applied around the joint of the glass and frame to hold it permanently. Although similar to putty, it stays flexible so it does not dry in the manner of regular putty. Also called glazing compound.

Glazing
1. The installation of glass. 2. Application of semi-opaque color, which is subsequently wiped away, over a base coat. 3. Coating applied to ceramics prior to firing in a kiln, which then forms a hard surface. 

Glazing Compound 
Substance applied around the joint of the glass and frame to hold it permanently. Although similar to putty, it stays flexible so it does not dry in the manner of regular putty. Also called glazer's putty.

Gliding Window 
Short Vertical panels which slide back and forth in a window. 

Glitter
1. To be strikingly brilliant or showy. 2. Bright sparkling lights. 3. Bits of shiny particles that can be used for decorations by being painted, glued, etc. to surfaces. 

Globe Valve 
Used to regulate flow of fluid, these valves are opened and closed when a plug or horizontal disc is lowered from its circular seat. 

Gloss 
The brightness or luster of a highly shined finish. 

Gloss Oil 
Varnish, made of petroleum thinner and limed rosin, which dries to a high luster finish. 

Gloss Paint 
Paint that dries to a bright shiny finish. 

Glove 
Covering for the hand with a separate sheath for each finger and thumb. 

Glove Box 
1. Storage compartment in the inside of an automobile. 
2. Sealed enclosure, which contains a viewing window and openings with gloves for handing toxic, sterile, etc. objects inside the enclosure. Pressure inside of the box is less than that of the outside atmosphere to prevent leakage from the box. 

Glue 
Various adhesive preparations made from resin, casein, etc. An adhesive. 

Glue Block 
Block of wood, which is glued at the connection of two other pieces of wood for purposes of strengthening the joint. 

Glue Gun 
1. Heating dispenser for the application of hot glue. 
2. Holding device to apply adhesive from the cartridge. 

Glueline 
1. Adhesive joint between veneers in a plywood panel.
2. The place, usually at the edges, where adhesive is applied to hold two objects together. 

Glulam 
Short for glued-laminated structural timber, these beams are strengthened by gluing and bonding layers of strong wood together making them thicker than other types of laminated lumber. 

Gnarl 
1. Board wood displaying a swirling pattern, which can be finished naturally. 
2. To make knotted or twisted. 

Goggles 
Large, fitted glasses with side guards, which are used as protection for eyes. 

Good Faith 
Each party in a real estate transaction is presumed honest and fair with no deceit and that their intentions are honorable and realistic. If deception occurs, without prior knowledge, the transaction, carried out in good faith, remains valid. 

Good Repair Clause 
Contract clause, indicating that the property must be properly maintained to keep the contract valid, which creates liability for the seller or lessee if the subject property is found to be in need of repairs. 

Goodwill 
The value of the name and reputation of a person or company, which will generate better future earnings, based on that reputation. 

Gothic Arch 
Also called Tudor, parabolic, or semicircular arches. They are arches having a span of more than six feet with a rise-to-span ratio in excess of 0.15, and a load capacity of 1,000 pounds per foot. 

Gouge 
1. A chisel, which has a curved hollow blade, used for cutting grooves or holes in wood. 
2. A chisel that has a U shaped cutting end, which makes grooves in the material of choice. 
3. The groove or hole made by gouging. 

Gouging 
1. To make grooves or holes in something. 
2. To scoop, dig, or force out. 
3. Rapid removal of excess material by any means. 

Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) 
Nickname for Government National Mortgage Association. These debt securities have the objective of funding high-risk mortgages for high-risk borrowers, typically in areas approved for government construction projects that have no other funding sources. The government body also buys home loans issued by others, such as commercial banks, mortgage banks, and insurers and, after pooling them together, sells shares to investors. Unlike Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Ginnie Maes are backed by the United States and thus have a high credit standing. 

Government Rectangular Survey 
A rectangular system of land survey used to subdivide public land, that divides a district into 24 square mile quadrangles from the Meridian (north-south line) and the Baseline (east-west line). The tracts are divided into 6-mile-square parts called townships, which are in turn divided into 36 tracts, each 1-mile square, called Sections. 

Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) 
A quasi-governmental organization that is privately owned but was created by the government and retains certain privileges not afforded totally private entities. 

GPM
Graduated-payment mortgage. Mortgage where the monthly payments are low for the first few years, gradually rise for a few years and then remain fixed.