| Surveying Term | Relevant to | Layman's Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bricks | Walls | Ventilating bricks or metal grills to the base of a main wall to provide an air flow to a suspended timber ground floor. |
| Air Conditioning | Services | A system which removes heat from air using a system similar to a refrigerator. Systems typically also include humidity controls. |
| Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) | Walls | A form of modern cladding used in industrial, commercial and in some residential applications; particuarly to flats. The cladding is formed using two thin sheets of aluminium which are bonded to an insulating core forming a panel. |
| Amosite | All | A type of asbestos, also known as brown asbestos |
| Architraves | Joinery | Timber, MDF or similar trims used primarily to finish the detail around door frames |
| Artex | Ceilings And Walls | Artex is a trademark of a brand of textured finish, often used in ceilings but also to some walls. Historically these materials would often contain at least some element of asbestos content and unless tested and found to be safe, should be treated with appropriate caution. |
| Asbestos | All | A fibreous material which was commonly used in various applications in construction during the 60's, 70's and 80's and can be found in any building constructed before 2000 |
| Asbestos Cement Board | All | A rigid cement board, commonly used for soffit boards and sometimes in wall and ceiling panels, formed with cement which is mixed with some asbestos fibres for additional strength. Can present a risk particuarly when damaged. |
| Asbestos Insulation Board | All | Also refered to as AIB with a higher level of asbestos content and due to the nature of the material, a higher risk of asbestos fibres being released as the material ages, wears or becomes damaged. |
| Asphalt | Roofing | A bitumous material, typically used for roofing and paving applications. Also used for damp proofing. Can be applied wet directly to a surface or used in pre-formed felt |
| Back Gutter (Chimney) | Chimney | A detail which prevents water ingress between a chimney and the roof, situated behind the chimney with the roof sloping upward |
| Back To Back | Legal | A house which was built in a block of three or more and is adjoined to both the side(s) and rear. Also known as a cluster house |
| Balanced Flue | Chimney | A flue to a gas appliance which is designed with both the exhaust and inlet within the same core, thus keeping the boiler system sealed internally. |
| Balusters | Joinery | The vertical posts or poles which support the staircase handrail and provide protection against falls from a staircase |
| Balustrade | Joinery | An alternative term for the handrail of the staircase |
| Bitumin Or Bitumous Felt DPC | Walls | A bitumous felt strip which is inserted into a wall at the time of construction to prevent rising damp |
| Breathable Felt | Roof | A type of membrane used in construction, sometimes to underline a roof or a clad/tiled wall |
| Bressummer | Walls | A timber beam which spans an opening (typically a bay window), or over a fire place and supports the masonry of the wall above |
| Building Paper | Roof | A type of membrane used in construction, sometimes to underline a roof or a clad/tiled wall |
| Building Regulations | Legal | The rules which govern construction standards for new buildings and alterations to existing buildings under UK law. |
| Bulges | Walls | Where a wall is not perfectly level to its entire height and may bow outwards |
| Butterfly Roof | Roof | Where a roof is made with two roof slopes which run down towards a shared valley |
| Calcium Silicate | Walls | A type of brick, also known as sand lime, made using a mix of uniform sand or gravel mixed with lime |
| Capillary Forces | All | Also refered to as capillary action and it is where moisutre is able to flow against gravity due to the relative absence of moisture in a material or surface. In buildings this is typically seen as rising damp where moisture in the ground is drawn up into the walls and floor of a building. |
| Casement | Windows | A window with a side hinged opening |
| Catnic | Walls | A type of metal lintel used to support the walls above a door or window opening |
| Cavity Tray | Walls | A damp proof course that crosses the cavity of a cavity wall and prevents dampness to the internal areas |
| Cavity Tray | Walls | A building detail which acts similar to a damp proof course and prevents moisture being able to cross from the outer leaf to the inner leaf of a wall |
| Cavity Wall | Walls | A type of wall construction where there is a thin inner wall of brick or concrete blockwork which typically carries the weight of the roof and internal floors which is tied to a secondary outerwall, usually finished in brick |
| Cavity Wall Tie Failure | Walls | Where the exterior end of a metal wall tie corrodes, forcing brickwork appart, horizontal mortar cracking and displacing the motar around the wall tie |
| Cavity Walls | Walls | Where the external walls are constructed of a structural inner wall of brick or block with a further wall built to form the outer finish, separated by a space between them. |
| Cess Pool/Pit | Services | A tank into which all waste water flows and is stored until emptied |
