If a building term has you stumped, have a look through our glossary. If it isn’t here, let us know and we will make sure it gets added.

Architect

A professional with a degree on building design, who will design, plan and produce detailed plans and drawings of your building/extension. An architect will work with the surveyor and builder advising them on the construction.

Achitrave

A decorative wooden trim or plaster moulding that forms a frame around a window or doorway.

Block Work

Pre-cast concrete blocks which are generally used to build the inner layer in a cavity wall.

Building Regulations

Set down by law, the Building Regulations are policed by the local council to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings. A building regulations inspection will take place at several key points during the construction of any building. Work may only continue if the inspector passes the work done to date.

Cavity Wall

A wall built with two skins (layers) and insulation between to help prevent moisture build-up and retain heat.

Condensation

Small water droplets that occur when warm air comes in contact with a cold surface, often a sign of insufficient insulation.

Cornice

Decorative moulding along the interior join between the ceiling and the wall or at the top of an exterior wall.

Damp Proofing

A paint-on skin, plastic membrane or other form of treatment that prevents dampness or the effects of dampness.

Dry Lining

Plasterboard or similar material is attached to wall-mounted battens in place of plasterwork or prior to plasterwork for an improved finish.

Eaves

The overhanging part of the roof.

Fascia

The flat horizontal surface just below the edge of the roof.

Flashing

The pieces of sheet metal (often lead) secured around the joints, chimneys and angles of a roof to prevent water penetration.

Footings

The foundation of a building or wall.

Foundations

Generally underground – the foundations transfer and distribute the weight of the building above evenly across the ground.

Fuse Box

Central electrical box containing wires for each electrical circuit used in a house, that will cut out if the current running through exceeds safe levels.

Hardcore

Rubble used to form the basis of a concrete slab.

HIP (Home Information Pack)

A HIP must be prepared by all house vendors prior to putting their house on the market, containing all the relevant information about the property.

Hip

On the slope of a roof where the two angles meet.

Insulation

‘Padding’ which can be made of fiberglass, wool and even recycled paper inserted into the wall cavity and loft to retain warmth in a property.

Joist

A horizontal structural element usually timber to support floors, roofs or to form a ceiling.

Lintel

A beam positioned above a window or door that supports the weight of the wall above it.

MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)

A stable wood-like substance used to make furniture, cupboards etc.

Membrane

A thin painted skin or sheet used in damp proofing.

Mortar

Generally a mix of sand, water and cement used to hold bricks or stones together. Old houses may need mortar to be mixed with lime rather than cement.

Mullion

The vertical dividers between lights of a window – can be made from wood, metal or stone.

Padstone

The weight-bearing stone that carries the end of a joist in a wall.

Parapet

Low wall at the edge of a balcony or roof.

Pendant Light

Light fitting hanging from the ceiling.

Planning Permission

Effectively this is a licence issued by the local council allowing the construction, alteration or extension of a building to which a range of caveats may be added.

Plasterboard

Pre-prepared sheets of plaster sandwiched between paper which are nailed to battens to form internal walls.

Plasterwork

Final skim of plaster that is applied to plasterboard to painting – also term used for decorative plaster mouldings applied to ceilings or walls.

Purlin

A large horizontal roof beam that supports the rafters.

Quantity Surveyor

A trained professional responsible for estimating the materials required to build and complete a construction project.

Rafter

Sloping beams in either wood or metal that run from a roof ridge to its edge to which the roofing materials are secured.

Rainwater Harvesting

The collection of rainwater to use in the internal plumbing system for flushing toilets etc.

Render

A thin layer of plaster on the outside of the building to cover the blockwork.

Reveal

The side of a door or window.

Ring Main

A circular of electrical wires round a building that carry electricity to sockets positioned on it. Power flows in both directions.

Rising Main

The pipe that brings cold water to a building’s cold water tank from the outside supply.

RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist)

Now used as a general term for a heavy weight roof or wall support.

Rooflight

Window inserted into the roof.

Septic Tank

Underground collection tank for household sewage which separates liquid and solid waste allowing the former to drain into the surrounding earth.

Screed

Smooth thin top later on a concrete floor generally of sand and cement.

Snagging

Final detailed check with any minor remedial fixing prior to sign off of building work.

Soffit

The underside of the roof overhang or arch.

Specifications

Detailed drawings, measurements and materials for a building against which the builder and quantity surveyor will provide a quote and which will form the basis of the construction.

Studwork

Framework of timber to which plasterboard is affixed to create internal walls.

Structural Engineer

A qualified professional who will assess the suitability of the foundations as well as ensure the structural safety and stability of a building’s design.

Subcontractors

There are teams of specialists who provide a service for which the builder may not have their own in-house staff, but who will be employed and directed by the builder.

Superstructure

The part of the building that rises above the foundations.

Surveyor

Professional trained to take accurate measurements and dimensions of land or buildings.

Transome

Horizontal divisions between window panes.

Underpinning

The restoration or extension of an existing building may require the strengthening of its foundations. This is done by digging out sections of the current foundations and infilling with concrete.

Wall Tie

A piece of metal that holds the two faces of a cavity wall together. Designed to prevent moisture crossing the cavity.