C

Cable port / outlet

A small plastic ring that fits in a hole in a desk top to allow cables to pass through, usually 64mm or 80mm

Carpet Backing

Holds the pile fabric in place.

Casement

Frames of wood or metal enclosing part (or all) of a window sash. May be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges.

Casement Window

Window with hinges on one of the vertical sides and swings open like a normal door.

Casing Bead

Aluminium or plastic trim moulding installed around a door, window opening or ceiling junction.

Cat 5e

An Abbreviation for Category 5 enhanced. It is data cabling generally used for phone and IT, will not reach gigabyte speed.

Cat 6

An Abbreviation for Category 6. It is data cabling generally used for phone and IT, can reach gigabyte speed if installed using the correct methods, generally speaking installation is approx. 30% dearer than its cat 5e counterpart.

Caulking

Flexible material used to seal a gap between two surfaces.

Cbd

Abbreviation for Cupboard, also an abbreviation for “Central Business District”

CC

Abbreviation for Construction Certificate (with reference to a council submission)

CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate)

(often used in treated pine) Pesticide that is forced into wood under high pressure to protect it from termites, other wood boring insects and decay caused by fungus.

Ceiling Joist

One of a series of parallel framing members used to support ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams, girders or bearing walls. Also called “roof joists”.

Ceiling Tiles

Panels generally mineral fibre that sit into a ceiling grid system to close the ceiling, most common size fits a 1200 x 600 grid

Cement

Grey powder that is the “glue” in concrete. Portland cement. Also a generic term for any adhesive.

Ceramic Tile

Man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally used in bathtub and shower enclosures and kitchen splashbacks.

Chair Rail

Interior trim material installed about 900 – 1200mm above finished floor level horizontally.

Chalk Line

Line made by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. Used for alignment purposes.

Chip Board

Manufactured wood panel made out of wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing.

Circuit

Path of electrical flow from a power source through an outlet and back to ground.

Circuit Breaker

Device which looks like a switch and is usually located inside electrical breaker panel or circuit breaker box. Designed to (1) shut of the power to portions or all of the area; and (2) to limit the amount of power flowing through a circuit (measured in amperes).

Compactus

Broadly speaking it is a rolling bookcase storage unit where by steel bookcases move left to right to expose access to files etc… They normally come with a range of accessories and normally will require approval from a structural engineer prior to installation due to the weight they impose on the building structure.

Concrete

Mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel and water. Used to make garage and basement floors, sidewalks, patios, foundation walls, etc. Commonly reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh).

CondensingUnit

Outdoor component of a cooling system. Includes a compressor and condensing coil designed to give off heat.

Conduit [electrical]

Pipe in which wire is installed, usually PVC but sometimes metal.

Consultant

An expert who charges a fee for providing advice or services in a particular field to service a client.

Control Joint

Tooled, straight grooves made on concrete floors to “control” where the concrete should crack.

Convection

Currents created by heating air, which rises and pulls cooler air behind it.

Credenza

A floor mounted cabinet normally 720mm high with either hinged or sliding doors.

Cupboard

A floor mounted cabinet normally at least 900mm high with either hinged or sliding doors.