| Chemical Injected DPC | Walls | A type of damp proof course which can be provided to a building retrospectivly to address a damp problem. |
| Chimney Pot | Chimney | A clay or similar terminal to the top of each flue on a chimney. Typically there will be one for each fireplace unless removed/capped off. |
| Chrysotile | All | A type of asbestos |
| Circuit Breaker | Services | A modern alternative to a fuse, used to prevent a circuit (such as the ring main for the power sockets) from being overloaded by too many appliances and exceeding the safe load of the wiring system |
| Clay Brick | Walls | Traditional bricks which are made using clay soil |
| Clay Soil | Grounds | A type of soil, found typically in the south of england which can be used to made bricks and tiles. This type of soil can shrink or expand in volume depending on its moisture content so carries a higher risk of subsidence where a building has shallow foundations |
| Clay Tile | Roofing And Walls | Traditional roof or wall tiles which are made using clay soil |
| Cluster House | Legal | A house which was built in a block of three or more and is adjoined to both the side(s) and rear. Also known as a back to back house |
| Cob | Walls | A natural subsoil material, typically chalk or clay, used to form the main walls and boundaries of older buildings |
| Collar | Roof | A horizontal timber which can tie together two oposing roof slopes |
| Combination Boiler | Services | A boiler which has the ability to supply heat to radiators and instantaneous hot water to kitchen and bathroom fittings on demand without the need for hot water storage |
| Commonhold | Legal | A form of tenure similar to leasehold but where each unit owner also has ownership and responsibility for the wider shared structure and grounds (similar to a share of freehold) |
| Condensation | All | Where excessive moisture content in the air within a building is able to condense back to a liquid when it comes into contact with a cool or cold surface (such as a wall, window or ceiling), potentially resulting in dampness and damage. Can present a health risk. |
| Condensing Boiler | Services | A modern boiler design where excess heat in the boiler flue exhaust is condensed, allowing that heat to be captured and used. |
| Conduit | Services | A plastic, metal or similar tube used to protect electrical cabling |
| Conservation Area | Legal | A location where environmental or historical characteristics are protected from unsympathetic change by law. In these locations it may not be possible to build or make alterations |
| Consumer Unit | Services | This is the modern term for a fuse box |
| Copper | Roof | A type of flexible non-ferrous metal (does not contain iron and therefore cannot rust) which can turn dull and even green with exposure. It can be used in roof and flashing details although more commonly used for plumbing and electrical applications |
| Crazing | All | A description of cracking where the cracking forms an irregular pattern. Typically indicates a loss of adhesion of the plaster or render from the surface behind |
| Crittal | Windows | A type of casement window typical of 1930's construction, originally made of steel |
| Cryptoflouescence | Walls | The crystallisation of salts just behind the face of brickwork which can lead the hard brick face to come away, with the softer underside exposed to weathering |
| Curtain Wall | Walls | A type of cladding used to modern houses and flats which protects the structure behind |
| Damp Proof Course | Walls | A water proof or resistant material which is inserted into the wall construction, just above ground level to prevent ground water rising up through the wall structure |
| Damp Proof Membrane | Floors | A water proof material used within a solid floor to prevent internal dampness |
| Death Watch | All | A type of wood boring beetle (or wood worm) |
| Deck | Roof | The boarding fitted ontop of the roof joints onto which the finished roofing felt, asphalt or other treatment is applied. |
| Detached | Legal | A house with no attachment to any neighbouring dwelling or garage |
| Dilapidations | Legal | A claim for damages at the end of a lease |
| Direct Heating | Services | Where the water in the hot water cylinder is heated directly by an electrical element (immersion) |
| Dormer | Roof | A structure to a pitched roof which provides a raised ceiling height and potentially a window |
| Downpipe | Rainwater Fittings | A plastic or metal pipe which connects to the rainwater guttering and carries any collected rainwater to the ground or an appropriate gully. |
| Dry Rot | All | A form of timber decay which can occur in poor ventilated, damp areas. Most commonly identified by a distinctive cuboidal cracking to the timber. |
| Earth Bonding | Services | Cable and strapping used to connect the internal plumbing and fittings to the electrical earth for safety purposes |
| Edwardian | Legal | Refers to property built from approximately 1901 to 1910 |
| Efflorescence | Walls | White staining which can appear to brick walls, particuarly to newer houses. This is caused by the bricks being inproperly stored prior to construction and absorbing moisture and ground salts. This is considered a cosmetic defect |
