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Glossary terms for letter 'p'

Pad Footing An isolated footing to spread concentrated loads. Concreters

Paling (Fence) Sawn timber used in paling fences. Gate & Fencing Contractors, Landscape Architects & Designers

Particle Board Flooring A board manufactured for the use of flooring. Does not deteriorate when exposed to moisture. Carpenters & Joiners

Parting Wall The wall between two adjoining buildings.

Patio An outdoor paved area of a house. Pergola, Verandah & Carport Builders

Pergola An open framework roof over a path, terrace or patio. Pergola, Verandah & Carport Builders, Landscape Architects & Designers

Permanent Formwork Formwork which is left permanently in position after the concrete has been poured. Concreters

Perpend The vertical joint of mortar between adjacent masonry elements.

Picture Rail A moulded rail fixed to internal walls around door height.

Pier A column, supporting a vertical loads from a superstructure.

Pier and Beam A footing system used for reactive soil.

Pillar A freestanding vertical column.

Pitch (Roof) The inclination or angle of roof rafters. Carpenters & Joiners

Planter A container for which vegetation may be grown. Gardeners, Garden Nurseries, Landscape Architects & Designers

Plasterboard A rigid, insulating board made of gypsum plaster. Used for the interior lining of walls and ceilings.

Plate (Timber) A horizontal member of a timber frame, that distributes the load to the walls and floors. Carpenters & Joiners

Pointing (Brick work) The finishing of mortar joints of bricks with coloured grout. Bricklayers / Brick Makers

Pointing (Roof Tiling) The completion of joints between ridge tiles with mortar and matching colour. Roof Construction & Restoration

Portico A large porch at an entrance of a building. Carpenters & Joiners

Prefabrication The manufacture of standardised component in a factory delivered and installed on site. Carpenters & Joiners

Prime Cost Items (PC Items) An amount specified in the contract documents for particular supply items, such fixtures or fittings.

Priming Coat The first coat applied to an unpainted surface, to bond future coats. It also inhibits deterioration of surface. Painters, Paint Stores

Profile The cross sectional face of moulded building element, eg. cornices architrave’s etc.

Provisional Sum An amount of money allowed for in the contract document to cover proposed works, for which the full amount is not known prior to the signing of contract.

Purlin A member placed at right angles to rafters or trusses. Carpenters & Joiners