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

Over the building paper tight, well matched siding should be laid also inside and out.

From Apple Growing by Burritt, M. C.

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 Scientific American Supplement, No. 648, June 2, 1888. by Various

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 An I.D.B. in South Africa by Vescelius-Sheldon, Louise

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.