A helpful resource explaining frequently used construction and inspection terminology. All definitions reflect usage in Australia’s residential and commercial building sectors.
Ag Pipe – A flexible, slotted drainage pipe (usually wrapped in a geotextile sock) used to divert groundwater away from structures like retaining walls.
Architrave – Timber moulding installed around doors or windows to cover the gap between the wall surface and the frame.
Bagging – A masonry finish where a slurry mix is roughly applied to brickwork with a sponge or bag, creating a textured look that can be left raw or painted.
Balustrade – A protective barrier, often decorative, consisting of uprights (balusters) and a handrail on balconies, stairs, or landings.
Bearer – A horizontal structural beam laid on piers or stumps to support floor joists in timber flooring systems.
Brick Veneer – A wall construction method where a single outer skin of bricks is attached to an internal timber or steel frame for aesthetics and insulation.
Cement – A powdery material that sets and hardens when mixed with water, forming a binding agent in concrete and mortar.
Concrete – A building material made by mixing cement, water, and aggregates like gravel and sand. Once cured, it becomes extremely hard and durable.
Cornice – A decorative or plain moulding used where the wall meets the ceiling.
Dado – The lower section of an interior wall, often finished with different materials (like panels) to enhance aesthetics or protect surfaces.
Damp-Proof Course (DPC) – A moisture barrier installed in walls or between foundations and floors to block rising damp.
Eaves – The roof section that overhangs the exterior walls, providing weather protection.
Fascia – The board (often metal or timber) fixed along the roof edge that supports gutters and forms a finished edge.
Finial – An ornamental roof feature placed at ridge intersections or on top of turrets and gables.
Footing – A reinforced concrete base beneath walls or columns, transferring the structure’s weight to the ground.
Foundation – The soil or rock layer (natural or compacted) that supports a building’s footings.
Furring Channel – Metal or timber battens fixed to ceilings or walls to create a level surface for lining materials.
Gable – The upper wall section (usually triangular) at the end of a pitched roof.
Gauge (Bricklaying) – A measurement reference to ensure consistent height in brickwork, e.g. how many brick courses fit into a specific vertical space.
Girder Truss – A roof truss designed to bear the load of intersecting trusses; typically larger and stronger.
Going (Stairs) – The horizontal depth of a stair tread between two risers.
Hanging Beam – A structural ceiling beam used to support ceiling joists over large spans.
Header – A brick laid widthways across a wall or opening to tie different brick layers together.
Hearth – The non-combustible floor area directly in front of a fireplace.
Hip – The inclined external junction where two roof planes meet.
Hip Roof – A roof design with slopes on all sides, typically meeting at a central ridge.
Infill Slab – A concrete slab poured between perimeter brick or block walls, often used in slab-on-ground construction.
Joist – Horizontal structural members supporting the flooring or ceiling linings.
King Post – The central upright in a trussed roof, connecting the apex to the base beam.
Laminate – A surface material made by pressing layers together, often used for benchtops or cabinetry.
Lintel – A structural beam (steel, timber, or concrete) installed above door and window openings to support the load above.
Mortar – A mix of sand, cement, water (and sometimes lime) used to bond bricks or blocks.
Noggings – Horizontal blocks placed between studs or joists for additional support and bracing.
Nominal Size –The standardised name for a size of timber, which may differ slightly from its finished dimensions.
Parapet – A low wall projecting above a roof or balcony, often used for safety or decoration.
Particleboard – Engineered wood panel made by pressing wood particles with resin, often used in flooring and cabinetry.
Pelmets – Framed boxes or timber trims above windows or doors to hide curtain rods or sliding door tracks.
Perp Joint – A vertical joint between bricks.
Pitch (Roof) – The angle or steepness of a roof, usually measured in degrees.
Picture Rail – A narrow horizontal moulding, typically above door height, used for hanging artwork.
Plywood – An engineered wood sheet made of glued veneers, laid in alternating grain directions for strength.
Pointing – The visible mortar in brick joints. Also refers to mortar applied to roof tile edges after bedding.
