Ant cap a shaped metal shield which is placed on top of a pier or stump and below bearers or other supporting timber members to delay, and expose during periodic inspections any movement of termites from soil to timber sections of a building
Backfill soil placed into an excavation after placement of concrete, masonry, pipes, timber or other building material
Bagging method of finishing brickwork with an application of thin mortar slurry to the face, Hessian bag for texture (at times precoloured)
Baluster upright infill members between stair or balcony and handrail
Balustrade framework of handrails (banisters) and uprights (balusters), that form protective barriers at open side of staircase or balcony
Bargeboard fascia board, usually timber, fixed to the visible sloping edge of a roof
Barge capping a timber or metal or fibro cap that covers the top of the bargeboard & edge of the roof surface
Batt 50 to 80 mm thick rectangular, flat-surfaced insulating material inserted between ceiling joists or wall studs to improve the insulation of the building
Batten a small timber member used to fix linings, claddings or roof materials to timber frames.
Bay window a window or group of windows forming a bay or recess in a room and projecting outward from the general line of the external wall
Beam a horizontal, load bearing structural member supported at two or more points
Bearer a sub-floor structural member spanning between piers or walls and supporting the joists
Bottom plate a horizontal member forming the base of a structural wall (generally 100x50 timbers covered by internal linings)
Box gutter a concealed roof gutter used between roofs, behind parapets or in valleys
Brick tie a galvanised or stainless steel wire strip, built into brickwork at regular spacing to link internal and external sections of wall either in veneer or full brick construction
Brick veneer type of construction in which a structural timber frame is tied to single-brick external wall that is non load bearing
Building regulations rules (usually council) that control public health and safety, and the quality and acceptable standards of construction of any building
Bulkhead is a drop boxed section used to conceal underslung services or to box in the likes of a garage roller door, air conditioning ducting etc'.
Bullnose the rounding of a corner into quarter of a circle
Cantilever beam a beam with one unsupported end projecting beyond a support
Cathedral ceiling a ceiling which follows surface of the roof structure, sometimes with roof timbers left exposed
Caulking waterproof sealing of joints with pliable or flexible compound (eg silicone, no more gaps)
Ceiling joists a structural member, usually timber, to which the ceiling linings are fitted
Chemical Delignification is a slow deterioration of wood, lignin is the natural glue that binds wood fibres together in wood, when wood is exposed to chemicals in the air the lignin can deteriorate causing the wood fibres to detach giving the wood section a hairy appearance.
Cladding external covering to walls, other than wet applied finish
Clerestory window a window in the upper part of a room to admit light from the above and adjacent roof
Collar tie horizontal structural roof-framing member that ties opposite roof rafters together to prevent roof frame spread or deflection at the centre of the rafters, usually above underpurlins
Colonising flight the flight of alate or reproductive (winged) termites from the nest in late spring (November) or early autumn (March)
Column free standing vertical structural member, generally rectangular or round, supporting structure above
Common brick type of bricks generally used for walls that will later be cement-rendered or painted (also known as ‘comers’)
Composites are materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties, that when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.
Compressed fibre cement sheet extra high density sheeting made from cement and fibre, used for water-resistant flooring or wall cladding in wet areas (eg bathrooms)
Concrete is a composite material composed mainly of water, aggregate, sand and cement. Often, additives and reinforcements (such as rebar) are included in the mixture to achieve the desired physical properties of the finished concrete. When ingredients are mixed together, they form a type of fluid mass that is poured into formwork to shape the concrete. Over time, the cement forms a hard matrix which binds the other ingredients together into a durable stone-like material with many uses.
