Boxing

Generally a timber frame used to form concrete e.g. floors, driveways, foundations.

Bracing

Generally sheets nailed onto the interior/exterior of the building, used to strengthen the timber frame.

Cavity

The space between the outside of cladding and the adjacent skin or wall. 

Concrete Masonry

Bricks or blocks used in the construction of your home, although technically it is any construction units fired of clay,stone or concrete and bonded together with mortar.

Curing

Basically the process to ensure the concrete or plaster 'sets' ie hardens at the correct temperature without excessive evaporation (to avoid cracking). 

Electrical Walk-through

Walking through your home with the project manager, electrician (and if you have them lighting and interior designers) to check final location of the power points, lighting and any other electrical requirements.

Flue

The large pipe which products of combustion (usually from a fire) are taken outside. 

Fly Rafters

Rafter that is cantilevered past the soffit.

Footing

The foundation of the building or block wall – the structural part of your home that holds everything up !

Framing

The foundation of the building or block wall – the structural part of your home that holds everything up !

In Situ

Latin for 'in place', referrin to things that are made where they are going to be placed in the building - as opposed to making before it arrives at site. 

Joists

Piece of timber used to span across areas for (generally) the second storey.

Lintel

A horizontal beam bridging an opening, most often a door that supports the construction above  

Monolithic

Looks like there are no joins - ie a seamless wall cladding.

Nogs or Dwang

Horizontal timber used to hold the studs straights.

Plumbing Underfloor

All the pipes and drains underneath a concrete floor.

Prenail

Timber frames made off site to speed up the building process.

Prestressed Floor

Concrete panel made off-site (and to a certain strength) and craned into position – generally the second story.

Profile

Timber frames used to get an accurate position of building on the site.

Rafter

Structural timber holding the roof up and frame the angle of the roof.  You can have ‘exposed rafters’ which will show the structure of the roof (i.e. there is no gib/lining on the ceiling)

Rendering

Applying a coating (such as plaster) to the outside of the building. 

Screading

A way a of leveling an area to a pre-determined height e.g. driveway, floor.

Site clear

Removing topsoil and any unsuitable soil before construction can begin,  to ensure a sold foundation. 

Stopping

To prepare the wall for painting and make it smooth and even by filling in any blemishes (such as nail holes and cracks).   

Strutural Steel

Steel beams used instead of timber spans for large spans or when more strength is required. 

Studs

Vertical strong bits in the timber frame.

Survey

Site survey to check boundaries and heights are all correct.

Trusses

Generally referred to as the timber structural frame that supports the roof, however can also be used used for floor framing. 

Wrapping the house

Wrapping the timber frame in a special building paper to help with waterproofing the house.