Trade discount
Descuento comercialAgreed reduction from an initially quoted supply price.
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
Transfer beam
Viga de transferenciaBeam collecting loads from upper supports and redirecting them to a different arrangement of lower supports.
Transmission heat losses
Pérdidas térmicas por transmisiónHeat passing through enclosure elements due to temperature differences between the spaces they separate.
Trap siphonage
Sifonamiento de desagüeLoss of retained trap water caused by pressure differences in drainage.
Travertine
TravertinoPrecipitated carbonate rock with characteristic cavities that may be left open or filled.
Trial pit
CalicataExploratory excavation allowing direct inspection of ground conditions near the surface.
Triaxial test
Ensayo triaxialLaboratory test examining soil strength under confining pressure and axial loading.
Trip curve
Curva de disparoRepresentation relating current magnitude to the operating time of an electrical protective device.
Triple glazing
Triple acristalamientoUnit with three glass panes and two sealed cavities designed to limit heat transfer through an opening.
Truss
CerchaStructure of connected members, generally triangulated, used to carry loads across substantial spans.
TT earthing system
Esquema TTDistribution arrangement with exposed conductive parts earthed independently of the supply's earthing connection.
Tube scaffold
Andamio tubularScaffold that is assembled from tubes and connections to support working platforms.
Tumbled finish
Envejecido por tamborMechanical treatment rounding edges and wearing surfaces to produce an aged stone appearance.
Turnkey
Llave en manoWay of contracting a complete building project; the contract should specify what is included and excluded.
Twisted-pair cable
Cable de par trenzadoCable with pairs of conductors twisted together to reduce interference during signal transmission.
Two-coat render system
Revestimiento bicapaCovering system with distinct basecoat and finishing layers serving different functions.
Two-way light switch
Conmutador de luzSwitch selecting between two connections to control one light from two locations.
Type 2 connector
Conector tipo 2Connection interface used for alternating-current EV charging, incorporating power and control contacts.
Type A RCD
Diferencial tipo AResidual current device sensitive to alternating and pulsating direct residual currents from certain electronic equipment.
Type B RCD
Diferencial tipo BResidual current device also detecting specified smooth direct residual currents alongside alternating and pulsating currents.
Typical floor
Planta tipoFloor that repeats a similar layout at several levels of the same building.
Tyrolean render
Revoco a la tirolesaRough-textured covering obtained by spraying small portions of mortar onto a surface.
Ultimate limit state
Estado límite últimoLimiting condition associated with loss of structural equilibrium, resistance, or stability.
Ultimate tensile strength
Resistencia última a tracciónMaximum tensile stress recorded during a test before the specimen fractures.
Ultrasonic concrete test
Ensayo ultrasónico del hormigónTest analyzing wave propagation to assess concrete uniformity and possible internal defects.
Ultraviolet water disinfection
Desinfección ultravioleta del aguaUltraviolet radiation treatment inactivating microorganisms without removing substances dissolved in water.
Unbonded screed
Recrecido desolidarizadoScreed separated from its base by a layer preventing direct adhesion between them.
Under-rafter insulation
Aislamiento bajo cabiosInsulation layer below sloping roof members, positioned towards the building’s internal occupied space.
Under-tile waterproofing
Impermeabilización bajo alicatadoContinuous system limiting water passage behind or beneath a ceramic tile covering.
Underfloor heating
Suelo radianteSystem exchanging heat through the floor, normally using pipes or electrical elements.
Underfloor heating manifold
Colector de suelo radianteA component of a heating installation used to distribute water among separate heating loops within the floor.
Underground water cistern
AljibeWater storage tank usually located beneath the surrounding ground surface.
Underpinning
Recalce de cimentaciónIntervention modifying or strengthening an existing foundation to improve its capacity or support.
Underslab insulation
Aislamiento bajo forjadoInsulation attached below a floor slab to improve thermal separation between different building spaces.
Unified glare rating
Índice UGRIndicator used to estimate discomfort glare from an indoor lighting arrangement.
Uninterruptible power supply
Sistema de alimentación ininterrumpidaEquipment with stored energy that temporarily maintains power when the main supply fails.
Unit consumption
Consumo unitarioQuantity of a resource needed for one unit of work.
Unit rate
Precio unitarioPrice of one unit of work; multiplying by its quantity gives the work item's amount.
Unit rate breakdown
DescompuestoBreakdown of resources and costs forming a unit rate, such as materials, labour and equipment.
Urban heat island effect
Efecto isla de calorLocal urban warming related to surfaces, activities and reduced vegetation compared with surrounding areas.
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 de fábricas de ladrillo, colocación
- American Cement Association: applications of cement
- ITeC: evaluación técnica de mortero de 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 de yesos de terminación
- Kreidezeit: Tadelakt technical information
- Mapei: adhesive classification and selection
- Forbo: linoleum raw materials
- CTE DB-HS: Salubridad
- CTE DA DB-HE/1: Parámetros de 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 de impermeabilización
- Aliaxis: Akasison siphonic roof drainage systems
- ITeC: Evaluaciones DAU de sistemas de 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 de calor en la rehabilitación energética de edificios
- IDAE — Instalaciones de climatización con equipos autónomos
- IDAE — Instalaciones de climatización por agua
- IDAE — Sistemas de intercambio geotérmico de 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 de selección y uso de EPI
- INSST — Equipos de trabajo y máquinas: Listado de 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 de 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