Alfresco Area

Alfresco area usually larger is size than a verandah or patio area. Known as a roofed outdoor dining space whether it is incorporated under the main house roof or as a separate building adjoining the pool area. Sometimes being closed off by way of stacking doors, walls with lourves or blinds to block out sun or rain. Traditionally has a built in barbecue or kitchen for entertaining.

Architrave

The moulding around a door or window.

Back Fill

The material used for re-filling trenches or excavations, after services have been installed or works have been completed.

Bagging

The process of applying thin mortar to a masonry wall with a coarse material such as hessian.

Batten

A small timber member fixed between longer stud members to improve structural adequacy.

Batter

The excavated stable slope of an earth bank.

Beam

A large horizontal support – may be of solid timber, laminated timber or steel.

Bearers

The main beams above the foundation level which support the joists and floor.

Box Gutter

A concealed roof gutter of rectangular shape.

Brace or Bracing

A structural member fix at an angle to horizontal or vertical members, e.g. cross-bracing on timber walls.

Bulkhead

A lowered part of a ceiling, to accommodate structures and services.

Cement Render

A hard-setting mortar made from a mix of cement and sand for masonry surfaces. Finish can be fine sand smooth or swill pattern.

Cladding

The external covering of the external wall of a timber framed house.

Coffered Ceiling

A recessed ceiling used for decorative purposes.

Cornice

A horizontal moulding projecting from the top of an external wall or decorating the junction of the internal wall and the ceiling.

Cut and Fill

The leveling of a land surface area by excavating or “cutting” off excess soil material at one section and using it for filling in and sometimes compacting of the depressed area to form a level building site.

Door Frame

A timber or metal frame which surrounds and supports the door.

Door Furniture

All accessories used in and for doors. Hinges, handles, locks, bolts, latches, door stops, push plates, etc.

Door Jamb

Vertical sides of a door frame.

Double Hung Window

A window with two sashes vertically sliding.

Eaves

the part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building vHob - the brickwork which is placed above the floor level around the bottom of a shower recess or a fireplace.

Louvre

a horizontal arrangement of overlapping and downward slanting timber, glass or metal slats to admit air but exclude rain (often floor to ceiling in tropical climates).

MPR

stands for multi purpose room eg kids play area, sewing room, tv room

Nogging

Either infill of masonry laid as panels between a timber wall-frame or small horizontal pieces of timber fixed between the wall studs.

Obscured Glass

Glass through which light can pass but objects are blurred.

Parapet

A wall built higher than the eaves line of a roof.

Prime Cost Items

An amount specified in a contract document for particular supply items such as fixtures, fittings and appliances etc.

Provisional Sum

An amount of money allowed for in a contract document to cover proposed works for which the full amount is not exactly known prior to the signing of the contract.

Sarking

A water-resistant membrane placed beneath roof tiles to collect and discharge water. Also can be used in walls.

Set Back

a statutory requirement which prohibits construction of a building beyond a specified distance.

Skirting

a moulded trim which is fixed at the base of an internal wall.

Skylight

a glazed fixture of an opening in a roof line to allow natural light and ventilation into a building.

Soffit

the surface of a ceiling exposed.

Specifications

a separate document detailing all inclusions and finishings relating to the building contract

Square Set

when the wall and ceiling plaster meet forming a right angle and is finished off without cornices.

Tanking

the processes of applying a waterproofing membrane on the outside surface of a wall to stop water entering the building.

Tile Finishes

see below

Touch Up

the repairs of damaged or defective paint.

Tread

the horizontal surface of a step.

Trusses

a prefabricated structural roof frame which distributes loads through it members to its supports.

Variation

an addition or omission to contracted works.

Water Proofing

the treatment of walls and floors to make them impervious.

Weep Hole

a gap in a masonry wall, just above the flashing to allow any water in the cavity to drain out.

WELS Approved

The Australian Government’s Water Efficiency Labeling & Standards (WELS) scheme came into force in 2006. The scheme is designed to encourage lower water consumption and applies to kitchen taps, basin taps, showers and toilets, among other water using appliances. The Australian WELS scheme is underpinned by the joint Australian/New Zealand regulatory standard AS/NZS 6400.
The WELS scheme is compulsory for all products which come within its scope. These products include kitchen taps, bathroom taps, showers, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers.
Products coming within the WELS scheme must be tested, certified and labeled for their water usage. They are given a star rating based on their water consumption, which must be displayed on packaging and certain displays.

Tile Finishes

Mosaic tiles

Generally less than 15 cm square and mounted in sheets on a mesh backing for easy installation. Ceramic mosaic tiles may be glazed or unglazed. Mosiacs are also available in a range of stone, pebble, glass and metal or mixtures of each

Porcelain:

Dust-pressed ceramic tiles with water absorption levels less than 0.5 per cent and high mechanical and chemical characteristics. The surface of these tiles may be glazed or unglazed. Often specified for exterior installations, they are also referred to as fully vitrified.

Rectified Tiles

Rectified tiles typically exhibit a very square edge - cutting or grinding the edges off a tile allows the dimensions and squareness to be precisely controlled. Rectified tiles are installed with minimal grout lines.

Travertine

A pale, dense, banded limestone derived from the evaporation of hot springs. Travertine is popular for paving patios and garden paths and is one of the most frequently used stones in modern architecture, commonly seen as facade material, wall cladding and flooring. It is characterised by naturally occurring pitted holes and troughs in its surface. These holes can be filled or left open; hence the stone can be purchased 'filled' or 'unfilled'. Travertine can be highly polished and comes in a variety of colours from white through grey to coral red.