An additive that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction, such as in helping concrete to set faster.
A compound that binds two or more items together.
Material such as sand, crushed stone or gravel that is added to cement to form concrete.
An opening in a wall to allow air to circulate.
A curved or pointed structure that supports weight over an open space such as a doorway.
A strong, incombustible fibre that was once used for fireproofing and insulation. It has now been linked to a number of diseases and is not used.
The space between the roof of a building and the ceiling.
A retractable or permanently fixed roof-like shelter that is situated above doors or windows to provide protection from rain, wind and sun.
The material that is used to fill an excavated hole.
An outdoor space that protrudes from a building.
The row of balusters (posts) topped by a handrail.
A slab of insulation material that is sized to fit between studs.
A straight, horizontal structural member that supports vertical loads such as those of a roof.
A horizontal timber beam that supports the joists of a floor.
A point where the weight from a structure is concentrated and transferred into the foundation.
Blinds are window coverings that can be attached internally or externally. Their main purpose is to protect against sunlight and to provide privacy.
An internal roof gutter that remove water internally through a sump.
A non-structural layer of bricks covering a timber framework.
A projecting beam or structure that is supported at only one end.
Any textile that is used for a floor covering that is not a rug.
An empty space within a mass.
The overhead upper surface of a room.
A grey powder that forms concrete when combined with other materials such as water, sand and gravel.
A vertical shaft that vents smoke and other gases to the outside of the home.
A tank which stores liquids, usually water. Cisterns vary in size and can be thousands of cubic metres. They are often used as rainwater tanks or plumbing tanks for toilets.
The layer of material on the exterior of a building that protects the structure.
A main vertical structural member that supports loads from above.
A horizontal moulding projecting from the top of a structure or wall.
A waterproof membrane that stops water and damp from traveling through brickwork or masonry.
A flat surface, similar to a floor, that is usually constructed outdoors and is capable of supporting weight.
The destruction and removal of buildings or other structures.
A measurement of distance between two different points.
A swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building.
The members that surround a door or door opening.
When two sheets of glass are joined together with airspace in-between.
A window that is designed so that the both the top and bottom sashes can be opened.
Any pipe, tube, or channel that carries air, liquids or wires.
A right held by a person to make use of another person’s land. Utilities such as water and sewage are usually covered under an easement.
The lowermost part of the roof that is overhanging the wall.
A way out or exit of a room or structure.
A pipe fitting that allows the pipe to change direction.
The vertical plane (side) of a building.
The wearing away of a land surface (usually soil) through water, wind, or other geological agents.
The amount of money that the professional expects to spend over the course of the job
A break or space in construction to allow for the thermal expansion and reduction of materials.
The front exterior of a building.
A flat, horizontal board that covers the overhang underneath an eave.
A material made from fine glass fibres and often used in insulation.
To fill in a trench or raise the level of the land by using earth.
Items that are associated with a building and that can be removed without causing damage.
Any item that is permanently fixed to a building and cannot be removed without leaving damage.
A material that is used around any angle in a roof or wall to prevent leakage and to provide weatherproofing. It is also used around windows, doors and skylights.
A joist that supports the floor
The underground support for a wall, column, or other structural member. It distributes the load into the surrounding soil.
A beam that runs between piles, pads or other beams and acts as a footing.
A temporary casing to keep concrete in place while it hardens.
A structure that transmits the loads from a building to the underlying ground.
The boundary line at the front edge of the property.
Wire baskets that are filled with stones and used as a retaining wall.
The vertical, triangular end of an exterior wall that is above the eaves of a pitched roof.
A type of roof that is made up of two sloping planes that form a ridge and gable at each end of the roof.
A type of kitchen where the appliances, benches and cabinets sit against one wall.”
Galvanized,Steel that has been coated with zinc in order to resist corrosion.
Gauge,A measuring instrument that is used to measure and indicate the quantity of an item such as wire.
Grease Trap,A plumbing device used to remove grease from waste water before it enters a wastewater disposal system.
Grey Water,Refer to domestic wastewater from baths
The natural or finished level of a site.
Water that is below the earth’s surface.
A type of mortar that fills in the spaces between tiles or other forms of masonry.
A channel at the edge of a roof that collects and carries away rainwater.
Roughening concrete or plaster surfaces in order to provide a ‘key’ for new layers of concrete or plaster.
A fracture that is very narrow in width.
Wood that is sourced from broad-leaved, deciduous trees.
A timber member that lies above a window or a door.
A course of masonry (such as bricks) that is laid as a feature to define an element of a building.
The line that is formed when two sloping sides of a roof meet.
A type of roof that is sloped on all four sides.
Brickwork that is placed above the floor level outside a shower recess or around a fireplace.
A mechanical lifting device
A contract that exempts a person against liability or loss.
The entrance to, or the right to enter a property.
A screen that is constructed from a metal or timber frame with a fine wire mesh to prevent insects from entering the home while still allowing ventilation.
A person that examines any component of a building.
Any material that reduces the effect of heat or cold. It can also be used to reduce the transmission of sound.
Is the protection against a potential future loss.
A means of supplying water to the garden.
The vertical members or a window or door frame.
The craft of connecting timbers by using woodworking joints.
A connection between two pieces of materials
Timber beams that span from wall to wall in order to support floorboards.
A pipe fitting that connects pipe branches to the main pipe.
An absolute temperature scale in which one degree Celsius is one Kelvin. The freezing point of water is 273.15K and the boiling point is 373.15K.
The last stud that runs the full length of the wall before a window or door opening.
The portion of a branch or tree limb that appears on the edge of the piece.
A clear or coloured material that dries to a hard, glossy finish.
