Structural terms

Building Fabric

The building fabric is the physical envelope and construction that separates a building’s interior from the outside and adjoining spaces.

It generally includes walls, roofs, floors, windows and doors, together with the layers that control heat, air, moisture and weather. The structure and envelope often overlap but are not identical concepts.

In a traditional Edinburgh property, stone walls, timber floors, lime finishes and sash windows behave as a connected system. Changing one element can alter ventilation, drying and heat loss elsewhere.

A fabric-first approach examines the condition and performance of this envelope before relying on additional heating or mechanical systems. Repairs, insulation and airtightness must still be balanced with moisture management and ventilation.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Terraced House Traditional Cottage Georgian Flat Converted Flat Detached House Semi-detached House

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