Path = Home > A to Z Glossary of Home Improvement Terms - B

A to Z Glossary of Home Improvement Terms - B

This page of our online a to z glossary is for home improvement terms beginning with the letter 'B'.

• Backfill - the earth, gravel or rubble, replaced in the space around a wall after the foundations have been completed.
• Backing Coat - The first coat of plaster on a wall.
• Backing Up - Using cheaper bricks behind the facing bricks of a wall.
• Ballast - Rough gravel comprising of sand, grit and stones.
• Balustrade - A railing consisting of a series of balusters. An individual column, supporting a continuuous horizontal member.
• Bargeboard - Woodwork which covers the joint between a gable end and the roofing material forming an overhanging verge.
• Barrel Vault - A continuous arched roof or ceiling of semi-circular form.
• Batten - A narrow strip of wood.
• Beam - A horizontal supporting length of timber, steel, or concrete, which rests on two or more supports.
• Belvedere - A look-out place such as a turret or high platform on the roof of a house to provide a view of the surrounding countryside.
• Blind Arcade - A row of arched recesses in a wall.
• Boss - An ornament which covers the intersection point of the ribs in a roof.
• Brace - A piece of wood or metal used to form a triangle and therefore stiffen some part of a structure.
• Bridging - Cross-pieces between joists or studs which act as stiffeners.
• Building Blocks - Hollow or solid blocks of clay, gypsum or concrete. As they are larger, building blocks are cheaper and quicker to lay than bricks.
• Bungalow - A house with no upper floors. If there are upper rooms they are contained within the roof and lighted by dormer windows.
• Butt Joint - The joint formed by placing two members end to end. The two edges meet but do not overlap.
• Buttress - A support against and joined to a wall to strengthen it.