COMPLETE BUILDINGS - BUILDING GLOSSARY

Aggregate: Gravel or rocks that are used in concrete

Architrave: Timber strips on face of all around windows and doors.

Australian Height Datum (AHD): In 1971 the mean sea level for 1966-1968 was assigned the
value of zero on the Australian Height Datum at thirty tide gauges around the coast of the
Australian continent. The resulting datum surface, with minor modifications in two
metropolitan areas, has been termed the Australian Height Datum (AHD) and was adopted by
the National Mapping Council as the datum to which all vertical control for mapping is to be
referred. Elevations quoted using this datum are normally followed with the acronym (AHD).

Australian Standard: A voluntary national standard code or specification prepared under the
auspices of Standards Australia (SA). Australian Standards are mandatory when referred to in
building regulations, and are enforceable in contracts when call up in contract documents.

Awning window: A window usually hinged at the top. The bottom moves out on spiral screw.

Balcony: A balustrade platform with access from an upper floor level.

Baluster: One of the vertical pieces of a stair or porch railing.

Balustrade: Railing fixed from stair treads, landing, balcony or bridge.

Bargeboard: A wide timber piece or more recently metal piece at the end of the gable screen
off ends of tiles, battens etc.

Basix: A regulation of the NSW Government that ensures that any new building is designed to
meet the environmental outcomes of 40% less water consumption and 25% reduction in energy
usage.

Bay window: A projecting compartment that is glazed and has windows all around.

Beam: Large solid member of timber or steel to carry loads.

Bearer: A sub-floor structural timber member which supports the floor joists.

Bi-fold doors: A door consisting of a number of hinged leafs folding to one or both sides of a
door opening.

B.O.S.: (Building over sewer). Sometimes the location of the sewer pipes makes it necessary to
build over them. In order to do that we need to estimate the additional cost and that requires

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that we have a Water Board inspector meet on site and tell us exactly how big the pipe is and
how deep down it is. The pipe is then encased in concrete (See zone of influence).

Bottom plate: Timber plate at the bottom of a wall frame.

Box gutter: A roof guttering which is not on the exterior edge of the roof.

Brace: A member usually a diagonal which resists lateral forces and/or movements of a framed
structure.

Brick ties: Galvanised steel wire (or plastic) ties built into brick walls at regular intervals to link
internal and external portions of a cavity brick wall.

Bricks: Used on outer wall of brick veneer homes. Made of clay and fired in a kiln. May vary in
colour and a wide range of types and textures are available. This outer wall is not load bearing
but is cladding or "skin" only.

Brick veneer construction: A method of construction in which a single leaf non-load bearing wall
of brickwork is tied to a timber or metal framed load-bearing structure to form the external
enclosure.

Building agreement: (contract). The document signed by both customer and the builder that
governs relations between the two. It sets out what is to be done and how much it will cost.

Building Code of Australia (BCA): A set of national requirements for the use in the design,
construction, alteration or demolition of buildings, setting out procedures, acceptable methods
or material and minimum or maximum values. Each state has its own variations to the national
document.

Bulkhead: Lowered portion of a ceiling usually to hide a beam, a drainage pipe or as a

decorative feature.

Cathedral ceiling: See Raked Ceiling.

Cavity: The space between the brick skin and the timber frame in a brick veneer wall.

CDC: Complying Development Certificate

Ceiling: The top or overhead portion of a room or building.

Ceiling Joist: The structural member spanning the room to support the ceiling lining which also
ties the roof to the rest of the structure at wall plate level.

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Cement render: A wall finish where cement mixture is plastered onto a wall surface. May be
smooth or pattern finish.

Certificate of Title: Document issued by the Land Titles Office that confirms the registered
owner of the land.

Charged Storm water System: A system consisting of sealed PVC storm water piping, including
the down pipes, that provides for the discharge of roof water to a termination point which is
above its base (eg: kerb outlet/water tank inlet located above the building platform).

The system is designed to hold water with flow and is activated by an increase in head pressure
as a result of rain/storm conditions.

Check Survey: A survey to confirm that the home is positioned on site as per the approved
plans.

Column: A free standing vertical load bearing member usually stone, brick, aluminum or
another compound. Sometimes only for decorative purposes.

Construction Certificate (C.C): The final component of approval to construct. It follows

Development consent and ensures compliance with any statutory items conditioned there in.

Construction insurance premium: Insurance taken out by the builder to insure against theft,
damage, fire, public risk etc.

