Difference between revisions of "Glossary"
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'''Asbestos''' Asbestos is any one of several tough natural fibres. The word is usually used to refer to asbestos cement. | '''Asbestos''' Asbestos is any one of several tough natural fibres. The word is usually used to refer to asbestos cement. | ||
− | '''Ashathene''' An obsolete | + | '''Ashathene''' An obsolete plastic cable, a precursor to pvc. |
'''Asphalt''' Hardwearing flooring made from Bitumen and clay. | '''Asphalt''' Hardwearing flooring made from Bitumen and clay. | ||
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'''Ballast''' | '''Ballast''' | ||
# stone & other rubble used to form a hard stable base | # stone & other rubble used to form a hard stable base | ||
− | # current control device used to run a fluorescent tube. | + | # current control device used to run a fluorescent tube or other discharge lamp. |
'''Barrel''' Lock barrel. | '''Barrel''' Lock barrel. | ||
− | '''BC''' | + | '''Batten''' Strip of wood applied to wall or ceiling, to which usually plasterboard is applied. Used to even up uneven walls and to permit insertion of insulation behind plasterboard. |
+ | |||
+ | '''BC''' Bayonet Cap | ||
'''Beam''' | '''Beam''' | ||
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'''BZP''' Bright Zinc Plated | '''BZP''' Bright Zinc Plated | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Cabinet Scraper''' | ||
'''Cable''' Electrical wire not intended for regular flexing. Has solid single core copper conductors. see also flex. | '''Cable''' Electrical wire not intended for regular flexing. Has solid single core copper conductors. see also flex. | ||
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'''Camden''' | '''Camden''' | ||
− | '''Card Level''' - versatile low cost replacement for a spirit level | + | '''[[Card Level]]''' - versatile low cost replacement for a spirit level |
+ | |||
+ | '''[[Duct Tape Review|Carpet tape]]''' | ||
− | ''' | + | '''Car body filler''' A tough durable filler made from polyester resin & inert fillers. |
− | '''Cartridge''' | + | '''Cartridge''' see nozzle |
'''Cellulose thinners''' | '''Cellulose thinners''' | ||
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'''Cement mixer''' | '''Cement mixer''' | ||
− | '''CFL''' | + | '''CFL''' Comopact Fluorescent Lamp. Energy saving lamp used in place of filament lamps. |
− | '''Cill''' | + | '''Cill''' aka sill. |
'''Circline''' circular fluorescent tube | '''Circline''' circular fluorescent tube | ||
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'''Cladding''' | '''Cladding''' | ||
− | '''Clayboard''' Clay walling board with paper surfaces. See also: plasterboard | + | '''Clayboard''' Clay walling board with paper surfaces. Superior sound absorption to plasterboard. See also: plasterboard |
'''Club hammer''' | '''Club hammer''' | ||
'''Clunch''' a chalk stone | '''Clunch''' a chalk stone | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''CO''' | ||
+ | * conservation officer | ||
+ | * carbon monoxide, a lethal odourless colourless gas | ||
'''Cob''' Various types of earth based walling. | '''Cob''' Various types of earth based walling. | ||
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'''Cold chisel''' Chisel for masonry use | '''Cold chisel''' Chisel for masonry use | ||
− | |||
− | |||
'''Concrete''' | '''Concrete''' | ||
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'''CPC''' Circuit Protective Conductor, earth conductor, earth wire. | '''CPC''' Circuit Protective Conductor, earth conductor, earth wire. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Crescent Wrench''' the most common type of adjustable spanner | ||
'''Customer''' Primary source of inconvenience, payments and senseless complaints. Person expecting owt for nowt. | '''Customer''' Primary source of inconvenience, payments and senseless complaints. Person expecting owt for nowt. | ||
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'''Dog clamp''' | '''Dog clamp''' | ||
− | '''Dremel''' a brand name, but generally used to mean a | + | '''Door Chain''' See also spyhole |
+ | |||
+ | '''Dowel''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Dowel bit''' aka Lip & spur drill bit | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Dremel''' a brand name, but generally used to mean a small high speed rotary tool, typically taking s of upto around 1" having 3.2mm shank. Many types of | ||
'''Earth''' | '''Earth''' | ||
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'''Equipotential bonding''' | '''Equipotential bonding''' | ||
− | '''ES''' | + | '''ES''' Edison Screw |
