Building glossary

Reinforced belt

Monolithic reinforced-concrete belt atop walls — distributes slab/roof loads, ties walls into a frame. Mandatory on aerated block.

Concrete cover

Concrete thickness from face to rebar — protects from corrosion and fire. Foundation 40–70 mm, walls 20–30 mm.

Dew point

Temperature at which vapor condenses. In a wall it should sit inside the insulation, not the wall material — else wet walls and mold.

Water/vapor barrier

Membranes of roof/wall buildup: water barrier faces outward (vapor-open), vapor barrier faces inward (vapor-closed). Don't swap sides.

Battens/counter-battens

Battens support the roofing; counter-battens run along rafters creating the ventilation gap between membrane and battens.

Thermal bridge

A spot where heat escapes faster (balcony slabs, corner joints, metal in walls) — condensation and freezing zones.

Screed guide/beacon

Guide rail for leveling plaster/screed — sets the plane. Set to level before work.

CC1/CC2/CC3

Object complexity classes by collapse consequences: CC1 small structures, CC2 most houses, CC3 complex. Sets the permit procedure.

As-built documentation

Set of acts and drawings 'as built' — records actual decisions, hidden works, deviations from design.

Visible/inspectable works

Works covered by subsequent layers (rebar, waterproofing, insulation) — accepted by act BEFORE covering.