Construction joint: A joint provided in structure to allow for movement in the structure due to
expansion and contraction.

Contour Survey: A survey of the building site that identifies the amount of

Rise /fall represented by lines of equal level and relates to a datum (starting) point, normally a
front corner.

Contract: Legal contract between licensed builder and clients.

Cornice: Moldings fixed to the junctions of walls and ceilings.

Council: The local government authority with responsibility for administering building codes
and assessing and approving development in its local area by means of development and
building approvals.

Course step down: (3 course). The stepped down edge of concrete slab on which the outer
bricked wall rests upon.

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Cut and fill: The method often used to provide a level area on a sloping site, where part of the
sloping surface is cut away and used to provide fill on the portion of the slope immediately
below it.

D.A.: (Development Application). The plans submitted to be approved by the Local Council.
Usually approved with a large number of conditions, all of which must be met by the builder
and/or the owner and subject to the issue of a Construction Certificate (C.C) before
construction may commence.

Damp-proof course (DPC): A continuous layer of an impervious material placed in a masonry

wall or between a floor and wall to prevent the upward or downward migration of moisture
(usually bitumen coated aluminum, pvc, copper or lead).

D.A.R.: Dressed all round - timber that has been planed on all sides.

D.E.B.: Drop Edge Beam. (See Stepped Edge Beam).

Detention pit: A pit designed to slow down the flow of storm water from private property into
the public drainage system. Pits can be required for each individual lot or may be provided, by
the land developer, for the subdivision as a whole.

Door furniture: All fittings on the door except for the hinges.

Door jambs: The vertical sides of the door opening.

Double Hung window: A window where two sashes fill the opening, and both are vertically
sliding, balanced by cords and weights, springs or balances.

D.P.: (Deposited Plan). A copy of the plan held by (deposited with) the Land Titles Office. This
shows the exact bearings and dimensions of the block of land and any easements on it.

Driveway gradient: The gradient of the driveway between the garage floor and the front
boundary. The maximum gradient is governed by Councils to ensure suitable vehicular access.

Dual water: Where a block is serviced by town water and grey water services. Grey water is
connected for toilet flushing and garden watering.

Ducts: Large pipes used to distribute air from a central heating or air-conditioning system.

Ducted exhaust fan: Fans that have been connected to ducts that will direct kitchen and/or
bathroom fumes to the outside of the home.

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Earth leakage safety switch: A device designed to prevent electrocution and some fires.
Installed in the meter box and it measures loss of current flow and switches off the power
instantaneously if significant loss is detected. Important safety features to avoid electrocution.

Easement: A restriction on the title to your land which means that part of the land is to be left
free for some purpose.

Generally easements are placed over into allotment drainage lines, electricity cables and rights
of way etc.

Eaves gutter: A preformed gutter fixed to the fascia board or the face of rafters.

Efflorescence: A white, powdery substance that sometimes appears on brick walls.

Effluent: A liquid discharge from sewerage or septic systems.

Electrical earth: A safety circuit built into the electrical system, which is intended to save life, so
that any fault in wiring will then cause electric current to flow to earth, usually a wire
connected to the water pipe at the first point of entry into the house, which should never be
left disconnected.

Escutcheon plate: A plate surrounding or covering a keyhole.

Facade: The front (face) of a house. Commonly referred to by style names - eg. Traditional,
Colonial, Federation, Classic, Executive, Regency, Riviera, Tuscany, Vogue and many more.

Fanlight: A semicircular transom window over a door or window.

Fascia: Timber board to which the gutter is fitted metal or timber edge capping of the roof to
which the rain water gutter is fixed.

Fibre glassing: A waterproofing process for the wet areas where required.

Fibrous plaster: Gypsum plaster cast in sheets, which is reinforced with sisal or fibre glass
fibers.

Final account: The final statement of account prepared prior to the handover of completed
home.

Finial: Decorative finish at the top of the gable.

Flashing: A strip of impervious material (such as galvanised iron, lead or bitumen coated
aluminum) dressed or fitted to cover a joint or cavity where water would otherwise penetrate.

Flight: An uninterrupted series of steps between floors or between a floor and a landing.

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Flood Study: A study completed by a registered surveyor to determine the degree of inundated
effect of a flood way and/or over land flow condition.

Floor space ratio: Amount of floor space divided into size of land eg 4:10 or 40% of gross land
area.

Footing: A structural element generally consisting of concrete construction in either strip or pad
form or integrated into the design of a concrete slab.

