With construction now underway at Gardena, we want to take a moment to review a few terms you’ll start to see regularly in our construction updates.
Here are some construction terms you can familiarize yourself with:
- Excavation: Excavation is the process of moving earth and rock to create a building’s foundation.
- Foundation: A foundation is a lower portion of building structure that transfers its gravity loads to the earth. A building foundation performs several functions. The three most important things are to bear the load of the building, anchor it against natural forces, and to isolate it from ground moisture.
- Formwork: Formwork is the mold positioned or constructed to receive concrete placement.
- Framing: Framing is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure support or shape. Think of it as the skeleton of a building.
- Rough-in: Rough-in is the stage of a construction project when the various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing lines are brought in.
- Slab: A slab is a flat, horizontal surface that consists of cast concrete. This is used to construct the floors and ceilings of a building.
- Curtain Wall vs Window Wall: A curtain wall is a glass wall system hung off a concrete slab using anchors. Curtain walls are self-supporting and give a building’s exterior the look of top to bottom glass. This type of wall is more commonly used for commercial spaces and office towers.
A window wall, is achieved by placing glass between a building’s concrete slabs, using the slabs as structural support. This is more commonly used in residential buildings because they allow for more customization such as windows and balcony doors.
- Siding: Siding is the protective material attached to the exterior side of a building. It is the first line of defense against the elements.
- Topping Off: In construction, topping off or topping out refers to when the last beam is placed on top of the building. It is a milestone step in the construction of a building.
- Finishing: Finishing work is the final stage of construction. Finishing includes flooring, painting, and installation of kitchen counter tops and cabinetry. The finishing stage means it’s time to start getting excited and thinking about moving into your new home soon.
Learn more about Gardena and stay tuned for construction updates here.