Conduit protective casing for electrical or communication cables, especially for use in exposed situations
Coping capping or covering on top of wall or pier as decoration and to protect masonry from water penetration from above
Cornice ornamental moulding used to conceal the joint between ceiling and wall or column
Corrugated type of sheet, usually corrosion resistant, which is strengthened for the use in construction by being formed into an alternating series of grooves and ridges
Course single row or layer of bricks or masonry
Coving a concave moulding, usually between the interface of wall and ceiling or flooring
Cupping distortion of (usually) wide timber boards showing curvature across the grain, causing the broad surface to be concave
Curing process of improving the quality of concrete by preventing rapid drying out of concrete, by either keeping constantly wet or sealing surface to minimise evaporation
Cut & fill method used to provide level area on sloping site. The uphill part of the slope is cut away and the soil removed is used as fill on the lower slope immediately below
Dado the lower portion of wall above the skirting when finished in contrast to remainder of wall (eg wood panelling)
Dampcourse a continuous layer of impervious material placed in a masonry wall to prevent the upward or downward movement of moisture (commonly referred to as DPC)
Dead load the weight of the structure itself, including floor, roof, framing and covering members, plus any permanent loads
Decking material forming the covering for a deck or roof
Deflection the displacement of a loaded structural member or system in any direction, measured from it’s no-load position, after loads have been applied
Design load the load specified by building codes, state or city authorities or owner’s or architect’s specifications to be used in the design of the structural frame of a building – it varies according to local conditions and building use
Door furniture metal accessories for a door (eg handles, hinges, latches, locks, bolts, escutcheons etc’)
Door jamb the vertical sides of a door frame
Dormant
Dormer window a vertical window in a sloping roof with its own gable projection through the main roof slope
Double glazing form of glazing incorporating two panes of glass with air space between them, providing better sound and thermal insulation
Double-hung window a window with two sashes which both slide vertically over one another and are balanced by cords & weights or springs (balancers)
Downpipe a metal, plastic or fibro pipe for conveying rainwater from roof to a stormwater drain, ground level, tank. Or other part of building
Dressed timber usually used for joinery purposes that has passed through a planning machine to produce smooth surfaces
Drip groove a weathering groove or recess on the underside of a sill or head near the outer edge, to prevent the horizontal passage of moisture and to shed any rainwater
Dwarf wall a brick wall from footing to the underside of the suspended floor framing
Eaves part of the roof that overhangs the exterior walls
Eaves gutter a preformed or specially made open drain, fixed to the fascia board, for collecting and carrying away rainwater from roof to downpipes
Eaves soffit linings sheeting or boarding which is fitted as lining material to underside of eaves
Engaged pier a pier built into masonry wall, usually attached to dwarf wall supporting floor framing
Expansion joint a vertical or horizontal joint in a construction which permits thermal expansion-contraction or creep
Face brick visible high-quality brick, primarily used in brickwork where no render or paint finish is to be applied
Fall the differences in level between two points, or the slope of a flat roof, gutter or drain
Fanlight a sash placed over a door opening
Fascia wide board fixed to the lower end of the roof rafters
Fibreboard cladding or lining formed by compressed fibre into low-, medium – or high density building board
Fibrous plaster gypsum plaster cast in sheets, which is reinforced with sisal or fibreglass fibres
Fittings items such as light fittings that can be removed without causing damage to a property
Flashing a strip or sleeve of impervious material (such as galvanised metal, lead or copper) dressed or fitted to shed water, or to cover a joint to prevent penetration of moisture
Flight an unbroken series of steps from on floor or landing to another
Floor framing structural timbers supporting the flooring or floorboards
Flue the passage provided by vent or chimney structure as an outlet for gases and smoke
Flush joint a joint between two materials where both pieces and the jointing material, if any, that lie on the same plane
Footing the structural base of wall or pier supporting the mass of the building transferring the load to the foundation
Formwork temporary moulds including supporting framework to contain fresh concrete until it hardens to become self-supporting
Foundation that portion of the ground supporting the mass of the building
Frass borer droppings or dust
Freestanding a building that stands unattached to any other buildings
Gable a vertical wall or panel that forms a triangular portion under the roof surface
Galvanising bonding of zinc protective coating over steel or iron to prevent corrosion ( rust)
Glazing 1. fitting of glass to sashes opening or doors 2. a smooth surface of clay products that have been fired in a manner that seals the surface
Grout mortar, usually fluid, for filling joints or cracks (eg in brickwork, wall or floor tiles, or concrete)
Gutter a preformed or specially made channel or drain for collecting and carrying away rainwater from roof to downpipes
Hanging beam a structural beam supporting ceiling joists
Hardwood timber that has come from trees that have broad leaves and flowers, it is the wood structure that determines if timber is a hardwood or a softwood.
Head the top section of a frame, over an opening
Header brick laid so that the narrower end is visible
Highlight a window above the roof or over another part of a building used to admit light or provide ventilation
Hip roof shape where the sloping surfaces are pitched on all sides of building
Hob brickwork that is raised above floor level, usually around a bath, shower or fireplace
Homeguard A termite physical barrier that is installed as a dampcourse, essentially a plastic impregnated with Deltamethrin.