Foundation: The natural or built-up formation of soil, sub-soil or rock upon which a building or
structure is supported.

Frieze: Continuous band of decorative paneling under the edge of a verandah or decorative
panel around the top of the wall.

Gable end: The vertical end, generally triangular of a roof above the eaves line.

Geotechnical Report: A report provided by a geotechnical engineer, after a site investigation

that reports on the suitability of the surface soil and the substrates for building

Glazing: The glass element of a window, door, side lite OR the surface finish of roof tiles and
bathroom tiles.

Glazing bar: The timber or aluminum bar or strip on windows that divides the panes into
smaller areas eg: Colonial glazing bars. Can be stuck on, clipped onto or integral to window.

GPO: General purpose outlet, or electrical power point.

Grout: The joint filling material used in wall and floor tiling.

Gutter: (See Eaves Gutter)

Gyprock: A trade name for plasterboard.

Header: A wall framing member used over a door or window opening.

Highlight: (or celestory window). A glazed panel positioned above a standard window or front
entry unit.

Hip roof: The sloping end of a roof where the ridge line splits and terminates on the external
corner.

Home: Where the heart is! Ideal place to raise a family and/or enjoy life.

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House peg out survey: A survey to position set out pegs to show concreters the precise position
of the home.

Infill panel: A panel or section used to fill in an area or space between structural sections, eg.
timber panelling, decorative panels, brickwork or metal sheeting.

Infill Slab: A flooring system where a reinforced concrete slab is poured inside a perimeter wall
of brick work, filling material is placed, compacted and brought to level inside the brick walls
prior to concrete placement.

Insulation: A material used to improve the thermal or acoustic efficiency of a building. Generally
positioned in external walls and ceiling spaces.

Jamb: The inside of a door frame.

Joist: Timber or steel beam directly supporting a floor or ceiling.

Ceiling Joist: A beam spanning between walls or other supports which carries the ceiling below
it, but not the floor above.

Floor Joist: A beam to which the flooring is fixed, usually supported by bearers.

Lagging: Material wrapped around piping for insulation or protection of pipe, particularly
reducing heat loss in hot water pipes.

Laminated timber: A built up timber member made from several timber sections glued together
to increase its structural strength or to create a multi-grain or colour effect in bench tops etc.

Landing: An intermediate platform between two flights of stairs.

Lattice: A framework of crossed wood or metal strips used as a screen.

Letter of commencement L.O.C.: (sometimes called A.C.C.). A letter from a lending authority
confirming that mortgage documents have been signed and it is ok to start building.

Light: A single pane of glass.

Lintel: A beam spanning over an opening and supporting loads above.

Load: (See Wind Load)

Louvres: Overlapping timber, glass or metal blades built into an adjustable frame or opening to
ventilate, or control light penetration.

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Manhole: An access opening in a ceiling, etc, to allow inspection of the roof structure, floor
structure, plumbing or electrical wiring.

Mantle: The shelf above a fireplace.

Masonry: A construction of brick, concrete block, stone, terra cotta or other structural units laid
in mortar.

Moulding: Decorative strips of wood used to conceal joints.

Mortar: A suitable proportioned plastic mixture (paste) of sand (fine aggregate), cement and/or
lime, or proprietry plasticiser and water for the laying of masonry units.

Mullion: The vertical member between two adjoining windows.

Nathers Report: To facilitate energy and water conservation measures in and around housing, a
minimum 3.5star House Energy Rating, NatHERS or equivalent, is required for all new dwellings.

Newel: The bottom or top post of a stair balustrade.

Nogging: A horizontal timber strut fixed between studs or joists in framed construction to
provide stiffening.

Nosing: The internal sill finish of a window, or the leading edge of a stair thread.

Notice of Practical Completion: Notice furnished by the builder to client to indicate that in the
builders view contracted works are now completed.

Panelled door: Door with sunken raised panels on its faces.

Panel lift doors: Trade name for sectional lift panel garage doors. Doors roll up in 4-5 sections.

P.C.s: (Prime Cost Items). Generally items like baths, toilets, appliances, tiles etc. and "white
goods".

Pediment: Projecting triangular gable over an entrance, door or window or forming the gable
end of a roof.

Peg off set: The distance from the house to the surveyors pegs.

Pest Treatment:

Treatments to the underside of the slab, around the perimeter of the slab and to the lower
portion of the timber frame. Designed to prevent the intrusion of termites.