Insulated pipe tubing that is wrapped around hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
A term applied to any material that has been produced by bonding two or more layers together under pressure, such as laminated timber.
A platform in the mid-flight of the stairs or at the end of the staircase.
A framework made by criss-crossing or interlacing thin strips of wood.
The covering of an internal wall or ceiling, or the covering of other materials.
A horizontal, load bearing member that spans the space of an opening.
A wall that is able to bear the weight of the structures that are above it.
An individual slat in a window that opens to allow air to flow through while repelling rain.
A hole that gives a person access to an underground structure such as a storm water drain or other enclosed space such as a roof cavity.
The building of structures from materials such as brick, stone, concrete blocks, ceramic blocks, and tile.
A key that is able to open any lock within a building, where the individual locks require a different key.
The movement of air by mechanical means.
A soft, flexible material that is used primarily for waterproofing.
A sheet of woven fine wire that is used in door and window screens to allow the air to flow through while repelling insects.
A type of joint that forms a corner.
A material that is used to prevent the entrance of moisture into a building or structure.
A bonding agent used in masonry.
A decorative strip that is used for ornamentation or finishing purposes.
Is loose material that is placed over garden beds to control weeds and conserve moisture.
A blunt steel punch that is tapered at one end and is used to drive the head of a nail below the surface.
A small, recessed area in a wall.
The short pieces of timber or other material that are affixed between studs to provide additional support.
The front edge of a stair tread that extends past the riser.
A groove that is cut into one side of a timber so that it may fit into the corresponding side of another.
Is issued by a building surveyor after all works have been completed to the home.
The distance measured from a survey marking.
An open channel that is constructed for the purpose of carrying water away.
In electrical terms, these are commonly called power points and allow you to access electricity within the home.
A pipe whose purpose is to remove excess liquid.
Is an interior dividing wall.
A paved outdoor area that often adjoins the home.
A freestanding structure with a roof or other covering designed to provide shade in the garden.
The formwork that is left in position after the concrete has been poured.
Is the regulation or management of the number and/or distribution of insects or species defined as “pests”.
A moulding that is fastened to a wall for the purpose of hanging pictures.
A solid vertical member that supports loads from a building.
A strong vertical support member.
A sheet of material made by sandwiching a gypsum plaster core between two sheets of heavy plaster.
A vertical element that is perfectly perpendicular to a level surface that is above or below it.
Also called “toilet jack” or “electric eel”. This device is used to clean blocked drains. Generally, plumbers use a pumber’s snake when a plunger doesn’t work effectively.
A sheet of wood that has been formed by three or more layers of wood that have been bonded together.
A covered porch supported by columns that makes up the entrance of a building.
The cross-sectional face of a moulded building material such as an architrave.
A unit that is used to measure a material’s level of resistance to heat flow.
Structural member of a roof that helps to support the roof load. Rafters run from the ridge of the roof to the eaves.
The inclined portion of a ceiling.
Is the process in which used materials are taken and transformed into new products.
The process of coating a surface with cement or other similar substance.
The process of improving or restoring all or part of a structure.
The process of sawing a board with the direction of the grain.
The upwards movement of water from the ground into the walls or floor.
The degree of the slope of the roof.
Water that does not absorb into the soil but rather flows over the surface of the land.
A reflective foil laminate applied to roofs and walls for insulation, weatherproofing and noise reduction.
A temporary framework that supports people and materials during the building process.
A self-contained sewage treatment system.
Thin pieces of wood or other materials (such as slate or tile) that are used in overlapping rows to cover roofs and exterior walls.
The lowest horizontal member found in a window or door frame.
A sloping roof with no ridge or peak.
A horizontal moulding projecting from the bottom of a structure or wall.
A window that is set into the roof or ceiling to admit more natural light into a room.
The underside of any construction feature (such as staircase, cornice, eaves etc).
Is a strong, durable alloy of steel and chromium that is virtually immune to rust, discolouration and corrosion.
A Stand pipe is a vertical pipe. It could be used for many purposes including receiving water from a washing machine, supplying water to a fire sprinkler system, producing and maintaining water pressure for security reasons.
A floor that serves as the base for the final floor to be laid.
A unit that is designed to house external circuit breakers, fuse switches, and other protective or regulating devices.
A whitish, soft-bodied insect that feeds on wood.
A metal shield that is placed over the pier or foundation of a building to stop termites from entering.
The ability of a material to gain or lose heat.
Is the wood from trees that is used in building and construction.
A two part joint in which the projection on one timber board (the tongue) fits into a groove on another timber board.
A device that ensures that sewer odours don’t get released from a drain system. Trap is a necessary element of any drain fixture. There are two types of traps: “P” traps and “S” traps.
The structural member that comprises the horizontal part of the stair.
A structural framework comprised of triangular units that supports loads over a given span. Commonly used in roofs.
The first coat of paint that is applied to a surface. It prepares the surface for the finishing coats of paint.
Beneath the surface of the earth.
A method of strengthening a weak foundation by adding a new, stronger foundation to the original.
The inward angle formed by the intersection of two roof slopes.
A thin layer of wood that is glued to a backing material.
Any outlet that protrudes through the roof covering.
The movement of air.
A material that lines the interior of a wall and is fixed to the framework of the building.
The metal disc that is placed underneath a threaded fastener.
A type of coating that is able to render a surface completely waterproof.
Overlapping boards that cover external surfaces.
Small holes in brickwork that allow moisture to be expelled from beneath the house.
An opening built into a wall or a roof that functions to admit light or air to a room and is often framed and spanned with glass.
A form of kitchen layout that is characterized by the boundary of the refrigerator, the sink and the stove.
The regulations that control how land is used within a jurisdiction.