Glossary · 42 terms
Construction & Interior Glossary — Greater Noida 2026
Every technical term used in our quotes, contracts, and brand-communication, defined plainly. We add to this glossary every time a client says “wait, what does that mean?” — so you don’t have to ask.
Why this exists
Contractor jargon is a tool of confusion. Three Greater Noida builders quoted the same plot at vastly different prices; the cheapest one used "Hettich-grade hardware" (not actual Hettich), "BWP-equivalent" (not actual BWP), and "M20 concrete" (without slump test). Words matter. This page makes them precise.
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Approvals & authorities
GNIDA
Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority
The civic body that allots plots, approves building plans, and provides utility connections across Greater Noida sectors. Most residential construction in Greater Noida needs GNIDA map sanction before foundation.
YEIDA
Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority
Equivalent to GNIDA for Yamuna Expressway zones (Jewar, Sector 17-32 YEIDA). Allots over 100,000 residential plots; handles map approval, fee collection, utility provisioning.
NOIDA Authority
New Okhla Industrial Development Authority
Original civic body for Noida (Sec 1-168) including Noida Extension. Pre-dates GNIDA + YEIDA. All construction in Noida sectors goes through Noida Authority.
Map sanction
Building plan approval from GNIDA / YEIDA / Noida Authority
Mandatory written approval of architectural + structural plans before construction begins. Typically 14-20 working days when documents are clean.
NOC
No Objection Certificate
Written clearance from an authority confirming no objection to a specific activity. Common types: fire NOC (UP Fire department), pollution NOC, society NOC (from RWA).
RWA
Resident Welfare Association
Society-level body that manages common areas, security, and often imposes work-hour restrictions during renovation. Most Noida apartment societies require written RWA permission before renovation.
Fire NOC
Fire Department No Objection Certificate
Mandatory for commercial buildings + residential above G+2. UP Fire department inspects sprinkler, extinguisher, exit, and assembly area provisions. 3-4 weeks for issuance.
Structural & engineering
RCC
Reinforced Cement Concrete
Concrete reinforced with steel rebars. Standard structural material for foundations, columns, beams, slabs in all modern Indian construction.
TMT
Thermo-Mechanically Treated steel
High-strength reinforcement bars used in RCC. Grades: Fe415, Fe500, Fe500D, Fe550. Aarna standard: Fe500D from TATA / SAIL / JSW for all structural work.
M20 / M25 / M30 concrete
Concrete mix grade (compressive strength in N/mm²)
M20 (20 N/mm²) for normal residential; M25 (25 N/mm²) for premium residential + load-bearing columns; M30+ for commercial + multi-storey villas.
FAR
Floor Area Ratio
Maximum permissible total built-up area divided by plot area. Varies by sector + authority. Most GNIDA residential plots: 1.5-2.0 FAR (e.g., a 200 sqm plot can have up to 300-400 sqm built-up area).
FSI
Floor Space Index
Same as FAR in most usage. Different states use either term interchangeably.
Setback
Mandatory distance between plot boundary and building footprint
GNIDA standard: 3m front, 1.5m side, 3m rear for residential plots. Larger plots have larger setbacks. Cantilever projections allowed within limits.
Ground coverage
Maximum percentage of plot that can be built upon at ground level
Typical GNIDA limit: 50-65% depending on plot size + sector. Affects how much garden / parking area you must retain.
Bearing capacity
Maximum load (in tonnes per square metre) that the soil can support
Tested via soil report. Most Greater Noida + YEIDA soil: 12-18 t/m². Below 8 t/m² requires pile foundation (extra Rs 80k-2.5L).
Plumbing & electrical
CPVC
Chlorinated PolyVinyl Chloride
Modern water-supply piping material that has replaced GI (galvanised iron). Lasts 25+ years vs GI's 8-12. Brands: Astral, Supreme, Ashirvad. Aarna standard.
GI pipe
Galvanised Iron pipe
Older water-supply piping material. Corrodes from the inside; fails in 8-12 years. Found in most pre-2015 Greater Noida + Noida flats; should be replaced during any renovation.
CPVC + UPVC distinction
CPVC for hot + cold water; UPVC for drainage
Don't confuse the two. CPVC handles hot water under pressure; UPVC is for low-pressure drain lines only.
MCB
Miniature Circuit Breaker
Electrical safety device that trips on overload / short circuit. Modern homes have a separate MCB per major appliance circuit (AC, geyser, microwave).
