Glossary

Glossary of 7847 Property Development Terms

E

Early Redemption - A penalty that can be charged by a lender for early repayment of a loan or mortgage.

Earnest Money - A sum paid to the seller to show that a potential purchaser is serious about buying.

Earth Filter Diatomaceous - Pool filter using DE as filtering medium, one designed to filter water through a thin layer of filter aid such as diatomaceous earth or volcanic ash, diatomite filters may be of the Pressure or Vacuum type.

Easement - The act of easing or the condition of being eased.

Easement Utility - The area of the earth that has electric, gas, or telephone lines. These areas may be owned by the homeowner, but the utility company has the legal right to enter the area as necessary to repair or service the lines.

Eastern Frame - A wooden building frame composed of closely spaced members which are continuous from the sill to the top plate of the roof line.

Eave - The projecting lower edge of a roof.

Eave Soffit - The under surface of the eave.

Eave Trough - A trough fixed to an eave to collect and carry away the run-off from the roof. Also called a gutter.

Eaves - The lower or overhanging section of a pitched roof. The eaves are intended to divert rain fall away from the wall areas.

Eaves Bell Cast - A roof which curves, sloping more gently toward the bottom.

Eaves Guttering - Guttering attached to the eaves of a building.

Edge Bevelled - An edge cut at angles for a decorative look. Also called a Chamfer.

Edge Chamfered - Molding with pared-off corners.

Edge Clearance - Nominal spacing between the edge of the glass product and the bottom of the glazing pocket channel.

Edge Grain - Edge grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately at right angles to the growth rings; i.e., the rings form an angle of 45° or more with the surface of the piece.

Edge Metal - Brake metal or metal extrusions which are secured at the perimeter of the roof to form a weather-tight seal.

Edging Clamp Three Way - Used to apply and repair moldings, decorative trim and edging. C-clamp design with a third screw that applies right angle pressure to the edge.

Edwardian - Property built between approximately 1901 - 1910.

EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) - Energy Efficiency Ratio is figured by dividing BTU hours by watts.

Efficiency Collector - The ratio of usable heat energy extracted from a collector to the solar energy striking the cover.

Efficiency Seasonal - The ratio, over an entire heating season, of solar energy collected and used to the solar energy striking the collector.

Efflorescence - Crystallized salts on the surface of a wall that forms as a result of moisture evaporation.

Effluent - Treated sewage from a septic tank or sewage treatment plant.

Egress - A means of exiting the property. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement. Normally a 4' X 4' window is the minimum size required.

EIFS (Exterior Insulating And Finish System) - Exterior Insulating and Finish System; exterior wall cladding system consisting primarily of polystyrene foam board with a textured acrylic finish that resembles plaster or stucco.

ELA (Equivalent Leakage Area) - The total area of all the unintentional openings in a building's envelope, generally expressed in square centimetres.

Elastic Rubber - An elastic rubber-like substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.

Elastomer - An elastic rubber-like substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.

Elastomeric - Of or pertaining to any of the numerous flexible membranes that contain rubber or plastic.

Elbow - A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit.

Electric Conductor Wire - Uninsulated single wire used as an electric conductor.

Electric Lateral - The trench or area in the yard where the electric service line (from a transformer or pedestal) is located, or the work of installing the electric service to a property.

Electric Receptacle - A mounted electrical outlet.

Electric Resistance Coils - Metal wires that heat up when electric current passes through them and are used in baseboard heaters and electric water heaters.

Electrical Access - The opening in a wall, floor or other surface area that allows access to behind wall, under floor and otherwise non-exposed electrical components and wiring for repairs, installation, upkeep and inspection.

Electrical Conduit - A pipe, usually metal, in which wire is installed.

Electrical Current - Term used to describe electrical flow.

Electrical Distribution Box - The main box through which electrical power is brought into the home and then distributed.

Electrical Engineer - A qualified professional that specialises in electrical engineering.

Electrical Entrance Package - The entry point of the electrical power including: (1) the strike or location where the overhead or underground electrical lines connect to the house, (2) The meter which measures how much power is used and (3) The panel or circuit breaker box (or fuse box) where the power can be shut off and where overload devices such a fuses or circuit breakers and located.

Electrical Home Run - The electrical cable that carries power from the main circuit breaker panel to the first electrical box, plug, or switch in the circuit.

Electrical Junction Box - An electrical box used for wire splicing

Electrical Load - The amount of power or watts on a circuit or distribution panel.

