Property Dictionary

Plywood

Plywood is a form of engineered wood that is manufactured by binding or fixing resin and wood fibre sheets together. Thin layers or “plies” of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. Different tree species and glues are used to create different final products, and in all cases, they are finished with a bonding process that involves heat and pressure. Plywood has low moisture content, making it easy to use outdoors. It is also economic to procure, making it a popular material to use for interiors in India.

Gypsum Board

Gypsum board, commonly known as drywall, prefers to a building material used for walls, ceilings and partition systems in residential and commercial units. It is a panel made of calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum), typically extruded between thick sheets of facer and backer paper. Gypsum boards are light weight, fire resistant, economic, offer sound insulation and can be used to create a monolithic surface for interiors.

Double Glazed Unit or Window

A double glazed unit refers to a sealed unit consisting of two panes of glass, a metal spacer that runs between the two panes on the periphery, and an inert gas or nitrogen-filled cavity between the two panes of glass. These units are most commonly used for windows. The cavity in the unit should filled with a gas that is completely moisture-free, as otherwise it can condense into droplets and obscure the view. The gap serves to provide both heat and sound insulation.

Load Bearing Wall

A load-bearing wall in a building is one that fulfils the function of providing support for the building and other elements such as beams, vaults, lintels, pillars, columns, etc. The materials most often used to construct load-bearing walls in large buildings are concrete, stone, block, or brick. These walls are usually more than 30 centimetres wide. When carrying out renovations, it is important not to tamper with the structure of the load-bearing wall as doing so could damage the stability of the building.

Sill or Window Sill

A window sill is a horizontal surface or structure at the bottom of a window or opening. Often made of stone, it serves as a base on which to fix the window. It must be constructed to prevent leakage of water into the building.

False Ceiling

False ceilings are secondary ceilings that are hung below the main ceiling with the help of suspension cords or struts. These ceilings are created from a wide range of materials such as POP (plaster of Paris), gypsum board, asbestos sheets, particle board, aluminium panel, wood etc. They are also known as dropped ceiling or suspended ceiling. False ceilings can be created to regulate temperature, install lights, conceal electrical cables and pipes or simply for aesthetic purposes.

HVAC System

HVAC stands for the heating, cooling, and ventilation system within a building. The goal of an HVAC system is to make sure that the temperature inside any building is comfortable for those who are in it. This means warming the building up during the cooler months of the year and cooling it down when it gets hot outside. For heat, an HVAC system uses gas, oil, coal, or electricity to provide heat, while the cooler air is provided by a chiller, gas or electric air conditioner, and an electric heat pump.

Facade

A facade refers to the front or exteriors of a building. A facade can serve many purposes such as adding to the aesthetics of the property, establishing a theme, protecting or supporting the building structure, and conserving energy.

MEP Services

This refers to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services in the design and construction of the building. Builders enlist firms specialising in MEP services for the construction of their building.

Configuration

Configuration refers to the arrangements of different elements in a particular form or combination. In real estate, configuration refers to the arrangement of different rooms in a single unit (flat).