Most historic buildings are owned by private citizens who have little or no background in building preservation or its allied fields. These owners - as dedicated as they are to preserving or refurbishing their property - often feel at a disadvantage when communicating with professionals well-versed in the complex jargon of this multidisciplinary field.

The Dictionary of Building Preservation provides easy access to this terminology and helps the nonspecialist to understand and communicate with building and design professionals, preservation groups, government agencies, attorneys, and others concerned with building preservation.

Containing more than 10,000 entries that cover the entire breadth of building preservation in North America, this is the best source available for definitions of terms used for buildings, parts of buildings, the development of historic structures, technical standards, relevant legal terminology, and preservation practice. It provides detailed information on various historical styles and fashions, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems, and current restoration techniques.