A Guide to Building Terminology by Remus Absorption

1. The water absorbed by a brick, concrete, etc., as a percentage of its dry weight.

2. In acoustics, absorptive materials reduce echoes (reverberation) within a room, but have

little effect on the passing of sound through a wall or floor. Abstract of Title A document prepared by the Vendor's solicitor which relates to unregistered

land proving the Vendor owns the land, and that any previous mortgages have been paid settled. Abstracting The process of assembling and adding similar tasks. The items are arranged in trades to

make billing easier. Admixture, additive In concrete, mortar or plaster, a substance other than aggregate, cement, plaster

or water, added in small quantities to alter the properties of the mix or of the hardened substance Air conditioning Bringing the air in a building to a desired temperature, purity and humidity. Anti-slip paint A paint containing sand, cork dust, asbestos fibre, or similar material, used

for finishing wood floors or decks. Appraisal A judgement of quality; for the building industry this generally means an estimate of

the suitability of a building technique for a particular use. Architect One who designs and supervises the construction of buildings. He prepares drawings and

specifications, inspects sites, obtains tenders, and handles legal negotiations needed before work

can start. Architect's Certificate A certificate provided by an architect, which confirms their overseeing of the

construction of a building. Building societies are unlikely to lend on a new-build house in the

absence of either an architect's certificate or an NHBC Guarantee Architrave A shaped moulding which frames door and window openings Asbestos A mineral crystal, consisting of thin tough fibreslike textile, which can withstand high

temperatures without change when pure. Considered very hazardous, and requires encapsulation

and/or monitoring where present. Asbestos and health Health risks from machining of asbestos may be severe. It is not yet proven

that glass, ceramic and other substitutes for asbestos, which also yield fine fibres that enter the lung,

are completely harmless. Sawing or drilling should be done at floor level; sweepings should be

disposed of in sealed bags by professional contractors only. Asphalt roofing Roofing with bitumen felt or with mastic asphalt (C) laid in two or three coats. Attic A room next to the roof with a ceiling (if any) following the roof slopes Baluster/banister A post in a balustrade of a bridge or flight of stairs. Balustrade Collective name to the whole infilling from handrail down to floor level at the edge of a

stair, bridge, etc.

Barge board

1. A long section of timber used to face the edge of a pitched roof at the point where it meets the gable end.

2. A sloping board (built in pairs) along a gable, covering the ends of roof timbers,

and protecting them from rain. Base course The lowest or lowest visible course of a masonry wall. Batten A length of timber to which for instance roof tiles are fixed. Bay window A window formed in a projection of the wall beyond its general line. Bearer A horizontal timber, often a joist, which spreads load. Bill of quantities A list of numbered items, each of which describes the quantity of some work to be

done in a building contract. During the procedure of tendering the bill is sent out to contractors. Those

contractors who wish to do the work write an extended price opposite each item. This price bill is the

contractor's offer (or tender or bid) to do the work. Bitumen A tar like substance which when heated becomes liquid, and then hardens after cooling.

Generally used for joining both layers of a flat felt roof. Blistering Bubbles in a paint surface, caused by vaporization of moisture or resin under the surface. Block / Block of Flats Self-contained units in a residential property are termed Blocks of Flats.

When such blocks seek to form a Right to Manage Company, the Block needs to fulfil legal criteria

pertaining to the number of units, its capacity for redevelopment, the proportion of commercial to

residential property, and the ability of the tenants to meet qualifying criteria. Block bonding Connecting several courses of brickwork of one wall into the courses of another, often

for bonding shallow facing bricks into thicker common bricks in the backing, and for bonding new

work into old. Bond

1. Laying bricks or stones in a wall in a regular pattern, devised when mortars were weaker and had less adhesion than now. It was important then for every vertical joint to be at least a

quarter of the length of a brick or stone from the next vertical joint above or below. It is not

now so essential 2. The placing of slates or plain tiles to exclude rain in such a way that the joint between

adjoining units is at or near the centre of the unit in the course below them.

