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

Whatever is used, for protection against winter winds, the boarding ought to be sheathed either with building paper or a quilting.

From If You're Going to Live in the Country by Lieberman, Frank

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.

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

Build a frame, then fit them in, standing them on end, and line with building paper, and perhaps boards.

From Buffalo Roost by Cheley, F. H.

The room had been lined with patches of building paper, some red, some blue, and finished out with old newspapers.

From Land of the Burnt Thigh by Voorhies, Stephen J.