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Roofing Terms
Algae discoloration:
A type of roof discoloration caused by algae. Commonly called fungus
growth.
American method:
Application of giant individual shingles with the long dimension
parallel to the rake. Shingles are applied with a 3/4-inch space between
adjacent shingles in a course.
A.S.T.M.:
American Society for Testing and Materials. A voluntary organization
concerned with development of consensus standards, testing procedures
and specifications.
Asphalt:
A
bituminous waterproofing agent applied to roofing materials during
manufacturing.
Asphalt plastic roofing cement:
An asphalt-based cement used to bond roofing materials. Also known as
flashing cement or mastic; should conform to ASTM D-4586.
Back
Surfacing:
Fine mineral matter applied to the back side of shingles to keep them
from sticking.
Base
flashing: That
portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the deck to direct the
flow of water onto the roof covering.
Blisters:
Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after
installation.
Brands:
Airborne burning embers released from a fire.
Bridging: A
method of re-roofing with metric-sized shingles.
Built-up roof:
A flat or low-sloped roof consisting of multiple layers of asphalt and
ply sheets.
Bundle: A
package of shingles. There are 3, 4 or 5 bundles per square.
Butt
edge:
The
lower edge of the shingle tabs.
Caulk: To fill
a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.
Cement: See
Asphalt plastic roofing cement.
Chalk line: A
line made on the roof by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with
chalk. Used for alignment purposes.
Class "A": The
highest fire-resistance rating for roofing as per ASTM E-108. Indicates
roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from
sources outside the building.
Class "B":
Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing materials are able to
withstand moderate exposure to fire originating from sources outside the
building.
Class "C":
Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing materials are able to
withstand light exposure to fire originating from sources outside the
building.
Closed cut valley:
A method of valley treatment in which shingles from one side of the
valley extend across the valley while shingles from the other side are
trimmed two inches from the valley centerline. The valley flashing is
not exposed.
Coating: A
layer of viscous asphalt applied to the base material into which
granules or other surfacing is embedded.
Collar:
Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the
vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.
Concealed nail method:
Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the
underlying course of roofing and covered by a cemented, overlapping
course. Nails are not exposed to the weather.
Condensation:
The change of water from vapor to liquid when warm, moisture-laden air
comes in contact with a cold surface.
Counter flashing:
That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent
water from migrating behind the base flashing.
Course:
A row
of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof.
Coverage:
Amount of weather protection provided by the roofing material. Depends
on number of layers of material between the exposed surface of the
roofing and the deck; i.e., single coverage, double coverage, etc.
Cricket: A
peaked saddle construction at the back of a chimney to prevent
accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water around the chimney.
Cutout: The
open portions of a strip shingle between the tabs.
Deck:
The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the
roofing is applied.
Dormer:
A
framed window unit projecting through the sloping plane of a roof.
Double coverage:
Application of asphalt roofing such that the lapped portion is at least
two inches wider than the exposed portion, resulting in two layers of
roofing material over the deck.
Downspout: A
pipe for draining water from roof gutters. Also called a leader.
Drip
edge: A
non-corrosive, non-staining material used along the eaves and rakes to
allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction.
Dutch lap method:
Application of giant individual shingles with the long dimension
parallel to the eaves. Shingles are applied to overlap adjacent shingles
in each course as well as the course below.
Eaves: The
horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof.
Eaves flashing:
Additional layer of roofing material applied at the eaves to help
prevent damage from water back-up.
Edging strips:
Boards nailed along eaves and rakes after cutting back existing wood
shingles to provide secure edges for re-roofing with asphalt shingles.
Ell:
An extension of a building at right angles to its length.
Exposed nail method:
Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the
cemented, overlapping course of roofing. Nails are exposed to the
weather.
Exposure I grade plywood:
Type of plywood approved by the American Plywood Association for
exterior use.
Feathering strips:
Tapered wood filler strips placed along the butts of old wood shingles
to create a level surface when re-roofing over existing wood shingle
roofs. Also called horsefeathers.
Felt:
Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or
sheathing paper.
Fiberglass mat:
An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers.
Flashing:
Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a
building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent
pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys. Galvanized metal
flashing should be minimum 26-gauge.
Flashing cement:
See asphalt plastic roofing cement.
F.M.:
Factory Mutual Research Corp.
Free-tab shingles:
Shingles that do not contain factory-applied strips or spots of
self-sealing adhesive.
Gable: The
upper portion of a sidewall that comes to a triangular point at the
ridge of a sloping roof.
Gable roof: A
type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of
the ridge. Contains a gable at each end.
Gambrel roof:
A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each
side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper.
Contains a gable at each end.
Granules:
Ceramic-coated colored crushed rock that is applied to the exposed
surface of asphalt roofing products.
Gutter:
The
trough that channels water from the eaves to the downspouts.
Head
lap: Shortest
distance from the butt edge of an overlapping shingle to the upper edge
of a shingle in the second course below. The triple coverage portion of
the top lap of strip shingles.
HEX
shingles:
Shingles that have the appearance of a hexagon after installation.
Hip:
The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping
roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves.
Hip
roof:
A type
of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each of four
sides. Contains no gables.
Hip
shingles:
Shingles used to cover the inclined external angle formed by the
intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Horsefeathers:
See feathering strips.
Ice
dam:
Condition
formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and re-freezing of melted
snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing
leaks.
Ice &
Water Underlayment:
Self-adhering rubber membrane used in place of felt paper to prevent
water from seeping to the roof deck. Primarily used in low slope
applications
Interlocking shingles:
Individual shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide
wind resistance.
Laminated shingles:
Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create extra
thickness. Also called three-dimensional shingles.
Lap:
To cover the surface of one shingle or roll with another.
Lap
cement: An
asphalt-based cement used to adhere overlapping plies of roll roofing.
Low
slope application:
Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between two and
four inches per foot.
Mansard roof:
A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each
of four sides. The lower plane has a much steeper pitch than the upper,
often approaching vertical. Contains no gables.
Masonry primer:
An asphalt-based primer used to prepare masonry surfaces for bonding
with other asphalt products.
Mastic: See
asphalt plastic roofing cement.
Mineral stabilizers:
Finely ground limestone, slate, traprock or other inert materials added
to asphalt coatings for durability and increased resistance to fire and
weathering.
Mineral-surfaced roofing:
Asphalt shingles and roll roofing that are covered with granules.
Nesting: A
method of re-roofing with new asphalt shingles over old shingles in
which the top edge of the new shingle is butted against the bottom edge
of the existing shingle tab.
No-cutout shingles:
Shingles consisting of a single, solid tab with no cutouts.
Non-veneer panel:
Any wood based panel that does not contain veneer and carries an APA
span rating, such as wafer board or oriented strand board.
Normal slope application:
Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 4 inches
and 21 inches per foot.
Open
valley:
Method
of valley construction in which shingles on both sides of the valley are
trimmed along a chalk line snapped on each side of the valley. Shingles
do not extend across the valley. Valley flashing is exposed.
Organic felt:
An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from cellulose fibers.
Overhang:
That
portion of the roof structure that extends beyond the exterior walls of
a building.
Pallets:
Wooden platforms used for storing and shipping bundles of shingles.
Pitch:
The
degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to
the span, in feet.
Plastic Cement:
A compound used to seal flashings and in some cases to seal down
shingles as well as for other small waterproofing jobs. Where plastic
cement is required for sealing down shingles, use a dab about the size
of a quarter unless otherwise specified.
Ply:
The number of layers of roofing: i.e. one-ply, two-ply.
Quick-setting cement:
An asphalt-based cement used to adhere tabs of strip shingles to the
course below. Also used to adhere roll-roofing laps applied by the
concealed nail method.
Racking:
Roofing application method in which shingle courses are applied
vertically up the roof rather than across and up. Not a recommended
procedure.
Rafter:
The
supporting framing member immediately beneath the deck, sloping from the
ridge to the wall plate.
Rake:
The inclined edge of a sloped roof over a wall from the eave to the
ridge.
Random-tab shingles:
Shingles on which tabs vary in size and exposure.
Release tape:
A plastic or paper strip that is applied to the back of self-sealing
shingles. This strip prevents the shingles from sticking together in the
bundles, and need not be removed for application.
Ridge: The
uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two
sloping roof planes.
Ridge shingles:
Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the
intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Rise:
The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge.
Roll
roofing:
Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form.
Roofing tape:
An asphalt-saturated tape used with asphalt cements for flashing and
patching asphalt roofing.
Run:
The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the
ridge. One half the span.
Saturant:
Asphalt used to impregnate an organic felt base material.
Saturated felt:
An asphalt-impregnated felt used as an underlayment between the deck and
the roofing material.
Self-sealing cement:
A thermal-sealing tab cement built into the shingle to firmly cement the
shingles together automatically after they have been applied properly
and exposed to warm sun temperatures. In warm seasons, the seal will be
complete in a matter of days. In colder seasons, sealing time depends on
the temperature and amount of direct sunlight hitting the shingles. Hand
sealing with plastic cement should be done to ensure sealing in winter.
Self-sealing shingles:
Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing
adhesive.
Self-sealing strip or spot:
Factory-applied adhesive that bonds shingle courses together when
exposed to the heat of the sun after application.
Selvage: That
portion of roll roofing overlapped by the succeeding course to obtain
double coverage.