+ | |||
+ | '''Eternit''' synthetic slate, asbestos cement based. | ||
'''Extinguisher''' | '''Extinguisher''' | ||
− | '''Extractor''' | + | '''Extractor''' fan that moves air from building interior to the exterior. See also: HRV |
'''Felt''' | '''Felt''' | ||
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'''Flap wheel''' | '''Flap wheel''' | ||
− | '''Flashing''' | + | '''Flashing''' Metal strip ued to shed water at roofing joins. Usually lead but may also be copper or aluminium. |
'''Flat bit''' Low cost low performance easily made drill bit. see [[Drill Bits]] | '''Flat bit''' Low cost low performance easily made drill bit. see [[Drill Bits]] | ||
'''Flex''' flexible electrical cable. The flexibility results from using multiple strand conductors. | '''Flex''' flexible electrical cable. The flexibility results from using multiple strand conductors. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Flitch''' | ||
'''Float glass''' The flat defect-free glass used for domestic glazing today. | '''Float glass''' The flat defect-free glass used for domestic glazing today. | ||
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'''Holesaw''' | '''Holesaw''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''HRV''' Heat Recovery Ventilation. Forced ventilation which recovers some of the otherwise lost heat using a crossflow heat exchanger. | ||
'''HTI''' High Temperature Insulation | '''HTI''' High Temperature Insulation | ||
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'''Hydronic''' a heating system that uses water as the heat transfer fluid. Most British central heating systems are hydronic. | '''Hydronic''' a heating system that uses water as the heat transfer fluid. Most British central heating systems are hydronic. | ||
− | '''Iron oxide''' pigment used to give dull red or brown colour | + | '''Iron oxide''' low cost pigment used to give dull red or brown colour |
'''Japan black''' a tough low cost black paint. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Black | '''Japan black''' a tough low cost black paint. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Black | ||
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'''Junction box''' fire resistant box containing connection points for cables. | '''Junction box''' fire resistant box containing connection points for cables. | ||
− | '''L&P''' Lath & plaster, a | + | '''L&P''' Lath & plaster, a construction of walls & ceilings. |
'''Lagging''' | '''Lagging''' | ||
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'''Lamp black''' Soot, a formerly widely used black pigment. | '''Lamp black''' Soot, a formerly widely used black pigment. | ||
− | '''Lath''' | + | '''Lath''' Lightweight material used as a semirigid backing for plasterwork. Wood: Thin strips of wood, usually oak or other hardwood. Metal: EML. Reed roll is also sometimes used as lath. See L&P. |
− | '''Lathe''' | + | '''Lathe''' Machine for turning and working wood or metal, or sometimes other material. |
'''Lead paint''' any paint containing lead. | '''Lead paint''' any paint containing lead. | ||
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'''Marble''' A pretty but soft stone. | '''Marble''' A pretty but soft stone. | ||
− | '''Matt''' | + | '''Matt''' no surface shine |
'''MCB''' miniature circuit breaker, a pushbutton device that replaces a fuse | '''MCB''' miniature circuit breaker, a pushbutton device that replaces a fuse | ||
− | '''MDF''' | + | '''MDF''' Medium Density Fibre. A wood fibre sheet material. Very vulnerable to water damage. |
'''Melamine''' A plastic. Usually refers to melamine veneered chipboard. | '''Melamine''' A plastic. Usually refers to melamine veneered chipboard. | ||
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'''Machine oil''' oil for lubricating machinery & preventing rust on steel goods during storage. Mineral oil. | '''Machine oil''' oil for lubricating machinery & preventing rust on steel goods during storage. Mineral oil. | ||
− | '''Masking tape''' | + | '''Masking tape''' A low tack tape that may be peeled off without residue or damage. Most masking tapes will not peel cleanly if left on for long. |
− | '''Masonry drill''' Drill bit for masonry. | + | '''[[Drill Bits|Masonry drill]]''' Drill bit for masonry. |
'''MICC''' mineral insulated cable. A very high temperature rated rigid cable. Widely used for fire critical circuits. Known as pyro. Hygroscopic. | '''MICC''' mineral insulated cable. A very high temperature rated rigid cable. Widely used for fire critical circuits. Known as pyro. Hygroscopic. | ||
