Argon glazing fill
Argón en acristalamientoGas used in sealed glazing cavities to reduce thermal transfer compared with an air fill.
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.
2,147 construction and renovation terms9 specialtiesEasy-to-understand definitions
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Building terms, clearly explained.
2,147 terms found
Armoured cable
Cable armadoCable with a mechanical protection layer, usually metallic, surrounding its internal components.
As-built drawing
Plano de obra ejecutadaDrawing showing the configuration actually built, including changes during construction.
Ashlar block
SillarDressed stone unit with regular geometry, used to construct ashlar masonry.
Ashlar masonry
SilleríaMasonry made from dressed stone blocks with regular geometry and defined joints.
Asphalt shingle
Teja asfálticaFlexible bitumen-based unit used as the outer covering of sloping roof surfaces.
Aspirating smoke detection
Detección de humo por aspiraciónSystem drawing air samples through pipes and analysing them for signs of smoke.
Assembly drawing
Plano de montajeDrawing showing the positioning and joining of components during installation.
Assembly reinforcement
Armadura de montajeBars helping assemble the reinforcement cage and maintain its intended geometry.
Atrium
AtrioSpace that forms a large central space that may link several levels.
Atterberg limits
Límites de AtterbergWater contents defining consistency boundaries used to classify fine-grained soils.
Audio entry system
Portero automáticoCommunication system allowing occupants to speak to the entrance and release the door from indoors.
Autoclaved aerated concrete
Hormigón celular autoclavadoLightweight material with distributed pores, autoclave-cured and supplied as blocks or panels.
Automatic air vent
Purgador automáticoA component of a heating installation used to release accumulated air without manual opening during normal operation.
Automatic fire detection
Detección automática de incendiosSystem recognising signs of fire through sensors and reporting signals to control equipment.
Automation actuator
Actuador domóticoDevice carrying out a control command on a load, motor or installation component.
Automation scene
Escena domóticaSet of configured actions executed together to create a particular situation within a home.
Automation weather station
Estación meteorológica domóticaEquipment recording outdoor conditions, such as wind, rain and light, to coordinate automated functions.
Auxiliary electric heater
Resistencia eléctrica de apoyoA component of a climate control installation used to provide additional heat when the main generator cannot meet demand.
Auxiliary rate
Precio auxiliarCost of an intermediate operation included in calculating other rates.
Awning
ToldoDeployable fabric protection providing shade to openings or outdoor spaces when in use.
Axial fan
Ventilador axialA component of a ventilation installation used to move air mainly parallel to its axis of rotation.
Axial force
Esfuerzo axialInternal force acting along the longitudinal axis of a structural member.
Axonometric drawing
AxonometríaDrawing showing a three-dimensional view with parallel axes and no perspective convergence.
Back buttering
Doble encoladoApplying adhesive to both substrate and tile back to improve continuous contact.
Backdraft damper
Compuerta antirretorno de aireA component of a ventilation installation used to restrict reverse airflow when mechanical extraction stops operating.
Backer rod
Fondo de juntaCord controlling sealant depth and preventing adhesion to the bottom of a joint.
Backfall
ContrapendienteSlope opposing the intended drainage direction that can cause water to accumulate.
Backfall in drainage
Contrapendiente de desagüeSlope opposite the intended flow direction, encouraging standing water and deposits.
Backflow preventer
Desconector hidráulicoA component of a water installation that helps to prevent contaminated water returning to the supply.
Backhoe excavator
RetroexcavadoraExcavator that excavates with a bucket that digs by pulling towards the machine.
Backsplash
Frente antisalpicadurasWall covering beside work areas that facilitates cleaning and protects against splashes.
Balanced supply and extract ventilation
Ventilación de doble flujoSystem supplying outdoor air and extracting indoor air through separate fans.
Balancing valve
Válvula de equilibradoA component of a heating installation used to adjust flow in one branch to balance the distribution.
Balcony
BalcónPlatform that projects from a facade as an accessible platform with edge protection.
Ball valve
Válvula de esferaA component of a water installation that helps to close flow using a rotating perforated ball.
Ballasted membrane
Membrana lastradaMembrane held in place by the weight of an upper layer designed as ballast.
Barrel roof tile
Teja curvaCurved tile arranged in channels and covers to guide rainwater down the roof.
Basalt
BasaltoFine-grained volcanic rock, generally dark, used for paving and other stone components.
Base plate
Placa basePlate beneath a steel column transferring its loads into the supporting element below.
Understanding line items makes comparison easier.
Use the dictionary as you review the materials, work and terms in your quote.
Technical references consulted
Definitions written in plain language using technical reference documentation.
- Fundación MUSAAT · Zapata
- Fundación MUSAAT · Zuncho
- ANFAPA · SATE
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-C Cimientos
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-A Acero
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-F Fábrica
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-M Madera
- European Commission JRC: Eurocode 7 geotechnical design examples
- WoodWorks: What is mass timber?
