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  • Article Category: Glossary

    The anatomy of a bathroom

    The anatomy of a bathroom
    Can’t recall the right expression to use when buying washroom fittings? Do not worry – help is at hand. This list of useful terms will sort you out when liasing with your contractor.
    Access Panel
    An opening in the wall near fixtures for plumbing convenience. Paint these spots to match your decor
    Aerator
    Attach this device to the end of your faucet for a sweet stream of water without spritzing yourself when you turn on the tap
    Apron
    Panelling that goes around the bathtub – it provides a clean and consistent look
    Backsplash
    Tile, stone, marble or granite applied behind the vanity case or adjacent to the bath to prevent damage to the paint due to inadvertent splatter
    Bath screen
    Partition affixed to the side of the tub to deflect water, thereby creating a separate enclosure. Great for bathroom divas who do not like to be interrupted
    Bibb
    Typically, a fixture with a nozzle that’s bent downwards. Made for the attachment of a washing machine or a garden hose, it has a threading on the spout – often referred to as spigot or bibcock
    Bidet
    Looking deceptively like a commode without a lid, it differs vastly in function. Installed adjoining the WC, it is used for personal hygiene purposes
    Check Valve
    Additions to pipes, it allows the flow of liquid in a direction but closes when the course is reversed. Made of plastic or metal and available in several sizes, once fitted it works on auto pilot mode
    Clawfoot
    Animal feet shaped supporters fused to free standing tubs. These are larger than the standard baths
    Flapper
    Mechanism in the flush tank which moves up and down depending on whether water needs to be let out or the flow cut off
    Mixer
    Separate controls on the fixture that allow hot and cold water to flow simultaneously. Help is at hand to get the right mix for a perfect soak
    Privy
    Another term for the lavatory used in the bygone era, it refers to a hole in the ground, in an outhouse which worked as a makeshift bathroom. A different way of answering nature’s call
    Quarter turn
    An internal ceramic component which lets water pass even when the valve is turned at 90 degrees
    Shower panel
    Comprising a series of wall mounted water jets to target different areas of the body. Components include valve, overhead hand showers and body sprays
    Sink trap
    A contraption that prevents loose valuables from going down the drain. The U-bend in the pipe under the washbasin retains heavy objects that can be disassembled for retrieving them
    Tee
    This fitting gets its moniker from its resemblance to the alphabet “T”– used to connect three sections of a pipe
    Turkish bath
    Also known as a hammam, a steam wash, massage and shower combine to rejuvenate all your senses post a hectic week
    Vessel bowl
    A standalone sink that rests above the countertop. Faucets cannot be attached to its edges and are positioned on their own on a platform called highrise
    Vitreous china
    Used as the chief material for fabricating basins, it is made of porcelain or ceramic rendered non-porous by glazing over with a coating of glass or silica based solution
    Walk in
    Simply, a tub with a door that has air tight seals in  the hatch to prevent water from  spilling out
    Local Lingo
    Chilamchi
    Basin or washbowl
    Hauz
    Refers to the shower
    Ispaat
    Steel, commonly used to make pipes
    Jal taapak
    Water heater
    Mori
    Sink or basin
    Nalsaaj
    Refers to a plumber
    Null
    Simply, a tap
    Snaan ghar
    Simply, bathroom
    Also read: The anatomy of surfaces

