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IS 10403:1983 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glossary of terms relating to building finishes. This standard provides a glossary of terms related to various building finishes. It aims to standardize the vocabulary used for flooring, wall finishes, roofing, painting, and plastering to ensure clarity and consistency in specifications, drawings, and contracts.
Glossary of terms relating to building finishes
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Flooring, Wall Finishing and Roofing
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Essential for architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors to create unambiguous specifications and Bill of Quantities (BOQ).
! Helps differentiate between commonly confused terms like 'rendering', 'plastering', and 'punning'.
! Crucial for standardizing communication between designers, contractors, and clients to avoid disputes regarding the scope and quality of finishing work.
ISO 6707-1:2020ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
Broader scope covering all construction, but contains the fundamental terminology for finishes, materials, and processes found in IS 10403.
ISO 4618:2014ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Paints and varnishes — Terms and definitions
Directly corresponds to the paints, varnishes, and coatings sections of IS 10403, providing detailed, modern definitions.
ASTM D16 - 17ASTM International (USA)
HighCurrent
Standard Terminology for Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products
A comprehensive American equivalent for the terminology related to painting and protective coatings defined in IS 10403.
BS 6100-6:1988BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Glossary of building and civil engineering terms. Finishes
Historically, this was the direct UK equivalent to IS 10403, focusing specifically on finishes before harmonization with ISO.
Key Differences
≠IS 10403 is a single, concise glossary covering a wide range of finishes (plaster, paint, flooring). International practice often separates these into more specific standards (e.g., ISO 4618 for paint) or includes them in a much broader vocabulary (e.g., ISO 6707-1 for all construction).
≠The Indian standard includes regional terms and definitions for materials and practices specific to the subcontinent, such as 'Neeru' (a specific lime finish) and 'Ghotai' (a method of polishing plaster), which do not have direct equivalents in international standards.
≠IS 10403 is a static document from 1983. Modern international standards like the ISO 6707 series are 'living documents', frequently updated and often managed through online terminology databases, reflecting current technology and practice.
≠International standards often differentiate between internal and external applications in their core definitions (e.g., 'plaster' for internal, 'render' for external in British English), whereas IS 10403 uses 'plaster' more generically for both.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental purpose of all the standards is identical: to provide a standardized vocabulary for building finishes to ensure clear communication in contracts, specifications, and on-site.
≈Core definitions for universal materials and processes like 'cement', 'primer', 'varnish', and 'pointing' describe the same basic concepts and functions across both the Indian and international standards.
≈All standards serve as the authoritative reference for terminology within their respective jurisdictions, aiming to reduce ambiguity and disputes in the construction industry.
≈Both IS 10403 and its international counterparts implicitly or explicitly group terms related to materials, processes, defects, and tools, providing a structured understanding of the subject.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Definition of 'Primer'
A preparatory coat applied to a surface... to improve adhesion and/or to inhibit corrosion.
First coat of a coating system applied to a substrate.
ISO 4618:2014
Definition of 'Plaster'
A plastic material... applied to a surface in a thin layer, for protection and/or decoration.
Coating of one or more layers of plastering mortar applied to the internal face of a wall or ceiling.
ISO 6707-1:2020
Definition of 'Screed'
A layer or strip of plaster or concrete, laid on a surface to act as a guide... also used to mean the top layer in flooring.
Layer of a material... laid to a desired thickness on a substrate to form a surface of specified level or smoothness.
ISO 6707-1:2020
Definition of 'Pointing'
The finishing of joints in masonry with mortar.
Process of finishing the outer part of a mortar joint in masonry.
ISO 6707-1:2020
Term for a basic water-paint
Distemper: A decorative coating prepared by mixing whitening... with water and a binder like glue or casein.
Calcimine: A water-thinned paint containing glue or other protein binder and chalk... (Note: 'Distemper' is considered archaic in most international standards).
ASTM D16 - 17
Definition of 'Varnish'
A transparent or translucent liquid which, when applied as a thin film, hardens to a smooth, hard finish.
Coating material, transparent, which, when applied to a substrate, forms a solid, protective and/or decorative film.
ISO 4618:2014
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
No quick reference values available for this code yet.
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Section 1 - General Terms
Section 2 - Terms Relating to Plastering and Other Finishes
Section 3 - Terms Relating to Painting, Polishing and Varnishing
To define and standardize terminology for building finishes, ensuring clear communication among industry professionals.
Does this code specify how to apply a finish?+
No, this is a glossary of terms. Application methods are covered in respective codes of practice for specific finishes (e.g., IS 2394 for plastering).
What is the difference between 'plaster' and 'render' according to this standard's likely definitions?+
Generally, 'plaster' refers to an internal coating, while 'render' refers to an external coating. This standard provides the official definitions.
What is a 'screed'?+
The code defines it as a layer of material, typically cement-sand mortar, laid over a floor base to achieve a specific level and serve as a base for the final floor finish.