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'''Mineral oil''' see machine oil. Baby oil is mineral oil. | '''Mineral oil''' see machine oil. Baby oil is mineral oil. | ||
− | '''Minton''' a well known | + | '''Minton''' a well known make of high quality Victorian floor tiling |
'''Mitre saw''' | '''Mitre saw''' | ||
− | '''Monkey wrench''' | + | '''Monkey wrench''' An old type of adjustable spanner. See also Crescent Wrench. |
− | ''' | + | '''Monumental Mason''' Stonemason whose primary speciality is gravestones. |
+ | |||
+ | '''[[Drill Bits|Mortar rake]]''' An abrasive coated rod fitted to angle grinders ad used to remove mortar between bricks. see | ||
'''Mortgage''' | '''Mortgage''' | ||
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'''Moulding plane''' | '''Moulding plane''' | ||
− | '''Multimeter''' electrical meter that measures | + | '''Multimeter''' electrical meter that measures voltage, current (amps) and resistance. A worthwhile purchase for almost any diyer. |
'''Nail fatigue, nail sickness''' When many nails are corroding through on a slate roof. Causes an increased rate of slate falls. | '''Nail fatigue, nail sickness''' When many nails are corroding through on a slate roof. Causes an increased rate of slate falls. | ||
− | '''Nail plate''' | + | '''[[Nails|Nail plate]]''' A meta plate with many nail-like spikes used to join wood rafters and joists. |
'''Neon screwdriver''' Simple voltage indicator. It is unsafe to rely on these when dealing with mains. | '''Neon screwdriver''' Simple voltage indicator. It is unsafe to rely on these when dealing with mains. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Nozzle''' | ||
'''NVQ''' Not Very Qualified | '''NVQ''' Not Very Qualified | ||
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'''Oilstone''' grinding stone intended to be used with oil. Some oilstones do not survive long if used without oil. See also waterstone | '''Oilstone''' grinding stone intended to be used with oil. Some oilstones do not survive long if used without oil. See also waterstone | ||
− | '''Olive''' | + | '''Olive''' Not edible. |
'''OPC''' Ordinary portland cement | '''OPC''' Ordinary portland cement | ||
− | '''Paint guard''' | + | '''Paint guard''' Handheld plastic strip used to keep paint off nearby surfaces or objects while painting. Simple ones may be made from strips of 2 litre soft drink bottles. |
− | '''Paint kettle''' small handled paint container. | + | '''Paint kettle''' small handled paint container. Makes holding & moving the paint easier, reduces the amount of spillage in case of accident, and avoids drying and contamination of the main reservoir of paint. |
'''Papercrete''' novel building material made from paper, clay, cement, lime, and sometimes other materials. | '''Papercrete''' novel building material made from paper, clay, cement, lime, and sometimes other materials. | ||
− | '''PAR''' | + | '''PAR''' Wood: planed all round. Compare PSE. Glass: polished all round. |
'''Pargetting''' | '''Pargetting''' | ||
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'''PAT''' Portable Appliance Test, electrical goods safety testing. | '''PAT''' Portable Appliance Test, electrical goods safety testing. | ||
− | '''Pattress''' | + | '''Pattress''' Backbox for electrical accessories (light switches, sockets, etc) |
'''Pea shingle''' | '''Pea shingle''' | ||
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'''Pitch''' | '''Pitch''' | ||
− | * . | + | * ... screw thread |
− | * | + | * bituminous black gloop |
* variety of pine. | * variety of pine. | ||
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'''Programmer''' | '''Programmer''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''PSE''' Planed square edge. Planed all round with corners all 90 degrees. | ||
'''PU''' polyurethane, a type of glue | '''PU''' polyurethane, a type of glue | ||
− | '''Pullsaw''' | + | '''Pullsaw''' Saw that cuts on the pull stroke. Permits use of a thinner blade. A thinner cut equals less energy use, if other factors are equal. |
'''Punch''' | '''Punch''' | ||
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'''PVA''' multipurpose building glue. | '''PVA''' multipurpose building glue. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''PVC''' | ||
'''Rafter''' Wood beams supporting a roof | '''Rafter''' Wood beams supporting a roof | ||
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'''Reciprocating saw''' | '''Reciprocating saw''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Reed Roll''' Reeds joined with metal wire to make a flexible sheet. Sold for fencing. Sometimes also used as lath. | ||
