A to Z Glossary of Home Improvement Terms
This page of our online a to z glossary is for home improvement terms beginning with the letter 'A'.
- Abrasive - A rough-surfaced material which is used for grinding and polishing.
- Abrasives - Sheet materials such as sandpaper. They are used for smoothing a rough surface, removing a finish (such as paint) or removing a shine. Abrasives are available in a variety of grades ranging from coarse (large grit) to very fine (small grit).
- Accent Lighting - The use of lights such as spotlights to highlight objects or displays.
- Aggregate - Particles of sand or stone which are mixed with cement and water to make concrete, or added to paint to make a textured finish.
- Airbricks - Perforated bricks which are built into walls to ventilate a room or the underside of a wooden floor.
- Airlock - A blockage in a pipe which is caused by a trapped bubble of air.
- Alcove - A recessed space in a wall, usually vaulted and originally the place for a bed.
- Alkyds - Synthetic resins which are used as binders in oillbased paints.
- Ampere - The rate of flow of electricity through electric cables.
- Anaglypta - An very heavily embossed wallpaper which can be used for wall or ceiling decorations.
- Anthemion - A characteristic Greek form of ornament based on the honeysuckle flower and leaves.
- Apron - A raised panel, sometimes shaped and decorated, immediately below the sill of a window.
- Arabesque - A flowing interlaced type of ornament based on complex geometrical patterns, originally devised by Arabian artists.
- Arcade - A row of arches supported by columns, either part of a building or free standing. Also a long gallery that is arched and has shops on either side.
- Arch - An arrangement of wedge-shaped masonry or bricks arranged in a semi-circle and usually supporting the weight above.
- Architrave - The wooden moulding around a window or door which covers the gap between the frame and the wall.
- Arris - The sharp edge at the meeting of two surfaces.
- Aspect - The direction that a house or room faces. If a room has a southern aspect, it means that it faces directly south.
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