Shading:
Slight differences in shingle color that may occur as a result of normal
manufacturing operations.
Sheathing:
Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.
Shed
roof:
A roof
containing only one sloping plane. Has no hips, ridges, valleys or
gables.
Single coverage:
Asphalt roofing that provides one layer of roofing material over the
deck.
Slope: The
degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in inches, to
the run, in feet.
Smooth-surfaced roofing:
Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of
granules (coated).
Soffit:
The
finished underside of the eaves.
Soil
stack:
A vent
pipe that penetrates the roof.
Span:
The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.
Specialty eaves-flashing membrane:
A self-adhering, waterproofing shingle underlayment designed to protect
against water infiltration due to ice dams or wind driven rain.
Square:
A unit
of roof measure covering 100 square feet.
Square-tab shingles:
Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure.
Starter strip:
Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves that provide protection by filling
in the spaces under the cutouts and joints of the first course of
shingles.
Steep slope application:
Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes greater than 21
inches per foot.
Step
flashing:
Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a
sloping roof plane.
Strip shingles:
Asphalt shingles that are approximately three times as long as they are
wide.
Tab:
The exposed portion of strip shingles defined by cutouts.
Talc:
See back surfacing.
Telegraphing:
A shingle distortion that may arise when a new roof is applied over an
uneven surface.
Three-dimensional shingles:
See laminated shingles.
Three-tab shingle:
The most popular type of asphalt shingle usually 12" x 36" in size with
three tabs.
Top
lap:
That
portion of the roofing covered by the succeeding course after
installation.
U.L.:
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
UL
label: Label
displayed on packaging to indicate the level of fire and/or wind
resistance of asphalt roofing.
Underlayment:
A layer of asphalt saturated (sometimes referred to as tar paper) which
is laid down on a bare deck before shingles are installed to provide
additional protection for the deck.
Valley: The
internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes to
provide water runoff.
Vapor retarder:
Any material used to prevent the passage of water vapor.
Vent:
Any outlet for air that protrudes through the roof deck such as a pipe
or stack. Any device installed on the roof, gable or soffit for the
purpose of ventilating the underside of the roof deck.
Vent
sleeve: See
collar.
Woven Valley:
Method of valley construction in which shingles from both sides of the
valley extend across the valley and are woven together by overlapping
alternate courses as they are applied. The valley flashing is not
exposed.
Remodeling Terms
Fencing
Terms
Flooring
Terms
Absorption: The relationship of the weight of water
absorbed to the weight of the dry specimen, expressed in percentages.
Abrasion resistance: The degree to which a floor tile's
surface will withstand friction (the wear of foot traffic). Resistance is
determined by abrasion tests, and tiles are grouped accordingly.
Abrasion resistance classification:
ASTM C-1027
describes the standard test method for determining visible abrasion
resistance of glazed ceramic tile. The classifications are 0 thru 5
sometimes referred to as the PEI Ratings.
- Class O - Decorative use only, Not recommended
for use on floors
- Class I - Light Traffic, for residential
bathroom floors, no direct outside access
- Class II - Medium - Light Traffic, residential
interiors with the exception of kitchens, stairs, landings and areas
near external entries
- Class III - Medium - Heavy Traffic, All
residential applications. Commercial applications which are similar in
traffic to residential applications. Specifically excepted are areas of
prevalent circulation or turning points
- Class IV - Heavy Traffic, all residential and
most commercial applications such as the public areas of exhibition
halls, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, shops and schools
- Class V - For extra heavy traffic, all
residential and commercial applications similar to class IV where extra
durability may be required. Suitable for commercial usage and
industrial applications.
Accelerators: Materials
used to speed up the setting of a mortar.
Accessories: Ceramic
or non-ceramic fixtures such as towel bars, paper and soap holders, grab
bars and the like.
Acid: A chemical
substance usually corrosive to common metals (iron, aluminum, zinc). Acids
are generally divided into two classes:
- a. strong mineral or inorganic - acids such as
sulfamic, sulfuric, phosphoric, hydrochloric or nitric.
- b. weak organic or natural - acids such as
acetic (vinegar), citric (citric fruit juices), oxalic and fatty acids
(oleic, palmitic, stearic, etc.).
Acoustical
sealant:
A sealant with acoustical properties used to seal the joints in the
construction of sound-rated ceramic tile installations.
Acrylic: A general
class of resinous polymers used as additives for thin-set mortar and
grout.
Adhesive: See
organic adhesive.
Admixture:
A
material other than water, aggregates, or hydraulic cement, used as an
ingredient of grout or mortar and which is added immediately before or
during its mixing.
Agglomerated
product: A man-made stone product generally consisting of either crushed natural
marble, natural granite or quartz chips with a matrix of resins and
mineral pigments. The product is available in assorted tile sizes as well
as large slabs.
Aggregate: Granular
material such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone, used with a cementing
medium to form a hydraulic-cement or mortar.
Aggregate
lightweight:
Aggregate of low specific gravity, such as expanded or sintered clay,
shale, slate, diatomaceous shale, perlite, vermiculite or slag; natural
pumice, scoria, volcanic cinders, tuff and diatomite; sinter fly ash or
industrial cinders; used to produce lightweight concrete.
A.N.S.I.: American
National Standard Institute, responsible for establishing standards and
testing methods for ceramic tiles in the United States.
A.P.A.:
American
Plywood Association.
Apron: Trim or
facing on the side or in front of a countertop, table edge or window sill.
Apparent
joint: Decorative feature that simulates grout lines or joints on a single tile,
so that a large tile, for example, may appear to be four smaller tiles.
A.S.T.M.: American
Society for Testing and Materials.
A.S.T.M.
Tests: There
are two governing bodies that set standards. The first is The American
Society for Testing and Materials. This is a 100-year old standard setting
organization based in the United States. The ANSI Standards currently use
ASTM Testing methods. The second governing body is the ISO Committee for
Ceramic Tile this is a governing body setting European Standards. The ISO
is using new testing methods developed in Europe.
There are 16 tests referred to in the ANSI A137.1 Specifications for tile.
Back-buster: The
spreading of a bond coat to the backs of ceramic tile just before the tile
is placed.
Back wall: The wall
facing an observer who is standing at the entrance to a room, shower or
tub shower.
Backing: Any
material used as a base over which ceramic tile is to be installed. See
Substrate.
Back-mounted tile:
See mounted tile.
Balanced cuts: Cuts
of tile at the perimeter of an area that will not take full tiles. The
cuts on opposite sides of such an area shall be the same size. Also the
same size cuts on each side of a miter.
Base: One or more
rows of tile installed above the floor. The junction of the floor and the
wall.
Base tiles: Trim
tiles with a curved edge used at a perpendicular junction for desired
sanitary or aesthetic design.
Bas relief: Decorative technique in which design elements are sculpted or carved to be
raised slightly from background.
Beating block: A
block used to imbed tiles in a flat plane. The method used is called
"Beating In".
Bed (tile): Layer of
mortar or other adhesive that covers the surface to be tiled and onto
which the tiles are set.
Bench mark:
Permanent reference point or mark.
Bicottura: Method
for producing tile by firing it twice (first fire is for body, second is
to fuse glazes or patterns in glaze onto the body). Usually, there are two
glazes on the tile, first a non-transparent glaze on the body, then a
transparent glaze on the surface.
Bisque: The refined
mixture of clay, water and additives that has been shaped into the body of
a tile.
Body: The structural
portion of a ceramic tile. The term also refers to the material or mixture
from which the tile is made.
Bond: The adherence
of one material to another.
Bond coat: A
material used between the back of the tile and the prepared surface.
Suitable bond coats include pure portland cement, dry-set portland cement
mortar, latex portland cement mortar, organic adhesive and epoxy mortar or
adhesive.
Bonding material: Any of the mortars or adhesives used to install ceramic tile. Choice of
bonding material is determined by the selection of tile and requirements
of the area to be tiled.
Bond strength: A
bond coat's ability to resist separating from the tile and setting bed.
Measured in pounds per square inch (psi).
Box screed:
Essentially a box screed is a jig used to apply mortar onto the back side
of large-sized ceramic, marble and granite tiles which may vary in
thickness, in order to achieve a uniform unit of thickness of the tile and
mortar combined.
Breaking strength:
Physical property that indicates the tile's ability to withstand loads.
ANSI A137.1 requires minimum strength of 250 lbs. for floor tile.
Brick-veneer tile:
Tile produced by several methods to simulate the appearance of brick.
Broom finish: The
surface texture obtained by sweeping a broom over freshly poured concrete.
Brown coat: The
second coat in a three-coat plaster or mortar application.
Bullnose: A trim
tile with a convex radius on one edge. This tile is used for finishing the
top of a wainscot or for turning an outside corner.
Bullnose corner: A
type of bullnose trim with a convex radius on two adjacent edges.
Bushhammer: A hammer
that has a rectangular head with serrated or jagged faces. The bushhammer
is used for roughing concrete to provide a bond for mortar or thin-set
tile.
Butterfly: A term
commonly used for inside corner angles for trim shapes such as AB 106, AF
200, AK 106 and AU 106.
Buttering: See
Back-Butter.
Buttenback tile:
Tiles that have projections on the bondable side. Many of these
projections are round and therefore the term "buttonback". Some
projections are quite thick and can also be other shapes, such as square.
Cap: A trim tile
with a convex radius on one edge. This tile is used for finishing the top
of a wainscot or for turning an outside corner.