Electrical Mains Box - The main box through which electrical power is brought into the home and then distributed.

Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) - This electrical pipe, also called thin-wall conduit, may be used for both concealed and exposed areas. It is the most common type of raceway used in single family and low rise residential and commercial buildings.

Electrical Meter - An instrument for measuring electrical consumption.

Electrical Pigtails - The electric cord that the electrician provides and installs on an appliance such as a garbage disposal, dishwasher, or range hood.

Electrical Plans - Drawn plans detailing the electrical layout in a building.

Electrical Report - An in-depth report detailing the electrical integrity of a building.

Electrical Rough Work - Work performed by the Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally all electrical wires and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes are installed (before insulation).

Electrical Survey - An in-depth survey detailing the electrical integrity of a building.

Electrical Trim - Work performed by the electrical contractor when the house is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, light fixtures, smoke detectors, appliance pig tails, bath ventilation fans, wires the furnace, and makes up the electric house panel. The electrician does all work necessary to get the property ready for and to pass the municipal electrical final inspection.

Electrician Chisel - All-steel tool used primarily for ripping up old wood strip flooring. Used to notch house framing for installing cable and electrical boxes.

Electricity Load - The amount of power or watts on a circuit or distribution panel.

Electrode Bare - A filler metal electrode used in arc welding consisting of a metal wire with no coating other than that incidental to the drawing of the wire.

Electrolytic Coupling - A fitting required to join copper to galvanized pipe and gasketed to prevent galvanic action. Connecting pipes of different materials may result in electrolysis

Electronic Air Filter - A filter that attracts dust particles by static charge, also called Electrostatic Filter.

Electronic Level - This tool makes use of blinking lights and a beeping signal to indicate level, plumb, pre-selected and unknown angles.

Electronic Transfer - A telegraphic electronic transfer of money between two parties on the sale/purchase of a property that will often incur a fee from your solicitor and monies sent from a lender is usually in this form.

Elevation - A side of a building.

Elevation Sheet - The page on the blue prints that depicts the house or room as if a vertical plane were passed through the structure.

Elevator Cab - The enclosure in an elevator which carries passengers and freight up or down.

Elevator Hydroelectric - An elevator where liquid is pumped under pressure directly into the cylinder by a pump driven by an electric motor without an accumulator between the pump and cylinder.

Eliminator Air - A mechanical device that expels excess air.

Elizabethan - Property built between approximately 1560 - 1603.

Ell - A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit.

Ellipse - Having the shape of oval or elliptical.

Elliptical - Having the form of an ellipse or oval.

Embolism Air - Caisson Disease.

Emissivity - The measure of a surface’s ability to emit long-wave infrared radiation

Emittance - A measure of the propensity of a material to emit thermal radiation.

EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) - This electrical pipe, also called thin-wall conduit, may be used for both concealed and exposed areas. It is the most common type of raceway used in single family and low rise residential and commercial buildings.

Emulsified Asphalt -

• An emulsion of asphalt cement and water that contains a small amount of an emulsifying agent, a heterogeneous system containing two normally immiscible phases (asphalt and water) in which the water forms the continuous phase of the emulsion, and minute globules of asphalt form the discontinuous phase.
• Emulsified asphalt may be of either the anionic, electronegatively charged asphalt globules, or cationic, the electropositively charged asphalt globule types, depending upon the emulsifying agent.

Emulsion - In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water.

Emulsion Asphalt - Asphalt dispersion; not a solution; a water emulsion of asphalt.

Emulsion Bituminous -

• A suspension of minute globules of bituminous material in water or in an aqueous solution.
• Invert emulsion; a suspension of minute globules of water or an aqueous solution in a liquid bituminous material.

Enamel Gloss - A finishing paint material. Forms a hard coating with maximum smoothness of surface and dries to a sheen or lustre.

Enamel Paint - A finishing paint material. Forms a hard coating with maximum smoothness of surface and dries to a sheen or lustre.

Enamel Semi Gloss - Paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some lustre but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi gloss.

Enamel Semigloss - Paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some lustre but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi-gloss.

Encroachment - The act of intrusion onto another person�s land or property by extending over the property line or boundary of your own property/land.

Encumbrance - A negative situation against clear title of a property that hinders conveyance such as unpaid taxes, easements, deed restrictions, mortgage loans or other charges/liens against the property.

End Dams - Internal flashing that prevents water from moving laterally within a curtain wall or window wall system.

End Lap - The amount or location of overlap at the end of a roll of roofing felts in the application.

