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Building Terms Glossary
Acceptable Solution
As part of the Building Act 2004, an acceptable solution is a building solution that is accepted by the building consent authority (usually your local council) as complying with the Building Code.
Apron Flashing
The flashing (metal) that covers the joint between the roof and a vertical surface (such as a chimney) that diverts water into a gutter.
Architrave
A moulding used as a surround to a door or window to cover the gap between the wall and the joinery.
Balustrade
The handrail beside a staircase or along the edge of a balcony or veranda.
Barge Board
The flat board at the edge of a gable roof.
BCA
Building Consent Authority - the organisation empowered to issue building consents, inspect construction and certify completion of building work. This is usually your local council.
Beam
A long structural member that supports the floor or roof.
Bearer
A beam supported on jack studs, foundation walls, piles or piers and carrying joists, jack studs or subfloor training.
Bevel
A sloping edge.
Bevel-Back
Weatherboards that taper to a thin upper edge.
Bottom Plate
The piece of timber in the wall frame that sits on the floor and forms the bottom of the wall.
Building Act 2004
The legislation governing the building industry and building work in New Zealand.
Building Code
Regulations within the Building Act 2004 that state the minimum performance standards that building work must meet. Compliance with the Building Code is mandatory.
Building Consent
Approval given by a building consent authority (usually your local council) to undertake building work.
Cantilever
Also known as an overhanging beam, where one end is fixed and the other is unsupported.
Casement
A side-opening window (vertical hinge like a door).
Cavity Slider
A door that disappears into the wall cavity when open.
Ceiling Battens
Timber or metal strips used to connect lining to roof framing.
Cornice
An ornamental timber or plaster moulding along the junction between wall and ceiling.
Cupping
Curvature across the width of a plank or board.
Deflection
The degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load.
Delamination
When composite materials split apart into layers.
Double Glazing
A double-glazed window or door consists of two sheets of glass spaced apart in a frame. The space between the panes may contain dry air or argon gas.
Double-Hung
Also called sash windows. They are windows where both sashes slide open vertically.
DPM
Damp proof membrane.
Dwang
Also known as a nog or noggin. The horizontal bracings between the vertical studs in wall framing.
E2/AS1
Acceptable solution under the Building Code. Covers weathertightness of the building.
Eave
The lower part of a roof that overhangs the walls.
Fascia
The board that runs along the edge of the roof at the eaves. Guttering is usually attached to the fascia.
Flange
A projecting flat ridge, rim, or collar on an object, to help strengthen it or attach it to something.
Flashing
A strip of metal used in parts of a building to prevent penetration of moisture where different components meet. Flashing is used above windows so rain can't seep through gaps.
Galvanised
A thin layer of zinc on an iron sheet or element to help protect the iron from corrosion.
Jamb
The side-post, frame or lining of a window or door.
Joist
Horizontal framing which supports a floor or ceiling.
Linoleum
Also called lino. A washable floor covering made of ingredients that may include linseed oil, pine resin, wood, cork and others on a backing made of jute.
Lintel
A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete or steel spanning across the top of a door or window.
Mitre
The joint between two pieces of wood at an angle of 90°.
Mortice and Tenon Joint
A timber joint made up of a shape (the mortice) cut out of a piece of timber into which is fixed the similarly shaped end (the tenon) of another piece of timber.
Nib Wall
A short section of wall that juts out at 90 degrees from the floor. It allows you to separate parts of rooms. Usually used in bathrooms to seperate off the toilet but still allow the feeling of space.
Nosing
The rounded edge of a stair that extends beyond the step.
Particleboard
Also known as chipboard. A sheet panel manufactured by bonding together particles of wood.
Pile
A block or column-like support used to support the building above the ground.
Plaster
A render or mixture for spreading onto walls to form a surface. It can be used internally or externally and moulded to decorate.
Plate
The horizontal length of the wall frame.
Plywood
A sheet material where layers of wood veneer are glued together.
Pointing
Repairing or replacing mortar in masonry.
Powder-Coating
A paint finish applied to metal giving it a high-quality durable finish.
Purlin
A horizontal beam along the length of a roof which supports the rafters and the roof cladding.
Rafter
Framing that is normally parallel to the slope of the roof that provides support for the roof.
Saddle Flashing
Flashing to the top of a parapet or cornice.
Sash
A frame containing a pane or panes of glass that can move up and down. It is fitted in the window frame.
Scriber
A moulding used to cover an uneven gap.
Sill
A horizontal piece of wood at the foot of a door or window.
