Glossary of Terms
When you have a building survey carried out you may be unsure about certain terms used by your surveyor. The property industry is highly jargonistic, with unique terms you may not come across in everyday life and this can sometimes make things difficult to comprehend.
A good building surveyor will answer any questions you have regarding your survey and provide definitions of the terms used. However, just in case you need to refer back to any definitions used in your survey, please consult our glossary of building surveying terms below.
A
Addition
Projecting structure, which is part of the original building rather than a later extension.
A perforated brick built into a wall which ventilates the underside of timber ground floors, blocked fireplaces and the roof spaces.
Airbrick
Around since 1887 Anaglypta is a textured paintable wallcovering made from paper or vinyl which is pasted onto the wall.
Anaglypta
A moulding around a door or window opening which usually covers the joints between the frame and wall finish and hides any shrinkage gaps which may occur.
Architrave
A decorative textured surface coating used mainly on ceilings. Until 1984 Artex contained asbestos and it is recommended Artex is tested if you intend to remove it.
Artex
A natural material which until 2000 was used for insulation and fireproofing. Can be a health hazard and specialist advice should be sought if asbestos is found or needs to be removed.
Asbestos
Black, tar-like substance, designed to be impermeable to moisture. Used on flat roofs and floors.
Asphalt
B
The narrower part of a building, which extends back beyond the “main“ structure, it is an original feature rather than a later extension. Sometimes referred to as an “outrigger“.
Back Addition
The lining and flashing arrangement to the back of a chimney stack (on the upslope side) which diverts rainwater away from the stack.
Back Gutter
Bargeboard
A timber, sometimes decorative board set to the gable end along the verge of a roof.
A post or vertical column which supports a handrail or parapet rail.
Baluster
Balustrade
A row of balusters, below a handrail on a landing, stairs or parapet.
Thin strips of timber, which are commonly used to support roof tiles or slates.
Batten
Render thickened out into a curved shape to form a drip to deflect water away, usually found at the base of a wall, above the damp proof course.
Bellcast
Brace
Diagonal support for a timber door.
Bracing
The arrangement of timbers which span across roof trusses and provide lateral stability.
Bressummer
A lintel set over an opening such as a fireplace or bay window.
A brick or stone support to a wall designed to withstand lateral movement.
Buttress
C
A weatherproof finish formed with tiles, stone or concrete copings, set above a wall, parapet or chimney.
Capping
Casement
Hinged along one vertical or top edge, casement windows open inwards or outwards like a door.
A damp proof course used to stop the internal skin of a wall from becoming wet. Usually made of pliable materials such as lead. Typically inserted above a window or door opening to deflect moisture transfer across the outer skin of brickwork rather than letting it cross the cavity at lintel level and causing damp internally.
Cavity Tray
A modern method of constructing external walls of a building which comprises two leaves of brick or blockwork usually separated by a gap "the cavity" of approximately 5Omm (2 inches).
Cavity Wall
Chase
To cut into plaster, brickwork etc., in order to install cables and pipework.
A tension tie in the upper third of the opposing gable rafters which resists rafter separation from the ridge beam during periods of unbalanced loads, e.g., wind uplift or snow.
Collar Tie
A central heating boiler providing hot water on demand. A combination boiler does not require water storage tanks or hot water cylinders.
Combination Boiler
The main controller and distributor of the electrical supply in your property. You can find the consumer unit in the point where the electrical wire enters your property from the mainline. You should know where your consumer unit is located, in case of emergency and you need to turn it off or on.
Consumer Unit
Coping/Coping Stone
Usually a stone or concrete decorative finish laid on top of a wall to stop rainwater soaking into it.
A moulding at the junction between a wall and ceiling. Also describes a moulding to the top of an outside wall which is designed to divert rainwater.
Cornice
Coving
A type of cornice with a curved junction set between a wall and ceilling.
Projecting course of tiles on a wall or chimney which prevents rainwater running down the face of the brickwork.
Creasing
D
The bottom 1 metre (approximately) of a wall which is clad in timber. Originally designed to provide protection for a wall it also covers the area most likely to be affected by rising damp. The top edge is finished with a Dado Rail: a strip of timber which projects out from the wall.
Dado
A layer of impervious material, bitumen felt, PVCu, slate etc., which is incorporated into the wall to prevent damp rising up the wall and lateral dampness penetrating around windows, doors etc. Various alternative methods for retrospective damp proofing including "electro-osmosis" and chemical injection.