Hopper window a window in which the sash is hinged at the bottom and moves inward at the top
HVAC is an abbreviation of “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”
Insulation a thermal or acoustic barrier, commonly made from fibreglass, rock wool, expanded polystyrene or reflective foil
Jamb vertical sides of frames of a window or door opening
Joist a structural timber to which a floor or ceiling is fixed
Kalsomine obsolete decorative paint coat for interior plaster surfaces, prepared from dry powder of whiting (a white chalk) and glue mixed with water
Lagging thermal insulation material for covering pipe or duct work
Laminate product made by bonding together two or more layers of materials
Lining internal coverings to walls or ceiling, usually of framed construction
Lintel a horizontal structural member spanning on opening
Masonry brick, concrete block, stone, terracotta or other structural units laid in mortar
Membrane a thin pliable sheet material, usually impervious
Meter box a prefabricated or custom made box to house and enclose a meter board or electricity meters and often fuses.
Mortar suitably proportioned mixture (paste) of sand (fine aggregate), cement and/or lime or additives and water for the laying of masonry units
Mullion a vertical member dividing a window or door frame into sections
Newel a stair post into which the handrail or banister is housed
Noggin horizontal blocking fitted between studs to hold them straight, and for fixing of linings
Nosing the projecting edge of any flat surface, generally rounded in section (eg the overhanging edge of stair tread or window sill)
Obscure glass usually used for privacy, through which objects cannot be clearly seen
Organochlorins toxic chemicals that have been used in the past as insecticides, also called cyclodienes. Use of organochlorins is now banned for general use in Australia
Organophosphates toxic chemicals used as insecticides and termiticides
Pane a single piece of glass fitted or cut to size for a window or door ready for glazing
Parapet a low wall that rises above edge of a roof, balcony or terrace
Particle board building board made from compressed fibres bonded together with adhesive, it comes in low, medium or high density grades, some particle board has waterproofing added
Party wall a wall between two adjoining buildings, which often straddles the boundary
Pelmet timber or fabric cover to curtain rod or blind fittings or to sliding door to conceal tracks
Pergola an open timber or steel framework over path, terrace, patio or deck, often covered with plants trained over members
Pier a vertical structural member of footings in concrete, steel or brick
Pier and beam construction a footing system for reactive soils in which the structure has reinforced concrete beams supported on reinforced concrete piers
Plasterboard rigid lining board made of a core of gypsum plaster set between and bonded to outer coverings of heavy duty paper
Plinth a block or slab on which a pedestal, column, hot water unit or statue is placed.
Plywood fabricated wood panels formed by bonding layers together, under heat and pressure, a series of timber veneers at right angles make up layers
Pointing the completion of joints -
Purlin a horizontal structural roof member, either supporting the rafters underneath at right angles or, where there are no rafters, supporting the roof covering
Quad moulding with cross-section of quadrant of a circle (quarter round)
Rafter a structural member sloping down from ridge to eaves, and providing the principle structural support of the roofing material
Render finish (eg cement or plaster) that is applied to brick or masonry walls. Can also be applied to a special type of fibreboard called blue board.
Retaining wall a wall built to hold back earth or other solid material, and resist lateral pressure (thrust) from the retained material
Reveal the vertical side of an opening such as window or door
Ridge the horizontal apex of two roof planes, usually the highest point of the roof
Ridge tile concrete or burnt clay tile used for the covering or a ridge or hip of a tiled roof (usually of angular cross section, but sometimes semi circular), fitted together with flanged or overlapping joints
Rise the vertical distance through which an element rises (eg rise of the roof, a stair or step)
Riser the vertical face of a step in a flight of stairs or vertical drainage or plumbing pipe
Rising damp the vertical movement of moisture up masonry, causing unsightly staining and dampness on internal walls
Roof truss a structural frame designed to carry the loads of a roof and its coverings over the full span without intermediate support
Rot fungal decay of timber, caused by fungus under conditions of excessive moisture and absence of adequate ventilation.
Rough-sawn timber direct from the saw – usually used for structural rather than joinery purposes
Sapwood in the living tree the wood containing living cells located between the heartwood (deadwood) and the bark. When the tree is felled this section of the tree still retains differences to the heartwood and is prone to attack by some pests
Sarking a pliable waterproof membrane fixed under roof or wall covering to collect and discharge any water that may penetrate, often combined with reflective foil to give improved thermal insulation
Sash the framed part of a window unit into which the glass is fitted, and which can be moved by pivoting or sliding
Sealant group of non-hardening materials, applied in liquid or plastic form between adjacent building materials to seal joints against the penetration of moisture
Seasoned timber air or kiln dried timber
Setting a trowelled finishing coat of lime putty and/or plaster of paris, applied to cement render or concrete surfaces
Settlement downward movement of the soil of any part of the structure that it supports
Sheet flooring made up of large rigid sheets
Shingles thin pieces of wood, slate or other material, usually oblong in shape and used in overlapping rows for the covering of roofs or walls
Shutter a hinged or moveable cover or screen for a window or other opening, usually fixed externally and sometimes louvered
Sill a horizontal member at the bottom of a window frame
Skillion a roof shape consisting of a single sloping surface without a ridge
Skirting moulding to cover the joint between floor and wall lining
Skylight a glazed opening in a roof and/or ceiling, designed to admit daylight to the space below
Slab on ground a floor system of reinforced concrete with thickened edges placed directly on the ground over a vapour proof membrane
Sleeper pier a freestanding pier, usually of masonry, supporting floor framing
Soffit the underside of eaves or the visible underside of a beam, lintel, arch, reveal, vault or suspended concrete slab
Soffit lining sheeting or boarding fitted as lining material in lined eaves or soffits
Softwoods non pored timbers, timbers from trees that grow pine cones and needles. The term does not refer to the hardness of the timber.