'''Render''' mortar coating on wall. Usually cement, sometimes lime. | '''Render''' mortar coating on wall. Usually cement, sometimes lime. | ||
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'''Rodding eye''' waste pipe fitting that permits rodding access. | '''Rodding eye''' waste pipe fitting that permits rodding access. | ||
− | '''RSJ''' also see UB | + | '''RSJ''' Steel beam. also see UB |
'''Rub down''' sand down | '''Rub down''' sand down | ||
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'''Sand''' see silver sand, building sand, sharp sand, | '''Sand''' see silver sand, building sand, sharp sand, | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Sanding Block''' | ||
'''Sarking''' | '''Sarking''' | ||
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'''Soleplate''' | '''Soleplate''' | ||
− | '''Solvent weld''' plastic pipe joined by applying a solvent. | + | '''Solvent weld''' plastic pipe joined by applying a solvent. This melts the plastic together. |
'''Spiral saw''' | '''Spiral saw''' | ||
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'''Spirit level''' indicates level accurately. Consists of a vial of liquid fixed to a bar. Some indicate vertical as well as horizontal, and some also fixed angles between the 2. Some have a series of vials indicating various angles close to horizontal, such as 1 degree, 2 degrees etc | '''Spirit level''' indicates level accurately. Consists of a vial of liquid fixed to a bar. Some indicate vertical as well as horizontal, and some also fixed angles between the 2. Some have a series of vials indicating various angles close to horizontal, such as 1 degree, 2 degrees etc | ||
− | '''Spyhole''' | + | '''Spyhole''' or door viewer. Small wide angle lensed lookout hole fitted to exterior doors for security. See also Door Chain. |
'''SRPC''' Sulphate resisting portland cement | '''SRPC''' Sulphate resisting portland cement | ||
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'''Staging''' Presenting a house to make it appeal to buyers. | '''Staging''' Presenting a house to make it appeal to buyers. | ||
− | '''Stainless steel''' various types of non rusting steels, which vary in their rust | + | '''Stainless steel''' various types of non rusting steels, which vary in their rust resistance. |
− | '''Stilson''' | + | '''Stilson''' Large type of wrench. It grips when turned one way and loosens when turned the other. |
+ | |||
+ | '''Stonemason''' Skilled stone worker. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Stringer''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Striplight''' Linear lamp, either fluorescent or filament | ||
'''Stud''' Woodwork in a wood framed partition wall. | '''Stud''' Woodwork in a wood framed partition wall. | ||
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'''UB''' Universal Beam. As RSJ, though with minor differences in detail | '''UB''' Universal Beam. As RSJ, though with minor differences in detail | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Undercoat''' | ||
'''Underpin''' to deepen a building's foundations. | '''Underpin''' to deepen a building's foundations. | ||
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'''Vinyl''' | '''Vinyl''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''VIR''' Indian rubber electrical wiring. Common half a century ago. | ||
'''Voltstick''' Simple voltage indicator. It is unsafe to rely on these when dealing with mains. | '''Voltstick''' Simple voltage indicator. It is unsafe to rely on these when dealing with mains. | ||
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'''Water table''' The level of groundwater in the locality | '''Water table''' The level of groundwater in the locality | ||
− | '''Wattle & daub''' woven wood partition coated with | + | '''Wattle & daub''' woven wood partition coated with earth based plaster. |
'''Weld cement''' a high strength high price mortar | '''Weld cement''' a high strength high price mortar |
Revision as of 06:37, 7 January 2007
1:1:6 mortar 1 part cement 1 part lime and 6 parts sand by volume.
1:2:9 mortar 1 part cement 1 part lime and 9 parts sand by volume. 1:2:9 is prone to premature failure, 1:1:6 is a better option.
2-way switching A method of wiring switches so that a lamp can be turned on or off from more than one switch.
3:1 mortar 3 parts sand to 1 part cement by volume.
ac a/c or a.c.
- alternating current
- air conditioning
Acrylic
AF Across Flats. Imperial nut measurement system.
Airbrick
Alkyd the chemistry of most oil based household gloss paints.
Alkyd putty a glazing putty
Allen key hexagonal
Aluminium oxide a low cost grit widely used for sandpaper and some grinding wheels.