3. Adhesion (also called interface strength) resulting from mechanical bond and specific

adhesion

4. The layer of glue in a plywood joint. Bond failure The commonest fault in plasters - detachment of a coat from the background or from an

earlier coat. Defects that can cause it, either alone or in combination include: lack of key in the

background or the earlier coat, sometimes caused by dirt or grease or the formation of salt at the

interface; unset plaster caused by premature drying; too wet or too dry background (suction faults);

movement caused by moisture expansion or contraction or settlement of the building. Bow window A bay window which is curved in plan. Brick definitions The BSI defines four types of clay or concrete brick:

1. cellular bricks with indentations (frogs) exceeding 20% of the volume;

2. 'solid' bricks with a frog less than 20% of the volume, alternatively with small holes

passing through that do not exceed 25% of the volume; 3. ‘perforated' bricks with small through holes exceeding 25% of the volume;

4. 'hollow' bricks with large through holes exceeding 25% of the volume. British Standard, BS, BS specification A numbered publication of the British Standards

Institution description the quality or the dimensions of a manufacture, such as pipes or bricks. British Standards Institution, BSI The British organization for standardizing, by agreement

between maker and user, the methods of test and dimensions of materials as well as codes of practice

and nomenclature. Building inspector An employee in Britain of a local authority, building society, or insurance

company, who tells his employers whether a building is built in accordance with the law or advises

them on its rateable value, fire risk, and mortgage value. Building Insurers The issuers of Insurance for the Building Building line

1. The line fixed, usually by the local authority, as a limit to building near a road. 2. The outside face of the wall of a building, shown, in plan, as a line on a drawing.

3. Building regulations Prior to the owner of a property carrying out extension work, alterations

or structural changes, building regulations need to be obtained from the local authority giving

their approval for the work to commence. Building Research Digest BRE Digest Inexpensive leaflets stating the conclusions of the Building

Research Establishment about a building topic. They are issued monthly, covering hundreds of

subjects from 'Co-ordination of building colours' to 'Materials for making concrete'. The full title is

Building Research Establishment Digest. Building Research Establishment (BRE) The BRE of the British Department of the Environment

was created in 1971 by the fusion of four government bodies, the Building Research Station (Watford,

Herts), the BRE Scottish Laboratory (East Kilbride, Glasgow), the Fire Research Station (Boreham

Wood, Herts), and the former Forest Products Research Laboratory (Princes Risborough, Bucks). Building survey (formerly a full structural survey) This type of survey does not typically include a

valuation of the property. This survey is designed to provide a full assessment of the construction of

the building and its current condition. It includes details of major and minor faults detected and may

recommend further specialist investigation of particular aspects of the property. It is particularly useful

for listed buildings, older properties, or properties of unique design and also for dilapidated buildings

or properties where alterations have been made or are planned. Building surveyor A person trained in the techniques, costs and law of building construction. He

advises on alterations, building defects, easements, extensions, renovations, energy conservation,

planning applications, improvement grants, maintenance, fire insurance, and structural surveys in

buildings in use. 'Chartered' building surveyors are Fellows or Associates of the Royal Institution of

Chartered Surveyors. Others belong to the Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors or

the Faculty of Architects and Surveyors. Buildings Insurance The policy issued by the insurers for a Building Cased frame, The hollow, fixed parts of a sash window, containing the sash weights and pulleys

and bounded by visible boards called the outside lining and inside lining.

Chartered Surveyor A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors once qualified

to MRICS or FRICS status will be a Chartered Surveyor Chemical damp proof course A form of damp proof course using a chemical compound injected

into the brickwork Chimney breast The chimney wall which projects into the room and contains the fireplace and flues. Clerk of works The representative on a building site of the client. He usually works under the

instructions of the architect or engineer, and ensures that the work done is exactly as specified in the

contract, keeping records of such work as foundations, which are later covered up. He has a wide

knowledge of building construction, which may be confirmed by membership of the Institute of

Clerks of Works of Great Britain Incorporated or he may hold the Building Engineer's certificate of

the Institution of Municipal Engineers. He is usually an experienced tradesman who has done

considerable evening study. Condensation

1. Polymerization. 2. Surface condensation is seen as dewdrops or damp patches on indoor surfaces, caused by the

release of water from air as it is cooled below its surfaces, caused by the release of water

from air as it is cooled below its dewpoint . Coping stones Generally a "flat" stone used to cap the top of parapet walls or garden walls. Cornice A moulded at the top of an outside wall, overhanging it to throw the drips away from

the wall, or where an inside wall joins the ceiling. Damp course, damp-proof c., dpc A layer of impervious material laid in a wall to exclude water, as

well as above the junctions of parapet walls with a roof and above or before the door or window

openings. Vertical damp courses (tanking) of asphalt material keep basements dry. Damp courses

may be flexible or rigid. Damp proof membrane A sheet of polythene or other impervious material incorporated in a solid

floor to prevent rising damp. Deciduous trees Trees which lose their leaves every year, that is all hardwoods and a few softwoods.