Damp Proof Course
A horizontal layer of impervious material used to prevent damp from occurring through capillary action. The layer is usually polythene or bitumen and is often used beneath a concrete floor to stop penetrating moisture.
Damp Proof Membrane
Door/Window Lining
Timber finish to a window or door jamb.
Dormer
A construction usually added onto a pitched roof.
E
The lower edge of a roof which overhangs the face of a wall and normally, projects beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to direct water away from the walls.
Eaves
Used for structural purposes, rather than appearance. Due to their strength, durability, density and low water absorption, they are mainly used in sewage systems, retaining walls, damp proof courses (in older buildings) and groundworks.
Engineering Brick
F
A straight board which runs along the lower edge of a roof. A fascia is fixed directly to the lower ends of the roof trusses to support the lower edge of the bottom row of tiles and guttering.
Fascia
Flank Wall
A wall, either side of a detached house, end of a terrace or semi-detached property.
Used to seal and protect joints in buildings from water penetration. A flashing is found at the intersection of a roof and roof mounted structures, such as chimneys, windows or skylights. Normally constructed in lead, zinc, copper or cement.
Flashing
Flue
A duct, pipe, went or chimney which removes smoke and exhaust gases from a property.
Footings
An older, usually shallower foundation constructed in brick or stone.
Normally concrete, laid below ground as a structural base for a wall. In older buildings they may be brick or stone.
Foundations
G
Usually triangular in shape, a section of a wall which supports two sides of a sloping roof. Can also describe the entire end wall of a building.
Gable/Gable End
A window with two panes of glass separated by a layer of gas. The gas layer between the glass panes provides benefits, such as noise reduction, reduced condensation and reduced heat transfer, which means better energy efficiency and lower energy bills.
Glazing: Double Glazing
Windows or doors with a single pane of glass.
Glazing: Single Glazing
Mortar (usually proprietary) used to fill and seal the joints between floor and wall tiles.
Grout
A drain opening, into which rain and wastewater collects before entering the drainage system.
Gully
Gutter
A channel running along the eaves of a roof or edge of a path to remove rainwater.
H
Hardcore
Broken, consolidated aggregate used as a base beneath floors and patios.
Sloping angle where two roof slopes meet to form a ridge.
Hip
A roof where all four sides slope downwards from the peak.
Hipped & Pitched Roof
Tiles specifically designed to sit on the apex of a roof. Hip tiles with a scallop-like design are called bonnet tiles.
Hip Tile
I
More commonly referred to as a manhole, this is the access point to a drain. The inspection chamber is comprised of a chamber (of brick, concrete or plastic) with drainage channel/s at the base and a removable cover at ground level.
Inspection Chamber
J
Joist
A timber or steel beam which supports a floor or ceiling.
L
A lantern light is a fixed or opening glazed pane in a roof which allows the maximum light into the room below.
Lantern Light
A building process mainly used to finish dividing walls and ceilings. Narrow strips of wood (laths) are nailed horizontally across wall studs or ceiling joists and then coated in plaster.
Lathe & Plaster
Lean-to
A structure where a construction with a sloping flat roof and walls abuts a house.
Horizontal beam above a door or window opening which usually carries the weight of the wall above, usually partially or completely hidden from view.
Lintel
M
Generic term for a filler or sealant (usually proprietary) used to seal and/or fill gaps between building materials to prevent the ingress of liquids, air, and pests.
Mastic
An intermediate floor usually accessed off a half landing between floors, not usually counted as a main floor.
Mezzanine
An MCB is an automatically operated electrical switch. Miniature circuit breakers are intended to prevent damage to an electrical circuit as a result of excess current. They are designed to trip during an overload or short circuit to protect against electrical faults and equipment failure.
Mini Circuit Breakers (MCB)
Used to bond bricks, blocks, stones, and other materials together to form a solid structure as well as for pointing and general filling. Mortar is cement based and is usually a mixture of sand, cement and water.
Mortar
A vertical (usually decorative) bar which forms a division between the individual glazing lights of a window or double doors. When used in adjacent window units its primary purpose is to give rigid support to the window glazing.
Mullion
N
Supports the handrail at the top and bottom of the staircase. Also, describes the central pillar of a spiral staircase.
Newel Post
P
A low wall set along the edge of a roof or balcony. Also described a wall extending over the roof slopes above party or gable walls.
