Below is a list of commonly used building terms, and an explanation of each of them.

• Block Work – A concrete block wall.
• Box Beams – Lightweight wooden and hollow
• Butterfly Roof – Instead of the standard triangular roof, this type consists of two inverted “V”s or a “W” shape. Most common in houses dating from the 18th and early 19th century .
• Centre Pivot Windows – Loft windows usually fitted high up which swing open 180 degrees horizontal via a pivot in the centre
• Dormer – A roof modification consisting of a window parallel to the walls, a section of the roof is removed and a small wall and a window is built in its place with a small roof on top joining the main roof.
• Eaves – Where the roof meets the outsider walls of the house.
• Fire Doors – Essential in a lot of conversions, the different ratings are indicated by core plugs, see here for more information: Fire Resisting Doors
• Flashings – Lead placed around chimneys and joins to prevent leaks.
• Flitch Beam – A metal plate with a strip of wood either side to create a strengthened board, usually used in the floor of the loft.
• Gable – At a pitched roof the gable is the triangular top of the wall.
• Glued Laminated Timber – Extremely Strong Beams, very large.
• Hip To Gable Conversions – Changing the shape of the roof to create more head space.
• Hipped – A Pyramid roof design.
• Laminated Veneer Lumber – Beams that can be cut to length without damaging structural performance, very large.
• Lintel – A support made of bricks or metal placed above structural features such as doors and windows to share the load of the roof.
• Pad Stones – Large stones built into walls to support beams
• Parralel Flange Channel – “[“ shaped  beams used in smaller spaces.
• Party Wall – A triangular wall used to separate lofts in terrace or semi detached properties, may also give support to beams or the roof. Very important to meeting fire regulations.
• Party Wall Act (1996) – This is a law aimed at resolving problems and stopping problems from arising which are caused by shared party walls with neighbours. It means that you must contact your neighbours and seek their permission before making any alterations to the wall in question. It is always best to get permission in Writing.
• Rolled Steel Joint (RSJ) – “I” shaped beams with arched corners to add strength, commonly used for floors or ceilings.
• Top Hung Windows – Roof Windows which open Via a hinge at the top.
• Trussed rafter roofs – A “W” shape support spanning much of the roof space, the floors in such a loft are extremely weak and require Triangulation of rafters, joists and walls before continuing.
• Trusses – In roof supports which take the majority of the roof’s weight.
• Universal Beam – Similar to RSJ beams but always longer in length than width.
• Universal Column – Similar to RSJ beams but not arched and the width and height are the same.