Caulk: See Sealant.
Caulking compound: Waterproof caulking material. See Sealant.
Cement: Usually
refers to portland cement which is mixed with sand,
gravel and water to form concrete.
Cement body tile:
Tiles with a structure made from
a mixture of sand, gravel and water to form concrete.
Cement grout: A cementious mixture of portland
cement, sand or other ingredients and water, to produce a water-resistant,
uniformly colored material used to fill the joints between tile units.
Cementious:
Having the properties of cement.
Ceramic mosaic tile: Tile formed by either the
dust-pressed or plastic method, usually 1/4 inch thick, and having a
facial area of less that six square inches. Ceramic mosaic tiles may be
either porcelain or natural clay composition and they may be either plain
or may have an abrasive mixture throughout
Ceramic tile: See definition for Tile.
Chalk line: Usually a cotton cord coated with
chalk. The cord is pulled taut and snapped to mark a straight line. The
chalk line is used to align spots or screeds and to align tiles.
Chemical resistance:
The resistance offered by
products to physical or chemical reactions as a result of contact with or
immersion in various solvents, acids, alkalis, salts, etc.
Cleavage membranes: Sheeting or underlayment panel
that separates the backing surface from the mortar bed and tile, required
when the surface to be tiled is in poor or unsuitable condition or may be
damaged by water.
Clinker (klinker):
Red body formed by either the
extrusion process or dust pressing. Sometimes referred to as red
stoneware. This tile can be glazed or unglazed with a water absorption of
0.7%.
Coefficient of friction: Measurement, either
dynamic or static, used to determine different aspects of slippage on a
tiled plane. Measures include wet and dry conditions, speed of subject,
required force to move subject, and critical angle of tiled surface. Area
use and maintenance directly affect a tile's coefficient of friction.
Cold joint: Any point in concrete construction
where a pour was terminated and the surface lost its plasticity before
work was continued.
Colored grout:
Commercially prepared grout
consisting of carefully graded aggregate, portland cement, water
dispersing agents, plasticizers and color fast pigments.
Color and shade variation program: A program
developed by the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association where the natural
shade and color variations within tile are graded.
Commercial portland cement grout:
A mixture
of portland cement with other ingredients to produce a water-resistant,
dense, uniformly colored material.
Compaction: The process whereby the volume
of freshly placed mortar or concrete is reduced to the minimum practical
space usually by vibration, centrifugation, tamping or some combination of
these; to mold it within forms or molds and around embedded parts and
reinforcement and to eliminate voids other than entrained air.
Compressive strength:
A material's ability
to withstand a load measured in psi.
Conductiove mortar: A tile mortar to which
specific electrical conductivity is imparted through the use of conductive
additives.
Conductive tiles: Tiles specially manufactured to absorb electrostatic charges and conduct
them to the ground, used in hospital operating rooms and computer
installations.
Control joints: See
Expansion Joints.
Coping: The material
or units used to form a cap or finish on top of a wall, pier, pilaster or
chimney.
Cottoforte: Pink to
red body used for most decorated, double-fired tile (glazed).
Cove: A trim tile
unit having one edge with a concave radius. A cove is used to form a
junction between the bottom wall course and the floor or to form an inside
corner.
Cove base (sanitary): A trim tile having a concave radius on one edge and a convex radius on the
opposite edge. This base is used as the only course of tile above the
floor tile.
Crawling: A parting
and contraction of the glaze on the surface of ceramic ware during drying
or firing, which results in unglazed areas bordered by coalesced glaze.
Crazing: The
cracking that occurs in fired glazes or other ceramic coatings due to
critical tensile stress (minute surface cracks).
Crow hop: Tile
joints that are out of alignment.
Crystalline glaze: See under Glaze.
C.S.I.: The
Construction Specification Institute.
C.T.D.A.: Ceramic Tile
Distributors Association.
C.T.I.: Chicago Tile
Institute.
Curing: Maintenance
of humidity and temperature of the freshly placed mortar or grout during
some definite period following the placing or finishing, to assure
satisfactory hydration of portland cement and proper hardening of the
mortar or grout.
Cushion-edged tile: Tile on which the facial edges have a distinct curvature that results in a
slightly recessed joint.
Decorative tile:
Ceramic tile with a decoration on the surface.
Deflection: A
variation in the position or shape of a structure element due to the
effect of loads or volume change; usually measured as a linear deviation
from an established plane rather than an angular variation.
Dope Coat: See Pure
Coat.
Dot-mounted tile:
Tile packaged in sheet format and held together by plastic or rubber dots
between the joints.
Double-fired tiles:
Glazed tiles produced by an initial firing of the shaped tile body and
then a second firing once the glaze or decoration has been applied.
Double bullnose: A
type of trim with the same convex radius on two opposite sides.
Down
angle: Trim
tile with two rounded or curved edges, which serve to finish an outside
corner.
Dry-set
morter: A
mixture of portland cement with sand and additives imparting water
retentivity, which is used as a bond coat for setting tile. Normally, when
this mortar is used, neither the tile nor the walls have to be soaked
during installation.
Dusting: The
application of dry portland cement to a wet floor or deck mortar surface.
Dutchman: A cut tile
used as a filler in the run of a wall or floor area.
Efflorescence: The
residue deposited on the surface of a material (usually the grout joint)
by crystallization of soluble salts. Sometimes appears on the surface of
grout joints or unglazed tiles as a whitish powder or crust, caused by
moisture reacting with impurities in the mortar.
Elastomeric: Any of
various elastic substances resembling rubber.
Embossed: A
decoration in relief or excised on the wear surface of the tile.
Epoxy adhesive: An
adhesive system employing epoxy hardener portions.
Epoxy
grout: A
mortar system employing epoxy resin and epoxy hardener portions.
Epoxy
mortar: A
system employing epoxy resins and hardener portions, often containing
coarse silica filler and which is usually formulated for industrial and
commercial installations where chemical resistance is of paramount
importance.
Epoxy
resin: An
epoxy composition used as a chemical-resistant setting adhesive or
chemical-resistant grout.
European
standards (group A, group B): Used by European Manufacturers in compliance
with the European Tile Standards (CEN). Group "A" tiles are made by the
extrusion process. Group "B" tiles are made by the dust pressed method.
These letters are preceded by the Roman numerals which indicate water
absorption. I = 0-3%, IIa = 3-6%, IIb = 6-10% and III = over 10%
Expansion
joint: A
joint through the tile, mortar and reinforcing wire down to the substrate.
Exterior
tile: Tiles
suitable for outdoor applications because of their frost resistance.
Extruded
tile: A
tile unit that is formed when plastic clay mixtures are forced through a
pug mill opening (die) of suitable configuration, resulting in a
continuous ribbon of formed clay. A wire cutter or similar cut-off device
is then used to cut the ribbon into appropriate lengths and widths of
tile.
Face-mounted
tile:
See Mounted Tile.
Facial
defect: That
portion of the tile's facial surface which is readily observed to be
non-conforming and which detracts from the aesthetic appearance or
serviceability of the installed tile.
Faience
tile: Glazed
or unglazed tile, generally made by the plastic process with
characteristic variation in the face, edges and glaze. These variations
produce a handcrafted, decorative effect.
Fan
or fanning: Spacing tile joints to widen certain areas so they will conform to a
section that is not parallel.
Feature
strip (decorates
lines): A narrow strip of tile that has a contrasting color,
texture or trim.
Field tile: An area
of tile covering a wall or the floor. The field is usually bordered by
tile trim.
Finishes: Textural
or visual characteristics of a tile surface. For glazed tile this may be
bright or high gloss, satin or matte. For glazed or unglazed tiles, finish
can be flashed, textured, polished, raised, embossed, dimpled, etched,
scored, ribbed etc.etc.
Firing: The
controlled heat treatment, up to 1250° C of ceramic tile in a kiln during
manufacturing, to develop the desired properties and harden the body or
glaze.
Flashed appearance:
Decorative effect achieved by flashing the tile with a thin layer of
colored or opalescent glaze.
Float
coat: The
final mortar coat over which the neat coat, pure coat or skim coat is
applied.
Float
strip: A strip
of wood about 1/4 inch thick and 1-1/4 inches wide. It is used as a guide
to align mortar surfaces.
Foating: A method
of using a straight-edge to align mortar with float strips or screeds.
This technique is used by specialists when they are setting glass mosaic
murals.
Floor
tiles: Glazed
or unglazed tiles of sufficient strength, impact and abrasion resistance
to withstand the weight and wear of foot traffic.
Frost-proof
tiles:
Tile manufactured for use where freezing and thawing conditions occur.
Frost resistance:
Ability of certain ceramic tiles to withstand freeze/thaw conditions with
minimal effect. The frost resistance of ceramic tile is dependent on the
tile's porosity and water absorption levels. Frost resistance testing is
defined by ASTM test methods.
Freeze-thaw
stability:
The ability of a tile to withstand the cycle of freezing and thawing
without cracking.
Furan
grout: An
intimate mixture of a furan resin, selected fillers and an acid catalyst.
Fillers are generally carbon, silica or combination thereof into which the
acid catalyst, or setting agent, may be incorporated. When combined, the
components form a trowelable material for buttering or pointing tile.
Furan
resin: A
chemical-resistant acid-catalyzed condensation reaction product from
furfural alcohol, furfural or combinations thereof.
