Glossary

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	B Beams Beams are normally made of wood but can be made of metal or other materials. They are the load bearing horizontal struts which support a floor or ceiling. Beams can usually be viewed underneath floor boards or in attics above ceiling. When entering an attic with no floor boards it is important to walk only on the beams as these are the only part of the attic that can support a persons bodyweight. Boarded Boarded is a term given to attics or lofts that have been fitted with tongue and groove or chipboard floor boards. These boards are to support the weight of a person moving around in the attic or the weight of items stored in an attic. Items should not be stored in a non boarded attic as the weight could cause the ceiling of the room below to collapse. When entering a non boarded attic only put your weight on the beams and not the ceiling panels.
	C Cavity Wall Cavity wall is a term used in construction for external walls made up of two or more leaves with an air gap in the middle. The air gap acts as both an insulator and a damp proofing barrier between the internal room and the outside elements. Chuck A device for holding a tool or workpiece, e.g. a piece of metal being turned on a lathe; One that grips with three or more jaws set symmetrically round an axis
	D Damp Proof Course This is a waterproof layer fitted to a wall when it is constructed to stop damp rising up the wall and causing problems with the structure. Damp proof courses are normally made of specialist plastic material but can be made of slate on older property. A damp proof course can normally be found as a narrow dark strip a few layers of brick up from ground level on the outside wall of a building. Anything that bridges this barrier (e.g. adjoining garden wall, raised patio area etc.) can allow damp to rise past the barrier layer. If a damp proof course is not fitted it can be chemically injected into a wall but this is a specialist job you cannot do yourself. Dovetail A joint that widens towards its end in the shape of a dove tail. Drill A tool or a machine that is used for boring holes.
	E Epoxy An adhesive made from synthetic polymers containing epoxide groups.
	F Fibreglass Fibreglass matting sometimes known as "rockwool" is a lightweight insulation material made from strands of glass which when matted together hold pockets of air which insulate one side of the matting from the other. Commonly used within wall and above ceilings to stop heat escaping from a room the material should only be handled when wearing strong clothing, thick gloves and a protective face mask as the fibres can irritate skin and breathing. File A tool of hardened steel with many cutting ridges for shaping or smoothing objects or surfaces.

	H Hammer A tool consisting of a heavy head mounted at the end of a handle for breaking things and driving in nails.
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	L Leaf A leaf is a vertical layer of bricks or blocks which make up a wall. A wall may be single leaf (one vertical layer of bricks) or double leaf (two vertical layers of bricks) as in a standard cavity wall construction. Loadbearing Where a structure is referred to as "loadbearing" this means that the structure is carrying the weight (or load) of another structure. Commonly used to refer to walls where another wall is supported on top of the original wall or where the weight of beams that support the floor or the ceiling are supported on the wall. Loadbearing walls can only be removed if they are replaced by other supporting structures such as rigid steel girders if you are not sure get advice from a an expert.
	M Man Made Boards Man Made board are Chipboard, Medium-Density-Fibre (MDF)Board, Plywood., Block Board and Hardboard.
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	P Peen Half a ball shape that is on the opposite side of the hitting face of a peen hammer. Or to bend or flatten metal. Putty A dough like cement used for windows and doors usually around the glass and for stopping crevices in woodwork
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	S Sandpaper Grades Sand paper is graded by grit the higher the number the finer the grit the lower the lower the number the coarse the grit. So for an example 240 grade sandpaper is good for finishing paint work and 40 grade sandpaper is good for sanding rough wood down. If you are not sure what sand paper to use on the wood or paint try a little bit in a corner were it can not be seen.
	T Titanium Titanium is a coating that the put on steel to make it stronger and can withstand higher temperatures and will last 4 times longer than steel. Trowel Any of various smooth-bladed hand tools used to apply, spread, shape, scoop, or smooth loose or soft material. Used to apply and spread mortar or plaster. Tungsten-Carbide Tungsten-carbide is a coating that the put on steel to make it stronger and can withstand higher temperatures and will last longer.
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The authors of this web site accept no liability for damage or injury arising from the use of information contained on these pages. Always ensure you have the necessary tools to undertake the task and only attempt DIY if you are confident you have the necessary skills to complete the work. If not hire a professional tradesman to carry out the work. Always read the instructions that come with materials or equipment. Check and double check measurements. Use safety equipment e.g. goggles, ear defenders and protective clothing as necessary, especially when operating power tools. Always check before cutting and drilling for hidden pipes and cables. and finally. TAKE CARE WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING. This site is design for UK standards no allowances for national or regional variations has been taken into account.

Glossary

Drill

Loadbearing

Man Made Boards

Peen

Putty