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Parapet

Low wall along the edge of a flat roof, balcony etc..

Pier

A vertical column of brickwork or other material, used to strengthen the wall or to support a weight.

Plasterboard

Stiff "sandwich" of plaster between coarse paper. Now in widespread use for ceilings and walls.

Pointing

Smooth outer edge of mortar joint between bricks, stones etc..

Powder post beetle

(Bostrychidae or Lyctidae family of beetles.) A relatively uncommon pest which can, if untreated, cause widespread damage to structural timbers.

Purlin

Horizontal beam in a roof upon which rafters rest.

Quoin

The external angle of a building; or, specifically, bricks or stone blocks forming that angle.

Rafter

A sloping roof beam, usually timber, forming the carcass of a roof.

Random bubble

Primitive method of stone wall construction with no attempt at bonding or coursing.

Rendering

Vertical covering of a wall either plaster (internally) or cement (externally), sometimes with pebble-dash, stucco or Tyrolean textured finish.

Reveals

The side faces of a window or door opening.

Ridge

The apex of a roof.

Riser

The vertical part of a step or stair.

Rising damp

Moisture soaking up a wall from below ground, by capillary action causing rot in timbers, plaster decay, decoration failure etc.

Roof spread

Outward bowing of a wall caused by the thrust of a badly restrained roof carcass (see Collar).

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