When you start a building project or property survey, understanding the technical language professionals use is essential. Whether you’re a property owner, developer, or simply curious about construction and surveying, this glossary offers clear explanations of key terms that frequently arise in the industry. Additionally, the terms listed below commonly appear in building surveys and reports. By familiarising yourself with them, you’ll communicate more effectively with professionals and make informed decisions throughout your project.

The Glossary of Building and Surveying Terms
A

Abutment – A structure that supports the ends of a bridge or arch, thus anchoring it against horizontal movement.
Aggregate – Granular material, such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone, which is used in concrete or road construction to provide bulk, strength, and stability.
Architrave – A decorative moulding that frames a doorway, window, or other opening, usually positioned around the edges.
Airtightness – The degree to which a building prevents uncontrolled air leakage, which is crucial for energy efficiency.
Asbestos – A naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Once widely used in building materials for insulation and fireproofing, now banned due to health risks.
Asbestos Survey – An inspection conducted to identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building. Is often required before renovation or demolition.
Axial Load – The force applied along the central axis of a structural member, such as a column, which may cause compression.

B

Balustrade – A railing supported by balusters, often found on balconies, staircases, and terraces for safety.
Bay Window – A window structure that protrudes outward from the main walls of a building, thus forming a bay inside.
Beam – A horizontal structural element that carries loads and is supported at either end, which is used in floors, roofs, and ceilings.
Benchmark – A fixed reference point used by surveyors to measure the elevation or height of a building site.
Batten – Thin strips of wood or metal used to support roof tiles, slates, or cladding.
Binder – A material that holds other materials together, such as cement in concrete.
Bond – The pattern in which bricks or other materials are laid, consequently affecting both strength and appearance.
Building Control – Regulatory framework ensuring buildings meet specific safety, sustainability, and accessibility standards during construction or renovation.
Building Pathology – The study of defects, decay, and deterioration in buildings, analysing their causes and potential remedies.
Buttress – An external support projecting from a wall to resist lateral forces, thereby preventing movement or collapse.

C

Cavity Wall – A wall construction consisting of two layers (leaves) separated by an air gap, improving insulation and moisture control.
Certificate of Occupancy – A document certifying that a building complies with all building codes and regulations, thus ensuring it is safe for occupancy.
Chimney Stack – The visible part of a chimney that projects above a roofline, allowing smoke or gases to exit the building.
Cladding – External material is applied to a building’s façade to provide thermal insulation, protection from the elements, and aesthetic appeal.
Cold Bridge – An area where a building’s thermal insulation is weaker, allowing heat to escape and potentially causing condensation.
Column – A vertical structural element that supports the weight of the structure above.
Concrete Slab – A flat horizontal surface of concrete, often used as flooring or foundations in buildings.
Condition Report – A basic inspection of a property that highlights major defects but does not provide extensive detail on remedial work.
Condensation – The process of moisture in the air turning into liquid when it comes into contact with a cold surface.
Corbel – A projection jutting out from a wall to support a structure above, often used in masonry or timber construction.
Course – A continuous layer of bricks or other masonry units, typically horizontal.
Coving – A concave moulding where the wall meets the ceiling, therefore, often used for decoration.
Crazing – A network of fine cracks in the surface of materials like concrete or plaster, often caused by shrinkage or thermal movement.

D

Datum – A reference point on a building site, often used to ensure consistent levels across the site during construction.
Deleterious Materials – Substances that can cause harm to a building or its occupants, such as asbestos or lead paint.
Demising Wall – A wall that separates tenant spaces in a multi-tenant building is often critical in defining legal boundaries.
Dew Point – The temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and condensation forms is critical in understanding moisture risks in buildings.
Drip Edge – A metal flashing is installed on the edge of a roof to direct water away from the structure, preventing leaks.
Dry Rot – A type of timber decay caused by fungal growth in damp conditions, leading to structural damage.
Damp-Proof Course – A horizontal barrier in a building’s walls is designed to prevent rising damp from penetrating from the ground into the building structure.
Damp-Proof Membrane – A sheet of material used in floors or walls to prevent moisture from penetrating the building structure.
Dormer – A vertical window that projects from a sloping roof is often used to increase usable space in a loft or attic.
Dormer Cheek – The side wall of a dormer window is typically covered with cladding.
Downpipe – A pipe attached to a gutter, designed to carry rainwater from the roof to the ground.

