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

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

For rabbits I wrap with building paper or wire screen.

From The Apple by Various

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

The frame was light, and the cabin was built with double boards, with building paper between, to keep out the cold wintry winds.

From The River Prophet by Coleman, Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen)