A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Cantilever– An overhang. Where one floor extends beyond and over a foundation wall.
Cantilever (Timber Roof Structures) – part of the truss (or beam) that extends beyond its support, (exclusive of the overhang)
Carpet backing – holds the pile fabric in place.
Caulking– To fill a joint with to prevent leaks.
Cavity – The cavity space immediately behind a wall cladding that has vents at the base of the wall. Cavities allow for drainage, which is one the four principles in managing water in and around buildings.
Cavity (Masonry) – A void in a masonry member formed by and between the masonry units comprising that member
Cavity wall (Masonry) – A wall that consists of two separate walls (called leaves) of either solid or hollow units, and that are so built side by side and tied to each other with wall ties that there is a cavity width of at least 50mm between the leaves
Ceiling joist– One of a series of parallel framing members used to support ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams, girders or bearing walls. Also called roof joists.
Certificate of Occupancy. This certificate is issued by the local municipality and is required before anyone can occupy and live within the home. It is issued only after the local municipality has made all inspections and all monies and fees have been paid.
Cement– The gray powder that is the “glue” in concrete. Portland cement. Also, any adhesive.
Cement plaster – A mix based on cement, with or without lime, with the addition of sand r other aggregates, which is applied while still plastic to building surfaces and, which hardens after application.
Centre Bearing truss (Timber Roof Structures) – truss with a structural support at, or close to, the centre of the truss span as well as at the heel points
Ceramic tile- A man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally used in bathtub and shower enclosures and on counter tops.
Chalk line– A line made by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. Used for alignment purposes.
Chip Board– A manufactured wood panel made out of wood chips and glue.
Chord (Timber Roof Construction) – The main member that forms the outline of the truss
Chord (Timber Roof Structures) – one of the main members that form the top and bottom outline of the truss
Circuit– The path of electrical flow from a power source through an outlet and back to ground.
Circuit Breaker– A device which looks like a switch and is usually located inside the electrical distribution panel. It is designed to (1) shut of the power to portions or all of the house and (2) to limit the amount of power flowing through a circuit (measured in amps/amperes).
Cladding – The exterior weather-resistant surface of a building.
Clear span (Timber Roof Structures) – horizontal distance between interior edges of supports
Cleat (Fixing Roof Tiles) – A specially formed strip of corrosion-resistant material, usually of the same material as the valley liner that is used to hold the valley liner in place
Coastal area (Fixing Roof Tiles) – Those areas between the coastline and an imaginary line 30km inland, parallel with the coastline, or top of the escarpment or watershed of the first mountain range inland, if these are less than 30km from the coastline. The entire area of jurisdiction of any local authority whose area is cut by the line demarcating these coastal areas is taken as falling within the coastal area.
Cold weather conditions (Concrete) – Weather conditions when the surrounding air temperature is less than 5 degrees Celsius
Collar joint (Masonry) – The vertical longitudinal joint between leaves of masonry filled with mortar or infill concrete
Collar-jointed (multi leaf) wall (Masonry) – A wall comprising parallel, single-leaf walls with the spaces between them not exceeding 25mm, filled solidly with mortar and tied together with wall ties
Column– A vertical structural compression member which supports loads.
Comb (Cement plaster) – A tool used for scratching the surface of partially set cement plaster to provide a key for the following coat
Common drain (Drainage) – That portion of a drain conveys sewage other than, or in addition to, the sewage that emanates from the site through, which the drains runs.
Competent person (Timber Roof Structures) – person who is qualified by virtue of his training and experience to design, erect, manufacture or inspect a roof structure
Compressor– A mechanical device that pressurizes a gas in order to turn it into a liquid, thereby allowing heat to be removed or added. A compressor is the main component of conventional heat pumps and air conditioners. In an air conditioning system, the compressor normally sits outside and has a large fan (to remove heat).
Concealed gutter (Fixing Roof Tiles) – A formed channel, manufactured from a suitable, corrosion resistant material, that is overlapped by tiles and shaped to form a watertight joint at abutments in conjunction with cover flashings
Concrete– The mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water. Used to make garage and basement floors, sidewalks, patios, foundation walls, etc. It is commonly reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh).
Concrete block – A hollow concrete ‘brick’.
Concrete cover (Concrete) – The thickness of concrete between the face of the concrete and the outside of the reinforcing steel nearest this face
Condensation– Beads or drops of water (and frequently frost in extremely cold weather) that accumulate on the inside of the exterior covering of a building.
Condensing unit – The outdoor component of a cooling system. It includes a compressor and condensing coil designed to give off heat.
Conduction– The direct transfer of heat energy through a material.
Conductivity– The rate at which heat is transmitted through a material.
Conduit, electrical– A pipe, usually metal or PVC, in which wire is installed.
Connecting sewer (Drainage) – A pipe that is vested in the local authority and that connects a drain to a sewer
Conservancy tank (Drainage) – A covered tank that is used for the reception and temporary retention of sewage and that requires emptying at intervals
Consistency (Cement plaster) – The relative mobility or ability of freshly mixed plaster to flow
Consistency (Masonry) – The relative mobility or ability of freshly mixed mortar or concrete to flow
Continuity tester– A device that tells whether a circuit is capable of carrying electricity.
Contractor– A person or company that performs certain types of construction activities.
Control joint– Tooled, straight grooves made on concrete floors to “control” where the concrete should crack
Control / movement joint (Masonry) – A joint designed to permit relative movement of sections of a masonry structure or wall to occur without impairing the functional integrity of the structure or wall
Controlled fill (Foundations) – Material in shallow fills which does not meet the requirements of engineered fill and provides adequate bearing capacity for slabs
Convection– Currents created by heating air, which then rises and pulls cooler air behind it. Also see radiation.
Corbel– The triangular, decorative and supporting member that holds a mantel or horizontal shelf.
Core (Masonry) – A void within the cross-section of a hollow masonry unit
Counter battens (Fixing Roof Tiles) – Timber members of small section fixed at right angles to the direction of the battens onto, which tiles are fixed
Counter flashing– A metal flashing usually used on chimneys at the roofline to cover other flashing and used to prevent moisture entry.
Course– Horizontal layer of bricks
Cover flashing (Fixing Roof Tiles) – Flashing used to lap over skirtings
Cover width (Fixing Roof Tiles) – Width of the exposed face of an interlocking tile or roofing sheet
Crawl space– A shallow space below the living quarters of a house, normally enclosed by the foundation wall and having a dirt floor. (Not common in South Africa)
Crazing (Cement plaster) – The development of fine cracks
Crest (Fixing Roof Tiles) – The upper part of the cross section of a roofing tile or profiled sheet when laid
Cross Tee– Short metal “T” beam used in suspended ceiling systems to bridge the spaces between the main beams.
Crown molding– A molding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered, especially at the roof and wall corner.
Curing (Cement plaster) – The process adopted to ensure hardening by preventing excessive evaporation or extremes of temperature
Curing (Concrete) – Keeping concrete moist and protected from the effects of cold weather to allow the cement to react with the water and gain strength