See larch. District surveyor A civil or structural engineer, an official peculiar to London, whose responsibility

is the approval of building design and construction from the point of view of safety (fire, stability,

etc.) in his district, usually a former London borough. Dormer window A window which projects outwards from a pitched roof. Dot and dab fixing A refinement of plaster dab fixing using small pieces of insulating board. They

are bedded on the wall in board finish plaster smears and levelled with a straight edge. They are placed

about 450 mm apart horizontally and not more than 1 m apart vertically. These pieces of board are the

dots. When the plaster has set, plaster dabs are placed on them. Plasterboards are pressed on the dabs

and held in place with lifting wedges Double glazing Glazing in which two layers of glass are separated by air space for thermal or

acoustic insulation. Sealed units are commonly installed for thermal insulation. Heat losses are

therefore nearly halved and condensation usually prevented, but this type only slightly reduces the

volume of sound passing through the window.

Drip channel A drip. Dry lining This is a method of finishing to walls whereby they are lined with plasterboard rather

than layers of wet plaster based coats. After which, a thin finishing coat of plaster is then applied.

This method of finishing an interior wall ensures that the plaster dries significantly quicker (hence

the name). Eaves The underneath section of a roof overhang. Elemental Or Specialist Investigation This kind of survey is carried out when the Building Survey

has identified specific problems with the property (such as cracks in the walls) and recommended

specialist analysis, by qualified personnel. It may also require the testing of services, which is not

carried out in a Building Survey. Flat varnish A varnish, lacquer, or enamel with its gloss reduced by adding wax, soap, pigment, or

filler. Flatting down, rubbing Sanding with powdered pumice and felt, cuttle fish, glass paper, or other

abrasives. Floor varnish A varnish put on floorboards must be quick drying, tough, abrasion-resistent,

washable, and must take wax polish. Flue A passage for smoke either in a chimney or leading to it. Except for gas fires, each flue

serves one fire only. Flash To make a weather tight joint, called a flashing. Flashing Thin sheets of lead or similar material used to form a waterproof join at the point where

two structures of differing angles meet, normally on a roof. In Victorian times these were often made

with cement, and generally need to be replaced. Frontage The front boundary of a property. Frost in houses There may be a risk of boiler explosion when the cold feed to a hot water system is

blocked by ice. Water from an open reservoir or filter beds may be not much above 0 degrees C.

when delivered into the supply mains in winter. To ensure the main does not freeze, it should be

covered by at least 750 mm of earth Water mains should therefore rise into the house well inside the

outer walls. Overflow pipes from roof cold water cisterns should have obstructions to the inward flow

of cold air. One of the best ways of doing this inside the building is to put a right-angle downward

bend on the entrance to the overflow pipe, submerging it in the cistern. This obstructs the overflow,

so it may sometimes be preferable to put the bend at the outside end of the overflow pipe Gable end This is the side wall of a house when it extends upwards into the inverted "V" of a pitched

roof. Gutter A channel along the edge of a road or an eave, to remove rainwater. Eaves gutters can

occur where two roof slopes meet. See box gutter. Header tank A small water storage tank normally placed in a roof, which is required to replace

water lost in a hot water system due to expansion. Investigation Prior To Alteration Likely to involve a number of specialists, this survey is required

to test the structure and the services of a building prior to any designated alteration to that building.

Jamb Either side of a window or door opening. Jamb The vertical flank of a wall opening, to the full thickness of the wall, often also the

joinery covering the flank. Compare reveal. Joist A wooden or steel beam directly supporting a floor, usually a common joist. Steel joists are

often distinguished by calling them RSJs or rolled-steel joists (C). Lintel A horizontal beam above a door or window opening, used to support the brickwork

above. These could be made of either timber, concrete or steel. Lintel, lintol A small beam over a door or window head, usually a carrying wall load alone. Listed building A building which is listed as being of special historical or architectural interest,

which cannot then be demolished or altered without local government consent. Listed building A building protected from demolition or any alteration (without local

government permission) due to its being of special architectural or historic interest value. Mastic Resin from the Levantine mastic tree, that may be chewed or used as varnish when

dissolved in alcohol. Measured Survey Also known as a Dimensional Survey, this survey involves measuring a building's

dimensions in order to prepare accurate scale drawings. The reason such drawings are required must be

agreed beforehand to confirm the level of detail required and any acceptable tolerances. Mullion The upright dividing section of a window Newel A vertical post into which the side sections of a staircase are fixed Pitch-epoxy glue A glue suitable for fixing expanded polystyrene. Plywood Structural board, stronger and more dimensionally stable than wood, because it is glued from

an old number of sheets of veneer with the grain of adjacent sheets at right angles to each other.

