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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.