Building Terms Glossary

Also: Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association, kbsa.org.uk

Trade association for kitchen retailers and installers.

Also: saw kerf, blade kerf, cut width, kerf width

The width of material removed by a saw blade during cutting — typically 2–3mm. Ignoring kerf is the top beginner mistake when cutting skirting and architrave to length: pieces end up consistently short.

Also: tool kickback, grinder kickback

The violent, uncontrolled reaction that occurs when a rotating disc or blade snags or binds in a cut, causing the tool to be thrown back toward the operator. The primary mechanism behind serious angle grinder injuries — OPSS risk assessment confirms kickback causes injuries most commonly to the head and face. Also applies to circular saws and reciprocating saws. Essential safety concept for any homeowner using power cutting tools.

Also: independent kitchen designer, kitchen planner

A specialist who produces a dimensioned kitchen layout drawing including unit positions, appliance locations, and service points. Distinct from a kitchen fitter (who installs) and showroom sales consultant. Independent layout-only service costs £300–£800; many kitchen retailers offer a free design service if you order from them.

Assembles and installs kitchen units, worktops, and appliances

Also: all-in kitchen contract, dry-fit kitchen, supply-only kitchen, kitchen sourcing route

The three main procurement approaches for a kitchen: all-in (one company designs, supplies, and installs), dry-fit (units supplied by kitchen company, services connected by builder's trades), and supply-only (homeowner sources everything independently).

Also: island unit, kitchen island unit

A freestanding central unit requiring minimum 1000mm clearance on all accessible sides (1200mm ideal). Island services (waste, water, power) must be pre-routed through the floor screed before it is poured — there is no practical retrofit route.

Also: island power supply, island wiring, island socket circuit

Power supply to a kitchen island routed through the floor in conduit laid before screed is poured. Once screed is down, retrofitting island power is extremely costly and may destroy underfloor heating.

Also: galley kitchen, L-shaped kitchen, U-shaped kitchen, peninsula kitchen, single-wall kitchen

The five standard UK kitchen configurations: single-wall, galley, L-shape, U-shape, and peninsula/island. Each has specific minimum clearance requirements and suits different room shapes. The layout type determines which dimensional rules apply.

Showroom-based kitchen retailers offering design services, units, worktops, and appliances

Also: kitchen demolition, strip-out day

The demolition and removal of the existing kitchen — the point at which the household loses access to its permanent kitchen and must rely on a temporary setup

Also: Howdens trade account, trade-only kitchen supply, trade kitchen pricing, trade account discount

The trade-only purchasing model used by Howdens and Benchmarx. Homeowners cannot buy directly — they must use a kitchen fitter with a trade account. Discount varies 30-57% off brochure price depending on the fitter's buying history and relationship with the depot.

Also: cabinet carcass, kitchen cabinet box, kitchen carcass, base unit carcass, wall unit carcass

The structural box of a kitchen unit. Primary quality differentiator between suppliers. Key specs: material (chipboard vs MFC vs plywood), thickness (typically 18mm), edgebanding quality (0.4mm standard vs 2mm ABS premium), and construction type (flat-pack vs rigid pre-assembled).

Also: kitchen cabinets, kitchen carcasses, base and wall units

Kitchen unit carcasses and the specialist fixings that tie them together. Carcass quality (material, thickness and edgebanding) is the primary differentiator between cheap flat-pack and durable rigid units. Cabinet connectors and worktop bolts pull adjacent units and worktop sections tight; cornice and pelmet trim caps and conceals gaps and underlighting.

Also: kitchen work zones, zone-based kitchen design

Modern alternative to the work triangle for open-plan kitchens with multiple users. Five zones: storage, prep, cook, serve, clean. Each zone groups related tasks and appliances. Better suited to island layouts and kitchens used by more than one person simultaneously.

Also: kneepads

Protective pads worn on the knees for working on floors, laying tiles, installing skirting boards, and any kneeling task. Good knee pads prevent long-term knee damage. Choose ones with hard outer shells and comfortable gel or foam padding.

Also: shellac knotting, patent knotting, knot sealer

Applied to knots in softwood skirting boards and architrave before priming to prevent resin bleed-through. If omitted, resin from pine knots seeps through paint causing yellow discolouration within weeks — a common and frustrating defect in new builds. Classic assumed-knowledge gap for DIY decorators.