End Matched - A board having tongued and grooved ends.

Endowment - A life insurance policy on your life tied to a lump sum payoff at the end of the term of the policy or upon the death of the policy holder.

Endowment Mortgage - Type of mortgage where monthly payments are made into an endowment (life assurance) policy. The loan is paid off in one lump sum at the end of the loan period.

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) - Energy Efficiency Ratio; is figured by dividing BTU hours by watts.

Energy Efficient - A property that has features that use energy (heat and electricity) in efficient levels.

Energy Geothermal - Heat energy contained in large underground reservoirs of steam and hot water, produced by molten material from the earth's interior

Energy Kinematic - Energy associated with motion.

Energy Radiation Solar - Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.

Energy Recovery - Energy utilized which would otherwise be wasted

Energy Solar - Energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation received from the sun.

Energy Solar Radiation - Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.

Energy System Solar Hybrid - A system that uses both active and passive methods in its operation.

Energy Wind - The kinetic energy of air motion over the earth's surface caused by the sun's heating of the atmosphere.

Engineer Electrical - A qualified professional that specialises in electrical engineering.

Engineer Plumbing - A qualified professional that specialises in plumbing engineering.

Engineer Roofing - A qualified professional that specialises in roof engineering.

Engineer Structural - A qualified professional engineer that specialises in structural and/or architectural engineering.

English Bond - Brickwork laid with alternating courses, each consisting entirely of headers or stretchers.

English Bow Saw - Curves and straight lines can be cut accurately with a bow saw. The blade can be rotated 360-degrees to a convenient working position. Historically used to cut chair legs, arm and arches.

Engrossment - When the draft deeds to a property are approved they are engrossed for the vendor and purchaser to sign.

Entablature - The area above an entryway in which the transom is contained.

Entertainment Air - The process by which air is introduced into a material while in a liquid or plastic state in the form of small isolated bubbles.

Entity Concept Business - The assumption that a business is separate and distinct from its owners financial operations and holdings.

Entrainment Air - Introduction of air into a process such as in concrete mixing or in a whirlpool bath.

Entrapment Of AIr - Inclusion of air bubbles in paint film.

Entry Date - The actual date designated and agreed whereby the buyer takes legal and physical possession of the property from the buyer.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - A study required to be undertaken by a developer to demonstrate to local planning authority the impact of the proposal on the environment.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) - A single ply membrane consisting of synthetic rubber; usually 45 or 60 mils. Application can be ballasted, fully adhered or mechanically attached.

Epoxy Glue - A two part glue that practically glues anything to anything, including metal to metal.

Equitable Interest - Legal rights in a property that do not include the right to sell its legal title. This may apply to a mortgage lender.

Equity - The difference between what is owed by way of mortgage on a property and the value of the property.

Equity Linked Mortgage - The lender takes ownership of a stake in the equity of the property. This means that they lend you less than the full amount that is required to buy the house. Interest is only charged on the amount that they lend you and not on the full value of the property. When you sell the property, the lender receives payment in proportion to the amount of equity that they own, and therefore benefits from any increase in the price of the property.

Equity Release - Equity release or house income schemes allow you to generate either a lump some or a regular income in return for allowing the lender to take ownership of a portion of your house. These are often used by people in later stages of life have paid of all or most of their mortgage and who are looking to raise funds without borrowing money.

Equivalent Leakage Area (ELA) - The total area of all the unintentional openings in a building's envelope, generally expressed in square centimetres.

Escrow - Funds held in reserve by an impartial 3rd party in regards to the transaction of a property deal.

Escutcheon - An ornamental plate that fits around a pipe extending through a wall or floor to hide the cut out hole.

Estate Agent - Property agents who link up buyers and sellers. Estate Agents advertise houses & arrange viewings.

Estate Agents Act 1979 - A parliamentary act designed to protect consumers from any unscrupulous estate agents. There are no qualifications required to set up in business and so it ensures estate agents can be prosecuted if they do not act lawfully.

Estate Agents Code Of Practice - An agreement by members of NAEA, RICS and ISVA, to act and serve to certain levels. Ask your agent for a copy.

Estimate - The amount of labour, material and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project.

Estimated Valuation - The amount a surveyor believes a property to be worth.

Estimating - The process of calculating the cost of a project. This can be a formal and exact process or a quick and imprecise process.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) - A single ply membrane consisting of synthetic rubber; usually 45 or 60 mils. Application can be ballasted, fully adhered or mechanically attached.

European Hinge - A hidden style hinge fastened to the door with a cup hole.