Skillion Roof
A pitched roof where the ceiling lining is parallel and close to the roof cladding.
Soaker
Flashings at the exterior joint of weatherboards.
Soffit
The lower face or undersurface of the eaves of a roof.
String
Inclined support carrying the ends of the steps of a stairway.
Stringer
Horizontal framing timber on edge fixed to the side of a concrete or masonry wall to support the ends of joists or rafters.
Stud
A vertical support forming part of a load-bearing external wall frame or of an internal wall partition.
Substrate
The material or structure beneath a cladding, coating, finish or membrane.
Swarf
Also known as chips or shavings. Produced by a machining operation.
Underpurlin
Fixed horizontal under the rafters.
Had an amazing experience building with Sue and Darrin From the Waikato branch. The motto of latitude of Too Easy was very true . Build was completed with almost no disruptions even during this time of Covid and Gib shortages . Can not Recommend them highly enough if your after a new build
Adam Rogerson
Thank you Latitude Homes for building our first home! It was our first time to build a home and we were told that behind the excitement are stressful decisions and unexpected twists and turns. The section that we wanted our home to be built was not as steep as others in the Wellington region, but the wind factor is really strong here in our section. Latitude was willing to take on the project. Our home was a mix of standard and non-standard specs. They used good quality materials and they were transparent with the costs. The build wasn't without hiccups but Latitude made sure things get sorted. The actual physical build took roughly 9 months to complete; June 2018 until March 2019. I guess 8 months if we exclude the holiday break. We were told by friends and colleagues that it should only take 6 months to build but as Alix mentioned- “he doesn’t want to compromise the quality of the build”, which gave me confidence in Alix and Latitude. Latitude was already with us almost 3 years ago from the planning and paper works. Alix, Amanda and their project managers supported and guided us throughout the entire home building experience. When I signed the contract to build our home with Alix and Latitude, he mentioned to me that “the key to a successful project is communication” and I’m glad both of us are in the same page. Since we have someone from the Latitude team that communicates with us and for us, we were shielded from most of the stress of building our home. Overall, I highly recommend Latitude Homes giving them 4.5 stars. The Wellington team is a pleasure to deal with especially Alix and Amanda who are trustworthy and easy to talk to. If we get the chance to build another home, I would gladly ask Alix and the Latitude team to build our next one.
James Bacero
Home designed, constructed and finished to a high standard, on schedule and quoted price. Latitude Homes kept us informed and were a pleasure to deal with. Te Aroha
Geoff and Bev Robertson
Had an amazing experience building with Sue and Darrin From the Waikato branch. The motto of latitude of Too Easy was very true . Build was completed with almost no disruptions even during this time of Covid and Gib shortages . Can not Recommend them highly enough if your after a new build
Adam Rogerson
Thank you Latitude Homes for building our first home! It was our first time to build a home and we were told that behind the excitement are stressful decisions and unexpected twists and turns. The section that we wanted our home to be built was not as steep as others in the Wellington region, but the wind factor is really strong here in our section. Latitude was willing to take on the project. Our home was a mix of standard and non-standard specs. They used good quality materials and they were transparent with the costs. The build wasn't without hiccups but Latitude made sure things get sorted. The actual physical build took roughly 9 months to complete; June 2018 until March 2019. I guess 8 months if we exclude the holiday break. We were told by friends and colleagues that it should only take 6 months to build but as Alix mentioned- “he doesn’t want to compromise the quality of the build”, which gave me confidence in Alix and Latitude. Latitude was already with us almost 3 years ago from the planning and paper works. Alix, Amanda and their project managers supported and guided us throughout the entire home building experience. When I signed the contract to build our home with Alix and Latitude, he mentioned to me that “the key to a successful project is communication” and I’m glad both of us are in the same page. Since we have someone from the Latitude team that communicates with us and for us, we were shielded from most of the stress of building our home. Overall, I highly recommend Latitude Homes giving them 4.5 stars. The Wellington team is a pleasure to deal with especially Alix and Amanda who are trustworthy and easy to talk to. If we get the chance to build another home, I would gladly ask Alix and the Latitude team to build our next one.
James Bacero
Home designed, constructed and finished to a high standard, on schedule and quoted price. Latitude Homes kept us informed and were a pleasure to deal with. Te Aroha
Geoff and Bev Robertson
Had an amazing experience building with Sue and Darrin From the Waikato branch. The motto of latitude of Too Easy was very true . Build was completed with almost no disruptions even during this time of Covid and Gib shortages . Can not Recommend them highly enough if your after a new build
Adam Rogerson