Mezzanine
AltilloFloor that uses part of a room's height by adding an intermediate level.
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
Try:
Building terms, clearly explained.
2,147 terms found
Microcement
MicrocementoThin continuous covering based on cement and other components, applied over a prepared substrate.
Microinverter
MicroinversorSmall inverter serving one or a few modules to convert their electricity individually.
Micropile
MicropiloteSmall-diameter foundation element, generally drilled, reinforced, and grouted with cementitious material.
Microventilation setting
MicroventilaciónReduced window opening position allowing air passage through a small gap around the sash.
Mineral addition
Adición mineralMineral material incorporated into concrete to modify properties or supplement cement's binding action.
Mineral filler
FillerVery fine mineral material added to adjust mixture composition and performance characteristics.
Mineral wool
Lana mineralFamily of fibrous insulation products made from melted mineral materials converted into fibres.
Mini excavator
MiniexcavadoraExcavator that excavates and moves soil with compact dimensions suited to restricted spaces.
Miniature circuit breaker
MagnetotérmicoDevice protecting an electrical circuit against overload currents and short circuits.
Mitre joint
Ensamble a ingleteJoint between angled ends forming a corner.
Mitre saw
Sierra de ingleteSaw that cuts pieces at adjustable angles with a pivoting saw head.
Mobile crane
Grúa móvilCrane that performs lifting with a transportable structure that can change location.
Mobile elevating work platform
Plataforma elevadoraLift that raises a platform carrying people to a working position.
Mobile scaffold
Andamio móvilScaffold that has wheels for repositioning a tower of working platforms.
Modular construction
Construcción modularSystem using previously manufactured three-dimensional units assembled to form a building.
Modulus of subgrade reaction
Módulo de balastoParameter relating contact pressure to displacement in a simplified elastic support model.
Moisture desorption
Desorción de humedadRelease of moisture held within a material when environmental conditions favour its outward movement.
Moisture sorption
Sorción de humedadProcess by which a material takes up water through internal absorption or surface adsorption.
Moisture-resistant board
Tablero resistente a la humedadBoard made from fibres or particles formulated for improved moisture resistance, without being waterproof.
Mono-pitch roof
Cubierta a un aguaRoof with one continuous sloping surface and a main direction of drainage.
Monobloc heat pump
Bomba de calor monoblocEquipment incorporating its refrigeration circuit in one unit and connecting through water pipes.
Monolithic structure
Estructura monolíticaStructure whose members are formed or connected to provide continuous load-resisting action.
Mortar
MorteroMixture of binder, sand, and water used to join units or coat surfaces.
Mortar water retention
Retención de agua del morteroAbility of fresh mortar to retain water against suction from its substrate.
Mortar workability
Trabajabilidad del morteroEase with which fresh mortar can be mixed, spread and positioned during application.
Mortise lock
Cerradura de embutirLock that houses the locking mechanism in a recess within the leaf.
Mortise-and-tenon joint
Caja y espigaJoint where a projecting part of one member fits into a matching recess in another.
Mortising
EscopleadoCutting mortises or sockets to receive tenons.
Mosaic
MosaicoCovering made from small pieces creating patterns or a continuous decorative surface.
Mosaic backing mesh
Malla de mosaicoNet-like backing holding tesserae together in sheets for installation as a covering.
Motion detector
Detector de movimientoDevice recognising movement within its detection area and generating a control signal.
Mould on enclosure materials
Moho en cerramientosFungal growth on materials where suitable moisture, temperature and nutrient conditions are present.
Movement joint
Junta de movimientoGap designed to accommodate relative movement between enclosure parts without unacceptable damage.
Mullion
Montante de carpinteríaVertical member dividing an opening into separate panels.
Multi-inlet floor trap
Bote sifónicoA component of the sanitary installation used to combine several drains and provide a shared water seal.
Multicore cable
Cable multipolarCable containing several insulated conductors together inside a shared outer protective sheath.
Multilayer pipe
Tubería multicapaPipe comprising plastic and metal layers that combine different material properties.
Multimeter
MultímetroInstrument combining electrical measurements such as voltage, current and resistance within one device.
Multimode fibre
Fibra multimodoOptical fibre allowing several light propagation paths within its central fibre core.
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