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

I use building paper as a protection against rabbits, and for borers I whitewash the trees; then remove about three inches of earth from the trees and pour some around the roots.

From The Apple by Various

On the top of this a hard pine 1¼ inch floor was laid over a course of building paper.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 647, May 26, 1888 by Various

About six layers of building paper is thick enough for a fox head size.

From Home Taxidermy for Pleasure and Profit A Guide for Those Who Wish to Prepare and Mount Animals, Birds, Fish, Reptiles, etc., for Home, Den, or Office Decoration by Farnham, Albert B.

The lagging was then covered with building paper waterproofed with paraffine.

From Concrete Construction Methods and Costs by Gillette, Halbert Powers

These will form the ends of the cabinet, and when placed, one on each end of the core, heavy building paper or sheet metal is tacked around them for a covering, as shown in Fig.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.