16 More Pinoy House Construction Terms, Decoded
This handy Filipino construction glossary will let you know the difference between hamba and haspe, among many others
Are you always lost in translation when your workers suddenly say that they need to buy materials for your senepa? Or are you totally in the dark when your contractor chats up his foreman and says that they need to change the kilo of your roof (nope, that ain't a measurement of weight).
Then it's high time to know the Tagalog or Filipino terms for basic parts of the house, so you'll never be in the dark again.
Balangkas
Wooden framework of a house.
Barandilya, balustre
Baluster or balustrade of a staircase.
Bisagra
Hinge; usually that of a main door or cabinet door.
Gabay
Handrail of a staircase.
Halige
Structural post of a house.
Hamba
Jamb, doorjamb; the upright parts of a doorframe on which the door is attached to.
Haspe
Wood grain, or distinct markings on a piece of wood or wood veneer.
Kilo
Rafter, truss; the sloped structural members that support the roof.
Madrina
Stringer; this is the housing on either side of a staircase.
Pasamano
Window sill.
Reostra
Purlins; a horizontal beam along the length of a roof that supports the other rafters and boards.
Senepa
Fascia board; a vertical band around a roof's edge.
Sepo
Girt; a horizontal structural member of a wall.
Sibe
Eave; the part of the roof that hangs over the structure of a building or house.
Soleras
Floor joist; parallel pieces of material that support a floor.
Tabike
Siding; wall cladding or other material that forms the sides of a structure or house.
SOURCE: "Sariling Sikap sa Pagtayo ng Bahay" by Carlos E. Guico; to see more of this home by architect Gelo Manosa (pictured in this story), click here