Parapet
Drains flat roofs behind or between a parapet. A gap is usually provided in one of the walls for a flexible metal or other impervious lining to allow the gutter to drain water away from the roof and into a hopper head fitted to a downpipe.
Parapet Gutter
A shared wall separating adjoining properties.
Party Wall
Pier
A vertical column usually brickwork which strengthens or supports a wall.
Describes the angle of a roof slope.
Pitch
The projecting base of a wall.
Plinth
The mortar in the gap between bricks, stones etc. Used to make the bonding between the bricks appear smooth and uniform.
Pointing
Supports the mid-span of the rafters and are supported by posts. By supporting the rafters, they allow longer spans than the rafters alone could span, thus allowing a wider building.
Purlin
R
The structural beam which supports the load of a roof, it extends from the ridge of the roof to form the roof carcass.
Rafter
An external coating which creates a flexible and breathable covering, usually applied to external walls.
Render
RCBOs ensure the safe operation of electrical circuits, triggering disconnection whenever an imbalance is detected.
Residual Current Circuit Breakers RCBO
External wall, usually on a slope built to hold back a bank of soil to stop it collapsing or sliding.
Retaining Wall
Timber surround for a window or door opening.
Reveal
The horizontal line which runs along the length of a roof where the slopes meet.
Ridge
Angular or half round tile which covers the horizontal line of the roof and protects it from leaks, heat and wind.
Ridge Tile
A relatively rare form of damp which affects the walls of buildings Moisture is sucked up through the walls from the ground by capillary action.
Rising Damp
Rolled Steel Joist (RSJ)
A long beam made from hot or cold rolled steel.
A render for external walls which has a course finish and contains gravel thrown in a premixed state onto the wall. Differs from pebbledash where the aggregate is applied separately onto wet plaster.
Rough Cast
S
Usually cement or concrete it is the smooth protective finish to a solid floor. Allows the concrete sub-floor to withstand the impact of constant use and heavy footfall.
Screed
An underground tank which collects sewage. The sewage sinks to the bottom of a chamber where it decomposes through the action of bacteria. The remaining sewage require periodic removal.
Septic Tank
Skylight
A window set into a ceiling or roof slope at the same angle.
A vertically opening window. Instead of pushing the window open, like a casement, you push the bottom sliding sash upwards giving a broader opening and allowing more natural light and fresh air to enter the living space.
Sliding Sash Window
A pit, dug into the ground and filled with rubble, broken stones etc., to provide a solution for excess surface water from rainwater pipes or land drains by letting it slowly drain and disperse into the ground.
Soakaway
The exposed underside of a roof overhang, arch, beam, staircase or eaves.
Soffit
A vertical pipe which takes sewage from WCs into the drainage/sewage system. The upper opening is usually vented above eaves level.
Soil Pipe
Used for decorative effect this is a horizontal course of bricks set on end over a window, door or fireplace opening.
Soldier Course
Stopcock
A valve on a cold-water supply pipe for turning the cold water off.
Caps off the gutter at the end of a run.
Stop End
Lightweight wall comprised of a timber framework faced with plaster, or other finish.
Stud Wall
Sub-Soil
Layer of soil found immediately beneath the topsoil.
T
A metal bar, normally lateral which passes through a wall, or walls, to brace a structure suffering from instability.
Tie Bar
A prefabricated triangular framework of timbers used for modern roof construction.
Truss
U
A protective layer laid over the rafters and beneath the tiles and battens, which acts as a second line of defence against penetrating damp, dust and wind and weather.
Underfelt
Technique to strengthen weak foundations where a new, stronger foundation is placed beneath the original. Usually used when a house is suffering from current or previous subsidence.
Underpinning
V
The edge of the roof, where the tiles end and roof meet the gable e.g., around a dormer window or skylight. Traditionally, the verge is fixed with mortar to create a weatherproof finish.
Verge
W
A load-bearing plate (usually timber) normally fixed horizontally as part of a timber framework on top of a wall to strengthen floor joists or roof rafters. In the UK, the term typically refers to a length of timber bedded on mortar on top of the internal leaf of an external cavity wall.
Wall Plate
Vital for ensuring the stability of a building a wall tie is normally a piece of metal used to join two leaves of a cavity wall together.
Wall Tie
A pipe which carries wastewater from showers, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, wash hand basins and baths into the drains and away from a property.
Waste Pipe