SimplifyDIY Glossary: A
Adjustable Riser
An attachment to the rail, allows the shower head to be adjusted for up and down to allow for height differential.
Aggregate
Broken stone, gravel or sand used with cement to form concrete. Aggregates may be coarse or fine and are often used in the construction of "soakaways".
Airbrick
A perforated brick built into a wall for the purpose of providing air for ventilation purposes. Used for instance, to ventilate the underside of a wooden floor or a roof space.
Airlock
A blockage in a pipe caused by a trapped air bubble.
Apex
Brickwork built into a triangle, usually at the end of a house supporting the roof.
Appliance
Any machine or device that is powered by electricity.
Architrave
A wooden moulding around a doorway or window opening. It usually covers the joints between the frame and the wall, thus hiding any shrinkage gaps which may occur.
Arris rail
A length of timber that is triangular in cross-section.
Asbestos
Material used in the past for insulation. Can sometimes be a health hazard - specialist advice should be sought if asbestos (especially blue asbestos) is found.
Asbestos cement
Cement mixed with 15% asbestos fibre as reinforcement. Fragile - will not usually bear heavy weights. Hazardous fibres may be released if cut or drilled.
Ashlar
The best quality of masonry with square edges and even faces.
Asphalt
Black, tar-like substance, designed to be impervious to moisture. Used on flat roofs and floors. See "Verge Board".
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