building paper

noun

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

building paper

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of building paper¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75