building paper

American  

noun

1. heavy paper used especially in the construction of frame buildings to block drafts, for insulation, etc.

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building paper British  

noun

1. any of various types of heavy-duty paper that usually consist of bitumen reinforced with fibre sandwiched between two sheets of kraft paper: used in damp-proofing or as insulation between the soil and a road surface

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Etymology

Origin of building paper

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

By meticulously building Paper Portal’s stock to reflect his reading life and aspirations, LaFlam is inviting others into a conversation about books and storytelling.

From Seattle Times

In those early years, he would play in the rubble of bombed-out buildings, clambering over the ruins, playing violent games with bricks, building paper airplanes out of the pages of discarded books.

From The Guardian

The wood framing is typically wrapped with building paper — probably tar paper 50 years ago — and then the bricks are installed with metal ties to the wall but with a small gap behind them.

From Washington Post

When tin is applied to roofs, resin-sized building paper should first be laid on the roof plank, and the sheets of tin should be painted on the lower side before being laid.

From Project Gutenberg

In place of lath and plastered walls, thick building paper formed the interior covering, leaving a space between the iron outside and the paper within.

From Project Gutenberg