| Electro-Osmotic | Walls | A system which uses a small electrical charge to help repel moisture from a structure, acting against capilary action to prevent rising damp |
| Elevation | All | Elevation refers to any principle vertical wall of the house or building |
| End Of Terrace | Legal | A house at the end of a block of at least three houses |
| Engineering Brick | Walls | A type of brick which has a high density, making it resistive to water and capable of withstanding higher loads. Typically used in structural applications such as to take the load from a lintel or steel beam |
| English Bond | Walls | A form of solid brickwork where alternating rows (or courses) of stretchers and headers are laid, giving the appearance that each row alternates from the long side to the short side of the brick |
| Estate Charge | Legal | Where charges for management and maintenance of features and facilities of a development can be charged to a freehold property owner by way of positive covenents in the freehold deeds |
| Expansion Vessel | Services | A secondary tank fitted to some heating and hot water systems to facilitate expansion of hot water/steam so that the system is able to stay pressuried safely |
| Fan Light | Windows | A smaller hinged window opening which is hinged to the top |
| Fibreboard | Ceilings | A common material used between around 1920 and 1940 comprising relatively soft and weak panels formed using timber and paper fibres. They can be easily damaged by moisture |
| Finlock Gutter | Rainwater Fittings | A type of rainwater gutter which is made of concrete and built into the wall of a house just below the roof. These are usually lined with bitumen to make them water proof but even minor movement can disrupt this seal and cause them to leak |
| Fire Barrier And Fire Stops | Walls | A barrier or insert in a cavity designed to help prevent the spread of fire |
| Fire Wall | Walls | A wall which separates the roof and roof structure of one dwelling from an adjoining neighbour. These can sometimes rise above the level of the roof finish, particuarly to terrace houses |
| Flank Wall Or Flank Elevation | Walls | A flank refers to the side of the building |
| Flashing | All | A detail made with a semi-flexible metal, most commonly lead but can also be plastic or felt in some applications which creates a water resistent joint between two adjoining surfaces (such as where a roof meets a wall) |
| Flemish Bond | Walls | A form of solid brickwork where on each row (or course) of bricks laid, there is alternation between stretchers and headers. |
| Flue | Chimney | Refers to a metal, flat or concrete vent to a chimney or flue pipe |
| Footing | Ground Work | The base on which the house or building has been constructed and transfers the weight of the building to the soil. Also refered to as foundations. |
| Foul Water | Services | Waste water from a toilet, kitchen sink or bathroom. |
| Foundation | Ground Work | The base on which the house or building has been constructed and transfers the weight of the building to the soil. Also refered to as footings. |
| Freehold | Legal | Ownership of land and any permenant structure built on it for an indeterminate duration; i.e. ownership of the land effectively forever |
| Fruiting Bodies | All | A visible fungal growth, effectivly a mushroom, which can come in various shapes and sizes from which spores can be released and spread the fungus |
| Fuse Box | Services | A cabinet or case where fuses or circuit breakers for the homes wiring can be found. The power to various circuits can be isolated where needed for safety |
| Fuses | Services | A wire or device designed to either fail or trip if the electrical load exceeds a specified limit. This would cut power to that circuit and help to prevent the wiring from being overloaded and therefore overheating |
| Georgian | Legal | Property built approx 1700 through to 1810, then later from 1820 to 1837. |
| Glass Fibre Insulation | Efficiency | A fluffy insulation, usually used in lofts but also in timber frame walls made using glass fibres |
| Ground Rent | Legal | A rent payable to a freeholder or superior leaseholder as part of a long leasehold tenure |
| Grp Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic | Roof | A material, commonly used for flat roofs but also in other details formed using resin (glue) and glass fibres |
| Gulley | Services | An outlet which can collect rain or waste water and direct it to the apporpriate underground drainage |
| Gutter | Rainwater Fittings | A plastic or metal channel which is provided to the perimeter of a roof to collect rainwater run off, thus preventing the water from running down the face of the building and causing damage or staining. |
| Header | Walls | This refers to the shorter end of a brick when exposed on the outside face of a brick wall |
| Heat Pump | Services | Equipment which extracts heat from the prevailing air or the ground and converts this into useful heat for the home heating or hot water system |
| High Alumina Cement | Walls | A form of concrete which can loose its strength and fail |
| High Pressure Laminate (HPL) | Walls | A form of cladding manufactured by layering sheets of wood, paper or another fibreous material which are bonded with resin using heat and pressure. |
| Hip | Roof | A junction where the corners of two sloping roofs meet |