Angle grinder a high speed hand held disc grinder used for grinding, cutting, and with wire brushes, mortar rakes etc.
Asbestos Asbestos is any one of several tough natural fibres. The word is usually used to refer to asbestos cement.
Ashathene An obsolete plastic cable, a precursor to pvc.
Asphalt Hardwearing flooring made from Bitumen and clay.
Auger a self feeding drill bit for wood. Designed for very low rotational speed with high torque. A good choice for hand drilling wood. Commonly available in sizes of 6mm and up. See Drill Bits
Ball pein hammer Hammer with ball shaped striking face. Possibly named as a result of indiscriminate use.
Ballast
- stone & other rubble used to form a hard stable base
- current control device used to run a fluorescent tube or other discharge lamp.
Barrel Lock barrel.
Batten Strip of wood applied to wall or ceiling, to which usually plasterboard is applied. Used to even up uneven walls and to permit insertion of insulation behind plasterboard.
BC Bayonet Cap
Beam
Bench grinder A bench mountable grinder used primarily for sharpening tools.
Bimetal
- Mechanical type of thermostat. Reliable, low cost, and lacking extra features. Need a neutral connection to avoid excess hysteresis. Compare electronic thermostat.
- saw tooth type used on handsaws
Bipin
Bitumen a black sticky gloop derived from petroleum oil.
Blockboard
Blowlamp
Bolster
Bolt
Bond
- adhesion
- pattern of brickwork
Bonding
BR building regulations.
Bradawl
Breeze Block
Brick acid hydrochloric acid
Brilliant white
Broken white
BSF
Burnt sand mastic a sand & linseed oil mastic used between wood frames & masonry.
Butyl putty another glazing putty
Butyl rubber a long lived plastic used as pond liner & flat roof covering
BZP Bright Zinc Plated
Cabinet Scraper
Cable Electrical wire not intended for regular flexing. Has solid single core copper conductors. see also flex.
Cable clips
Cable ties
Camber
Camden
Card Level - versatile low cost replacement for a spirit level
Car body filler A tough durable filler made from polyester resin & inert fillers.
Cartridge see nozzle
Cellulose thinners
Cement mixer
CFL Comopact Fluorescent Lamp. Energy saving lamp used in place of filament lamps.
Cill aka sill.
Circline circular fluorescent tube
Circular saw Saw using a large circular saw blade. Fast cutting, but unable to cut curves.
Cherry picker
Chipboard
Chisel Also see cold chisel, plugging chisel, bolster,
Chocolate block, choc block screw connector for mains cables.
Cladding
Clayboard Clay walling board with paper surfaces. Superior sound absorption to plasterboard. See also: plasterboard
Club hammer
Clunch a chalk stone
CO
- conservation officer
- carbon monoxide, a lethal odourless colourless gas
Cob Various types of earth based walling.
Cobbles, cobblestones small rounded top stones used for paving and roads. Gives a very poor surface, uneven and slippery. Long superceded for most uses, but still used where it is desirable to keep people away.
Cold chisel Chisel for masonry use
Concrete
Condensation
Condensate
Core drill see Drill Bits
Corrugated fixing
Countersink see Drill Bits
CPC Circuit Protective Conductor, earth conductor, earth wire.
Crescent Wrench the most common type of adjustable spanner
Customer Primary source of inconvenience, payments and senseless complaints. Person expecting owt for nowt.
Dado
Daub earth plaster. See wattle & daub
dc
Dehumidifier
Denib
Diamond disc
Die grinder
Dimmer device for reducing the efficiency of filament bulbs.
Distemper lime based interior paint. Removed by washing with hot detergent, making it ideal for detailed cornicing, as it avoids paint build up and loss of detail. Vapour permeable.
Distressed Looking knackered.
Dog clamp
Door Chain See also spyhole
Dowel
Dowel bit aka Lip & spur drill bit
Dremel a brand name, but generally used to mean a small high speed rotary tool, typically taking s of upto around 1" having 3.2mm shank. Many types of
Earth
- Soil. See topsoil, subsoil.
- Electrical connection to earth / ground.
Earthcrete Earth plus cement powder. Used to stabilise soil before adding gravel.
Earth leakage the flow of current to earth, sometimes via a human. Earth current is often fault current, though not always.
Efflorescence Salt coming out of brick, stone or mortar.
