Superplasticizer
SuperplastificanteHigh-range water-reducing admixture used to achieve high flowability or a lower water-cement ratio.
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
Supply air
Aire de impulsiónAir that the system sends into occupied spaces through its supply outlets.
Supply air grille
Rejilla de impulsiónA component of a ventilation installation used to introduce air into a room through guiding slats.
Supply schedule
Plan de suministrosDocument recording the planned delivery dates and quantities of materials and equipment.
Surface condensation
Condensación superficialFormation of liquid water on a surface whose temperature allows contacting air to reach saturation.
Surface mounting box
Caja de superficieBox fixed onto a surface to house accessories or connections without being recessed.
Surface runoff
EscorrentíaRainwater flowing across a surface without infiltrating into the material or underlying ground.
Surface stabiliser
Fijador de superficieProduct binding weak surface particles to improve the substrate prepared for painting.
Surface temperature
Temperatura superficialTemperature of an enclosure face, relevant to comfort, heat exchange and condensation risk.
Surface temperature factor
Factor de temperatura superficialDimensionless indicator relating internal surface temperature to the indoor and outdoor air temperatures.
Surge protective device
Protector de sobretensiones transitoriasDevice limiting brief voltage spikes, such as those associated with switching or lightning events.
Surveillance camera
Cámara de vigilanciaEquipment capturing images to observe or record events within a particular area.
Survey levelling
Nivelación topográficaMeasurement determining height differences between points and relating them to a common reference.
Suspended ceiling
Falso techoCeiling installed beneath the structural floor, potentially concealing services or improving insulation.
Sustained overvoltage protection
Protector de sobretensiones permanentesDevice operating when the supply voltage remains above a predetermined operating threshold.
T-section
Perfil en TSection with a flange and a web forming an approximately T-shaped cross-section.
Tadelakt
Compacted lime covering treated with soap to create a water-repellent finished surface.
Tamping rammer
ApisonadorCompactor that compacts small areas through repeated impacts of a foot.
Tank thermal stratification
Estratificación térmica de depósitoLayered temperature distribution where hotter water normally occupies the upper tank region.
Tap aerator
Aireador de grifoA component of the sanitary installation used to mix air with water and make the outlet stream uniform.
Tapered pipe thread
Rosca cónica de tuberíaThread with narrowing diameter that helps tighten and seal pipe connections.
Technical construction supervision
Dirección de obraTechnical role directing construction progress in accordance with the design and applicable conditions.
Technical data sheet
Ficha técnicaDocument recording the properties, dimensions and usage recommendations for a product.
Technical execution supervision
Dirección de ejecuciónTechnical role checking the physical execution and quality of construction work.
Technical report
Informe técnicoDocument recording observations, analysis and conclusions about a construction issue.
Technical specification
Especificación técnicaDocument recording the particular requirements for a material, product or task.
Telehandler
Manipulador telescópicoMachine that moves loads with an extending boom and interchangeable attachments.
Telephone outlet
Roseta telefónicaFixed socket connecting a telephone terminal to the building's internal communication wiring.
Television aerial
Antena de televisiónDevice receiving broadcast signals so they can be distributed to television receivers.
Television splitter
Distribuidor de televisiónComponent dividing a television signal between several outputs according to a planned distribution.
Television tap
Derivador de televisiónComponent diverting part of a signal to branches while retaining a through output.
Temperature sensor
Sensor de temperaturaDevice measuring temperature and transmitting its value to a monitoring or control system.
Tender comparison
Comparativo de ofertasTable comparing prices, scopes and conditions of alternative proposals.
Tensile structure
Estructura tensadaSystem whose shape and stability depend mainly on members working in tension.
Tension
TracciónAction tending to lengthen a member by pulling its parts away from each other.
Terminal strip
Regleta de conexiónGrouped set of terminals facilitating organised electrical connections between several separate conductors.
Terrace
TerrazaUsable outdoor area whose surface may also form part of a building’s roof.
Terracotta
TerracotaFired clay ceramic, usually porous and unglazed, with an earthy surface appearance.
Terrazzo
TerrazoStone aggregates bound with cement or resin, commonly polished for use as flooring.
Tessera
TeselaSmall individual ceramic, glass, stone or other material unit used in mosaics.
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