E

Easement – A legal right that allows someone to use part of a property for a specific purpose, such as access or utilities.
Efflorescence – A white, powdery deposit of salts that forms on the surface of masonry, often caused by water evaporation.
Egress – A term referring to the means of exit from a building, typically in reference to safety and fire regulations.
Engineering Brick – A type of brick with high compressive strength and low water absorption, often used in foundations and other load-bearing structures.
Expansion Joint – A gap or joint in materials like concrete or brickwork to allow for movement caused by temperature changes or settlement.
Eaves – The overhanging edge of a roof that extends beyond the building’s walls, providing protection from rain and enhancing the structure’s durability.

F

Façade – The front or exterior face of a building is often the most architecturally significant part of the structure.
Fall Arrest System – Safety equipment is installed to protect workers from falls during construction or maintenance, typically on roofs.
Fenestration – The arrangement and design of windows and doors in a building’s envelope, affecting aesthetics and energy performance.
Fascia – A board attached to the ends of roof rafters, typically used to support the guttering and improve the appearance of the roofline.
Flashing – Thin metal material is used to prevent water infiltration at joints or intersections in the building structure, such as around chimneys or windows.
Flat Felt Roof – A roofing system using layers of felt bonded with bitumen for waterproofing, commonly found on flat or low-pitched roofs.

G

Gable – The triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof is often a key architectural feature.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) – A survey method used to detect objects or voids below the surface, such as pipes, cables, or buried structures.
Groundwork – The preparation of land before construction begins, including excavation and foundation work.
Gulley – A drainage component used to carry surface water away from buildings, often found at the base of external walls or driveways.
Gutter – A channel along the edge of a roof is designed to collect and direct rainwater away from the building.

H

Hard Landscaping – The man-made elements of landscape design, such as paths, walls, and patios.
Hipped Roof – A roof with sloping sides and ends offers greater stability and wind resistance compared to gabled roofs.
Hot Works – Construction processes involving heat or open flames, such as welding or soldering, often require special safety measures.
Hip – The external angle is where two sloping roof surfaces meet.
Hip Tile – A specially shaped tile used to cover the junction of two roof slopes at the hip of the roof.

I

Infill – The process of filling in gaps between structural elements is often seen in brickwork or timber frames.
Inspection Chamber – A covered opening providing access to underground pipes for inspection, cleaning, or maintenance.
Interstitial Condensation – Condensation that forms within building materials, such as inside walls, is often hidden and potentially causing damage.
In situ – A term meaning “in place” or “on-site” is used to describe building components that are constructed in their final location rather than prefabricated.

J

Joist – A horizontal structural member, usually made of wood or steel, that supports floors or ceilings.
Junction Box – An enclosure where electrical connections are made, protecting the wiring and ensuring safety.
Jamb – The vertical sides of a door or window opening, supporting the frame and structure above.

K

K-Value – A measure of thermal conductivity, indicating how well a material conducts heat.
Kick Plate – A metal plate fitted to the bottom of a door to protect it from impact or wear, especially in high-traffic areas.
Kerb – A raised edge along a pavement or road, often made of stone or concrete, is designed to separate pedestrian areas from vehicle areas.

L

Lateral Load – A force applied horizontally to a building, such as wind or seismic activity, which must be resisted by the structure.
Lintel – A horizontal structural element placed above an opening, like a door or window, to support the load above.
Load-Bearing Wall – A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it, transferring the load to the foundation.

M

Mansard Roof – A roof with two slopes on each of its four sides, with the lower slope being steeper. It creates extra space on the upper floor of a building.
Masonry – Construction using stone, brick, or concrete blocks bonded with mortar.
Mezzanine – An intermediate floor between two main floors is often used to increase usable space without extending the building footprint.
Moisture Content – The percentage of water present in a building material, which can affect its structural integrity and susceptibility to damage.
Mortar – A mixture of sand, water, and a binder (usually cement) used to bond bricks, stones, or blocks in masonry construction.
Mullion – A vertical element that divides adjacent window units or panels.

N

Nosing – The front edge of a stair tread, which often projects beyond the riser for added safety and aesthetics.
Newel Post – A vertical post at the bottom, top, or turning point of a staircase that supports the handrail.
Non-Load-Bearing Wall – A wall that does not support any weight other than its own and is used primarily for partitioning spaces.
Nail Plate – A flat piece of metal with multiple nails or teeth that is used to join timber members, such as in truss construction.