Eggshell
ELCB Device to cut electrical power in the event of certain earth leakage faults. There are 2 significantly different types of ELCB, current operated and voltage operated. Now superceded by RCDs.
Electrocution
EML expanded metal lath, sometimes called gauze.
Emulsion popular wall paint based on PVA, titanium dioxide and pigment.
Enamel hard paint
Epoxy
Equipotential bonding
ES Edison Screw
Eternit synthetic slate, asbestos cement based.
Extinguisher
Extractor fan that moves air from building interior to the exterior. See also: HRV
Felt
Fibre cement a fibre reinforced cement, usually found in sheet form. Asbestos used to be the most common fibre used, now glass fibre is probably the most common choice. Fibre cement is often loosely called 'asbestos.'
Fibreglass plastic and glass fibres, used mainly for baths and roof coverings
Filament lamp
Flange
Flap wheel
Flashing Metal strip ued to shed water at roofing joins. Usually lead but may also be copper or aluminium.
Flat bit Low cost low performance easily made drill bit. see Drill Bits
Flex flexible electrical cable. The flexibility results from using multiple strand conductors.
Flitch
Float glass The flat defect-free glass used for domestic glazing today.
Fluorescent lamp See Fluorescent Lighting
Flux
Flying freehold
Footing Nothing to do with dancing.
Framing square
Freehold Outright ownership
Fuse
Gang
Gloss
Goggles
Going
Gravel
Grinder see angle grinder, bench grinder, die grinder.
Grommet
Ground rent see leasehold
GRP Glass reinforced plastic, fibreglass
Gulley
Gypsum
HAC High alumina cement,
Halogen lamp a high temperature filament lamp. Popularly used as downlighters.
Hardboard
Header tank
Heat exchanger
Holesaw
HRV Heat Recovery Ventilation. Forced ventilation which recovers some of the otherwise lost heat using a crossflow heat exchanger.
HTI High Temperature Insulation
Hydraulic lime a fast setting lime used to make mortar for exposed locations and in permanently wet situations. Sets in wet conditions.
Hydrochloric acid
Hydronic a heating system that uses water as the heat transfer fluid. Most British central heating systems are hydronic.
Iron oxide low cost pigment used to give dull red or brown colour
Japan black a tough low cost black paint. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Black
Jetty building storey jutting out further than its supporting walls. Common feature of medieval wood frame buildings.
Jigsaw electric saw with low cutting speed and in most cases poor ability to follow a line.
Joist Wood beams supporting floor or wall.
Junction box fire resistant box containing connection points for cables.
L&P Lath & plaster, a construction of walls & ceilings.
Lagging
Laminate layered material. Most often used to describe wood flooring laminate with chipboard base.
Lamp black Soot, a formerly widely used black pigment.
Lath Lightweight material used as a semirigid backing for plasterwork. Wood: Thin strips of wood, usually oak or other hardwood. Metal: EML. Reed roll is also sometimes used as lath. See L&P.
Lathe Machine for turning and working wood or metal, or sometimes other material.
Lead paint any paint containing lead.
Leasehold see ground rent
LED
Lime
Limelite a cement plaster containing cement, lime and chopped fibre. Not a recommended substitute for lime plaster or lime mortar.
Lime putty a putty made by mixing bagged (hydrated non-hydraulic) lime and water, and storing while excluding air. Mainly used to make mortars & paints.
Limestone
Limewash Paint made from lime putty & water. Suitable for ceilings.
Linseed normally refers to linseed oil, extracted from flax seeds and used in a minority of paints, mastics, varnishes and putties.
Lip & spur a drill bit for wood that doesn't wander. see Drill Bits
M3, M4, M6, M8, M10, M12 metric bolt thread types. The number after the 'M' is the width of the thread in millimetres.
M3.5 the size & thread of screws used with standard UK electrical accessory faceplates.
Marble A pretty but soft stone.
Matt no surface shine
MCB miniature circuit breaker, a pushbutton device that replaces a fuse
MDF Medium Density Fibre. A wood fibre sheet material. Very vulnerable to water damage.
Melamine A plastic. Usually refers to melamine veneered chipboard.
Meter see multimeter, water meter,
Machine oil oil for lubricating machinery & preventing rust on steel goods during storage. Mineral oil.
Masking tape A low tack tape that may be peeled off without residue or damage. Most masking tapes will not peel cleanly if left on for long.
