Glossary home
jack ladder
a ladder made of wooden or metal steps supported by ropes or chains.
jack of all trades
a person who undertakes many different kinds of work.
jack plane
a carpenters plane, usually with a wooden body, used for rough planing of timber.
jack rafter
a short rafter used in a hip roof.
jackshaft
a short length of shafting that transmits power from an engine or motor to a machine.
jacobs staff
a medieval instrument for measuring heights and distances.
Jalousie (1)
a window blind or shutter constructed from angled slats of wood, plastic etc.
jalousie (2)
a window made from angled slats of glass.
jamb
the side of a window or door opening.
japan
a glossy black lacquer used on wood, metal etc.
japanning
to lacquer with japan or any similar material - the technique was perfected in Japan, hence its name.
jerry-built
a slang term meaning built in an unprofessional and slipshod manner.
jetting (1)
driving piles into the ground by jetting water under high pressure ahead of the pile tip as it is being driven.
jetting (2)
a method of consolidating granular soil by injecting a high-velocity stream of water into the soil mass to agitate the grains into closer contact.
jetty (1)
a structure built from the shore out into the water to direct currents or protect a harbour.
jetty (2)
a landing pier; dock.
jib
the projecting arm of a crane or the boom of a derrick especially one that is pivoted to enable it to be raised or lowered.
jig
a template shaped to guide a cutting tool, such as a drill, quickly and accurately to the right places.
jim crow (1)
an implement for bending iron bars or rails.
jim crow (2)
a crowbar fitted with a claw.
joiner
a person trained in the skill of erecting formwork - distinct from a carpenter a joiner would be more associated with temporary works rather than permanent finishes.
joint box
a cast iron box which is built up around a joint formed between the end of one cable and the beginning of the next - the wire armouring or lead sheath is gripped by bolted glands outside the box - the box maybe filled with insulating compound after the joint is made.
joint contract tribunal (jct)
standard forms of building contract in the UK.
joint venture
two or companies jointly entering into a contract for a specific project - the basis behind a joint venture are to increase financial capability or know how beyond which could provide alone.
jointer
a tool for pointing mortar joints, as in brickwork.
joist
one of a series of parallel beams used to support a floor or ceiling.
joist anchor
a metal strap having one end embedded in a wall (concrete or masonry) and the other end nailed or bolted to a joist or rafter for the purpose of providing a lateral tie for earthquake or wind resistance, between the wall and a floor or roof.