Path = Home : Glossary of DIY Home Improvement Terms - L

Glossary of DIY Home Improvement Terms - L

This page of our online a to z glossary of DIY home improvement terms is for do-it-yourself terms beginning with the letter 'L'.

• Lacquer - A finishing material that dries as its thinner or solvent evaporates.
• Lagging - Heat insulating material used to cover pipes or hot water tanks to reduce heat loss.
• Lambrequin - A fabric-covered pelmet around a window.
• Laminate flooring - This is an ultra thin layer of artificial veneer with a photographic wood effect, on a base of man-made board. Used as a cheap 'floating floor'.
• Lap joint - A joint where two pieces of wood overlap forming a single surface on both sides.
• Latex foam - Upholstery foam made from natural rubber.
• Latex paint - Water-based paint used principally to cover walls and ceilings.
• Laths - Thin wood strips pinned to studs (walls) or joists (ceiling) to act as plaster supports.
• Laying off - Applying light, finishing, paint strokes to prevent runs.
• Lead - A stepped section of brickwork or blockwork built at each end of a wall to act as a guide to the height of the inrermediate coursing.
• Light - A pane of glass or that space in a window frame into which glass fits.
• Limewashing - Dry-brushing technique used to create a mottled effect, traditionally achieved using authentic limewash but today with modern paints.
• Liming - Process of whitening the grain of hardwood using a proprietary paste or matt emulsion instead of the original lime.
• Linoleum - Flooring material made from natural fibres, linseed oil and resins, available in good colours.
• Lintel - A horizontal beam used to support the wall over a door or window opening.
• Load bearing wall - A structural wall which supports a vertical load.
• Lock nut - A nut which is designed to remain tight once fixed.
• Lock washer - A washer which prevents nuts from loosening under vibration.
• Locking rail - The centre, horizontal support ('locking') timber in a panelled door.
• Louvre - A ventilating window of inclined horizontal slats.
• Lump hammer - Double-faced heavy hammer for driving steel chisels and demolishing masonry.