ELCB / RCCB
Earth Leakage / Residual Current Circuit Breaker
Detects current leakage to earth (typical cause of electric shock); trips faster than MCB. Mandatory for wet-area circuits (bathroom, kitchen, utility).
16A / 15A point
Higher-current electrical socket
Required for ACs, geysers, microwaves (drawing 1500-3000 W). Standard 6A points trip when high-current appliances plug in.
Conduit (PVC)
Plastic pipe in walls that houses electrical wires
Concealed wiring requires PVC conduit (not direct burial). Allows future re-wiring without breaking walls. Mandatory in modern construction.
Materials
BWP plywood
Boiling Water Proof plywood
Marine-grade plywood that resists moisture, swelling, delamination. Brands: CenturyPly Sainik, Greenply Ecotec, Kitply Diamond. Aarna standard for all modular kitchen + wardrobe carcasses.
BWR plywood
Boiling Water Resistant plywood
Mid-grade between commercial and BWP. Cheaper than BWP but less moisture-resistant. Acceptable for non-wet-area carpentry.
MDF
Medium Density Fibreboard
Composite board made of compressed wood fibres + resin. Cheaper than ply but swells in humidity + off-gasses formaldehyde for 12-18 months. Avoid for kitchen + bath.
Vitrified tile
High-strength glazed ceramic tile
Standard flooring in modern Indian construction. Non-porous, stain-resistant, available in 600x600, 800x800, 600x1200 mm. Brands: Kajaria, Somany, Asian Granito.
Anti-skid R10/R11
Slip-resistance rating for floor tiles
R9 standard polished. R10-R11 = textured anti-skid; mandatory for bathroom floors. Higher R-rating = more grip when wet.
AAC blocks
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete blocks
Lightweight masonry blocks (550-650 kg/cum vs 1,600-1,900 for clay brick). 30-40% faster construction, 3x better thermal insulation. Aarna standard for residential walls.
Quartz counter (engineered stone)
Engineered stone made of 93%+ ground quartz + resin
Non-porous, stain-resistant, no sealing needed. Indian brands: Asian Granito, Caesarstone India. Imported premium: Caesarstone, Silestone.
Hettich + Blum hardware
Premium German + Austrian cabinet hardware
Hinges, drawer slides, soft-close mechanisms. Hettich Quadro (budget), Titan (mid), Blum Tandembox (premium). Aarna insists on brand-certificate at install.
Costs & contracts
Per-sqft turnkey
Total project cost ÷ total built-up area
Standard cost-comparison metric for construction. Greater Noida basic-tier: Rs 1,650/sqft. Premium: Rs 2,100-2,400+. Excludes sanction fees and architect fees usually.
BOQ
Bill of Quantities
Itemised list of every material + labour line in a construction contract. Should disclose: material brand, model, quantity, rate, total. Aarna shares full BOQ before signing.
Variation / change order
Written amendment to scope of work + cost
Any mid-project scope change should go through a written change-order with cost impact. Prevents post-handover disputes.
7-stage milestone payment
Aarna's 7-payment schedule tied to delivery
Standard: 10% signing, 20% design lock, 20% civil/electrical, 15% modular delivery, 15% tiling/paint, 10% furniture install, 10% final handover. Each milestone has photographic sign-off.
10-year structural warranty
Aarna's warranty on RCC + steel structural work
Industry standard is 1-3 years. Aarna extends to 10 years on structure; 5 years on modular carcass; 2 years on paint + non-structural.
Design & process
3D render / walkthrough
Photo-realistic computer rendering of proposed design
Standard deliverable before signing. Allows client to visualise final result + request changes before construction. Aarna includes up to 3 free revision rounds.
Vastu
Ancient Indian architectural principles on direction + space
Influences plot orientation, room placement, kitchen direction, pooja room location. Most Greater Noida designs accommodate at least 4-5 core Vastu principles.
Bhoomi puja
Ground-breaking ceremony before construction begins
Hindu ritual performed before foundation excavation. Aarna arranges priest + materials (Rs 5-15k); takes 90 minutes; most clients observe.
Snag-list
Punch list of minor defects identified at handover
Final walk-through document listing items to fix before payment closure. Aarna resolves all snags within 5 working days post-handover, free for first 12 months.
Gantt chart
Visual project timeline with milestones + dependencies
Standard project management tool. Aarna shares Gantt at contract signing + updates weekly via Trackovo dashboard.
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