Span the horizontal distance between points of support for load bearing structural members
Stability the resistance of structure to sliding, overturning or collapse
Stress grade visual or mechanical strength grading of timber
Stringer in stair construction, the inclined structural member on both sides of the stair treads and risers
Strip footing poured in a continuous strip (eg under the length of the wall)
Strut structural support to a purlin, that transfers load to the wall frame or strutting beam
Strutting beam a structural beam used to support struts where no internal walls are available, loads are transferred to other walls
Stud a vertical structural member in the wall framing to which lining or cladding can be fixed
Sub-floor vent a brick with openings or a brick with steel mesh to provide cross flow ventilation to the sub-floor void.
Swarm termites swarm during colonising flight
Termites insects that have species that can cause significant damage to timbers in service
Termite shield (barrier) termite shields are commonly known as ant capping, ant capping is intended to expose termite workings during periodic inspections of the sub-floor areas
Termiticides chemicals used to control termites.
Timber framed construction in which the structural member are of timber or depend on a timber frame for support
Tongue and groove a strong jointing system for timber boards where on one side is grooved to allow insertion of tongue from adjacent board
Top plate a horizontal structural member forming the top side of wall framing, or laid on and strapped to a masonry wall, which carries the ceiling joists and supports rafters
Transom the horizontal member of a window frame, door frame, or opening between head and sill
Tread the horizontal portion or length of each strip in a stairway
Trench mesh steel mesh in lounge narrow lengths for the reinforcement of concrete strip footings
Trim mouldings to doors, windows, joinery or openings
Trimmer a timber cross member inserted around an opening in timber framing (eg around access holes, skylights, chimneys)
Truss a frame designed to carry loads over a full span without intermediate support
Underpurlin a horizontal structural roof member supporting the underside of rafter at right angles
Valley the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces to form an open drain or gutter
Valley board boarding that forms a base or support for the valley gutter, commonly called a valley metal
Verge the overhanging edge of the roof covering along the gable
Verge capping the timber or metal cap between the top of the barge board and the roof surfaces
Verge tile full or half roof tile in any course, fixed parallel to and projecting over or flush with, the verge of a gable roof. Commonly referred to as an end tile.
Vermin proofing wire mesh fixed to the bottom plate and set into mortar joint in brick veneer buildings to prevent the entry of vermin (rats, possums etc’) into the wall cavity
Wall tie galvanised or stainless steel wire built into cavity walls to bind the inner and outer leaves or to attach a single masonry leaf to the timber frame in brick veneer construction
Warp the general term for distortion of timber due to variations in moisture content
Water table the natural and variable level of groundwater in soil, usually referring to the upper level of the soil wholly saturated with groundwater
Weatherboard types of boards designed to function as an effective exterior wall cladding to timber framed buildings
Weathering gradual deterioration of timber or materials exposed to natural elements
Weather strip 1. a strip of galvanised steel or plastic built into the horizontal joints of external fibre cement cladding to render them watertight 2. a brass strip set into a threshold to resist the penetration of rain
Weep hole a hole or opening placed in the perpendicular 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 moisture within the cavity
Yard gully a gully which is installed at such a level and position that in the event of the sewer overflowing, any overflow will occur externally without entering the interior of the building.
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Office of Fair Trading (NSW)- Building Inspections - A Home Buyer's Guide PDF Reader
Office of Fair Trading NSW - Home Building Service - Includes Licence Check
Institute of Building Consultants
AEPMA - Australian Pest Managers Association I am no longer a member of this Association
AUSINSPECT is well equipped to carry out specialised building works, termite treatments, termite nest location, termite nest eradication, effective repairs to buildings and property maintenance. We own our own machinery and truck for efficient, cost effective undertaking of works, our specialty is the repair of termite damaged and decayed structures.
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