O

Open Web Joist – A type of joist with an open, truss-like structure. Therefore, allows for easier installation of utilities like plumbing and wiring.
Ornamental Plasterwork – Decorative plaster used in ceilings or walls, often for aesthetic purposes in period buildings.
Overburden – Soil or rock overlaying a site, which must be removed before excavation can begin.
Outrigger – A cantilevered beam or structure extending from a building to provide additional support or balance.

P

Parapet – A low wall or barrier that extends above the roofline, balcony, or terrace, often used for safety or aesthetic reasons.
Party Wall – A shared wall between two adjoining properties, commonly seen in semi-detached and terraced houses.
Penetrating Damp – Water infiltration through external walls or roofs due to poor construction, damaged materials, or defective maintenance.
Perimeter Drainage – A system of drains placed around the foundation of a building to divert water away and prevent flooding or damp.
Pier – A vertical support, often made of concrete or masonry, that transfers the load of a structure to the ground.
Pitch – The angle or slope of a roof is typically expressed as a ratio of height to length.

Q

Quantity Surveyor (QS) – A professional responsible for managing all costs related to building and civil engineering projects. Also, ensuring value for money while meeting legal and quality standards.
Quoin – The external corner of a building is often marked by larger or differently shaped masonry units for structural or decorative purposes.

R

Rafters – Sloped structural members that support the roof covering, running from the ridge to the eaves.
Retaining Wall – A wall built to hold back earth or water. In addition, it is commonly used in landscaping and civil engineering to prevent soil erosion.
Riser – The vertical component of a staircase, which connects one tread to the next.
Rendering – The application of a plaster or cement-based coating to external walls to improve appearance and provide weather protection.
Ridge – The horizontal line at the top of a sloped roof where two roof planes meet.

S

Snagging List – A list of defects or incomplete work that needs to be addressed before a construction project is deemed finished.
Soakaway – A drainage system used to allow surface water to percolate into the ground, often seen in areas with poor drainage.
Soffit – The underside of a roof overhang, eave, or arch is often used for ventilation or aesthetic purposes.
Stud Wall – A non-load-bearing wall constructed from timber or metal studs. In addition, typically used for partitioning interior spaces.
Subsidence – Downward movement of the ground beneath a building, which can cause serious damage to a property. Usually occurs when the ground loses moisture and shrinks.
Substrate – The underlying material or surface on which something is built or applied, such as the layer beneath roofing or flooring materials.
Survey Level – A tool used to measure height differences between points on the ground, often used in land surveying.
Suspended Ceiling – A secondary ceiling hung below the main structural ceiling, often used to conceal utilities or improve acoustics.

T

Thermal Bridging – A condition where heat bypasses or “bridges” insulation through a material that is a better conductor of heat, causing energy loss.
Tie Beam – A horizontal beam used to prevent the spread of a structure, such as between walls or roof trusses.
Timber Frame – A construction method using a skeleton of timber beams and posts to form the structure of a building.
Truss – A structural framework of beams, often used to support roofs or bridges, is known for providing strength with minimal material use.

U

Underpinning – A method used to strengthen or stabilise the foundation of an existing building. Typically, when there is subsidence or other issues.
Upstand – A vertical section of material, such as at the edge of a flat roof or balcony, designed to prevent water from flowing over the edge.
U-Value – A measure of the rate of heat transfer through a building element, such as walls, roofs, or windows. Lower U-values indicate better insulation.

V

Valley – The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces, where rainwater is channeled off the roof.
Vent Stack – A vertical pipe that allows sewer gases to escape safely from a building. Usually extending through the roof.
Vaulted Ceiling – A high, arched ceiling. Often seen in cathedrals and period properties, is designed for both aesthetic and structural purposes.
Vapour Barrier – A material used to prevent moisture from passing through walls, floors, or ceilings, helping to control condensation.

W

Wall Plate – A horizontal timber or steel element that sits on top of a wall. At the same time, providing a connection between the roof and the structure below.
Weep Hole – Small openings in masonry walls or windows are designed to allow water to drain out and prevent damp.
Weatherboarding – Wooden or composite boards are fixed horizontally to the exterior of a building to protect it from the elements.

Z

Zoning – The division of land into designated areas for specific types of development, such as residential, commercial, or industrial.

The Glossary of Building and Surveying Terms

In conclusion, building and surveying can often feel complex. However, knowing the key terminology will enable you to communicate effectively with professionals and understand the technical aspects of your project. This glossary serves as a valuable resource for anyone eager to deepen their industry knowledge. Whether you’re starting a renovation, managing a construction project, or simply curious about the process, you’ll find helpful insights here.