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Pier: A column or post supporting a superstructure, such as beams, floor or verandah bearers.

Piering: Columns of concrete, usually poured into drilled holes in the ground, on which the
concrete slab will rest. This ensures that the slab is ultimately resting on the ground sufficiently
solid to support the weight of the home. The size and extent is determined by a civil engineer.

Pitch: The angle of a sloping roof, usually expressed in degrees eg. 22 degree pitch.

Plaster: A mixture of lime or cement and sand used to cover walls or ceilings.

Plasterboard: A plasterboard wall and ceiling lining sheets.

Plate: A horizontal member, usually on flat and supported throughout its length.

Plumb: Vertical and even, 90 degrees to level.

P.O.F.: (Proof of Funds). Evidence furnished by the client to the builder that sufficient funds
exist to pay the contract sum. This may take the form of a copy of a bank passbook, copy of
fixed term deposit documentation or solicitors letter.

Pointing: The filling of joints in brickwork or masonry.

Quarry Tile: Machine-made, unglazed tile often used for floors.

Quoin: A decorative stone or brick corner of a wall.

Quote: (Tender). The document provided by the builder that details what work is to be done
and the costs included. Forms part of the contract.

Raked Ceiling: Where the ceiling line, follows the line of the roof timbers often referred to as a
Cathedral Ceiling and may have the roof timbers exposed.

Rafter: A sloping member in a roof providing the principal structural support for the roofing
material.

Raft slab: A concrete floor slab designed with integrated edge and internal beams (where
necessary) to support the full load of the structure above.

Reactive Soils: Soils generally containing clay, that are subject to varying degrees of swelling
and shrinkage due to changes in moisture content.

Render: A hardwall finish such as cement or plaster applied to brick or masonry walls.

Reinforcement: (Reinforcing). Rods, bars or prefabricated mesh, usually of steel, embedded in

concrete for the purpose of resisting particular stresses.

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Reinforced concrete: Concrete which has been strengthened by the inclusion of steel
reinforcing mesh, bars and rods.

Restrictive covenant: Restrictions placed on the title of the land which prevent the owner from
doing certain things eg. It may prescribe the kind of material the home is to be built from or
whether you are allowed out building on the land or not.

Ribbed Raft Slab: See Waffle Pod Slab.

Ridge: The highest edge of a roof, usually horizontal.

Riser: The vertical surface of a stair between two treads.

Roller doors: Metal garage door that roll up on drum , manually activated or motor driven.

Roof: The upper enclosing element of a building or area which gives protection to the covered
space from the external environment.

Gambrel roof (Dutch Gable): A roof having a small gable near the ridge of a hipped end.

Hip(ped) roof: A roof or part of a roof which is pyramidal in shape with sloping surfaces and
level eaves all round.

Skillion roof: A roof sloping on one direction only, without a ridge or peak.

Roof tile: Usually of concrete or terracotta. Wide range of patterns and colours.

Roughing in: The preliminary stage of installation of plumbing, wiring etc.

R.O.W.: (Right of Way). A restriction on the title that grants vehicular access for adjoining
properties over your land but within the area described.

Sarking: The silver like membrane laid on over the roof timbers and immediately under the roof
tiles.

Sash: Framework that holds the panes of glass in a window.

Scaffolding: A tubular steel structure assembled on site which provides a working platform for
tradesmen - usually bricklayers. Required by law.

Scale: The relationship of an object to the human body (human scale); the relationship of the
size of a drawing to the size of the actual object , eg. 100:1

Seasoned Timber: Timber dried to a stable moisture content prior to use. Unseasoned timber
will shrink over time as the timber dries, causing movement in the building structure.

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Second Site Inspection: A reinvestigation of a building site to consider matters not able to be
assessed during the initial inspection eg. site levels after demolition.

Section: Elevation view through a cut away.

Sediment Control Barrier: A barrier placed around the boundary of the land on the low side to
prevent silt or soil washing from the block of land into the street drainage system.

Septic system: A sewerage disposal system, either site disposal or pump out for blocks with no
sewer.

Set back: The distance from the front boundary to the front of the home. Council has minimum
standards in this regard.

Shadow Diagram: A diagram representation of the shadowing effect on adjoining properties by

the proposed new home.

Side set back: As above for side boundaries.

Sill: The lower horizontal portion of a window or door.

Site: The block of land on which the home is to be built.

Site Analysis: Site analysis examines and records the existing characteristics of the site, and its
surroundings and identifies the opportunities and constraints for the site in relation to Council's
policies.

