DIY Glossary - A to C

Abrasives

Materials such as sandpaper or wire wool used for rubbing down surfaces.

Acrylic

A water-based paint which can be used on internal walls and ceilings.

Adhesives

Any product used to bond materials together. You can find many different types for different materials.

Airbrick

Perforated bricks built into a wall to aid ventilation.

Airlock

Air trapped in pipework which acts as a blockage.

Alkyd

A resin used to make most modern solvent-based paints.

Ampere (Amp)

A measurement of the rate at which electricity travels through a circuit.

Anchor Bolt

A heavy-duty bolt which is set in concrete and then used to support structural elements of a building.

Apron

A sheet of zinc or lead which is set into a brickwork joint and then shaped to overlap the edge of a roof. Forms the waterproof edge.

Architrave

The moulded wood surrounding doors and windows.

Armoured Cable

Electric cable wrapped in a "skin" of steel wire to prevent it being damaged. Most often used on underground cable.

Arris

The sharp edge formed where two surfaces meet at an angle.

Auger

A flexible cable of coiled steel which can be fed along pipes to dislodge and clear blockages.

Ball Valve

Valve operated by a floating ball. Designed to open and close with the rising or lowering water in a cistern.

Baluster

The vertical posts of a stair handrail.

Balustrade

The handrail supported by Balusters.

Basin Wrench

A long handled wrench specifically designed for working in small or awkward places.

Beading

Thin wood or plastic mouldings used as decoration.

Belt Sander

A power tool that uses a "belt" of abrasive paper to remove paint or to finish wood and metal.

Bolster

Wide bladed cold chisel designed for cutting bricks or blocks.

Bond

The way in which bricks are laid so the joints do not line up. Used to give strength to a wall.

Bradawl

Small, pointed tool for making guiding holes for screws or nails. Also used to make holes in leather.

Butt joining

Joining wallpaper edge to edge, with no overlap.

Butt Joint

A joint between two pieces of wood where one piece simply "butts" onto the end of the other (as opposed to a Mitre or dovetail joint).

Capillary joints

The method used to join copper pipes by soldering.

Casement

Windows that are hinged on one vertical edge.

Ceiling joists

The horizontal wooden beams used to suspend the ceiling.

Cavity walls

Wall which have an air space in the middle to aid ventilation.

Chipboard

Board made from small softwood chips. Can be bought in several grades.

Chisel

Sharp bladed tool, used for cutting and shaping wood.

Circuit

The generic name for a complete pass of wiring.

Circuit Breaker

A safety device that cuts the electrical supply in the event of a fault or overload.

Compression joint

A method of joining two pipes that does not require soldering.

Conductor

Single wire or group of wires in continuous contact with each other.

Consumer Unit

The fuse board in your house. Usually underneath the stairs or in a ground-floor cupboard. Sometimes above the front door.

Counterbore

Enlarging the opening of a hole to conceal the head of a bolt, etc.

Countersink Attachment

A fitting for a power drill. Cuts a shallow angled recess for the screw head to sit in, allowing it to be flush with the drilled material.

Cove, Coving

Shaped wood, plaster or polystyrene cornice to fit in the angle between the wall and ceiling of a room. Decorative function only.

Cross Lining

Applying lining paper horizontally to disguise the joins when the finishing wallpaper is applied.

Cylinder

Another name for a Hot Water Tank.

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