Furring: Stripping
used to build out a surface such as a studded wall. Strips of suitable
size are added to the studs to accommodate vent pipes, shower pans, tubs
or other fixtures.
Glass
mesh mortar unit/cementitious backer unit: A backer board designed for use with ceramic tile in
wet areas. It can be used in place of metal lath, portland cement scratch
coat and mortar bed.
Glass
mosaic tile:
Tiles made of glass, usually in sizes not over 2 inches square and 1/4
inch thick and mounted on sheets of paper. Sheets are usually 12" x 12".
Glaze: A ceramic
coating fired to the glassy state on ceramic tile. The term "glaze" also
refers to the material or mixture from which the coating is made. The
following, some examples of "Glazes"
- BRIGHT GLAZE: A high-gloss coating with or
without color.
- CLEAR GLAZE: A transparent glaze with or
without color.
- CRYSTALLINE GLAZE: A glaze that contains
microscopic crystals.
- FRITTED GLAZE: A glaze in which a part or all
of the fluxing constituents are prefused.
- MATTE GLAZE: A low-gloss glaze with or without
color.
- OPAQUE GLAZE: A non-transparent glaze with or
without color.
- RAW GLAZE: A glaze compounded primarily from
raw constituents. It contains no prefused materials.
- SEMI-MATTE GLAZE: A medium-gloss glaze with or
without color.
- SPECKLED GLAZE: A glaze containing granules of
oxides or ceramic stains that are contrasting colors.
Glazed
tile: Tile
with a fused impervious facial finish composed of ceramic materials fused
to the body of the tile, which may be non-vitreous, vitreous or
impervious.
Grade: A
predetermined degree of slope that a finished floor should have.
Grades: Grades of
tile recognized in ANSI standard specifications for ceramic tile.
Gres: Unglazed, red
body, heavy duty tile. It features low water absorption with a textured
pattern on its face.
Grout: A
cementitious or other type material used for filling joints between tile.
Grouting: The
process of filling tile joints with grout.
Grout
joint: Space
left between tiles to be filled with grout. This space may be extremely
narrow or wider depending on the required installation and/or its
aesthetics.
Grout
saw: The grout
saw is saw-toothed carbide steel blade mounted on a wooden handle. It is
used to remove old grout. It is also used in patching work. Care should be
taken as it can easily damage adjacent tiles. The carbide steel blade is
brittle and it will shatter if it is dropped or abused.
Hard
screed: A
mortar screed that has become firm.
Heavy
duty tile:
Tile suitable for areas where heavy pedestrian traffic is prevalent. Can
be specified to meet higher test values as determined by job requirements.
Horizon
broken joints:
A style of laying tile with each course offset one-half its length.
Hot-mopped
pan: A
type of shower pan made of altering layers of hot asphalt and tar paper.
Impact
resistant:
Ability of ceramic tile to resist breakage - either throughout the body or
as surface chipping - as the result of a heavy blow. In general, ceramic
tile is not a resilient material, and care should be taken to avoid
dropping heavy or sharp objects on its surface. Glazed tiles are more
susceptible to surface chipping than unglazed tiles. International
Standards are established for the impact resistance of ceramic tiles by
measuring their coefficient of restitution (ISO 105455).
Impervious
tile:
Tile with water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. The surface of these
tiles may be glazed or unglazed. Often specified for exterior
installations. Also known as Fully Vitrified Stoneware or Porcelain
Stoneware.
Inserts: Small,
sometimes decorative tiles used in combination with larger or plain tiles
to create patterns. Small square inserts are known as insets.
Installation: The
process of bonding tiles to the intended surface; the finished tiled
surface (also known as tile laying or tile fixing).
Installation bed:
The components of a tile installation applied to the subsurface, including
reinforcing or protective backing, bonding materials, tile and grout.
Interior tile:
Tiles suitable only for indoor installation.
Iridescent
tile:
Tiles decorated with a lustrous glaze that contains many seemingly
changing colors.
I.S.O.: International
Standards Organization, a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies. ISO/TC 189 "Ceramic Tiles" has drafted international standards for
ceramic tiles. ISO Standards will be used by tile manufacturers worldwide.
Isolation
joint: A
separation between adjoining parts of a vertical concrete structure
designed to allow for relative movement in three directions.
I.S.O.
standards: Standards established by the International Standards Organization to unify
product standards and testing methods for ceramic tiles worldwide. These
are the standards referred to in this dictionary.
In/Out
corners: Trim
tile for turning a right-angle inside or outside a wall corner.
L
cut: A piece of
tile cut or shaped to the letter "L".
Laitance: A layer of
weak and non-durable material containing cement and fines from aggregates,
brought by bleeding water to the top of overwet concrete, the amount of
which is generally increased by overworking or over-manipulating concrete
at the surface by improper finishing or by job traffic.
Latex-portland
cement grout: Combines portland cement grout with a special latex
additive.
Latex-portland
cement mortar: A mixture of portland cement, sand and a special latex
additive which is used as a bond coat for setting tile.
Lath: Metal mesh
which acts as a backing or reinforcing agent for the scratch coat or
mortar.
Layout
lines: Lines
chalked on a substrate to guide in accurately setting tile.
Layout
stick: A long
strip of wood marked at the appropriate joint intervals for the tile to be
used. It is used to check the length, width or height of the tile work.
Common names for this item are "idiot stick" or "story pole".
Leg: A tile wall
running alongside a bathtub or abutment. This term is sometimes used to
describe a narrow strip of tile floor.
Level: (a) A surface
or line with all points at the same elevation. (b) Horizontally straight.
Leveling
coat: See
Plumb Scratch.
Linear
thermal expansion: The change in the dimensions of a given material as a result of changes in
temperature.
Lippage: In finished
installation, the condition where one edge of a tile is higher than an
adjacent tile. May be unavoidable even for tiles that are within the
tolerances of dimensional standards.
Lugs: Protuberances
attached to tiles to maintain even spacing for grout lines.
Luster: An
iridescent decorative surface appearance on glazes, usually produced by
the application of a very thin metal film, such as gold, silver, platinum
or copper, over the coating surface.
Marble
tile: Marble
cut into tiles, usually 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Available in various
finishes, including polished, honed and split face.
Master
grade certificate:
A certificate which states that the tile listed in the shipment and
described on the certificate are made in accordance with ANSI A137.1.
Mastic: Tile
adhesives.
Mexican paver tile:
Handmade tiles that vary in color, texture and appearance which are used
mainly on floors. The terra-cotta like tiles are made in hexagon, octagon,
elongated hexagon, fleur-de-lis, square and other shapes. Coated with
various types of sealers to provide a wearing surface.
M.I.A.: Marble
Institute of America.
Mohs'scale: Scale
used to express the measure of a material's hardness from Mohs' 1
(hardness of talc) to 10 (diamond). Moh's Hardness this test does not have
an ASTM designation but is useful as it determines the hardness of the
glaze. A scratch is made on the tile being very soft (Talc) and 10 being
very hard (Diamond). Tiles rated 6 to 7 or higher are relatively
scratch-resistant and can be used on floors or countertops.
M.M.S.A.: Materials &
Methods Standards Association.
Moisture barrier: A
component of the installation bed that provides protection from wetness to
mortar and tiles.
Moisture expansion: Change in dimension a porous tile may undergo as a result of moisture
absorption, analogous to change produced by temperature increase (see
Linear Thermal Expansion). (ISO 10545-10)
Monocottura: Method
of producing tile by a single firing. Tiles may be glazed or unglazed.
Mortar
bed: The
layer of mortar on which tile is set. The final coat of mortar on a wall,
floor or ceiling is called a mortar bed.
Mosaics: Small tiles
or bits of tile, stone or glass which are used to form a surface or a
intricate pattern.
Mounted
tile: Tile
assembled into units or sheets using suitable material to facilitate
handling and installation. Tile may be face-mounted or edge mounted.
Face-mounted
tile assemblies: May have paper or other suitable material applied to
the face of each tile, usually with water soluble adhesives for easy
removal after installation, but prior to grouting the joints.
Back-mounted
tile assemblies: May have perforated paper, fiber mesh, resin or other
suitable material bonded to the back of each tile which becomes an
integral part of the tile installation.
Edge-mounted
tile assemblies: Are mounted together solidly at the edges with the
bonding material also serving as grout. Joints between sheets are grouted
on the job.
Back-mounted and edge-mounted tile assemblies:
Have a sufficient exposure of tile and joints surrounding each tile
to comply with bond strength requirements. Tile manufacturers must specify
whether back-mounted and edge-mounted tile assemblies are suitable for
installation in swimming pools, on exteriors or in wet areas.
Mud: A slang term
for mortar.
Murals: Tile
installed in a precise area of a wall or floor to provide a decorative
design or picture. Glass or marble mosaic tile (tesserae) made to form a
picture or design. Ceramic tile painted and fired to form a picture or
design.
Natural
clay tile: A
ceramic mosaic tile or a paver tile made by either the dust-pressed or the
plastic method from clays which produce a dense body and a distinctive
slightly textured appearance.
Neat
cement:
Portland cement mixed with water to a desired creamy consistency. See Pure
Coat.
Nominal
sizes: The
approximate facial size or thickness of tile, expressed in inches or
fractions of an inch.
Non-vitreous
tile:
Tile with water absorption of more than 7.0 percent.
