Glossary

Agricultural Drain (Ag Pipe) – A slotted, geotextile-sheathed drainage pipe laid behind retaining walls or similar structures to divert groundwater away from the foundation.

Architrave – Decorative trim around doors and windows that conceals the gap between the framing and wall surface.

Bagged Brick Finish – A rustic brick treatment where a mortar mix is applied using a sponge or hessian bag, creating a textured surface that can be painted or left to weather naturally.

Balustrade – A series of vertical spindles topped with a handrail, installed around staircases, balconies, or landings for safety and decorative purposes.

Bearer (Floor Bearer) – A horizontal timber beam that supports floor joists in timber-framed flooring systems.

Brick Veneer Construction – A non-load-bearing external brick layer attached to a structural timber or metal frame for both aesthetics and weather protection.

Cement – A fine powder that reacts with water to act as the binding agent in concrete and mortar.

Concrete – A strong composite material made by mixing cement, water, and aggregates such as sand or gravel, which sets into a solid mass.

Cornice – A moulded trim where the wall meets the ceiling, used to conceal joints and add architectural detail.

Dado – The lower portion of an interior wall, often finished with a different material or panelling for protection or visual contrast.

Damp Proof Course (DPC) – A waterproof barrier built into walls or floors to prevent moisture rising from the ground.

Eaves – The overhanging edges of a roof that protect external walls from rainwater.

Fascia – A horizontal board fixed along the edge of the roof, typically used to support guttering.

Finial – A decorative element placed at the peak of a gable or roof for aesthetic enhancement.

Footing – A concrete base that spreads the load from structural elements like walls or columns into the ground.

Foundation Soil – The natural or prepared ground on which a building’s foundations rest.

Furring Channel – Thin battens fixed to ceiling joists or roof framing to provide a level surface for ceiling linings.

Gable – The triangular section of wall beneath the end of a pitched roof.

Gauge (Brickwork) – A reference for maintaining consistent height in bricklaying, typically indicating the number of brick courses per metre.

Girder Truss – A heavy-duty truss used to support intersecting roof trusses or large spans.

Going (Stairs) – The horizontal length or tread of an individual step in a staircase.

Hanging Beam – A horizontal timber above ceiling level that supports ceiling joists.

Header (Brickwork) – A brick laid with its end facing outwards, often used to tie multiple layers of brickwork.

Hearth – The non-combustible surface at the base of a fireplace.

Hip (Roof) – The external angle formed where two sloping roof surfaces meet.

Hip Roof – A roof design where all sides slope downwards to the walls, often forming a pyramid shape.

Infill Concrete Slab – A concrete slab poured between perimeter footings or walls, commonly used to fill sub-floor voids.

Joist – A horizontal structural timber used to support floors or ceilings.

King Post – A central vertical timber in a roof truss connecting the apex to the base.

Laminate – A surface made by bonding multiple layers, often used in benchtops or cabinetry finishes.

Lintel – A structural beam placed above openings such as doors or windows to support the load above.

Mortar – A mixture of cement, sand and water (and sometimes lime) used to bond bricks and blocks.

Noggings – Horizontal struts placed between studs or joists for structural reinforcement.

Nominal Size (Timber) – The named size of timber that may differ slightly from its actual physical dimensions.

Parapet – A low protective wall along the edge of a roof or balcony.

Particleboard – An engineered wood panel made from wood chips and resin, commonly used in flooring or cabinetry.

Pelmet – A framework used to conceal curtain tracks or roller mechanisms above windows or doors.

Perp (Vertical Joint) – The vertical mortar joint between two bricks in a wall.

Pitch (Roof) – The steepness or angle of a roof, typically measured in degrees.

Picture Rail – A moulding fixed horizontally to a wall, used for hanging pictures without damaging the wall surface.

Plywood – A strong sheet material made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneer with the grain at right angles.

Pointing – The visible mortar finish between bricks, often shaped for weather protection or visual appeal.

Quad Moulding – A quarter-circle-shaped trim used to finish joints between walls, skirting or architraves.

Rafter – An angled structural timber that supports roof cladding and transfers weight to walls or beams.

Render – A cement-based coating applied to external masonry walls for protection or decoration.

Ridge – The top horizontal line formed by the meeting of two pitched roof surfaces.

Riser (Stairs) – The vertical section between one step and the next in a staircase.

Scotia Moulding – A concave decorative moulding commonly used at cornice or skirting junctions.

Seasoning – The process of drying timber to reduce moisture and improve strength and stability.

Shiplap – Cladding boards with overlapping edges for improved weatherproofing.

Shoring – Temporary supports used during construction or repairs to maintain structural stability.

Skew Nailing – A technique where nails are driven in at an angle for added joint strength.

Skirting Board – A timber board fitted at the base of interior walls to conceal floor-to-wall joins and protect against scuffs.

Slip Joint – A flexible joint allowing movement between materials, commonly between walls and concrete slabs.

Soffit – The underside surface of an overhanging section such as an eave or balcony.

Soldier Course – A decorative row of bricks laid vertically with the long face exposed.

Stretcher Bond – A common bricklaying pattern with staggered vertical joints and bricks laid lengthwise.

Threshold – The strip or step at the bottom of a doorway, marking the transition between floor finishes.

Toughened Glass – Safety glass that, if broken, shatters into small, less harmful granules.

Trimmer – A timber support fitted around openings such as stair voids or skylights to carry cut joists.

Underpinning – Strengthening or rebuilding foundations to restore structural stability.

Valley (Roof) – The internal junction of two sloping roof surfaces that directs water to gutters.

Weep Hole – An intentional gap in brickwork that allows trapped moisture to drain out.