Site costs: Those costs that arise from placing a chosen home on your land and the cost of
connecting to services. Includes the levelling of the building area, connection of sewer and
storm water, removal of trees, piering under the slab, deep edge beams, connection to power,
material handling costs etc.

Site coverage: The percentage of the site covered by the new home. Imposed to prevent
buildings being out of scale (too big) with the surrounding neighborhood and to ensure
sufficient open space, play area and off street parking. You may be allowed to cover 40% - 60%
of the site.

Site inspection: An inspection of your new building site to assess the typography, service
locations and all characteristics that are to be assessed in preparing a quotation.

Skillion: A roof sloping in one direction only with rafters pitching from, or leaning against the
wall.

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Skirting: Narrow and horizontal timber or custom wood strips around the bottom of internal
wall where it joins the floor.

Slab: A flat concrete foundation that rests directly onto the ground, sometimes called slab-on-
ground.

Slab in brick work: A flooring system where by before the concrete slab is poured a perimeter
wall of brick work is constructed, filling brought on and the slab laid on top of the brick work.
Usually used where its necessary to raise the finished floor levels.

Soil classification: A system to gauge reactivity of soil.

"S" means stable ground - not much expansion or contraction.

"M" means moderately reactive soil - some expansion or contraction.

"H" means highly reactive - large measure of expansion and contraction.

These conditions are determined by engineers and foundation systems are designed to meet
the appropriate classifications.

Soffit: The underside of eaves.

Span: The horizontal distance between two supports of a beam bridge or other structural
element.

Square set opening: An opening that does not have timber facings. The plasterboard is squared
off or "square set".

Statement of environment effects: (SOEE). Full description and an assessment of the potential
environmental impact of the proposal.

Stepped Edge Beam: Stepped Edge Beam. Deepened Edge Beam, also called Thickened Edge
Beam, or Dropped Edge Beam. Refers to the edge beam around the edge of the concrete slab
that has been enlarged or deepened to contain filling or to provide for a level floor where
cutting and filling alone will not suffice. (see illustration).

Storm water Management System: A system designed to manage the collection and controlled
distribution of all roof and surface water generated on a building site.

Stringer: The two pieces of timber between which the stairs are set. These can be painted or
stained.

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Stud: An upright supporting member of a timber wall frame to which wall covering
(plasterboard) are fixed.

Sub-floor: The open space below an elevated floor.

Tender: See quote.

Terracotta: A reddish-brown, fired clay often used to make flowerpots, flooring tiles, roof tiles
and other decorative ornaments.

Tiger Tails: Black and yellow striped warning covers cupped over existing aerial power lines for
the protection of workers on a building site.

Tilt-a-doors: One piece garage door. Usually timber on metal frame that tilts up in one piece to
permit passage. Spring assisted, manual or motor assisted opening.

Top plate: Timber plate at the top of a wall frame.

Transom: A horizontal member dividing window or door frame units at the top of the frame.

Transom light: A sash or light above a door or window, usually fixed.

Tread: The horizontal part of a stair upon which you step.

Truss: A structural frame made up wholly of members in tension or compression lying in the
same plane. (co-planner) for the bridging of long spans and/or the support of superimposed
loads. Members are usually arranged in a series of triangles to form a rigid framework.

Valley gutter: A metal gutter built into the roof valley to carry water to the eaves guttering.

Variation: An alteration to standard design or specification. Generally not accepted by the

builder after Building Agreement has been agreed upon and signed.

Vault: A space with an arched ceiling.

Verandah: A long covered porch.

Waffle pod slab: (or Ribbed Raft Slab). An engineered slab design featuring a grid of internal
beams created around polystyrene pod formers. High strength and thermal efficiency.

Washable paint: Internal wall paint that can be lightly washed to remove grime and finger
marks - not scrubbable.

Weep holes: Formed holes or openings placed in the perpend joints of a masonry wall above
the level of a flashing or at the bottom of a cavity to permit the drainage of any accumulated

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water. Weep holes may be installed in a retaining wall to drain water from behind the wall for
relieving hydrostatic pressure.

Wind load: All forces on a building or structure caused by or imputed due to wind pressure,
which have to be taken into account in the design of the structure. Most wind loads on
dwellings are uplift loads on roofs.

Zone of influence: A term used to describe the area adjacent to sewer pipes or storm water
lines. Building within these zones will require engineered designed upgrades to the foundation.

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