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Member design
- American Concrete Institute: Self-consolidating concrete
- American Shotcrete Association: About shotcrete
- American Cement Association: types of cement
- NRMCA: Concrete in Practice technical topics
- FHWA: Alkali-silica reaction mechanisms
- American Concrete Institute: Chlorides and reinforcement corrosion
- Concrete Society: Carbonation of concrete
- American Concrete Institute: Guide to estimating prestress losses
- European Commission JRC: Major concepts of the EN Eurocodes
- CTE: Documento Básico SE Seguridad estructural
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-AE Acciones en la edificación
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Composite construction
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Welding
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Steel construction products
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Simple connections
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Wood handbook
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Wood composite materials
- WoodWorks: Index of mass timber connections
- Structural Timber Association: Timber systems
- Hispalyt: ejecución of fábricas of ladrillo, colocación
- American Cement Association: applications of cement
- ITeC: evaluación técnica of mortero of cal para revoco
- USG: joint compound technical data
- Sika: backer rod and sealant joint geometry
- Natural Stone Institute: varieties of stone
- Natural Stone Institute: technical bulletins
- Tikkurila: common painting problems
- Bona: recoating wood floors
- Placo: soluciones of yesos of terminación
- Kreidezeit: Tadelakt technical information
- Mapei: adhesive classification and selection
- Forbo: linoleum raw materials
- CTE DB-HS: Salubridad
- CTE DA DB-HE/1: Parámetros of la envolvente
- CTE DA DB-HE/2: Condensaciones
- CTE DA DB-HE/3: Puentes térmicos
- CTE DB-HR: Protección frente al ruido
- SOPREMA: Blue roofs and stormwater
- Building Science Corporation: Understanding Air Barriers
- Sika: Single-ply roof membranes
- SOPREMA: Tecnologías of impermeabilización
- Aliaxis: Akasison siphonic roof drainage systems
- ITeC: Evaluaciones DAU of sistemas of fachada
- CSTB: Laboratoire façades
- EOTA EAD 040083-01-0404: External thermal insulation composite systems with rendering system
- US Department of Energy: Guide to cool roofs
- Passive House Institute: Airtightness measurements
- Passive House Institute: Grundlagenwissen Luftdichtheit
- pro clima: Humidity-variable vapour control
- US EPA: Types of green infrastructure
- Saint-Gobain Glass: Acoustic laminated glass
- Saint-Gobain Glass: Solar control and low-emissivity coatings
- Saint-Gobain Glass: Glazing cavities and warm-edge spacers
- IDAE — La bomba of calor en la rehabilitación energética of edificios
- IDAE — Instalaciones of climatización con equipos autónomos
- IDAE — Instalaciones of climatización por agua
- IDAE — Sistemas of intercambio geotérmico of circuito cerrado
- U.S. Department of Energy — Whole-House Ventilation
- U.S. Department of Energy — Heat Pump Water Heaters
- U.S. EPA — Types of Septic Systems
- U.S. EPA — Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis Systems
- U.S. EPA — Home Water Treatment Guide
- U.S. EPA — HEPA Filters
- Caleffi — Separation in Hydronic Systems
- Caleffi — Hydraulic Separators
- Grundfos — Non-return Valve
- Honeywell — SV2 Safety Shut-off Valves
- CDC — Legionella Control
- CDC — Carbon Monoxide Basics
- Schneider Electric — Electrical Installation Guide: Earthing schemes
- IET — Residual current devices
- Schneider Electric — Arc fault detection devices
- U.S. Department of Energy — Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics
- Cisco — What is Power over Ethernet?
- INSST — Fichas of selección y uso of EPI
- INSST — Equipos of trabajo y máquinas: Listado of NTP
- Siemens — Aspirating smoke detectors
- DALI Alliance — Introducing DALI
- Schneider Electric — Types of RCDs
- KNX Association — What is KNX?
- U.S. Department of Energy — Solar Integration: Inverters and Grid Services Basics
- CharIN — Technical Details CCS (Basic)
- Televés — PAUs (Cajas), distribución of telefonía
- Fluke Networks — What parameters are tested with the CableIQ?
- Tyco Fire — Solenoid valves for deluge and preaction systems
- Autodesk: architectural drawings
- RICS: New Rules of Measurement
- National Park Service: Preservation Briefs
- HSE: demolition
- ASSA ABLOY: door controls
- EGGER: wood-based boards
- Pilkington: solar control glass
- Festool: circular saws for carpentry
- Pilkington: float glass manufacturing
- Pilkington: toughened and heat-strengthened glass
- Autodesk: clash detection setup
- Autodesk: common data environment
- Bohle: suction lifters for glass
- ISO: air permeability test method
- Barcelona City Council: building works authorisation
- ChovA: roof drain outlets