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Jargon Busters
Understanding the language of construction is essential for anyone involved in building work, from architects and engineers to contractors and clients. Let us demystify the complex terminology and provide you with clear, concise definitions that will make your next project a breeze.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Aggregate | Crushed stone, gravel, or sand used in concrete and construction. |
| Anchor | A device used to secure structural elements to a foundation. |
| Apex | The highest point of a roof or structure. |
| Architrave | The moulding around a door or window frame. |
| Asphalt | A mixture used for paving roads and waterproofing roofs. |
| Beam | A horizontal structural member that supports loads. |
| Bearing Wall | A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it. |
| Bifold Door | A door that folds back in sections. |
| Blockwork | Construction using concrete or masonry blocks. |
| Brick Veneer | A single layer of bricks used as a facing. |
| Building Envelope | The physical separator between the interior and exterior of a building. |
| Buttress | A structure built against a wall to support or reinforce it. |
| Cantilever | A projecting beam or structure supported at only one end. |
| Casement Window | A window hinged at the side that opens outward. |
| Cladding | An external layer of material applied to a building for protection or aesthetics. |
| Composite Decking | A decking material made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic. |
| Concrete | A construction material made from cement, aggregate, and water. |
| Damp Proof Course (DPC) | A barrier to prevent moisture rising up through walls and floors. |
| Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) | A sheet material used in floors to prevent moisture from the ground rising into the building. |
| Dormer | A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof. |
| Drylining | The application of plasterboard or wallboard to the interior of a building without the use of wet plaster. |
| Eaves | The part of a roof that overhangs the walls of a building. |
| Efflorescence | A white, powdery deposit on the surface of masonry or concrete caused by the leaching of soluble salts. |
| Facade | The front or face of a building, often decorative. |
| False Ceiling | A secondary ceiling installed below the main ceiling. |
| Fascia | The horizontal band under a roof edge, often used to support gutters. |
| Feasibility Study | An assessment of the practicality and potential success of a proposed construction project. |
| Flashing | Thin material used to prevent water penetration at joints in building structures. |
| Footing | The part of a foundation that directly contacts the ground and distributes the load. |
| Formwork | Temporary moulds used to hold concrete in place until it sets and gains enough strength to support itself. |
| Gable | The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. |
| Girt | A horizontal structural member in a framed wall used to support sheeting. |
| Green Roof | A roof covered with vegetation, which provides insulation and reduces stormwater runoff. |
| Groundworks | The initial site preparation and excavation work for a construction project. |
| Grout | A fluid form of concrete used to fill gaps and seal joints. |
| Hardscape | The non-living elements of landscaping, such as paving, walls, and fences. |
| HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) | Systems that provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to a building. |
| Insulation | Materials used to reduce heat loss or gain and improve energy efficiency. |
| I-Beam | A steel beam with an I- or H-shaped cross-section used for structural support. |
| Joist | A horizontal structural member used to support floors or ceilings. |
| Lean-to Roof | A roof with a single slope, often attached to an existing building. |
| Lintel | A horizontal beam above a window or door opening that supports the wall above it. |
| Load-Bearing Wall | A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it. |
| Loft Conversion | The process of transforming an attic space into a functional room. |
| Mansard Roof | A roof with two slopes on each side, the lower slope being steeper than the upper. |
| Masonry | Construction using bricks, stones, or concrete blocks bonded together with mortar. |
| MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) | The systems that provide essential services in a building. |
| Mortar | A mixture of cement, sand, and water used to bond bricks or stones. |
| Mullion | A vertical element that divides the panes of a window. |
| Newel Post | The central supporting pillar of a staircase. |
| Noggin | A horizontal brace between studs in a framed wall. |
| Orangery | A room or building with large windows and a glass roof, typically used as a conservatory. |
| Parapet | A low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony. |
| Party Wall | A wall shared by two adjoining properties. |
| Piling | The use of long, slender columns driven deep into the ground to support structures. |
| Plinth | A base or platform upon which a structure or statue rests. |
| Pointing | The process of finishing mortar joints between bricks or stones. |
| Portal Frame | A rigid structural frame consisting of vertical supports and horizontal beams. |