| Hip Tile | Roof | Curved or angled tiles, similar to ridge tiles, used to cap the junction between two sloping roof surfaces |
| Hot Water Cylinder | Services | A tank which holds hot water for use in the kitchen or bathrooms. These can sometimes be fitted with a heating element (immersion heater) |
| Immersion Heater | Services | An electrical element heater which can be used in a hot water cylinder to heat water. These can be a primary heating source or suplimentry to heating from a gas boiler. |
| Indirect Heating | Services | Where the water in the hot water cylinder is heated by a water pipe which passed through the cylinder, which contains water which cycled through the boiler or another heating appliance (such as solar or a heat pump) |
| Joist | Floors | A beam, usually of timber, used to support a floor or ceiling |
| Ladder Stairs | Joinery | A staircase which is sometimes used for access to a loft/attic room which has alternating steps on the left and right. These can be difficult to climb/descend safely |
| Lateral Restraint | Walls | A type of structural repair designed to retain a wall and prevent it from moving or bowing. |
| Lead | Roof | A type of flexible non-ferrous metal (does not contain iron and therefore cannot rust) which is grey and dull. It can be used in roof and flashing details |
| Lease | Legal | Effectively a form of contract which demises a property for a specific period with certain rights and obligations to a tenant (leaseholder) |
| Leasehold | Legal | A form of tenancy but one which has a defined length and awards certain rights and obligations to the tenant (leaseholder) and landlord (freeholder) in exchange for a one off premium and annual ground rent. As such leases tend to run for a period of many years, they have a value and can therefore be subject to mortgage lending. |
| Legionella | Services | A bacteria which can cause disease occuring in poorly stored and sanitised water. |
| Lime Cement | Walls | A cement made using a mix of lime with portland cement |
| Lime Mortar | Walls | Lime is a form of cement, used historically as a binding material in construction when mixed with sand and other aggregates. It is common in older buildings and structures |
| Linked-Detached | Legal | A house which is predominently detached but might adjoin a neighbour in part via an attached garage or small side addition |
| Linoleum | Floors | Historically a sheet flooring material made using resin and sawdust although in more modern applications, a similar material made using PVC is now more common |
| Lintel | Walls | A metal, concrete or timber structural beam which supports the wall or roof above an opening |
| Listed Building | Legal | A building which is recognised in whole or part to be of historical value and is protected from alteration or demolition. Special consent may be needed for any changes |
| Loft | Roof | A void above any ceiling and below a pitched or flat roof |
| Longhorn | All | A type of wood boring beetle (or wood worm) |
| Manhole | Services | An access cover to the underground drainage, usually positioned at areas where various drainage runs merge |
| Masonry | Walls | Refers to brick or block construction |
| MDF | Joinery | Medium Density Fibreboard - a type of factory made timber derived sheet material suitable for internal joinery applications in dry areas |
| Metal Composite Material Mcm | Walls | A form of modern cladding used in industrial, commercial and in some residential applications; particuarly to flats. The cladding is formed using two thin sheets of metal which are bonded to an insulating core forming a panel. |
| Meter | Services | A device owned by the utility company which will measure the amount of water, gas or electricty used for billing |
| Microbore | Services | An older type of internal heating plumbing which relies on narrow guage pipework which can be more prone to blockage |
| Mid Terrace | Legal | A house which has an adjoining neighbour to either side |
| Mineral Wool Insulation | Efficiency | A densly packed type of insulation made from mineral fibres typically used in walls |
| Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) | Services | A modern alternative to a fuse, used to prevent a circuit (such as the ring main for the power sockets) from being overloaded by too many appliances and exceeding the safe load of the wiring system |
| Moisture Meter | All | A tool used by a surveyor to establish the moisture content in a wall or timber, which can help to indicate whether there is an excessive level of dampness |
| Mortar | Roofing And Walls | A technical term for cement as used to finish the gaps between bricks and roof tiles |
| Nail Failure Or Nail Sickness | Roof | Where the nails used to fix roof tiles or slates have corroded (rusted) and no longer provide an adequate fixing, causing slates to split and fall away |
| Newel Post | Joinery | Principal upright post beginning and terminating a staircase hand rail. |
| Orientation | Legal | Used to describe either the approximate direction the buildings principle elevation faces or the direction from which the building was inspected |
| Pad Foundation | Ground Work | A type of foundation or footing for a building made using a selection of reinforced concrete pads off of which the wider foundation and building are constructed |
