Do You Know These Home Renovation Terms Used in Singapore?

The more you know, the better!

If you're renovating for the first time, there's plenty to puzzle over, from budgeting matters to the myriad of design features to consider for your home's new look. And so, the last thing you need is even more confusing renovation jargon.

Fortunately, we have got the perfect solution: A handy cheat sheet of commonly-used renovation terms in Singapore. Use it the next time you’re on a site visit or discussing ideas with your interior designer!

1. Sub-contractor

You probably already know the difference between contractors and interior designers as well as what they do (if you don’t, read this), but what about sub-contractors?

2. Load-Bearing Wall

Not every wall in your home is the same. While some can be torn down to make way for open-concept spaces, others can’t be removed (by law, and for good reason) – these ‘untouchable’ barriers are known as load-bearing walls.

Load-bearing walls carry the weight of upper floors and they are essential to an HDB block’s foundation. As such, tampering with them would be just like fiddling with a Jenga tower, except with bigger consequences.

3. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

4. Optional Component Scheme (OCS)

The Optional Component Scheme is an opt-in initiative by HDB that lets you outfit your home with a number of basic finishes and fittings. Typically, this includes the following:

• Internal doors for bedrooms and bathrooms
• Floor finishes for bedrooms
• Floor finishes for the living/dining area
• Bathroom sanitary fittings (shower sets, sinks, and mixers)

If you’d like to know more about the scheme, check out this article that discusses the pros and cons of opting in for the OCS versus hiring an interior designer.

5. Cornices

Have you always wondered what those intricate parts between a wall and ceiling are called? Well, now you know.

Cornices are ornamental mouldings that are installed around walls, just below the ceiling, and they aid in creating a more elegant transition between both surfaces. These box-like structures can also be used to conceal the sliding mechanisms of windows and doors for a sleeker look.

6. Single/Double-Leaf

Single/double-leaf is a term that is used to describe the number of panels that a door has.

7. ABS Trimming

ABS trimming (or ‘Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene’, if you prefer the long, super-complicated version) is a way of concealing the seams/joint lines between the edges of two surfaces.

You’ll need ABS Trimming if you’re installing two pieces of laminates on a fixture (say, a countertop or custom-made table) and wish to create the look of a smoother ‘transition’ between its horizontal and vertical planes.

8. Casement

‘Casement’ is how vertically mounted windows are described. Unlike sliding windows (which move on rails) and louvered windows (that work through a lever system), casement windows are attached to hinges that can be opened outwards to the left or right.

9. Skirting

Skirtings are boards that run along the base of a wall, and they are typically made from either wood or tile.

10. Defects Liability Period (DLP)

The Defects Liability Period is a timeframe (usually one year) that your newly-renovated home is covered under warranty. During the DLP, any defects that are discovered – along with repair costs – are the responsibility of your interior designer/contractor.

Keep the DLP in mind when you sign a renovation contract (and take note of exclusions) or require help with problems, post-renovation.

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