| Punch List | A document listing incomplete or deficient work items in a construction project. |
| Quoin | The external corner of a building, often marked with contrasting brickwork or stonework. |
| Rafter | A sloped beam that supports the roof covering. |
| Rebar (Reinforcing Bar) | Steel bars used to reinforce concrete. |
| Retaining Wall | A wall that holds back soil or rock from a building or structure. |
| Ridge Beam | The horizontal beam at the top of a roof where the rafters meet. |
| Sarking | A layer of material placed under roof tiles or slates for insulation and waterproofing. |
| Screed | A thin layer of concrete or mortar applied to a floor to create a smooth surface. |
| Second Fix | The phase of construction where finishing touches, such as electrical fixtures and fittings, are installed. |
| Sheathing | Boards or other materials used to cover the frame of a building, providing structural stability. |
| Shoring | Temporary supports used to stabilize a structure during construction or repair. |
| Sill | The horizontal part of a window or door frame at the bottom. |
| Skirting Board | A wooden board running along the base of an interior wall. |
| Soffit | The underside of a roof overhang or eave. |
| Span | The distance between two supports in a structure. |
| Stud | A vertical framing member in a wall. |
| Subfloor | The layer of material between the floor covering and the joists. |
| Suspended Ceiling | A secondary ceiling hung below the main structural ceiling. |
| Tender | A formal offer to carry out work at a specified cost. |
| Third Fix | Final adjustments and installations, typically involving finishing touches. |
| Tie Beam | A horizontal beam that connects two opposite rafters in a roof structure. |
| Timber Frame | A construction method using a wooden frame to support the building. |
| Truss | A framework of beams that supports a roof or bridge. |
| Underpinning | Strengthening the foundation of an existing building. |
| U-Value | A measure of thermal conductivity, indicating how well a building element conducts heat. |
| Valley | The internal angle formed where two sloping roofs meet. |
| Vapour Barrier | A material that prevents moisture from penetrating the structure. |
| Vent Stack | A vertical pipe that provides ventilation for a drainage system. |
| Verge | The edge of a roof that extends over the gable end. |
| Vitrified Tile | A type of ceramic tile known for its strength and low porosity. |
| Wainscoting | Wooden paneling on the lower part of a wall. |
| Wall Plate | A horizontal timber fixed to the top of a wall to support the roof structure. |
| Weatherboarding | Horizontal or vertical boards used as exterior cladding. |
| Weep Hole | A small opening in a wall to allow water to drain out. |
| Wind Load | The force exerted by wind on a structure. |
| Zoning | Dividing an area into zones for different purposes, such as residential or commercial use. |
| Architect | A professional who designs buildings and oversees their construction. |
| Quantity Surveyor | A professional who manages all costs related to building projects. |
| Site Engineer | A professional responsible for ensuring the technical aspects of a construction project are correct. |
| Foreman | The lead worker on a construction site, overseeing the crew and daily operations. |
| Scaffolding | Temporary structures used to support workers and materials during construction or repair. |
| Load-Bearing Beam | A structural beam that carries the load from above. |
| Fire Stop | Materials used to seal openings in a building to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. |
| Expansion Joint | A joint that allows for movement in a structure due to temperature changes. |
| Fireproofing | Materials or treatments used to make a building resistant to fire. |
| Glazing | The process of installing windows or glass panes. |
| Handrail | A rail fixed to posts or a wall for support, especially on stairs. |
| Hot Rolled Steel | Steel that is rolled at high temperatures and used for structural components. |
| Intrados | The inner curve or surface of an arch or vault. |
| Joinery | The wooden components of a building, such as doors, windows, and stairs. |
| Kerb | A raised edge along the pavement or road. |
| Lintel Beam | A beam placed over an opening to support the weight above. |
| Mezzanine | An intermediate floor between the main floors of a building. |
| Mortice Lock | A type of lock fitted into a mortice cut in the edge of a door. |
| New Build | A newly constructed building. |
| OSB (Oriented Strand Board) | A type of engineered wood similar to particle board. |
| Parging | The application of a thin coat of mortar to a masonry wall. |
| Pilaster | A rectangular column projecting from a wall. |
| Prefab (Prefabricated) | Building components manufactured off-site and assembled on-site. |
| Raked Joint | A mortar joint that is recessed from the surface of the masonry. |
| Reinforced Concrete | Concrete with embedded steel bars or mesh to increase strength. |
| Riser | The vertical part of a step in a staircase. |
| Rubblestone | Irregularly shaped stones used in construction. |
| Sarking Felt | Felt used under roof tiles or slates for additional waterproofing. |
| Saw Cut | A cut made with a saw, often used in concrete for control joints. |
| Seismic Load | Forces imposed on a structure due to an earthquake. |
