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A/C:
An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning |
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A/C Condenser:
The outside fan unit of the Air Conditioning system. It removes the heat from thefreon gas and "turns" the gas back into a liquid and pumps the liquid back to the coil in the furnace |
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A/C Disconnect:
The main electrical ON-OFF switch near the A/C Condenser |
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Access chamber:
Underground chamber enabling access to drains or other underground services |
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Acre:
Unit of land area in the Imperial system; 4840 square yards, or the equivalent of a rectangular |
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Acrow:
A telescopic prop much used as a temporary support in construction. Named after the American manufacturer who first introduced them to the UK |
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Additive:
Chemicals added to cement based products (concrete, mortar, render, screed etc) to impart various desirable properties such as to increase or reduce curing time, increase strength, enhance workability and so on |
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Aerator:
The round screened screw-on tip of a sink spout. It mixes water and air for a smooth flow |
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Aggregate:
A mixture of sand and stone and a major component of concrete |
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Air conditioning:
Originally, a system by which fresh air is drawn from outside the building and brought to an acceptable condition in terms of temperature and humidity before being introduced into the |
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Air space :
The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1" air gap |
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Aircrete:
A lightweight aerated cement-based material from which easily handled high insulating building-blocks are made |
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All in ballast:
Ballast suitable for making into concrete without the addition of any other aggregate |
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Allowance(s):
A sum of money set aside in the construction contract for items which have not been selected and specified in the construction contract. For example, selection of tile as a flooring may require an allowance for an underlayment material or an electrical allowance which sets aside an amount of money to be spent on electrical fixtures |
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Amortization :
A payment plan by which a loan is reduced through monthly payments of principal and interest |
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An amount of rotation:
The measurement of angles using 360 degrees in a whole circle, with each degree divided into 60 minutes of 60 seconds each, is of very great antiquity, going back to the Babylonians who used a number system based on 60s rather than tens |
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Anchor bolts:
Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete , or masonry floor or wall |
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Angle:
Steel angle: a steel section whose cross-section is L-shaped. If the vertical and horizontal legs of the 'L' are the same length it is called an equal angle, if different, an unequal or odd leg angle. Angles are also available in other metals |
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Annual Percentage Rate (APR):
Annual cost of credit over the life of a loan, including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, mortgage insurance, and other items |
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Appraisal:
An expert valuation of property |
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Apron:
A trim board that is installed beneath a window sill |
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Arch:
A basic form of masonry construction dating back millenia. Brick arches are found spanning over window and door openings in Victorian and older buildings; their disadvantage is that they exert horizontal thrust at their bearings, which sometimes lead to poorly designed or maintained arches |
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Architect :
One who has completed a course of study in building and design, and is licensed by the state as an architect. One who draws up plans |
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Architrave:
Timber moulding around a door frame or similar |
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Area wells:
Corrugated metal or concrete barrier walls installed around a basement window to hold back the earth |
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Arris rail:
:Timber of triangular cross section (made by cutting a square section diagonally), used for fence rails and forming fillets at the junctions of flat roofs and walls |
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Arris:
A sharp corner at the junction of two planes or surfaces |
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Ashlar:
Smooth sawn stonework used in a wall |
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Assessment :
A tax levied on a property, or a value placed on the worth of a property |
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Assumption:
Allows a buyer to assume responsibility for an existing loan instead of getting a new loan |
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Astragal:
A molding, attached to one of a pair of swinging double doors, against which the other door strikes |
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Attic access:
An opening that is placed in the drywalled ceiling of a home providing access to the attic |
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Attic Ventilators:
In houses, screened openings provided to ventilate an attic space |
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Axed arch:
A brick arch in which the bricks are cut (traditionally with an axe) to a wedge shape. The mortar joints are of even thickness. As opposed to a rough arch |