| Parapet | Walls | A brick, stone or rendered wall which rises above the level of the pitched roof to the front, rear or an exposed side |
| Parapet Gutter | Rainwater Fittings | A gutter or channel built around the bottom of a roof slope which collects rainwater and directs it to a suitable outlet. |
| Particleboard | Ceilings | Also known as chipboard. An economical sheet material formed with timber chippings and a binder such as glue or resin |
| Penetrating Damp | All | Where a failure or poor detailing to the external fabric (roof, walls, joinery etc) allows rainwater or other water to penetrate internally; either causing damage to internal finishes or presenting a risk to the structure (i.e. roof timbers or lintels). As with other damp issues, this can also present a health risk |
| Permitted Development | Legal | Where certain new construction or alteration is permitted, subject to limitations set by the local authoirty, without the need for planning permission |
| Photovoltaic | Services | A solar panel for electricity generation |
| Piled Foundation | Ground Work | A type of foundation or footing for a building made using a collection of concrete or steel pillars which are inserted deep into the ground |
| Planning Permission | Legal | Consent granted by the local authority for new construction or alteration to an existing building following a sucessful application |
| Plasterboard | Ceilings And Walls | Comes in various specifications for different applications. Some are better for accoustic purposes, others are more resistant to moisture and some is designed to offer a higher resistance against the spread of fire. In all cases, it comprises a plaster sandwiched between sheets of paper to form a readily used sheet for construction. |
| Poured Bitumen DPC | Walls | Where bitumen is poured onto the top of the initial layer of bricks in a wall at the time of construction to prevent rising damp. Once cured, the remainder of the wall is constructed ontop of this layer |
| Pressurised Hot Water Cylinder | Services | A tank which holds hot water for use in the kitchen or bathrooms but is pressuried to maintain good pressure throughout the property. These can sometimes be fitted with a heating element (emmersion heater) |
| Purlin | Roof | A horizontal timber beam within a traditional roof which supports the rafters |
| Radon | All | Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It is formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils |
| Raft Foundation | Ground Work | A type of foundation or footing for a building made using a large continuous section of concrete, to the entire footprint of the building which helps to spread the weight of the building over a wide area |
| Rafter | Roof | Timbers which run from the top of the roof (ridge) down to the bottom (eaves) and support the roof covering. |
| RCD Residual Current Device | Services | A safety device incorporated into consumer units (fuse boxes) which will cut the power if a fault it detected to help prevent electrocution |
| Regency | Legal | Refers to property built from approximately 1811 to 1820. |
| Render | Walls | A cement based finish which is applied wet to walls |
| Retaining Wall | Ground Work | A wall of brick, concrete or even metal construction which holds back the weight of a higher area of ground |
| RICS | Legal | Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors |
| Ridge | Roof | The top of a pitched roof where two opposing pitched sections meet horizontally |
| Ridge Board | Roof | The timber boarding used within the loft space where two opposing sections of pitched roof meet |
| Ridge Tile | Roof | Special tiles, usually curved although they can be angular, designed to sit over the top of the ridge detail, to seal the junction where two opposing pitched roof slopes meet |
| Rigid Board Insulation | Efficiency | Boards of foil backed foam insulation, commonly used in walls and roofs, particuarly where a pitched roof has been converted |
| Rising Damp | All | Where moisture within the ground or foundation is able to rise up into the main structure and can cause damage to wall finishes, joinery and can also present a health risk. |
| Rodding Access | Services | A more simplisitic point of access to the drainage system, providing limited access to aid clearing blockages |
| Roof Light | Roof | A window or access hatch to a pitched or flat roof |
| Roof Underlining | Roof | A type of membrane used in construction, sometimes to underline a roof or a clad/tiled wall |
| Roof Wall Plate | Roof | The timber placed at the top of a wall onto which the roof structure is constructed |
| Root Action | All | Where the roots from trees or other plants are able to penetrate the drainage system causing damage or blockage |
| Safety Glass | Joinery | Glazing provided to internal and external joinery which is either laminated or designed to shatter into small safer pieces if broken |
| Sanitary Fittings | Services | Bathroom fittings |
| Sarking Felt | Roof | A type of membrane used in construction, sometimes to underline a roof or a clad/tiled wall |
| Sash | Windows | A window pane which can be slide up or down to open. |
| Sash Cords | Windows | The rope or cords which should be present to either side of an openable sash window and connect the sash to balancing weights hidden in the frame |
