Jargon Buster - Letter M

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Maintenance Period
An agreed period after completion of a contract during which a contractor is required to make good, at his own expense, any work which needs repair.

Man Hole
Access point to a drain with a removable cover at ground level.

Mansard Roof
A roof with steep sides and a flat top, designed to provide more space for rooms.

Marine Plywood
Exterior-grade plywood.

Mastic
A waterproof material used to seal joints.

Megger
Test meter used by electricians.

Metre Cubed (m3)
A unit of volume, length x width x height - each measurement in metres.

Metre Squared (m2)
A unit of area, length x width - both measurements in metres.

Mezzanine
An extra floor often inserted between the floor and ceiling of a very tall room.

Mitre
A corner joint formed by cutting two pieces of wood at an equal angle (usually 45 degrees).

Moisture-vapour permeable
Used to describe a finish which allows moisture to escape from timber, allowing it to dry out, while at the same time protecting the wood from rainwater or damp. Another term for 'Microporous'.

Mono-pitch roof
A roof that slopes in one direction only.

Mortar
A mixture of sand, cement and water, sometimes with various sealants and preventatives added.

Mortise and Tenon
A strong wood joint. The mortise is a hole cut into one piece of wood and the tenon is the piece that goes into it, usually at right angles. It is then glued and canalso be screwed.

Mouse
A small weight which helps to pass a line through a narrow vertical opening.

Muck
Tradesmen's word for wet mortar, bonding or plaster.

Mullion
A thin upright strip of wood dividing individual panes in a window.

Multipoint locking system
A high security system which consists of multiple bolts, activated by one lock mechanism.

Muntin
A short vertical or horizontal strip of wood separating panes in a window or door.