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UNDERSTAND YOUR BUILDING PROJECT

Construction dictionary

Does ‘ring beam’ sound like something at the gym? Does ‘footing’ make you think of footwear? Look up a word from your project and discover what it means, in plain language.

Muestras de ladrillo, hormigón, madera y acero sobre una mesa de obra; imagen ilustrativa
2,147 construction and renovation terms9 specialtiesEasy-to-understand definitions

Building terms, clearly explained.

2,147 terms found

Electrical and HVAC systems

Air handling unit

Unidad de tratamiento de aire

A component of a ventilation installation used to filter and condition air before distributing it through ducts.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Air humidifier

Humidificador de aire

A component of a ventilation installation used to increase air moisture by adding vapor or evaporated water.

Insulation and damp

Air infiltration

Infiltración de aire

Uncontrolled entry of outdoor air through enclosure leaks caused by differences in air pressure.

Masonry and materials

Air lime

Cal aérea

Lime hardening mainly through reaction with carbon dioxide present in the air.

Insulation and damp

Air permeability

Permeabilidad al aire

Amount of air passing through an element under a specified pressure difference and testing conditions.

Joinery and finishes

Air permeability test

Ensayo de permeabilidad al aire

Test measuring air passing through a closed window subjected to controlled pressure differences.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Air plenum

Plénum de aire

A component of a ventilation installation used to act as a distribution chamber between a duct and several outlets.

Foundations and structures

Air-entraining admixture

Aireante

Admixture creating distributed small air bubbles to modify concrete performance, particularly freeze-thaw resistance.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Air-source heat pump heating

Aerotermia

System using air energy through a heat pump for climate control or hot water.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Air-to-air heat pump

Bomba de calor aire-aire

Equipment exchanging heat between outdoor air and the air within indoor spaces.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Air-to-water heat pump

Bomba de calor aire-agua

Equipment exchanging heat with outdoor air and delivering it to a water circuit.

Insulation and damp

Airborne noise

Ruido aéreo

Sound initially travelling through air that can pass through enclosure elements, openings or joints.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Airborne particulate matter

Partículas en suspensión del aire

Small solids or droplets suspended in air, usually classified according to their size.

Insulation and damp

Airflow resistivity

Resistividad al flujo de aire

Porous material property relating pressure gradient to the velocity of air passing through it.

Insulation and damp

Airtightness

Hermeticidad

Ability of an enclosure to limit uncontrolled air movement through joints and other discontinuities.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Alarm control panel

Central de alarma

Equipment receiving detector signals and managing alerts, states and actions within a security system.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Alarm siren

Sirena de alarma

Device producing a loud audible signal to announce a detected alarm event.

Joinery and finishes

Alkali-resistant mesh

Malla resistente a los álcalis

Mesh formulated or treated to retain performance within highly alkaline mortar environments.

Foundations and structures

Alkali-silica reaction

Reacción álcali-sílice

Reaction between alkalis and reactive silica in certain aggregates, potentially causing expansion when moisture is available.

Joinery and finishes

Alkyd enamel

Esmalte alquídico

Enamel based on alkyd resins that typically hardens through reaction with oxygen.

Foundations and structures

Allowable bearing pressure

Presión admisible del terreno

Accepted foundation contact pressure considering resistance, settlement, and project conditions.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Alternating current

Corriente alterna

Electric current that periodically reverses direction, commonly used for supplying electricity to buildings.

Insulation and damp

Aluminium composite panel

Panel composite de aluminio

Panel with two aluminium facings and an intermediate core used in external cladding.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Aluminium conductor

Conductor de aluminio

Conductor made from aluminium, used in certain lines for its weight and electrical characteristics.

Foundations and structures

Anchor bolt

Perno de anclaje

Element fastening a component to its support and transferring the specified connection forces.

Joinery and finishes

Anchor kerf

Ranura de anclaje

Machined channel in a slab edge intended to receive a compatible stone anchor.

Foundations and structures

Anchorage hook

Gancho de anclaje

Bent end of a reinforcing bar used as part of its anchorage system.

Work and tools

Angle grinder

Amoladora angular

Powered tool with a rotating disc for cutting, grinding or finishing according to the fitted accessory.

Foundations and structures

Angle of internal friction

Ángulo de rozamiento interno

Parameter describing how soil shear strength increases with effective normal stress.

Foundations and structures

Angle section

Perfil angular

Open section consisting of two legs meeting at an angle.

Plumbing and drainage

Angle valve

Válvula de escuadra

Valve with perpendicular inlet and outlet, commonly fitted beneath domestic washbasins.

Joinery and finishes

Anhydrite

Anhidrita

Calcium sulfate without crystalline water, used in certain binders and floor screeds.

Joinery and finishes

Annealed glass

Vidrio recocido

Glass that is cooled in a controlled way to relieve manufacturing stresses.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Anti-islanding protection

Protección antiisla

Function preventing continued energisation of a network section when its external supply disappears.

Facades and roofs

APP-modified bitumen

Betún modificado APP

Bitumen blended with atactic polypropylene to modify its behaviour as a waterproofing material.

Electrical and HVAC systems

Arc fault detection device

Detector de defecto de arco

Protection recognising characteristic signals of certain dangerous arcs and initiating circuit disconnection.

Work and tools

Architectural opening

Hueco arquitectónico

Opening in an enclosure for passage, light or ventilation.

Work and tools

Architectural restoration

Restauración arquitectónica

Recovering building qualities and features with regard to their historical significance.

Work and tools

Architectural section

Sección arquitectónica

Drawing showing the building interior through an imaginary vertical cut.

Joinery and finishes

Architrave

Tapajuntas

Moulding covering the joint between a door or window frame and the wall.

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Technical references consulted

Definitions written in plain language using technical reference documentation.