Below we have included definitions and diagrams to help you understand some common building terminology.
Click on a heading below to expand for the definition.
A mixture of asbestos and cement (up to 40% asbestos) commonly used for roofing on garages and sheds, drainpipes, water tanks and other products.
A type of physical barrier placed in between floor framing and supporting stumps. The idea is to force out termites for easier detection during an inspection.
Moulded fixtures around doors and windows to cover the joint between the frame and the wall.
Board that can be plain or decorated, fixed to a verge or gable, used to cover roof framework.
Battens are most commonly long bars of wood placed horizontally that are used to attach other materials such as roofing.
Bearers usually sit on top of the piers, they carry the most load, then the floor joists sit on top of the bearers in the opposite direction.
A box gutter is a type of rain gutter that catches rainwater in its U shape structure. They may be lined with rubber or other material.
Brick veneer refers to the outer brick walls of a structure. There are two types of brick veneer; brick veneer and double brick veneer. Double brick veneer provides better structural strength, better insulation, and better sound proofing. It is also more expensive, making brick veneer a cheaper alternative while maintaining the same visual aesthetic.
A ceiling that peaks in the centre of a room that is symetrical. Typically found in cathedrals, hence the name. Also normally mirrors the structure of the roof.
Often referred to as cavity wall. Formed from two thicknesses of brickwork or block-work with a space between them.
A layer of waterproof material in the wall of a building near the ground to prevent rising damp.
The part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building.
The outward facing boards immediatley under the roof’s edge.
A process of weather proofing. Often placed around objects that protrude from the roof to deflect water away from seams or joints.