Notched
trowel: A
trowel with a serrated or notched edge. It is used for the application of
a gauged amount of tile mortar or adhesive in ridges of a specific
thickness.
N.T.C.A.:
National Tile
Contractors Association, Inc.
N.T.M.A.: National
Terrazzo and Mosaic Association.
Open
time: The
period of time during which the bond coat retains its ability to adhere to
the tile and bond the tile to the substrate.
Organic
adhesive: A
prepared organic material, ready to use with no further addition of liquid
or powder, which neither cures nor sets by evaporation.
Paper
and wire: Tar
paper and wire mesh (or metal lath) that are used as a backing for the
installation of tile.
Paver tile: Glazed
or unglazed porcelain or natural clay tile formed by the dust pressed
method and having six square inches or more of facial area.
P.E.I.: (Porcelain Enamel
Institute): P.E.I. Porcelain Enamel Institute, responsible for
research, testing and analysis of ceramic materials in the United States.
Pencil
rod:
Reinforcing rod with a diameter of no greater than 1/4 inch.
Pinholes:
Imperfections in the surface of a ceramic body or glaze, or in the surface
of a grout.
Plaster: A
cementitious material or combination of cementitious material and
aggregate that, when mixed with a suitable amount of water, forms a
plastic mass or paste which when applied to a surface, adheres to it and
subsequently hardens, preserving in a rigid state the form or texture
imposed during the period of plasticity; also the placed and hardened
mixture.
Plumb:
Perpendicular
to a true level.
Plumb
scratch:
An
additional scratch coat that has been applied to obtain a uniform setting
bed on a plumb vertical plane.
Porcelain
tile: A
ceramic mosaic tile or a paver tile that is generally made by the
dust-pressed method from a composition which results in a tile that is
dense, impervious, fine-grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face.
Pot
life: The period
of time during which a material maintains its workable properties after it
has been mixed.
Pre-float:
The term
used to describe mortar that has been placed and allowed to harden prior
to bonding tile to it with thin-set materials.
Pre-grouted
tile: A
surfacing unit consisting of an assembly of ceramic tiles bonded together
at their edges by a material (generally elastomeric) which seals the joint
completely. Such material (grout) may fill the joint completely or
partially and may cover all, a portion or none of the back surfaces of the
tiles in the sheets. The perimeter of these factory pre-grouted sheets may
include the entire or part of the joint between the sheets or none at all.
The term "edge-bonded tile" is sometimes used to designate a particular
type of pre-grouted tile sheets having the front and back surfaces
completely exposed.
P.S.I.:
Pounds per square inch.
Pure
coat: Neat
cement applies to the mortar bed.
Quarry
tile:
Glazed
or unglazed tile made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shale,
usually having six square inches or more of facial area.
Rack: A metal grid
that is used to properly space and align tiles.
Rake or
rake line:
The inclination from a horizontal direction.
Receptor: Waterproof
base for a shower stall.
Reference
lines: A
pair of lines chalked on a substrate that intersect at 90ş angle and
establish the starting point for plotting a grid of layout lines to guide
in accurately setting tile.
Return:
The ending
of a small splash wall or wainscot at right angles to the major wall.
Rodding: A method of
using a straight edge to align mortar with the float strips or screeds.
This technique also is called floating, dragging or pulling.
Roughing
in: The act
of preparing a surface by applying tar paper and metal lath (or wire
mesh). Sometimes called "wiring".
Rubber
trowel: The
rubber trowel used for grouting. A non-porous synthetic-rubber-faced float
that is mounted on an aluminum back with a wood handle. This trowel is
used to force material into tile joints, remove excess grout and form a
smooth grout finish.
Rubbing
stone: A
carborundum stone that is used to smooth the rough edges on tile.
Running
bond:
Stretchers overlapping one another by one-half unit, with vertical joint
in alternate courses.
Sag: A term used
when a wall surface has developed a slide.
Saltillo tile:
Adobe-type tile made of clay and other natural raw materials, molded and
allowed to dry. Not a fired clay product.
Sampling: Method of
obtaining tile for testing from an agreed upon lot.
Sandblasting: A
method of scarifying the surface of concrete or masonry to provide a
bondable surface. Compressed air is used to propel a stream of wet or dry
sand onto the surface.
Sand-portland
cement grout:
An on-the-job mixture of portland cement, fine-graded sand, , lime and
water.
Sanitary
cover base:
See Cove Base
Scarify:
A
mechanical means of roughing a surface to obtain a better bond.
Scratch
coat:
A
mixture of portland cement, sand and water applied as the first coat of
mortar on a wall or ceiling. Its surface usually is scratched or roughened
so that it will bond properly with subsequent coats of mortar.
Scratcher: Any
serrated or sharply tined object that is used to roughen the surface of
one coat of mortar to provide a mechanical key for the next coat.
Sreed or
screed strip:
Strips of wood, metal, mortar or other material used as guides on which a
straight edge is worked to obtain a true mortar surface.
Sculptured
tile:
Tile with a decorative design of high and low areas molded into its face.
Sealant: An
elastomeric material used to fill and seal expansion and control joints.
This material prevents the passage of moisture and allows the horizontal
and lateral movement at the expansion and control joints.
Self-spacing
tile:
Tile with lugs, spacers or protuberances on the sides which automatically
space the tile for the grout joint.
Semi-vitreous
tile:
Tile with water absorption of more than 3.0 percent, but not more than 7.0
percent.
Set-up
time:
The
time adhesive or mortar, spread on a surface takes to cure or harden.
Setting
bed:
The
layer of mortar on which the tile is set. The final coat of mortar on a
wall or ceiling may also be called a setting bed.
Shelf
life: The
maximum period of time that an item can be stored before it is used.
Shower
pan: A
waterproof shower floor membrane made from metal, layers of built-up
roofing or single or multiple elastomeric membranes.
Silicone
grout: An
engineered elastomeric grout system for interior use.
Sink
angle: Trim
shape used on a drainboard at the corners of the kitchen sink. This trim
shape, which is AU 106, is also called a "Butterfly".
Slake: Allowing the
mixtures of mortar, thinset mortar or grout to stand for a brief period of
time after the ingredients have been thoroughly combined and before the
final mixing has occurs. Slaking enables the moisture in the mix to
penetrate lumps in the dry components, making it easier to complete the
mixing procedure.
Slide: A fresh tile
wall that has sagged. This condition may be caused by excessive mortar,
insufficient lime in the mortar or excessive moisture in the mortar. A
slide may also result if the surface is slick or if the mortar is too
soft.
Slip-resistant
tile:
Tile having slip-resistant characteristics due to an abrasive admixture,
abrasive particles in the surface or grooves or patterns in the surface.
Slot cut:
Description of a tile that has been cut to fit around pipes or switch
boxes. This tile is usually in the shape of the letter "H" or the letter
"L".
Slurry
coat: A pure
coat of a very soft consistency.
Soldier
course:
Oblong tile laid with the long side vertical and all joints in alignment.
Spacers:
Plastic,
rubber, wood or rope used in wall or floor installations to separate
tiles. Manufactured spacers are available in thicknesses 1/16 inch to 1/2
inch.
Spacing
mix:
A dry
or dampened mixture of one part portland cement and one part extra-fine
sand. This mix is used as a filler in the joints of mounted tile.
Spandrel: That part
of a wall between the head of a window and the sill of the window above
it.
Special
purpose tile:
Tile, either glazed or unglazed, made to meet or have special physical
design or appearance characteristics such as size, thickness, shape, color
or decoration; keys or lugs on back or sides; pregrouted assemblies or
sheets; special resistance to staining, frost alkalies, acids, thermal
shock, physical impact or high coefficient of friction.
Splash
walls:
The
walls of a tile drainboard or bathtub.
Split
L cut: An
improper "L" cut that is made by splitting a tile instead of cutting it.
Spots: Small pieces
of tile placed on a wall or floor surface to align the screeds or setting
bed. Spots of casting plaster also may be used.
Standard
grade ceramic tile: Highest grade of all types of ceramic tile.
Static
Coefficient of Friction (C.O.F.): Slip resistance. The degree of slip resistance
presented in a quantitative number that expresses the degree of slip
resistance. Slip resistance is evaluated by the horizontal pull method
(ASTM C1028). There is no current ANSI requirement; a coefficient of
friction of 0.5 and above is the recognized industry standard for a
slip-resistant floor.
Story
pole: A
measuring stick created for a particular tile installation whose unit of
measure is the width of a single tile and grout joint rather than inches.
This tool gives tile setters a quick, efficient means of determining how
many tiles will fit in a given area and where to position layout lines.
Stoned:
Use of a
carborundum stone to smooth rough edges caused by cutting.
Strait
joint:
The
usual style of laying tile where all the joints are in alignment.
Strait
edge: A
straight piece of wood or metal which is used to rod mortar and to align
tile.
Stretcher: Trim
shapes of tile between trim angles.
Stricking
joints:
A
process of removing excess grout from the joints by wiping them with a
sponge or cloth, or by scraping them with a curved instrument.
Structural
defects:
Cracks or laminations in the tile body which detract from the aesthetic
appearances and/or structural soundness of the installation.
Subfloor: A rough
floor - plywood or boards - laid over joists and on which an underlayment
or substrate is installed.
Substrate: The
underlying support for ceramic tile installations.
