Glossary

A unique identifier for businesses, including builders and contractors.

Material like gravel, pebbles, or crushed stone used in concrete or landscaping.

An outdoor living area usually at the rear and adjacent to the dwelling, and typically roofed and paved.

Moulding around windows or doors.

Measures a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact in bushfire-prone areas. It guides construction materials and methods to improve fire resistance.

A row of spindles topped by a rail, for edging terraces, staircases, etc.

Strips of timber or metal used to hold roofing or cladding materials in place.

The national code that sets the standards for the design and construction of buildings in Australia.

Horizontal beams that support the floor joists.

A wall that supports additional weight from above.

A detailed list of materials and labor required for a construction project.

A tiling pattern that mimics the arrangement of bricks in a wall, where each tile is offset from the tiles in adjacent rows, typically by half its length. This pattern is popular in both wall and floor tiling for its aesthetic appeal and the way it can visually expand a space.

A construction method where a single layer of bricks is attached to the outside of the house frame.

Slang for a bricklayer.

A professional specialising in the engineering aspects of designing, constructing, and maintaining buildings. They focus on structural integrity, energy efficiency, and the integration of systems within buildings to ensure safety, comfort, and functionality.

A professional responsible for assessing and approving building plans to ensure they comply with building codes, standards, and regulations. They inspect construction works at various stages to certify compliance and can issue building permits and occupancy certificates.

A boxed structure hiding ducting or piping, often found below the ceiling in a basement or kitchen.

Specialist who designs, constructs and installs custom cabinetry.

Sealing material used to fill gaps to prevent leaks in buildings.

Double walls with a space in between for insulation.

A document allowing occupancy of a building.

Slang for a carpenter.

Material applied to the exterior of a building for protection and aesthetics.

A detailed document used in construction and interior design projects, specifying the colours, materials, and finishes for various elements of a building, such as walls, flooring, tiles, and cabinetry. It serves as a guide for builders and contractors to ensure design consistency throughout the project.

Decorative moulding between walls and ceiling.

Protective wall trim.

Treatments applied to prevent moisture from passing into interior spaces.

A builder licensed to work on any residential project without cost limitations.

Short for demolition.

A formal request for permission to carry out proposed development.

A pipe that carries rainwater from the gutters to the ground or stormwater system.

A professional skilled in creating detailed technical drawings and plans for building and construction projects. A draftsperson works closely with architects and engineers to translate design ideas into precise, technical blueprints that guide the construction process. They use computer-aided design software to ensure accuracy and compliance with Australian building codes and standards.

Allows for water run-off or stormwater systems to be placed across your land to manage flooding, and is noted on the property title. It limits land use in the easement area to ensure access and functionality, impacting both current and future owners. Essential for community infrastructure, it must remain unobstructed.

The part of the roof that overhangs the walls of a house.

The stage of construction when electrical boxes and wires are installed before walls are closed up.

An architectural drawing showing a side of a building.

A bathroom attached directly to a bedroom.

A decorative concrete finish for driveways where the top layer of cement paste is removed to reveal the aggregate (stone or gravel) beneath. This technique offers a durable, skid-resistant surface and aesthetic appeal through various colors and textures of aggregate.

The exterior face or front of a building, often designed with aesthetic and architectural considerations to define the building’s appearance and character. Facades can feature various materials, colors, and architectural styles, serving both functional and decorative purposes.

A horizontal metal board along the edge of the roof.

Refers to the final height of a floor once construction is completed, measured from a known reference point. FFL is crucial for ensuring proper drainage, flood avoidance, and compliance with building regulations.

The final stage of electrical and plumbing work, where fixtures are installed.

A non-opening window.

The base on which a building’s foundation is built.

The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof.

Refers to windows fitted with one or more layers of glass. Double or triple glazing improves insulation, energy efficiency, and noise reduction by trapping air or gas between panes, also offering options for thermal performance, UV protection, and privacy enhancements.

The process of installing windows.

The level of the ground around a building.

A dense fluid, usually a mixture of water, cement, sand, and sometimes colorant, used to fill gaps and seal joints between tiles, stones, and other masonry units. Grout enhances the strength, integrity, and appearance of tile installations, prevents moisture penetration, and can contribute to the aesthetic by complementing or contrasting with tile colour.

A channel installed along the edges of a roof to collect and divert rainwater away from the building’s foundation. Gutters are essential for preventing water damage to the structure, soil erosion around the foundation, and leaks into basements or crawl spaces.

A brand of plasterboard used for walls and ceilings.