| Screed | Floors | A cement finish to a solid floor |
| Semi-Detached | Legal | A house which is attached to a neighbour on one side |
| Septic Tank | Services | A system where waste water from bathrooms etc can be stored and treated |
| Service Charge | Legal | Charges levied against a leaseholder to cover maintenance, management, insurance and other costs associated with the upkeep of the wider freehold building or land in which the subject leasehold property is contained. |
| Settlement | All | Where the ground supporting a property has compacted over time, causing the structure to sink |
| Shingles | Roof | An alternative to roof tiles, made of timber or felt. |
| Silver Fish | All | A small wingless insect which is known to eat and therefore damage some stored household items and building materials |
| Snapped Header | Walls | This refers to the shorter end of a brick when exposed on the outside face of a brick wall but the brick itself has been snapped or cut, allowing the wall to be constructed with the appearance of a solid wall, whilst most likely being of cavity construction. |
| Socket | Services | Power Outlet |
| Solar Hot Water | Services | A solar panel which comprises a network of water pipes which allows for water to be heated by sunlight |
| Solid Brick | Walls | Where the external walls are constructed of solid brickwork to the thickess of 2 or more bricks (at least 200mm) |
| Solid Stone | Walls | Where the external walls are constructed of solid stonework (at least 200mm) |
| Spores | All | Released into the air by fungal growth allowing the fungus to spread to other suitable areas (such as other damp timber) |
| Spray Foam Insulation | Efficiency | A liquid foam usually sprayed on the underside of roof surfaces, can lead to condensation and damage |
| Stepped Flashing | All | A flashing which is cut into the adjoining brick wall and follows the joints between the bricks so that it is stepped up or down a roof slope |
| Stop Cock | Services | A valve to cut off the mains water supply (sometimes can also refer to a gas stop valve) |
| Stretcher Bond | Walls | A form of brickwork, typically used in cavity construction where brickwork is laid with the long side of the brick (stretcher) facing outwards to all rows (courses) |
| Stretchers | Walls | This refers to the longer side of a brick |
| Subsidence | All | Where the ground supporting a property has been washed away or reduced in moisture content and shrunk in volume, causing the property to sink in whole or part |
| Sulphate Attack | Floors | This is where sulphates in the adjoining ground or fill material used in construction are absorbed by concrete and react with it, causing it to expand. This can lead to movement and failure of floor and other structural elements |
| Suspended | Floors | Usually used in the context of a concrete or timber floor to show that the floor is suspended over a void |
| Terms Of Engagement | Legal | The terms agreed to when instructing your survey report |
| Thatch | Roof | A traditional method of roofing utalising straw, reed or other similar naturally occuring similar material. It is densely packed in layers to direct water away from the building |
| Tilt And Turn | Windows | A window which is hinged to its centre allowing it to tilt along the horizontal axis |
| Timber Frame | Walls | An alternative to more traditional cavity brick construction where the main structure is constructed in timber and finished externally with brickwork or a cladding system |
| Trench Foundation | Ground Work | A traditional type of foundation or footing for a building formed by excavating a trench in the soil following the perimeter outline of the buildingand filling with concrete |
| Trickle Ventilation | Windows | Small, usually closable vents fitted to window frames which allow limited airflow even when the windows are closed |
| Truss | Roof | A form of roof structure which is typically fabricated off-site. Trussed roofs typically rely on smaller timber members which are used in a greater quantity to provide a rigid structure |
| U Value | Efficiency | A measure used in the construction industry to indicate how well a material or a system formed from a group of materials retains heat. A lower value indicates better thermal and therefore environmental performance |
| Valley Gutter | Rainwater Fittings | A gutter between two roof slopes which collects rainwater run off and directs it to a suitable outlet. |
| Victorian | Legal | Refers to property built from approximately 1837 to 1901. |
| Wall Ties | Walls | These are typically metal wires or straps which are incorporated into a cavity wall, usually at the time of construction, to tie the outer wall to the inner wall |
| Water Table | All | The nature level of water in the surrounding ground |
| Weep Vents And Weep Holes | Walls | Provide a drain for moisture in a cavity such as where collected by a cavity tray |
| Wet Rot | All | Decay to timber from fungal attack caused by high levels of moisture content. |
| Zinc | Roof | A type of non-ferrous metal (does not contain iron and therefore cannot rust) which is silvery grey and dull. It can be used in roof and flashing details |
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