Masonry drill Drill bit for masonry.
MICC mineral insulated cable. A very high temperature rated rigid cable. Widely used for fire critical circuits. Known as pyro. Hygroscopic.
Mineral oil see machine oil. Baby oil is mineral oil.
Minton a well known make of high quality Victorian floor tiling
Mitre saw
Monkey wrench An old type of adjustable spanner. See also Crescent Wrench.
Monumental Mason Stonemason whose primary speciality is gravestones.
Mortar rake An abrasive coated rod fitted to angle grinders ad used to remove mortar between bricks. see
Mortgage
Mosaic Tiling typically made with lots of very small tiles.
Moulding plane
Multimeter electrical meter that measures voltage, current (amps) and resistance. A worthwhile purchase for almost any diyer.
Nail fatigue, nail sickness When many nails are corroding through on a slate roof. Causes an increased rate of slate falls.
Nail plate A meta plate with many nail-like spikes used to join wood rafters and joists.
Neon screwdriver Simple voltage indicator. It is unsafe to rely on these when dealing with mains.
Nozzle
NVQ Not Very Qualified
Oilstone grinding stone intended to be used with oil. Some oilstones do not survive long if used without oil. See also waterstone
Olive Not edible.
OPC Ordinary portland cement
Paint guard Handheld plastic strip used to keep paint off nearby surfaces or objects while painting. Simple ones may be made from strips of 2 litre soft drink bottles.
Paint kettle small handled paint container. Makes holding & moving the paint easier, reduces the amount of spillage in case of accident, and avoids drying and contamination of the main reservoir of paint.
Papercrete novel building material made from paper, clay, cement, lime, and sometimes other materials.
PAR Wood: planed all round. Compare PSE. Glass: polished all round.
Pargetting
PAT Portable Appliance Test, electrical goods safety testing.
Pattress Backbox for electrical accessories (light switches, sockets, etc)
Pea shingle
PFA Pulverized Fly Ash. The ash from coal burning that goes up the chimney. See also bottom ash.
Phosphated a tough black non-rusting finish used on some screws.
Picture rail Rail normally above head height for hanging pictures. Similar to dado rail but with a different profile and higher up.
Piece rate payment per task, not per hour.
Piss coat watered down first coat of paint.
Pitch
- ... screw thread
- bituminous black gloop
- variety of pine.
Plane
Plaster An indoor smooth wall finishing coating. Based on gypsum, lime cement or mud.
Plaster floor an unusual type of suspended floor made from composite plaster
Plasterboard flat sheet of plaster with paper surfaces.
Plasterboard fixing Also see hollow wall anchor
Plasterboard nail A nail intended for fixing plasterboard. Not recommended.
Plasterboard screw screw for fixing plasterboard. Has bugle head to avoid rucking, sharp point to pierce steel framing, non-rusting finish and philips head to disengage from driver once home.
Pliolite plastic resin paint for exterior use.
Plug
- mains plug as used on electrical appliances
- to fill a hole
- expanding plastic sleeve placed in masonry hole to enable a screw to grip. Plugs made from fibre, wood or metal are also found.
Plumb bob
Picture rail
Pointing
Polarity
Pozzolan substance that changes the set of lime to produce a harder mortar. Examples include clay, ground tiles, brick dust, trass, flyash. Pozzolan may also be used with cement and allows some reduction of cement use.
PP period property
Programmer
PSE Planed square edge. Planed all round with corners all 90 degrees.
PU polyurethane, a type of glue
Pullsaw Saw that cuts on the pull stroke. Permits use of a thinner blade. A thinner cut equals less energy use, if other factors are equal.
Punch
Purlin
Putty a stiff setting mixture. See lime putty, linseed putty, alkyd putty,
PVA multipurpose building glue.
PVC
Rafter Wood beams supporting a roof
Rasp
Rawlplug a brand of plug
RCBO MCB & RCD in one device
RCD device that cuts the power if it detects earth leakage.
Reciprocating saw
Reed Roll Reeds joined with metal wire to make a flexible sheet. Sold for fencing. Sometimes also used as lath.
Render mortar coating on wall. Usually cement, sometimes lime.
Repair plate
Repointing
Resin tough durable glues, including epoxy resin, vinyl ester resin,
RH Relative Humidity. Percentage of
Ripsaw
Riser
Rodding Clearing a drain with a drain rod.