    The anatomy of surfaces

    The anatomy of surfaces
    Can’t recall the right expression when talking to a contractor? Do not worry – help is at hand. This list of useful terms will sort you out when liasing with your contractor.
    AgglomeratedAlso known as engineered stone, it is a composite made of the crushed material bound by an adhesive
    AlligatoringScaly patterns appearing on paint when it fails to adhere to the glossy coat underneath. It usually occurs when an oily primer is used for water based dye
    AntimicrobialA chemical treatment that bids adieu to common bacteria, fungi and yeast
    Bed jointHorizontal gap between two tiles filled using sealant or mortar to prevent water seepage
    Bird’s eyesWooden fibres contoured in an elliptical or circular manner, seen on laminates, resembling the eyes of a bird
    BlendingPurposely mixing veneers to prevent laying large portions of the same shade and contrasting it with a dissimilar colour
    Brushed finishTreating the surface with a coarse or wiry broom for a pattern resembling  wavy lines. Can be used on metal, stone, cement and concrete
    ButteringThick pasty mixture of pure cement and water applied to the back of a tile before setting it in place for a firmer grip
    CrateringBowl like depressions that form on freshly varnished walls when dirt, fibre moisture or other substances get trapped in the coating
    CrazingAn early indication of wear and tear. Tiny spider web like cracks that develop on any surface due to shrinkage of the top layer
    Distressed visualGive your space a vintage vibe with an effect where the surface is either scraped or gouged to resemble an ol’ timey antique look
    EfflorescenceLayer of white salt like deposit that forms on stones due to alkalis leaching from the cement mix below
    EngineeredProduced by stacking three to five layers of hardwood and fusing them under heat and pressure, this type of flooring is less affected by humidity
    FillA make-up equivalent, it is putty used to patch pores in wood
    FriezeMade by tightly twisting fibres together, this kind of carpet has a comfortable, shaggy look in a uniform colour
    Gloss levelsAn optical term, it describes the ability of a surface to reflect light. Be warned: The higher the sheen level, the more visible the wear and tear
    GrainSeen in cut lumber, it’s the growth pattern of a tree evident in different surface textures and patterns
    GroutSeal the deal with this construction material used to fill the gaps between tiles resulting in a smooth, even look
    Kill pointJoint where the last strip of wallpaper meets the first when pasting over partitions
    Lap marksUgly streaks left behind when a finish is not applied evenly or the climatic conditions are less than ideal. It’s no surprise you are running around in circles
    MonocotturaCeramic tiles made using the “single fire” technique. The clay is shaped and heated in a roller kiln in one step giving it a hard glaze
    Natural stainFor those who have nothing to hide, this clear finish allows the natural colours and actual grain to show
    ParquetryRefers to inlaid woodwork in geometric forms for a decorative reason. Symmetrical and angular, find them in shapes like squares, rectangles and oval
    PatinaChange in the hue and texture of copper, steel, etc due to exposure to natural elements such as wind and water
    Peel ‘n’ stickSelf-adhesive tiles that do not require external glue for installation. Once placed, these can be extremely difficult to remove, so think twice or even thrice, if you have to
    Pilot holePre-drilled for convenience, this makes it easier to nail a screw into a piece of timber without splitting it apart
    RabbetGrooves cut into one side of a tile so another one fits.  This allows pieces to be fixed without the use of a binding material, much like a giant jigsaw puzzle
    Random matchWallpapers with motifs that don’t need to fall precisely in line with each other
    Reducer stripFound often at the threshold, a transitional piece or strip is used to connect one type of flooring to another
    RiverwashGranite treated with a high flame to make its natural gradient more visible. It results in rough texture, low sheen and increased percolation
    TerrazzoMulticoloured floor made of marble or stone chips embedded in a cement binder, usually poured on site. Available as pre manufactured tiles too
    TranslucenceA property of some natural stones which when finely cut, allow light to pass through with a soft, diffused glow
    TumbledProcess of washing tiles with acid and putting them through a machine for a worn and used appearance
    Underlayment
    A thin layer of cushioning material like sponge, foam or felt laid beneath to even irregularities and provide insulation against sound and moisture
    UV curedIs the use of ultra violet light to bond the molecular structure of the finish. The exposure improves stain resistance and makes it easier to clean as well
    WorstedFirmly twisted smooth yarn made of long strands of wool and used to make rugs…it’s not as bad as it sounds
    Local Lingo
    KaleenA carpet
    SangamarmarTranslates to marble
    PharsahSimply, floor
    DahlizRefers to the threshold
    Cheeni mittiMeans porcelain
    FarshTranslates to floor
    SatahSimply, surface
    Also read: The anatomy of a nursery

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