Surface
abrasion test:
This test is for glazed tiles only. It is based on the P.E.I.
rating system (Porcelain Enamel Institute) A number of sample tiles are
subjected to rotation with an abrasive material on their surface (contained
in a cup). After a pre-determined number of revolution cycles the specimen
is removed. This is repeated for eight periods of cycle rotations; 100
rotations, 150,600,750,1500, 2100, 6000 and 12,000. The tile that shows no
wear at 12,000 rotations is then subjected to a staining test. If it
passes the stain test it is then classed as a grade V tile. Each piece is
then compared in a viewing box to a new piece if there are no visible
signs of wear it is considered to have passed to that level. There are six
levels that can be achieved by this test method (0 to 5)0 to V.
T.C.A.: Tile Council of
America.
Terra-cotta:
Hard-baked tile of variable color and water absorption. Usually unglazed,
this product requires a sealer to prevent staining. Used mainly on
interior floors. Sometimes referred to as Cotto.
Thermal shock resistant:
Ceramic tile's ability to resist alteration when subject to rapidly
fluctuating extreme temperatures, determined by ISO testing method. (ISO
10545-9)
Thick-bed-mortar: A
thick layer of mortar (more than 1/2 inch) that is used for leveling.
Thin-set: The term
used to describe the installation of tile with all materials except
portland cement mortar, which is the only recognized thick-bed method.
3-4-5- Triangle: A
triangle with sides in the proportion of 3:4:5, which produces one 90
degree corner. Plotting a 3-4-5 triangle is a method used to establish a
pair of square reference lines on a large surface. These lines can be used
to determine if the installation site is square and to create a grid of
layout lines for setting tile.
Tie
wire:
The
18-gauge galvanized wire used for a variety of purposes in construction
work.
Tile:
A ceramic
surfacing unit, usually relatively thin in relation to facial area, made
from clay or a mixture of clay and other ceramic materials called the body
of the tile, and having either a glazed or unglazed face. Fired at a
temperature high enough to produce specific physical properties and
characteristics.
Tile
assemblies: See
Mounted Tile.
Tile
cutter: Special
machine to cut ceramic tile.
Tile
nipper: Special
pliers that nibble away little bites of ceramic tile to create small,
irregular or curved cuts.
Trim
units/tiles:
Units of various shapes consisting of items such as bases, caps, corners,
moldings and angles necessary to achieve installations of the desired
sanitary and architectural design.
Unglazed
tile: A
hard, dense tile of uniform composition throughout, deriving color and
texture from the materials of which the body is made.
Urethane: An
elastomeric polymer with excellent chemical and water resistance. Single
component (moisture cure) and 2-part (chemical cure) systems are
available. Both types may be applies in a fluid state and cure
(polymerize) after installation. Typical tile industry applications
include sealants, caulks, waterproofing membranes and high-performance
flexible adhesives.
V-cap
trim: V-shaped
trim tile used on the front edge of a countertop. The tile's top surface
is gently curved upward at the front edge to prevent water from running
onto the floor.
Vertical
broken joint:
Style of laying tile with each vertical row of tile offset for one-half
its length.
Vitreous
tile: Tile
with water absorption of more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 3.0
percent.
Vitrification: The
condition resulting when kiln temperatures are sufficient to fuse grains
and close pores of a clay product.
Wall
tile: A glazed
tile with a body that is suitable for interior use and which is usually
non-vitreous, and is not required nor expected to withstand excessive
impact or be subjected to freezing and thawing conditions.
Water
absorption:
The quantity of water a tile can absorb expressed as a percent of the dry
tile weight. High water absorption corresponds to a porous structure,
while compact, vitrified structures feature low water absorption. Water
absorption is measured in accordance with ISO 10545-3.
Waterproofing
membrane:
A covering applied to a substrate before tiling to protect the substrate
and framing from damage by water. May be applied below mortar beds or
directly beneath this-set tiles.
Wet
areas: Tile
surfaces that are either soaked, saturated or subjected to moisture or
liquids (usually water) such as gang showers, tub enclosures, showers,
laundries, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools and exterior areas.
Siding
Terms
Backerboard: A flat material used on the
face of the house, applied between the studs and the siding(or over
existing wall surface), to provide an even surface for installing the
vinyl siding.
Beaded: A
decorative variation of the traditional style with a half-round
molding-like effect cut into the bottom of the siding panel.
Board and Batten:
A style in which a narrow strip of siding appears to cover the seam
between two wider boards. Board and batten siding is installed vertically.
Butt Edge:
The protrusion of each vinyl siding panel which casts the shadowline. The
bottom butt edge of a siding panel locks into the nail hem of the panel
below it.
Channel: The area of the accessory trim
or corner post where siding or soffit panels are inserted. Channels also
refer to the trim itself, and are named for the letters of the alphabet
they resemble (e.g., J-channel, F-channel, etc.).
Color Contrast:
When the color of the vinyl panel and trim are contrasting or different,
rather than matched; Dune siding and Sand trim as an example.
Course: A row
of panels, one panel wide, running the length of the house from one side
to the other, or, in the case of vertical siding, from top to bottom.
D4 Profile:
Two four-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of
siding.
D5 Profile:
Two five-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of
siding.
Double Channel Lineal: A siding
accessory that joins two soffit panels.
Drip Cap/Head Flashing:
An
accessory installed with vertical siding to ensure that water drips away
from panels and does not infiltrate them; it is also used as a vertical
base.
Dutchlap or Shiplap:
A more decorative variation on the clapboard style where the face (or
width) of the board is beveled for added dimension.
Embossed
Grain: A pattern or grain that has been pressed into the
vinyl to simulate wood grain or a special finish.
Face:
Refers to the side of a
siding or soffit panel that is showing once the panel has been installed.
Face Nailing: The action of
fastening directly onto the “face” side of a panel (instead of using the
nail hem slot). This practice is generally not used in siding
installation.
Fascia:
The front facing surface of trim on a house above the soffit but below the
roof line.
Flashing: A thin, flat material,
usually aluminum, positioned under or behind J-channels, corner posts,
windows, etc., to keep draining water from penetrating the home.
Furring/Furring Strip: Usually a
wood 1" x 2" strip used to even a surface in preparation for installing
vinyl siding. To “fur” a surface means to apply these strips.
Grain:
The embossed pattern pressed into the vinyl, simulating wood grain or
texture.
Lap:
To overlap the ends of two
siding panels or accessory pieces to allow for expan-sion and contraction
of the vinyl product.
Lug/Crimp:
The raised “ears” or
tabs on a siding panel, created by a snaplock punch, which can be used to
lock a siding panel into place when the nailing hem has been removed.
Miter:
To make a diagonal cut,
beveled to a specific angle (usually 45°). Sometimes miter cuts are made
into an overlapping siding or soffit panel surface, to provide a neater
appearance.
Nail Hem (or
Flange):
The top portion of a vinyl siding panel. It has oblong horizontal slits
into which the installer nails the siding.
Oil Canning:
A wavy or bubbled appearance in installed siding as a result of a bad
installation caused by nailing the panels too tightly to the wall, thereby
prohibiting horizontal movement.
Plumb: A position or measurement
that is truly and exactly vertical, 90° from a level surface.
Positive
Lock: Positive Lock ensures that the panels can be locked
together, but can also easily slide back and forth for ease in
installation. This ensures that the panels stay permanently affixed during
adverse weather.
Profiles: The actual siding panels are called profiles.
Some commonly sized profiles are D4, D5 and Dutchlap.
Scoring: Running a utility knife
blade, a sharpened awl, scoring tool, or other sharp implement across a
soffit or siding panel face without cutting all the way through the panel.
This weakens the vinyl surface in a specific area and allows the panel to
be bent and broken off cleanly.
Shadow Line:
The shadow cast by the sun on the butt edge, making the panel look
deeper from a distance. Each vinyl siding profile has its own distinctive
shadow line.
Shim: A building material used to
even a surface prior to installing vinyl siding.
Soffit:
The underside of an architectural feature such as a beam, ceiling,
cornice, roof overhang, etc. Vinyl or aluminum soffit is used to cover,
dress, decorate or add ventilation.
Square:
Unit
of measure for siding equal to 100 square feet (or a 10-foot by 10-foot
wall section).
Starter Strip:
An accessory applied
directly to the surface of the building and used to secure the first
course of siding to the home.
Strapping:
A flexible framing
material used to even a surface prior to installation.
T3 Profile:
Three three-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of
siding.
Traditional:
A horizontal siding (board) of varying widths originally fabricated in
wood. It is fabricated and installed so the board above easily overlaps or
appears to overlap (as in the case with new vinyl and metal materials) the
board underneath.
Underlayment:
Weather-resistant
material placed under vinyl siding panels.
Utility Trim:
A piece of trim used
any time the top lock has been removed from the siding, to secure a siding
panel. Also referred to as "undersill" or "finish trim".
Vertical/Soffit
Profiles: A siding style that can be used either as a
vertical siding on the main body of a home or as a soffit detail.
Variegated:
Variegation is a blended matte color combination that simulates natural
wood siding. It is colored throughout the panel, not with an overlay.
Weep Hole:
A small hole in the bottom butt edge of the vinyl siding panel, allowing
condensation to escape.
Painting
Terms
Abrasion resistance:
Resistance to being worn away by rubbing or friction. Abrasion resistance
is a matter of toughness, rather than hardness. It is a necessary quality
for floor finishes, enamels and varnishes.
