Base render
EnfoscadoMortar layer applied to a wall or ceiling to level and protect it.
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
Basement
SótanoFloor that places a floor below the level of the surrounding ground.
Basic design package
Proyecto básicoDocument defining the general characteristics of the work; it does not itself develop every detail needed to build it.
Bathroom extractor fan
Extractor de bañoA component of a ventilation installation used to remove humid air and odors from a bathroom.
Bathtub
BañeraA component of the sanitary installation used to hold water for bathing through partial body immersion.
Battery cycle
Ciclo de bateríaCharging and discharging sequence used to describe a battery's use and ageing.
Battery management system
Sistema de gestión de bateríasElectronics monitoring battery cells and coordinating protection and cell-balancing functions within the battery.
Beam
VigaStructural member spanning a distance between supports and transferring the loads it receives.
Beam angle
Ángulo de aperturaAngle describing the width of the light beam emitted by a lamp or luminaire.
Beam smoke detector
Barrera de detección de humoSystem detecting smoke through attenuation of a light beam passing across an area.
Bearing stratum
Estrato portanteGround layer capable of supporting the loads expected from a foundation.
Bed joint
TendelGenerally horizontal bedding joint between successive courses of masonry.
Bed joint reinforcement
Armadura de tendelMetal reinforcement within horizontal joints improving the behaviour of the masonry construction.
Bedding mortar
Mortero de asientoMortar supporting units and distributing contact between successive courses of masonry.
Bending
FlexiónAction curving a member and generally producing tension and compression in different regions.
Bending moment
Momento flectorInternal quantity expressing the tendency of loads to bend a structural cross-section.
Between-rafter insulation
Aislamiento entre cabiosInsulation placed within the spaces between sloping members supporting a building’s roof.
Bidet
BidéA component of the sanitary installation used to provide intimate washing using a small basin with taps.
Bidirectional electricity meter
Contador bidireccionalMeter recording received and exported electricity separately at a particular network connection point.
Binder
ConglomeranteMaterial that hardens and binds particles into mortars or other composite materials.
Biomass boiler
Caldera de biomasaA component of a heating installation used to generate heat by burning organic matter prepared as fuel.
Biosolar roof
Cubierta biosolarRoof combining vegetation and solar panels through coordinated design of both systems.
Bituminous membrane
Lámina asfálticaSheet based on bituminous materials that is used to waterproof building surfaces.
Bivalent heating system
Sistema bivalente de calefacciónInstallation combining two generators to meet heating needs under different operating conditions.
Blackwater
Aguas negrasWastewater discharged from toilets that contains urine and human fecal matter.
Blind actuator
Actuador de persianaDevice controlling the supply and movement of a compatible blind or shutter motor.
Blinding concrete
Hormigón de limpiezaConcrete layer providing a clean and regular base beneath a foundation.
Blower door test
Ensayo de puerta soplanteTest using a fan to measure building air leakage under controlled differences in pressure.
Blown-in insulation
Aislamiento insufladoParticulate or fibrous insulation introduced into a cavity using powered blowing equipment.
Blue roof
Cubierta azulRoof designed to store rainwater temporarily and release it at a controlled rate.
Board edge
Canto de tableroNarrow side face of a board.
Board edge banding
Canteado de tableroCovering board edges with a protective or decorative strip.
Boiler efficiency
Rendimiento de calderaRatio of usable heat produced to the energy supplied by the fuel.
Bolted connection
Unión atornilladaConnection between structural components transferring forces through bolts and associated parts.
Bond coat
Capa de agarreLayer intended to provide contact and adhesion between a substrate and its finish.
Bond-breaker tape
Cinta antiadherente de juntaStrip preventing sealant from bonding to a third face within the joint.
Bonded masonry junction
EnjarjeInterlocking junction between masonry sections, with units bonded across their meeting point.
Bonded screed
Recrecido adheridoScreed directly connected to its supporting base by adhesion between both surfaces.
Bonding bridge
Puente de adherenciaProduct or intermediate layer improving the bond between a substrate and its covering.
Bored pile
Pilote perforadoPile constructed inside a borehole previously excavated in the ground.
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