Eutectic Salts - A group of materials that melt at low temperatures, absorbing large quantities of heat.

Evaporator Coil - The part of a cooling system that absorbs heat from air in your property. Also see condensing unit.

Ex Council - A former Council property now sold and in private ownership.

Excavate - Dig the basement and or all areas that will need footings/foundations below ground.

Excavation - The act or process of removing an area of earth and rock to make room for a foundation.

Excavation Building - The act or process of removing an area of earth and rock to make room for a foundation.

Excavation Bulk - The digging out of large amounts of dirt and debris.

Excess - The initial sum you have to pay on an insurance claim.

Exchange of Contracts - The point at which the buyers and sellers solicitors exchange contracts and set a date for finalising the sale. Both buyer and seller are legally bound to the transaction and the risk regarding the property passes to the buyer.

Exchange Rate Air -

• The number of times that the outdoor air replaces the volume of air in a building per unit time, typically expressed as air changes per hour.
• The number of times that the ventilation system replaces the air within a room or area within the building.

Exchanger Air To Air Heat - A method of heat recovery in which the intake and exhaust ducts are brought together at the heat exchanger; this system transfers only heat.

Exchanger Heat - A device specifically designed to transfer heat between two physically separated fluids, such as air.

Exclusions - These are events, instances or possessions which are not covered by your household or other insurance policy. This can be confusing as the main policy may seem to imply that such events, instances or possessions are covered only to be excluded in the small print of the policy. Moral: Read the small print.

Exclusivity Agreement - This is an agreement between yourself and the vendor which is a sure-fire way to prevent gazumping as you can specify a sum in the contract that the vendor would have to compensate you with in such circumstances. Use of these agreements is uncommon though, as you have to pay to get a solicitor to draw one up, and not too many vendors would be willing to sign one.

Exfiltration - The uncontrolled leakage of air out of a building.

Expanded Metal - A metal network formed by stamping or cutting sheet-metal and stretching it to form open meshes. It is used as reinforcing in concrete construction and as lath for plastering and stucco.

Expansion Coefficient - The amount that a specific material will vary in any one dimension with a change of temperature.

Expansion Joint - A device used to permit a structure to expand or contract without breakage. In residential construction, a bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion as a result of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs.

Expansion Joint Ashpalt - Felt or fiberboard premolded and impregnated with asphalt and used as an expansion joint for cast-in-place concrete.

Expansion Joint Wall - A break or space in wall construction to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of materials.

Expansion Valve Automatic - Pressure controlled valve which controls high pressure liquid refrigerant to low pressure liquid refrigerant

Expansive Soils - Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present.

Expenses Accrued - The entry into the liability accounts of expenses, incurred but not paid, at a given date.

Exposed Aggregate Finish - A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture off the top layer of the aggregate usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces.

Extend - Building a structure adjoining an existing property to make it larger.

Extended Redemption Penalty - This is where the redemption penalty continues beyond a fixed or capped rate period, effectively tying you in to the much higher variable rate for a period of time after the fixed or capped period. As a result you get stuck paying an uncompetitive rate that eats into the gains you may have made from having the fixed rate or capped rate in the first place.

Exterior Glazed - Glazing infills set from the exterior of the building.

Exterior Insulating And Finish System (EIFS) - Exterior Insulating and Finish System; exterior wall cladding system consisting primarily of polystyrene foam board with a textured acrylic finish that resembles plaster or stucco.

Exterior Stop - The molding or bead that holds the light or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the lite or panel.

Exterior Trim - The finish materials on the exterior a building, such as mouldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim), siding, windows, exterior doors, attic vents, crawl space vents, shutters, etc. Also, the physical work of installing these materials.

Extinguisher Cabinet - A case or cupboard having doors which contains a fire extinguishing device.

Extinguisher Cartridge - The cylindrical container of a fire prevention apparatus which contains the chemicals used in the suppression of fire.

Extracor Washer - A clothes washer that includes a high speed centrifugal drying cycle that removes all the free water except for dampness.

Extras - Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but increase the cost of building the property.

Extrusion - An item formed by forcing a base metal (frequently aluminium) or plastic, at a malleable temperature, through a die to achieve a desired shape.

Extrusion Aluminium - Aluminium sections formed by extrusion.

Eyebrow - A flat, normally concrete, projection which protrudes horizontally from a building wall; Eyebrows are generally located above windows.

Eyebrow Window - A small, horizontally rectangular window, often located on the uppermost story, aligned with windows below.

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