Belfast sink

Also known as a butler sink, a large, deep rectangular sink.

Built in

Kitchen units or appliances that are physically built into the kitchen structure as part of a whole, rather than separate, freestanding units.

Carcasses

The outer parts of a kitchen unit.

Catch

A mechanism inside a cupboard that keeps the door closed.

Composite worktop

A worktop constructed of man-made materials.

Cooker hood

Also known as an extractor hood or fan, an inbuilt fan that hangs above the cooker and removes heat, grease, and particles and vents them outside.

 

Corner post

A supporting upright beam at the corner of a set of cabinets.

Cornice

Horizontal moulding running between the walls and ceiling of a room, or at the top of a kitchen wall units.

Downlight

Also known as a recessed light or spotlight, a light fixture that is installed in a hollow opening in the ceiling.

Extractor fan

Also known as a hood, an inbuilt fan that hangs above the cooker and removes heat, grease, and particles and vents them outside. In bathrooms, extractor fans can fit into the wall or a window to help expel steam. 

Fixing blocks

Also known as modesty box, used to attach two pieces of wood, such as the top and side of a cupboard, at a 90 degree angle.

Fluted columns

A column used for decoration or structural support that has vertical grooves cut into it.

Freestanding

A way of designing and constructing a kitchen that leaves all the units and appliances separate, rather than built-in, allowing greater flexibility.

Galley

A type of narrow kitchen with units and appliances in two rows facing each other.

Golden triangle

Design philosophy referring to the idea that a kitchen should be structured around the position of the sink, oven and fridge.

Handles

See "pull"

Hardware

Collective term for cabinet or drawer knobs and pulls.

Induction hob

A stove that heats pans through magnetic induction rather than thermal conduction. Only works with certain pots and pans.

Integrated

Kitchen appliances that are fitted into the kitchen, and often hidden behind doors to fit in with other units.

Island

A central unit that stands in the middle of a kitchen, unattached to any other work surfaces.

Kickboard

See "plinth".

Knobs

An attachment to a cabinet or draw affixed with one point.

MDF

Medium Density Fibreboard. An engineered wood substance, made of wooden fibres combined with resin under high pressure.

MFC

Melamine faced chipboard; resin coated softwood bonded together under high pressure, and used in cabinets and other furniture.

Monoblock mixer tap

A single tap which only requires one inlet, mixing water from the hot and cold supply.

Moulded sink

A sink that forms a continuous part of a larger countertop.

Pelmet

Much like a cornice, but running at the bottom of a set of wall mounted cabinets.

Plinth

Also known as a kickboard. The plinth is the panel that covers the recessed area between the bottom of the base unit and the kitchen floor. The recessed area is known as the toe kick.

Pulls

An attachment to a cabinet or draw affixed with at two or points, also called a handle.

Rail

A method of storage that can be used in a kitchen, such as a towel rail, or rail for hanging utensils. A magnetic rail can be used to hang knives..

Recessed light

Also known as a downlight or spotlight, a light fixture that is installed in a hollow opening in the ceiling.

Runner

The mechanism inside some drawers that allows the drawer to move in and out along a track.

Snagging

An expression for all the small issues left over at the end of a construction project. Typically a homeowner will identify snags which the tradesperson will rectify to complete the job.

Splashback

Glass or tiling behind a sink or stove to protect walls from moisture.

Stove

Either refers to a cooking applicance combining an oven and hobs, or a fuel-burning unit that sits in a fireplace beneath a chimney.

 

Strip lights

Long lights, either fluorescent or LED, that can be fitted under cabinets.

Toe kick

See "plinth"

Wirework

A name that covers a variety of shelving options made up of wire baskets.

Worktop

The flat surface for working on in a kitchen. Also known as a countertop.

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