The practise of covering the roof rafters with boards before fixing the felt.

A window comprised of sliding sections.

Shards of stone cut-offs or quarry waste used instead of hardcore or other aggregate.

A thin layer of mortar applied to the surface of a concrete floor to give it a smooth finish.

Using a sharp, pointed tool to mark a line that is often used as a cutting guide. Also, to replicate the profile of an obstacle onto a sheet of material that is to be butted against it.

A flexible, waterproof substance used for sealing along joints. Normally applied using a cartridge applicator.

Completing the final stages of construction. For example, fitting the skirting boards after plastering or fitting the light switches after wiring up all of the electrics.

A tube or shaft housing mains cables or pipes in modern houses.

This relates to the amount of subsidence that occurs with a new foundation or structure.

The outer insulation covering electric cable or flex.

A small wedge of wood used to pack out a small gap e.g. between the door lining and the opening in the wall.

This is the curved outlet at the bottom of a drainpipe that directs water away from the building.

A timber framework that encloses an area that is to be concreted. The shuttering contains the wet concrete.

To fix nails or screws into timber at an angle.

To apply a thin top coat of plaster.

This relates to brick walls. Single skin walls are one brick thick. Double skin walls are two bricks thick.

Timber panelling that runs around the base of walls covering the joint between walls and floor.

A low wall for supporting ground floor joists.

A drainage pit below ground filled with hardcore to channel away rainwater.

This is the underside surface of an archway or of the eaves of a roof.

Timber from coniferous trees like cedar, redwood and pine. This type of timber is not always softer than hardwoods e.g. yew is a softwood yet extremely hard.

This is the horizontal timber beam that runs across the floor to which the vertical studs are fixed in a stud wall.

The base of a substance, usually a liquid. For example, water is the solvent for emulsion paint. The solvent of a substance is also the cleaning agent.

Plastic X-shaped dividers for spacing tiles evenly.

Flaking on the surface of masonry usually caused by moisture freezing and expanding in cold conditions.

This refers to the end of a pipe which fits into a socket to create a joint with another length of pipe.

Another word for a baluster which forms part of the balustrade.

An extension on a ring circuit from a socket or junction box.

The metal arm attached to a casement window, which hooks over a pin on the frame to prop the window open securely.

The vertical side section of a door or sash window.

Creating a series of indentations to texture a surface, usually with paint or concrete.

The timber sides of a staircase supporting the treads. The string on the open side of a staircase is called the outer string; the wall string is positioned against the wall.

A floor material fitted under decorative flooring. For example, hardboard below carpets or plywood under ceramic floor tiles.

Serious ground movement around or under a building that may cause structural damage.

A building surveyor is an expert on all aspects of property and can offer advice on design, construction, maintenance, repair, refurbishment and restoration.