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Building Terms

The following glossary produces the meanings of various building terms. This glossary should be considered in conjunction with the separate glossary covering architectural terms, which is being made available within this web site. Many terms appear in both glossaries.

Barge board  
Batten  
Batter board  
Bead  
Beam  
Bearer  
Bench  
Birds mouth  
Board  
Bolt  
Bottom plate  
Box  
Brace  
Bridge  
Building line  
Cantilever  
Cement  
Centres  
Cladding  
Cleat  
Clears  
Concrete  
Cripple stud  
Curing  
Deck  
Dressed  
Dwang  
Eave  
Fascia  
Flashing  
Flush  
Footing  
Gable  
Galvanised  
Gauged  
Header  
Hip  
Horizontal  
Jamb  
Joint  
Joist  
Lattice  
Lintel  
Longitudinal  
Lumber  
Mastic  
Member  
Nail  
Nog  
Nominal size  
On centre  
Perimeter  
Pile  
Plane  
Plate  
Plumb  
Plywood  
Post  
Pressure treated  
Profiles  
Purlin  
Quoin  
Rafter  
Rail  
Rake  
Rectangle  
Ridge  
Rough  
Sawn  
Siding  
Sill  
Slab  
Slope  
Soffit  
Span  
Strap  
String  
Stud  
Timber  
Top plate  
Treated  
Trim  
Veneer  
Vertical  
Wall  
Wood  
Work