Acrylic:
A synthetic resin widely used as a latex to produce paints with good color
and color retention. Acrylic latex paints may be thinned and cleaned up
with water. Breeze interior and exterior latex paints in flat, eggshell
and semi-gloss are all based on pure acrylic emulsions.
Adhesion:
The degree of attachment between a coating film and the underlying paint
or other material.
Aerosol:
Use of compressed gas to spray the product from its container.
Alkali:
A substance such as lye, soda or lime that can be highly destructive to
paint films.
Alkyd:
A synthetic resin widely used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes.
Alkyd paint must be thinned and cleaned up with solvent or paint thinner.
The terms alkyd paint and oil-based paint are generally used
interchangeably.
Alligatoring:
Paint film cracking that makes the surface look like alligator skin.
Aluminum
Paint: A paint that includes aluminum particles and gives
a metallic finish when dried.
Back priming:
Applying a coat of paint to the back of woodwork or exterior siding to
prevent moisture from entering the wood and causing the grain to swell.
Base: Tint base.
Binder: Film-forming ingredient
that binds the particles together in a paint.
Blistering:
The forming of bubbles
or pimples on the painted surface. Blistering is caused by moisture in the
wood, by paint having been applied before the previous coat was dry, and
by excessive heat during or after application.
Blushing:
A gloss film turning
flat or a clear lacquer turning white. Blushing is usually caused by
moisture condensation during the drying process.
Body: The thickness or thinness of
a liquid paint.
Boxing: Mixing paint by pouring
from one container to another several times to ensure thorough mixing.
Breathe:
Permit the passage of
moisture vapor through a paint film without causing blistering, cracking
or peeling.
Bristle brush: A paint brush with
filaments made up of animal hair strands usually hog hair. Bristle brushes
are used for alkyd paint. build Thickness or depth of paint film when
dried.
Catalyst:
An ingredient that speeds up a chemical reaction. Catalysts are sometimes
used in two-component epoxy systems.
Caulk: A flexible (semi-drying or
slow-drying) mastic compound used to seal joints or fill crevices around
windows, chimneys, etc., prior to or after painting.
Caulking gun:
A tool for expelling
caulk from a tube. It enables a "bead" of material to be applied to cracks
and seams.
Chalking: Loose powder forming on
the surface of a paint after exposure to the elements.
Checking:
A kind of paint failure
in which many small cracks appear in the surface of the paint.
Coalescing: The flowing or melding
together of emulsion particles when a latex paint dries.
Coating: A general term referring
to any type of paint, stain, etc.
Coating system:
Paint products
used together to cover the same surface. The film may be the result of
primer, undercoat and topcoat (also called finish coat).
Cohesion:
The ability of a coating
to hold together (the attraction of molecules within the coating).
Color chip: A color sample usually
consisting of a paint applied to a small piece of card (a chip).
Colorant:
Colored pigment added in
small proportions to prepared paints to tint them.
Combustible:
Able to burn.
Consistency:
Viscosity.
Coverage: The area over which a
given amount of paint will spread and completely hide the surface.
Coverage, also known as spreading rate, is normally expressed in square
feet per gallon or in square metres per litre.
Cracking:
Breaks in the paint film
wide enough to expose the underlying surface.
Crazing:
Small interlacing cracks
in the paint film.
Cut-in trim guide:
A tool to
protect adjacent surfaces when painting up against them.
Cutting-in:
The brushing technique
that is used when a clean, sharp edge is needed. Cutting-in is needed, for
example, for a window sash (using a sash brush), the top of a wall where
it meets the ceiling, and in areas that are hard to reach (especially when
using a roller).
Dispersion:
Suspension of minute particles in a suitable medium.
Drier:
A paint ingredient that
aids the drying or hardening of the film.
Drop-sheet:
A sheet of cloth or
plastic used to protect surfaces during painting of nearby areas.
Dry dust free:
The stage of drying
when particles of dust that settle on the surface do not stick to the
paint film.
Dry tack free:
The stage of drying
when the paint no longer feels sticky or tacky when touched.
Dry to handle: The stage of drying
when a paint film has hardened enough that the painted surface may be used
without becoming marred.
Dry to recoat:
The stage of drying
when the next coat can be applied.
Drying time:
The period from the
time a coating is applied until the time when it attains a specified state
of tackiness or hardness.
Drywall:
Any substitute for
plaster such as wallboard, plasterboard, gyproc or sheetrock. Drywall
typically consists of several thicknesses of fibre board or paper that
have been bonded to a hardened core of gypsum.
Efflorescence: A deposit of salts that remains on the surface of masonry, brick or
plaster when water has evaporated.
Eggshell: A gloss range between
flat and semi-gloss. The sheen closely resembles the lustre of an
eggshell. Note that eggshell is a degree of gloss, not a color.
Enamel: A paint that forms an
especially smooth, hard film. Enamels may be obtained in a full range of
glosses and can be either latex or alkyd (oil). Consumers, however, often
associate the term with alkyd (oil-based) products.
Epoxy: Products made from
synthetic resin derived from petroleum. Epoxies, which are generally cured
by catalysts, are perhaps the most durable of all coatings.
Erosion:
The wearing away of a
paint film as a result of exposure to the weather.
Etch:
Prepare the surface by
chemical means to improve the adhesion of coatings.
Fabric roller:
An application tool made from a high nap fabric and designed to apply
paint by saturating with paint and rolling across the surface.
Feather sanding:
Sanding to taper
the edge of dried paint film.
Ferrule: The metal band that
connects the handle and stock of a paint brush.
Filaments:
The part of a synthetic
paint brush that holds and applies the paint. In a natural bristle brush,
the filaments are often referred to as bristles.
Filler:
A composition used for
filling fine cracks and pores to make the surface smooth before paint is
applied.
Film:
A layer or coat of paint or other material applied to the surface. The
layer remaining after the paint has dried is often called the dried film.
Finish coat:
Topcoat.
Flaking: Small pieces of paint
surface coming off. Cracking or blistering usually occurs before flaking.
Flammable: Easily set on fire.
Flash point: The temperature at
which a coating or solvent produces vapors that are capable of being
ignited when exposed to a spark or flame.
Flat: Practically no gloss even
when the surface is viewed from an angle. A flat finish has even less
gloss than an eggshell finish. Flat paint is less durable than higher
gloss paint.
Flexibility:
The ability of a
coating to expand and contract during temperature changes.
Flow: The ability of a coating to
level out and spread into a smooth film. Paints that have good flow
usually level out uniformly with few brush or roller marks.
Foam roller:
A tool that is
similar to a fabric roller but made from synthetic foam rubber. It is
designed for clear, fine finishes.
Frieze: A horizontal band of
decoration around a room, building, mantle, etc.
Fungicide: An agent that helps
prevent mold or mildew growth on paint.
Galvanized:
Protected from rust by a thin coat of zinc (on iron or steel).
Gloss meter: An instrument using a
standard scale to measure the amount of light reflected by paint.
Gloss: The ability of the finished
surface to reflect light in a mirrorlike manner. The higher the gloss, the
more scrubbable and durable the finish. Degrees of gloss include flat,
velvet, eggshell, low lustre, semi-gloss and high gloss.
Grain raising: Swelling and
standing up of the wood grain caused by absorbed water or solvents.
Graining: Simulating the grain of
wood by means of specially prepared colors or stains and the use of
graining tools or special brushing techniques.
ground coat: The base coat in an
antiquing system. It is applied before the graining colors, glazing or
other finish coat.
Hardboard: Reconstituted natural wood that is fabricated by reducing natural wood to
fibres and then pressing the fibres together into panels of various
thicknesses.
Hiding power: The ability of a
coating to obliterate the surface below it.
Hold-out: The ability of a paint
film to dry to its normal finish on a somewhat absorptive surface.
Holidays:
Voids in the dried paint
film.
Hot spots:
Incompletely cured lime
spots that bleed through the coating on a plastered wall.
Industrial paint:
Paint that would normally be used to paint industrial items such as
structural steel, chemical plants, and pulp and paper mills. It usually
has greater chemical resistance and a faster drying time than regular
house paint.
Inhibitor:
Primer or other
material used to retard rusting or corrosion.
Intercoat adhesion:
The adhesion
between two coats of paint.
Joint cement:
Cement used in dry wall construction as a bedding compound for joint tape
and as a filler for nail holes.
Joint tape: Special paper tape or
paper-faced cotton tape used over joints between panels of wallboard to
conceal the joint and provide a smooth surface for painting.
Lacquer: A
clear or pigmented coating that dries quickly by evaporation of solvent.
Lacquer thinner: Solvent such as
ethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and toluene that is used for thinning or
cleaning up lacquer.
Latex: A water-thinned paint such
as polyvinyl acetate, styrene butadiene or acrylic.
Leveling: Ability of a film to
flow out free from ripples, pockmarks and brush marks after application.
Lifting: Raising and lifting of
the surface as a result of the softening and penetration of a previous
film by solvents in the paint being applied over it.
Linseed oil:
A drying oil used in
paint, varnish and lacquer.
Lint-free roller:
A fabric roller,
designed not to "shed" lint, that is suitable for fine finishes and/or
alkyd paint.
Liter: A metric volume measurement
equal to a little less than one imperial quart.
Marine varnish:
Varnish that is specially designed for immersion in water and exposure to
the elements, including the marine atmosphere. It is often called spar
varnish.