| Service Core | The central area of a building housing essential services like elevators and utilities. |
| Shear Wall | A wall designed to resist lateral forces in a building. |
| Shop Drawing | Detailed drawings produced by contractors or suppliers showing how specific parts of a project are to be fabricated. |
| Sill Plate | A horizontal timber placed at the bottom of a wall frame. |
| Slipform | A method of construction where concrete is poured continuously into a moving form. |
| Slump Test | A test to measure the consistency of concrete. |
| Soundproofing | Methods and materials used to reduce sound transmission between spaces. |
| Span Beam | A beam that spans across supports to carry loads. |
| Structural Engineer | A professional who designs and analyzes structural elements of a building. |
| Stud Wall | A wall constructed from vertical studs and covered with plasterboard or other materials. |
| Suspended Slab | A slab that is supported by walls or beams rather than directly on the ground. |
| Thermal Bridging | Heat transfer through a component that has higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding materials. |
| Tongue and Groove | A method of fitting similar objects together edge to edge. |
| Torsion | Twisting force applied to a structural member. |
| Tread | The horizontal part of a step in a staircase. |
| Underfloor Heating | A heating system installed beneath the floor surface. |
| Ventilation Shaft | A vertical passage for ventilation. |
| Vitrification | The process of making a material glass-like through heat. |
| Waterproofing | Methods and materials used to prevent water penetration into a structure. |
| Weatherproofing | Measures taken to protect a building from the weather. |
| Wind Brace | Structural elements designed to resist wind forces. |
| Wiring Diagram | A detailed diagram showing the electrical wiring layout. |
| Wrought Iron | Iron that has been heated and worked with tools. |
| XPS (Extruded Polystyrene) | A type of insulation material. |
| Yield Strength | The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. |
| Zinc Roofing | Roofing material made of zinc, known for its durability and weather resistance. |
| Zoning Permit | A permit required to use or develop land in accordance with local zoning laws. |
| Act of God | A legal term for natural events outside human control, such as floods or earthquakes. |
| Admixture | A substance added to concrete or mortar to change its properties. |
| Airing Cupboard | A warm cupboard where clothes or linens are aired. |
| Allowance | An amount allocated for a particular item in the construction budget. |
| Aluminium Cladding | Protective covering made of aluminium. |
| Anchor Bolt | A bolt used to attach structures to concrete. |
| Apron | A flat strip of material, such as wood or metal, used to cover the joint between a window or door frame and the wall. |
| Ashlar | Finely dressed stone, typically used in construction. |
| Attic Truss | A truss that allows for the creation of attic space. |
| Back Vent | A pipe installed to provide air circulation in drainage systems. |
| Ballast | A mixture of gravel and sand used in concrete. |
| Barrier-Free Design | Design that accommodates people with disabilities. |
| Bead | A small moulding or edge finishing piece. |
| Bellcast | A slight outward curve at the base of a wall or structure. |
| Birdsmouth Cut | A notch cut into a rafter to allow it to rest securely on the top plate of a wall. |
| Bollard | A short post used to divert traffic or mark boundaries. |
| Box Gutter | A gutter system installed within the roof structure. |
| Breeze Block | A large, rectangular concrete block used in construction. |
| Buckling | A structural failure mode characterized by sudden bending. |
| Capping | A protective top layer or cover. |
| Carpentry | The craft of working with wood to construct buildings and structures. |
| Cavity Tray | A damp-proof course that prevents water from entering the inner leaf of a cavity wall. |
| Chamfer | A beveled edge connecting two surfaces. |
| Chase | A groove or channel cut into a surface to accommodate pipes or cables. |
| Clerestory | Windows placed high in a wall, typically in a church or large building. |
| Cold Joint | A joint in concrete where two successive pours do not bond properly. |
| Collar Tie | A horizontal member connecting two opposite rafters, usually near the roof peak. |
| Conduit | A tube or trough for protecting electrical wiring. |
| Contour Line | A line on a map representing an imaginary line on the land surface. |
| Core Drill | A drill used to remove a cylindrical sample of material. |
| Course | A single row of bricks or stones in a wall. |
| Creep | The gradual deformation of a material under continuous load. |
| Cripple Stud | A short stud above or below a window or door opening. |
| Cross Bracing | Diagonal braces used to provide lateral stability. |
| Culvert | A tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway. |
| Curtain Wall | A non-load-bearing wall attached to the exterior of a building. |
| Datum Point | A reference point used as a basis for measurements in surveying. |
| Dead Load | The permanent, static weight of a structure. |
| Diaphragm | A structural element that transmits lateral loads to vertical resisting elements. |
| Double Glazing | Windows with two panes of glass separated by a space to improve insulation. |