Rodding eye waste pipe fitting that permits rodding access.
RSJ Steel beam. also see UB
Rub down sand down
Rubble scrap broken masonry.
Rubble bag heavy duty version of bin bag, suitable for disposal of rubble.
Sand see silver sand, building sand, sharp sand,
Sanding Block
Sarking
Sash
SBC
Scraper paint scraper, cabinet scraper
Screed
Scutch hammer used for chopping bricks
Scythe
SDS
SES
Set square
Setts see cobbles
Shed garden building, builders merchants, diy merchants
Silicone
Silk
Sill
Slate
Socket
Soil pipe
Solder Metal alloy used to join pipes and sometimes wiring. Lead & tin solder has long been used, but is no longer permitted for potable water piping.
Soleplate
Solvent weld plastic pipe joined by applying a solvent. This melts the plastic together.
Spiral saw
Spirit level indicates level accurately. Consists of a vial of liquid fixed to a bar. Some indicate vertical as well as horizontal, and some also fixed angles between the 2. Some have a series of vials indicating various angles close to horizontal, such as 1 degree, 2 degrees etc
Spyhole or door viewer. Small wide angle lensed lookout hole fitted to exterior doors for security. See also Door Chain.
SRPC Sulphate resisting portland cement
Staging Presenting a house to make it appeal to buyers.
Stainless steel various types of non rusting steels, which vary in their rust resistance.
Stilson Large type of wrench. It grips when turned one way and loosens when turned the other.
Stonemason Skilled stone worker.
Stringer
Striplight Linear lamp, either fluorescent or filament
Stud Woodwork in a wood framed partition wall.
Sub suncontract
Subsoil Soil below top layer, does not contain humus. Does not support plant growth on its own. May be converted to topsoil by mixing in a generous amount of organic matter, such as weeds, grass clippings, paper, food scraps, manure, etc.
Suffolk Pink A traditional pink lime paint pigmented with blood.
Sugar soap Not edible, does not contain sugar.
Switchbank Bank of 2 or more switches. Permits much greater control over lighting etc than just a single switch. Compare 'dimmer.'
SWMBO She who thinks she must be obeyed
T&E Twin & Earth. 3 core cable used for most fixed house wiring.
Tablesaw
Tack rag
Tamp
Tar
TCT Tungsten Carbide Tipped. A very hardwearing fast feeding cutting technology. Used widely on power saw blades & masonry drill bits.
Tea an implied part of payment for all jobs.
Teeth sucking Indication of high costs ahead, usually warning sign of a rip off.
Tenon saw
Terrace
Terrazzo
Thermidistat
Thermostat
Ties see cable ties, wall ties,
Timberboard
Timer
Timber wood
Titanium Nitride an extra hard drill bit coating. Gold coloured. see Drill Bits
Titanium Oxide White pigment used in modern paint and bar soap.
Toggle
Tongue & groove
Topsoil top layer of soil containing organic matter. Supports plant growth.
Torch
- blowlamp.
- hand held light.
Torque wrench
Trap
Trass
Truss
TT Earthing system using a local earth rod.
Twist drill most common type of drill bit. see Drill Bits
UB Universal Beam. As RSJ, though with minor differences in detail
Undercoat
Underpin to deepen a building's foundations.
Upright refers to upright timbers, eg in a partition wall.
uPVC
Vent
Vinyl
VIR Indian rubber electrical wiring. Common half a century ago.
Voltstick Simple voltage indicator. It is unsafe to rely on these when dealing with mains.
Wall plate
Wall ties Generally metal ties that link the 2 leaves of a cavity wall. Stone or brick ties may be found on some older properties.
Waterstone grinding stone intended to be used with water. See also oilstone.
Water table The level of groundwater in the locality
Wattle & daub woven wood partition coated with earth based plaster.
Weld cement a high strength high price mortar
Whitewash chalk & glue paint
Whiting chalk powder. Used in paints, mastics, some plaster.
Whitworth
Woodchip
Woodworm any of a number of wood boring insect species
More Glossaries
Conservation Glosary: http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/i.html
Nuts & Bolts FAQ: http://www.boltscience.com/pages/glossary.htm
Wood finishing FAQ: http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/article039.htm