Masking paper:
A kraft paper that
is held in position by a strip of masking tape and used to temporarily
protect surfaces adjacent to those being painted.
Masking tape: Easily removable
tape used to temporarily cover bands or small areas next to the area to be
painted. It is important to remove masking tape promptly, because it is
likely to dry out and leave a troublesome residue if left for more than
two days or exposed to sunlight and heat.
Masking: Temporary covering of
areas not to be painted.
Mastic: A heavy-bodied pastelike
coating of high build. Mastic is often applied with a trowel.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
A document that lists hazardous ingredients and safety information related
to products used in the workplace.
Metallics: Paints that include
metal flakes.
Mildew resistance: The ability of
a coating to resist the growth of molds and mildew. Mildew is particularly
prevalent in warm, humid climates.
Mildewcide:
An agent that helps
prevent mold or mildew growth on paint.
Mineral spirits: Petroleum solvent
for paint thinning and clean-up.
Nailhead rusting:
Rust from iron nails that bleeds through the coating and stains the
surrounding area.
Nap: The length of
fibers in a
paint roller cover.
Nonvolatile:
A paint's solids
content the solids left over after the solvent evaporates.
Oil paint:
Oil-based paint that contains oil as the basic vehicle ingredient. Oil
paint can be designed for interior or exterior use. It must be thinned and
cleaned up with solvent. Pure oil-based paints have largely been replaced
by alkyd paints.
Opacity: The ability of a paint to
hide the previous surface.
Opaque coating:
A coating that
hides the previous surface.
Orange peel: Film having the
roughness of an orange due to poor roller or spray application.
Paint: A
pigmented liquid that dries to form an opaque, solid film and provide
decoration and protection.
Paint remover:
A compound that
softens old paint or varnish, permitting loosened material to be scraped
off.
Paint thinner:
Thinner.
Peeling: Detaching of a dried
paint film in large pieces. Peeling is usually caused by moisture or
grease under the painted surface.
Pigments: Paint ingredients that
are used mainly to provide color and opacity.
Pinhole: Very small holes in paint
film, usually not deep enough to show the undercoat.
Polyurethane:
Coatings ranging
from hard glossy enamels to soft, flexible coatings. With thorough surface
preparation, polyurethanes provide good to very good adhesion, hardness,
flexibility and resistance.
Polyvinyl acetate (PVA): A
synthetic resin largely used as a vehicle for many latex paints.
Pot life:
The period during which
a two-part paint can be applied after it has been mixed.
Prime coat: Primer.
Primer:
The base coat, or first
complete coat, of a paint system that is applied to an uncoated surface.
Primer can be latex or alkyd (oil) paint.
Propellant:
The gas used to expel
materials from an aerosol container.
Putty knife:
A flat-bladed tool
for filling cracks and holes with spackling compound.
Recoat time: The period that must elapse between applications of coats of paint.
Resin: A natural or synthetic
material that is the main ingredient of paint. It binds the ingredients
together and improves the coat's adhesion to the surface.
Roller: A paint application tool
consisting of a revolving cylinder covered with fabric, polyester foam,
lamb's wool, etc.
Ropiness: A stringy look to the
paint film. Ropiness is a result of the paint not flowing evenly onto the
surface.
Runs: Blemishes on the film that
are caused by excessive flow of the coating.
Rust: preventive paint or primer
The first coat of paint applied directly to iron or steel structures to
slow down or prevent rust.
Sags: Runs or
sags in paint film that flows too much during application. Sags are
usually caused by applying too heavy a coat of paint or thinning the paint
too much.
Sandpaper:
A sheet of
abrasive-coated paper that is used for smoothing rough surfaces.
Sash brush:
An angled brush used
for cutting-in.
Satin finish:
Semi-gloss finish.
Scrubbability:
The ability of a
paint film to withstand scrubbing and cleaning with water, soap, and other
household cleaning agents.
Sealer:
A coating used to prevent
excessive absorption of subsequent coats into a porous surface.
Seeds:
Small undesirable particles
or granules other than dust that are found in a paint, varnish or lacquer.
Semi-gloss: A degree of gloss that
is glossier than low lustre but not as glossy as high gloss.
Semi-transparent:
A degree of
ability to hide the underlying surface greater than transparent but less
than opaque or solid color.
Set up:
The quality of a film that
has dried until it is a film. The film is said to have "set up".
Settling: Paint separation in
which pigments and other solids accumulate at the bottom of the container.
Sheen: Gloss.
Sheen uniformity:
The even
distribution of luster over a dried paint film.
Shellac: A natural resin, usually
in the form of thin flakes, that is derived from a resinous substance
called lac. Shellac is used to seal and finish floors, seal knots, etc.
Skin: A tough covering that forms
on paint when the container is not tightly sealed.
Solids: The solids content of a
paint that is left over after the solvent evaporates. (Same as
nonvolatile.)
Solvent: The volatile part of
oil-based paints that evaporates during drying. Solvent-based thinners are
used for thinning and cleaning up oil-based paints. In latex paints, water
performs similar functions.
Spackling compound: A material
used as a crack filler for preparing surfaces before painting.
Spar varnish: Marine varnish.
Spatter:
Small particles or drips
of paint that occur during the application of paint.
Spot priming:
Application of
primer to spots that require additional protection because the old paint
has been removed.
Spraying:
A method of application
in which the paint is broken up into a fine mist that is directed onto the
surface.
Spreading rate: Coverage.
Stain:
A solution designed to
color a surface without hiding it. Solid color and latex stains are
available. Stains may be latex or oil-based.
Stippling:
A finish made by using
a stippling brush or roller stippler on a newly painted surface before the
paint is dry.
Streaking: The irregular
occurrence of lines or streaks of various lengths and colors in an applied
film. Streaking is usually caused by some form of contamination.
Strip:
To remove old finishes with
paint remover.
Stucco:
A masonry finish that is
usually applied to the exterior surfaces of buildings in place of siding
or other materials.
Substrate:
The surface that is
being painted.
Synthetic brush:
A paint brush
with filaments that are made from a non-absorbent plastic material such as
polyester or nylon, rather than animal hair. Synthetic brushes are usually
used for latex paint.
Tack rag: A
loosely woven woolen cloth that is treated (dipped into a varnish oil and
wrung out) to remain tacky. It picks up dust when it is used to wipe a
surface.
Tackiness: Slight stickiness of
the surface of an incompletely dried film when pressed with the finger.
Tacky:
The sticky condition of
coating during drying at a stage between the wet and dry-to-touch stages.
Tannin blocking: The process of
making tannin stains insoluble so they cannot stain the topcoat; e.g., by
means of a primer before the topcoat on cedar siding.
Tannin: Soluble natural stain in
woods such as cedar.
Texture:
The roughness or
irregularity of a surface.
Thickener: A substance added to a
liquid to increase its viscosity.
Thinner:
Volatile liquid used to
adjust consistency or to modify other properties of paint, varnish and
lacquer. Thinner is used to thin and clean up paint.
Thixotropy: The property of a
material that causes it to change from a thick, pasty consistency to a
fluid consistency upon agitation, brushing or rolling.
Tint base: In a custom color
system, the basic paint to which colorants are added; i.e., white or
accent base.
Tinting: The final adjusting of a
color of paint to the exact shade required. Tinting is achieved by adding
small portions of colorant to a tint base of prepared paint.
Topcoat: A coat designed to
provide a "finish" capable of providing protection and color. (Previous
coats are referred to as primers and undercoats.)
Touch-up: Improving imperfect
spots in a paint job.
T.S.P.: Tri-sodium phosphate, a
cleaning agent. After the TSP has been dissolved in water, the solution is
used in surface preparation. (After cleaning with TSP, the surface should
be rinsed.)
T.S.P. substitute: A biodegradable
cleaning agent that can be used instead of TSP.
Turpentine: A paint thinner (now
replaced by mineral spirits) obtained by distilling pine tree secretions.
Undercoat:
For unpainted surfaces, the coat between the primer and the topcoat. For
previously coated surfaces, the undercoat is applied directly to the old
paint.
Urethane: A product resulting in a
tough, chemical-resistant finish. Urethane requires mineral spirits for
thinning and cleaning up.
Urethane: Polyurethane.
Varnish: A
liquid composition that dries to form a transparent or translucent finish.
Varnish stain: Varnish that is
colored with a dye. It does not have the same power of penetration as a
true stain, and it leaves a colored coating on the surface.
Vehicle: The liquid portion of a
paint. The vehicle is composed mainly of solvents, resins and oils.
Velvet: A gloss range between flat
and eggshell.
Vinyl: A resin with poor adhesion
but good hardness, flexibility and resistance. Vinyl is used in plastics,
wall coverings, wood adhesives, swimming pools, tank linings and marine
equipment.
Viscosity:
The fluid thickness of
a product. Viscosity is often referred to as consistency. The higher the
viscosity, the thicker the fluid.
Volatile matter: The portion of a
coating that evaporates after application.
Washability:
The ability of a paint to be easily cleaned without wearing away.
Water spotting: Defective
appearance of the paint surface that is caused by water droplets.
Water-based paint: Latex paint.
Weathering: Paint film
deterioration as a result of exposure to the weather.
Wet edge: The length of time
during which a paint can be brushed before it becomes too dry to flow out
and blend together.
Wrinkling: Ridges and furrows that
develop in a paint film when the paint dries.
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