The A to Z of Building Terminology
To follow is a simple guide to assist you in understanding some of the standard building terms and “jargon” you are likely to encounter at various stages throughout construction.
A
ACC; Authority to Commence Construction. The stage reached when all necessary approvals have been received and we are in a position to start on site.
Access & Handling; A monetary allowance for the use of additional machinery and labour required when working on restrictive and/or difficult sites.
Alfresco; An under roof outside entertaining area.
Architrave; The moulding that seals the join between wall and window/door frame.
B
BA; Building Approval. The formal permit issued by the local governing council which outlines the terms and conditions to be followed throughout construction.
Barge Tile; The angular concrete tile that is used to finish off the front of a gable roof.
Batts; Insulation used in walls or ceilings
BERS; Building Energy Rating Scheme. Computer based program used to calculate the energy used to cool or heat the house.
BOS; Build Over Sewer. The application that is made to council for building within the Zone of Influence of a sewer main or easement.(See Zone of Influence)
Boundary; The official line separating the outer edges of your block of land from neighbouring properties.
Bracing; Frame strengthening and additional reinforcing and/or use of stronger materials in high wind areas.
Building Envelope; A “zone” within a parcel of land in which you are permitted to build. You cannot build outside the envelope.
C
Capped Upstand; A “capped-off” 100mm stormwater pipe hooked into the homes stormwater system used to catch and divert yard surface water run-off to be hooked into yard gully during landscaping.
Colour Selection; A meeting with the Colour Consultant to record all internal and external colours to accompany the orders for materials etc. for the home.
Contour Survey; A survey used to determine the site fall/slope of the block. displayed as a series of contour lines at differing levels.
Contract; The signed building agreement outlining the legal terms, conditions and obligations of the owner and the builder
Cornice; The curved or decorative plaster moulding that covers the join between wall and ceiling sheet.
Covenant; The design requirements of a sub-division.
Cut & Fill; See Earthworks.
D
Downpipe; The pipe that conducts roof water via guttering to the stormwater lines
Dutch Gable; A perpendicular triangle of roof that sits above a hip. Used as a feature.
Dwarf Wall; A wall of lesser height than a full height wall ie) one shorter than 2440mm
E
Earthworks; The act of preparing a block of land to be made ready for home construction.
Easement; Area of land within a site containing a pipe (sewer/stormwater) or right of access or other right granted by a government body. Cannot be built within or over.
Eaves; The lining under a roof overhang. Also known as a soffit.
Envelope; See Building Envelope.
F
Façade; The frontal detail and styling of a home.
Fall; The amount of site slope on a block of land
Fascia; The colorbond metal finishing strip that covers the end of the roof trusses and sits under the guttering.
Fixing Stage; Completion of the internal fit-out of the home.
Flickmixer; A tap fitting with one handle that controls the blending and delivery of hot and cold water simultaneously.
Footprint; The outline of a home on the site/ the space it occupies.
Frame Stage; Completion of the erection of the frame.
G
Gable Roof; A perpendicular triangle of roof often used as a feature.May display “gable ornament” on it.
Gradient; The degree of site slope. Often used when referring to the steepness of a driveway.
Guttering; The metal channels that conduct roof water from roof to downpipes.
H
Handover; The stage where the home is completed and the keys are exchanged for the final payment.
Hip Roof; An angled section of roof that runs from a ridge or valley to a barge or guttering.See also Barge and Guttering.
Hob; The tiled flat area surrounding a bathtub.
HSTP; Household Sewerage Treatment Plant. Sewer holding tank with associated treatment and dispersal plumbing required on “non-mains” sewered building allotments (usually acreage)
L
Laminate; A veneer of coloured/ textured material covering a cupboard
M
Meter Box; The metal box mounted on the external wall of a home that houses the meters, circuit breakers etc.
Mixer Taps; See Flickmixer
MPR; Multi Purpose Room
P
PA; Provisional Allowance. A monetary amount allowed towards a cost that is not possible to fully calculate at the time of quoting.
Penetrations; The points of entry through a slab for items such as drains etc.
Percolation Test; A test done to determine the water holding/absorbing capacity of soil. Used to design HSTP’s. See HSTP.
Picture Nook; A recess in a wall used to “frame” a picture
Piers/Piering; Support mechanisms usually made from poured concrete under the slab of a home .Often used in filled areas. Brick Piers; Square columns of brickwork usually used for the support of a roof structure.eg) a porch.
Pitch; Refers to the degree of angle of the roof line.
Plan of Development; A sub-division where special permissions have been granted by Council for variances to standard building or siting requirements.
Pods; The polystyrene moulds over which a slab is poured. Also known as a Pod Slab or Waffle Pod.
Pointing; The cement used to set in a ridge capping. See Ridge Capping.
Post Formed; Used to describe the rounded edges of the benches of kitchens and vanity units.
Practical Completion Stage; The home has reached the stage where it is fit for the purpose it was built. It can be lived in.
Q
Quotation; A document produced following receipt of a home order together with all site reports. Has to be approved before proceeding to contract.
R
Raft Slab; A traditional concrete slab which excludes the “pods”
Relaxation; An approval by a council to vary its own requirements. Usually associated with boundary setbacks.
Ridge Capping; The angled tile cap that seals the ridge of the roof of your home.
Risers; The vertical part of a stair that gives height.
S
Sarking; The foils sheet used in roofs to assist with preventing water intrusion; generally in high wind areas.
Services Connection; The connection of water, power, sewer stormwater, gas and telephone between point of connection and home.
Setback; The distance a home is located from its boundary.
Sisalation; See Sarking but also used on the external walls of the frame.
Site Access; See Earthworks.(Can also refer to “all-weather” access road on acreage blocks
Site Cut; See Earthworks.
Site Preparation; See Earthworks
Siteworks; See Earthworks
Siting; The act of placing a home on a site. The position of the home.
Skillion Roof; A roof projecting from a building that has neither gable or hip ends.
Skirting; The moulding that seals the join between floor and wall.
Slope; The change of grade on a block of land.
Soil Test; A Geotechnical survey used to determine soil type and reactivity. Ultimately used for foundation design.
Square Set Opening; An opening in a wall that has had the opening set square (not curved)
Sub Board; A secondary internally mounted housing for electrical circuit breakers. See also Meter Box.
T
Transition Zone; The area immediately in front of a garage that levels out prior to entering the garage.
Treads; The horizontal part of a stair that is walked apon. Also see Risers.
Trickle Feed Water; Used where full mains pressure water is not available. Delivers limited flow and requires storage tanks.
Truncation Zone; Angled area of land across the frontage corners of a corner allotment. Driveways cannot cross this.
Two Pac; A cabinet finish that is painted in high gloss with gloss polyurethane coating.
V
Valley; Point at which two planes of roof meet at a declining point. It carries rainwater to the guttering.
Vinyl Wrap; A cabinet finish where coloured vinyl is heat wrapped onto moulded doors/cupboards.
Variation or VO’s; Variation to the order. Any modifications requested or required which vary from the original signed contract.
W
Waffle Pod; See Pods
Wall Wrap; See sisalation
Wet Areas; Bathrooms, ensuites, laundries and powderooms (Areas where running water is available)
Z
Zero Lot; A block of land where a dwelling can be built within 200mm of the boundary.
Zone of Influence; The area surrounding a pipe where pressure can bear. Usually occurs around easements. See Easement.