Three-ply is the commonest and cheapest but multi-ply is also much used. Plywood was used by the

joiners of Europe, particularly France, in furniture-making some centuries ago, and probably also by

the ancient Romans and Egyptians. Plywood, as we know it now, was used by the American piano

industry in 1830 for the planks which held the pins to which piano cords are attached. It was then

made of sawn veneer. At this time, obviously piano makers understood its superiority over wood in

strength and stability in varying conditions of dampness. Blackboard desk tops were made in 1883 and

plywood panels for doors in 1890, flush doors following much later. Plywood was known in USA as

'veneered stock' until 1919 when, to avoid the ignorant but widespread prejudice against veneer, the

old Veneer Association changed its name to the Plywood Manufacturers' Association of USA. It

differs from laminated wood, in which the plies have parellel grain. Pre-boring for nails Boring a hole for each nail enables more nails to be driven into each joint because

they can safely be closer than when no hole is drilled. Therefore joints can be stronger. The drill bit

should be slightly thinner than the nail - about two thirds to four fifths of the nail diameter. Purlin A horizontal beam used in roof construction and placed at right angles to the rafters or trusses Rafter filling, beam f., wind f. Brick infilling between rafters at wall plate level.

Sanding Smoothing wooden surfaces with glasspaper by machine or by hand. In painting, the same

process of smoothing paint surfaces is called rubbing or flatting down. Sash window A window in which two opening lights slide up and down in a cased frame, balanced

by sash cords tensioned by sash weights and passing over sash pulleys. Compare sliding sash. Schedule Of Dilapidations A survey that identifies any repairs required on tenanted properties. This

is set against a Landlord's or Tenant's obligations to repair a property as identified in the lease. Skirting, s. board Originally a wooden board set vertically round the foot of a wall to protect if from

kicks. It may now be built of wall tiles, metal trim, terrazzo, asphalt or other material more durable

than wood, and can also be a low upstand of the roof under the flashing at a roof abutment. (Illus.

Above). Smoke detector A device that raises a fire alarm and may open smoke outlets automatically,

can detect changes in visibility, temperature, ionisation of the air and so on. Soffit The underneath section of a roof overhang, archway etc. Soil pipe The pipe which discharges water from a WC to a sewer. This pipe will extend

upwards beyond the roof level in order to vent gases from the sewer. Splayed grounds Grounds with bevelled or rebated edge to provide a key for the plaster where

the ground also acts as a screed. Throat

1. The undercut part of a drip. 2. A narrowing of the bottom of a flue just above the fireplace, that improves the draught from

an open fire. Sometimes it is fitted with an adjustable metal 'throat restrictor' to vary the

draught. 3. The opening from which shavings come out of a plane.

Underpinning When existing foundations to a building are inadequate, additional strengthening

will be added below the existing foundations. UPVC, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride A relatively stiff material, sometimes brittle in cold

weather, of which sewer pipes or water pipes are made. Varnish A resin, asphalt or pitch dissolved in oil or spirit, which dries in air to a brilliant, transparent,

protective film. Varnishes are either oil varnishes are either oil varnishes that dry by oxidation of

drying oil, or spirit varnishes. Varnish may be mixed with paint, put on over it to increase its gloss, or

put on unpainted wood. See lacquer. Veneer A thin layer of wood of uniform thickness which may have been sliced, rotary cut, cut half-

round, or sawn. It is used either as a facing, for its beauty of figure, to stronger, less beautiful wood

or for its strength. Waste pipe A pipe to carry water away from a basin, bath, or sink. It is trapped at its exit from the

basin. An access eye at the trap enables blockages to be cleared. Water table, earth t., watershed, offshoot, canting strip A board or masonry projection fixed to

the foot of a wall (particularly if it is weather-boarded) to shoot water away from it. Weathering

1. A change in colour of the surface of a building material after exposure to rain and sun.

2. The mechanical and chemical break-up of a wood surface exposed to rain and sun. It is not

decay. Wet rot Decay of timber in alternative wet and dry conditions, caused by fungi such as Coniophora

cerebella, Poria vaillantii or other Poria. Unlike dry rot it does not spread into neighbouring timber.

Certain hardwoods (oak, teak, utile, gurjun, agba) and the heartwood of softwoods resist wet rot but

it is usually impossible to buy softwood that is heartwood only. See moisture content Wet sanding Where dry sanding produces harmful dust, wet sanding produces none and is just as

effective.

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clear and transparent services allows people to have faith in our services.