Quad Mould – A small, quarter-circle timber trim used to cover internal corners, commonly around skirting boards or architraves.
Rafter – A sloping beam that supports the roof deck and roofing material.
Render – A cement-based coating applied to walls (usually brick or block) for a smooth or textured finish.
Ridge – The highest point of a pitched roof, running horizontally along the top.
Riser – The vertical part of a stair step between one tread and the next.
Scotia – A concave moulding often used at cornices or around skirting boards.
Seasoning (Timber) – The drying of timber to remove moisture content for stability and durability.
Shiplap – Timber boards that overlap along their edges for tight, weather-resistant joints.
Shoring – Temporary structural supports used to brace walls or excavations.
Skew Nailing – Driving nails at an angle to improve the strength of a timber joint.
Skirting Board – Timber trim fixed to the base of interior walls to protect from damage and conceal gaps.
Slip Joint – A flexible connection between structural components allowing for movement, often used at slab-wall junctions.
Soffit – The underside of a structural feature such as an eave, arch or balcony.
Soldier Course – A row of bricks laid vertically with their longer side facing out, often used as a decorative feature.
Stretcher Bond – A standard bricklaying pattern where bricks are laid lengthwise with staggered joints.
Threshold – The step or strip under a doorway where the floor transitions between inside and out.
Toughened Glass – Glass treated to increase strength and shatter into small, less dangerous pieces when broken.
Trimmer – Short timber pieces used to frame around openings like skylights or stair voids.
Underpinning – Reinforcing or replacing existing footings to address movement or structural failure.
Valley (Roof) – The internal junction between two sloping roof surfaces where rainwater is directed into gutters.
Weep Hole – A small opening in brickwork that allows moisture to drain from behind a wall.
Absorption Trench – A gravel-filled trench that allows wastewater or stormwater to soak into the surrounding soil.
Boundary Trap – A drainage trap installed near the property line to block sewer gases from entering private drains.
Disconnector Gully (Floor Waste Gully) – An outlet located indoors for draining water from internal fixtures, acting as a barrier to sewer gases.
Grease Trap – A device used to intercept fats, oils, and grease before they enter the sewer system.
Gully Trap (GT) – A drain fixture that allows wastewater to enter the sewer while stopping gases from rising back into the home.
Invert Level – The lowest internal level of a pipe, used to measure flow direction and slope.
Junction (Pipe) – A pipe fitting that connects multiple pipes at a single point.
Manhole – An access chamber in underground pipe systems for maintenance and inspection.
Non-Return Valve (Check Valve) – A valve that permits flow in one direction only, preventing backflow.
P-Trap – A pipe bend shaped like the letter P, holding water to block sewer smells.
Pressure-Reducing Valve – A valve used to lower incoming water pressure to safe levels within a plumbing system.
Pressure Relief Valve – Installed on hot water systems to release excess pressure in case of overheating.
S-Trap – A trap where the outlet pipe runs directly downward, typically used in floor-mounted toilets.
Safety Valve – A pressure release valve designed for boilers or pressure vessels to prevent damage.
Silt Trap – A drainage feature that captures sand, grit, or debris before it can clog pipes.
Stack – A vertical drainage pipe running through multiple floors, usually in multistorey buildings.
Stop Valve (Isolating Valve) – A manual valve that allows the water supply to be shut off, often used during maintenance.
Sullage – Wastewater from household sources like sinks, baths, and laundries (excluding toilets).
Sump – A pit or chamber designed to collect water, often pumped out to prevent flooding.
Temperature Relief Valve – Releases water if a hot water system exceeds a safe temperature.
Trap – A curved pipe section that traps water to block sewer gases from entering the building.
Trap Vent – A vent connected to a trap to maintain the water seal and prevent siphoning.
Valve – A mechanical device that controls the flow of liquids or gases in pipes.
Vent Pipe – A pipe open to air, allowing sewer gases to escape and balancing air pressure in drains.
For further clarification or inspection advice, feel free to contact the Mal Wright team.
