Extensions trade jargon

Aggregate

Small particles of various crushed stone, rock, or gravel. Often used to refer to any loose building material such as sand, ballast, gravel, MOT, etc.

Air brick

A perforated brick that is built into a wall to increase ventilation.

Ballast

Mix of sand and gravel. Usually used to make concrete when mixed with cement.

Building Act 1984

The overarching act of legislation that covers all building regulations in the UK.

Building control

A legal requirement that must be obtained before carrying erecting, extending or significantly altering a building. Building control officers (also known as building control surveyors/building inspectors) are usually based within local authority building control departments.

Cavity wall

Wall made up to two parallel masonry skins, with an air space between them to aid ventilation.

Conservation area

An area designated by the local authority to be of special historical or architectural significance, in which certain developments may be restricted.

First fix

Installation work carried out before walls and ceilings are plastered, such as fitting pipes and cables.

Full-fill cavity

A wall cavity that has been completely filled with insulation.

Joist

A horizontal beam, made of metal or wood, which can support a ceiling, wall or floor.

Lintel

A horizontal beam supporting a wall above a door or window.

Party wall

A boundary between two properties over which both sides has legal rights.

Planning permission

Permission needed from the local authority to allow certain developments.

Rebar

Short for reinforcing bar, a steel bar or frame of steel bars around which concrete is poured, with the rebar providing support.

RSJ

Rolled steel joist; used as a structural support across wide openings.

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Second fix

Items installed after plastering has been completed, such as plug sockets, radiators and doors.

Sleeper wall

A low wall that supports ground floor joists.

Snagging

用于描述建筑项目结束时遗留下来的所有小问题。通常情况下，房主会找出障碍，商人会纠正以完成工作。

Stanchion

A vertical supporting beam, made of steel.

Stone cladding

A thin layer of real or simulated stone applied to a building to give a stone effect.

Stud partition

A non-load bearing dividing wall, made of a timber frame covered in plaster board.

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