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PIER

• Pier: The supporting structure, usually made of concrete and set on or below grade.
• Post Anchors: These are metal brackets that connect support columns to the pier.  They can be set into poured cement or mechanically secured to cured contract by fasteners.

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FOOTING

• Footing: The supporting member that sits below a pier  in order to disperse compression loads. It has a larger surface area than the pier and thereby reduces the load per square foot imposed on the soil.  The larger the footing, the less piers are required all else being equal.

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LEDGER

• Ledger: An external joist that is secured to the rim joist of the floor of a house.  Infield joists of the deck are secured to the ledger with hangers to form the sub structure of the deck.

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SUPPORT COLUMN

• Column: The vertical member, usually a 6x6 dimensional lumber that supports the carrier beam.  The column is then connected to the post anchor bracket secured to the pier. 
• Cantilever: The terminal end of a beam that extends beyond the last support column.

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JOISts

• Joists: Dimensional lumber that forms the shape and structure of the deck frame.  Infield joists comprise the inner members of a frame and rest on beams.

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POSts & BASes

• Posts: Also called support columns.  They are usually 4x4 or 6x6 dimensional lumber and sit below beams to carry load to the pier.  Posts are usually elevated above concrete by a mechanical brackets to keep them dry during their lifetime.

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rim joist

• Rim Joists:  These are dimensional lumber members that form the perimeter (side and ends) of the framing structure. They are also referred to as perimeter joists or band boards.

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decking

• Deck Flooring: These are the members that comprise the floor of any deck.  Dimensional lumber, or synthetic composite materials are most common.  But other materials can be used.  Plywood with waterproof membranes is common. Paver stones are also becoming popular because of their durability, low maintenance and new framing systems to support them.

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treadS

• Tread:​​​​​​​ This is the step portion of a stair case.  Usually they are made of a single dimensional 2x10 or a plurality of other boards like 2x6s.  The smallest step depth permissible is a 2x10.  Anything less becomes a hazard. The portion of the stringer and riser board under the tread makes up the 'run'.

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riserS

• Riser:​​​​​​​ This is the board that fills the gap between each discreet vertical portion of a staircase.  Risers give a staircase a solid appearance and add strength but are not always required.

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cap rail

• Cap:  This is usually a horizontally oriented 2x4 or 2x6 (sometimes called a 'drink rail') that covers a secondary horizontal member of the railing. Cap rail's are not required but they can add functionality, style and strength.

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balustrade

• Balustrade: This is the infill section of a railing and can be comprised of various materials or members such as glass, cables, balusters (pickets).  There are maximum gap requirements to provide safety.  Usually 4" is the maximum space allowed between balusters as an example.