Pocatello Real Estate Glossary

Property descriptions you read may contain some terms you're not familiar with. To help out, we've put together this collection of some of the most common terminology. Don't see what you're looking for? Please contact us, and we'll be happy to answer your question and update our glossary!

 

Daylight Windows

A daylight window has no light obstruction, such as a window well. So, for a basement to have daylight windows, the ground must slope sufficiently to eliminate the need for window wells.

Egress Windows

All bedrooms are required to have two exits. One exit is the door, and the other exit is generally an egress (or exit) window. To qualify as an egress window, the sill must sit no higher than 44 inches from the interior finshed floor, and the opening must provide 5.7 square feet of area through which to escape (5.0 square feet for ground-level windows). The minimum dimensions required for the 5.7-square-foot opening is 20 inches wide by 24 inches high.

Low-E Vinyl Windows

Low-E (or low-emissivity) windows are coated with a microscopic layer of metal oxide to filter out carpet-fading UV rays and help retain heat in the home. The sun's natural light and warmth pass through the window normally. Vinyl is the no-frost casing surrounding the glass. It is a no-maintenance, low heat-loss product, which has proven to be a winner in the window world.

PEX Plumbing

PEX is a cross-linked Polyethylene product superior to copper in several aspects: less noisy, flexible for adapting to temperature, and smoother interior for resistance to scale buildup and corrosion. Since PEX plumbing lines do not converge like copper, they are often installed in a manifold system similar to a circuit breaker panel, giving you the convenience to turn water off or on to any sink, tub, or toilet in the house.

Two-Tone Paint

In the interior of a home, there are three primary areas to paint: the walls, the ceiling, and the trim. Two-tone paint means the walls and ceilings are painted one color (usually a neutral earth tone), and the trim is painted another color (usually white). This classic look is very popular among homeowners. Also popular is three-tone paint, where the ceilings are painted a third color (usually white like the trim). Also worth mentioning is single-tone paint. As the name implies, all areas are painted a single color.

Walk-Out Basement

A basement that features an exterior door—usually leading to the backyard—is termed a walk-out basement. A walk-out basement requires the ground to slope substantially, either naturally or through the installation of retaining walls.

Disclaimer

The definitions contained in this guide are considered reliable, but they do not constitute a guarantee. Descriptions are the view of the author and should not be construed as the fact.