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Terms used in definitions and nomenclature shall be interpreted
in accord with commonly accepted scientific and technical terms of the
geological sciences except as otherwise specifically noted.
Examples of such exceptions are the broader commercial definitions of
granite and marble, which have become well established in the stone
industry and trade. Definitions and terms included in these definitions
have been formulated to accord with common industrial usage where this
is not in conflict with current scientific usage.
A B
C D E F
G H I J
K L M N
O P Q R
S T U V
W X Y Z
Adhesive, Ceramic
Used for bonding tile to a surface. Rubber solvents: an rubber and resin-based
emulsions can be used as adhesives.
Backing
Material used as a base over which a finished tile is to be installed.
Balanced Cuts
Cuts of tile at the perimeter of an area which will not take full tiles.
Also the same sized cuts on each side of a miter.
Base
One or more rows of tile installed above the floor. (see cove)
Beating Block
A wooden block used to embed tiles in a flat plane. Method is called
"beating in".
Body
Term refers to structural portion of a ceramic product and to the material
or mixture from which it is made.
Border Stone
Usually a flat stone used as an edging material. A border stone is generally
used to retain the field of the terrace or platform.
Brownstone
A sandstone of characteristic brown or reddish-brown color that is due
to a prominent amount of iron oxide, as interstitial material.
Building stone, natural
Rock material in its natural state of composition and aggregation as
it exists in the quarry and is usable in construction as dimension building
stone.
Bullnose
A trim tile with a convex radius on one side. Used for finishing top
of wainscot or turning of an outside corner.
Buttering
The spreading of a bond coat to the back of the ceramic tile immediately
before tile is placed.
Calcarenite
Limestone composed predominantly of elastic sand-size grains of calcite,
or rarely aragonite, usually as fragments of shells or other skeletal
structures. Some calcarenites contain oolites (small, spherical grains
of calcium carbonate that resemble roe) and may be termed oolite limestone.
Calcareous sandstones, in which the calcium carbonate is present chiefly
as bonding material, are not included in this category.
Calcite Limestone
A limestone containing not more than five percent of magnesium carbonate.
Cap
See bullnose.
Cement Body Tile
Tiles with a structure made from a mixture of sand and Portland cement.
The surface can be finished with Portland cement, spheroids, marble
or other materials.
Conductive Tile
Made from a special body composition or by methods resulting in specific
properties of electrical conductivity) while retaining other normal
physical properties of tile.
Conventional Installation
Method of installing ceramic tile with Portland cement mortar.
Coquina
A limestone composed predominantly of unaltered shells or fragments
of shells loosely cemented by calcite, generally very coarse-textured
with a high porosity. The term has been applied principally to a very
porous shell rock of Eocene age that has been quarried in Florida.
Cove
A trim tile with one edge a concave radius. Used to form a junction
between the bottom wall course and the floor or to form an inside corner.
Crazing
The cracking which occurs in fired glazed or other critical tensile
stresses.
Cut stone
Stone fabricated to specific dimensions.
Crystalline limestone
A limestone, either calcitic or dolomitic, composed of interlocking
crystalline grains of the constituent minerals and of phaneritic texture;
commonly used synonymously with marble and thus representing a re-crystallized
limestone; improperly applied to ones that display some obviously crystalline
grains in a fine grained mass but which are not of internlocking texture
and do not compose the entire mass. (NOTE: All limestones are microscopically,
or in part megascopically, crystalline; the term is thus confusing but
should be restricted to stones that are completely crystalline and of
megascopic and interlocking texture and that may be classed as marbles.)
Crack
A break, split, fracture, fissure, separation, cleavage or elongated
narrow opening, however caused, visible without magnification to the
human eye and extending from the surface into the stone, that must extend
through the grain or matrix.
Damp Proofing
One or more coatings of a compound that is impervious to water applied
to a surface above grade.
Decorative Tile
Tile with a ceramic decoration on the surface.
Dimension stone
Natural building stone that has been selected, trimmed or cut to specified
or indicated shapes or sizes with or without one or more mechanically
dressed surfaces.
Dolomitic Limestone
A limestone rich in magnesium carbonate, frequently somewhat crystalline
in character, found in ledge formations in a wide variety of color tones
and textures. Generally speaking, its crushing and tensile strengths
are greater than the oolitic limestones and its appearance shows greater
variety in texture.
Edgebonded Tile
See pregrouted tile
Efflorescence
A crystalline deposit appearing on stone surfaces typically caused by
soluble salts carried through or onto the stone by moisture, which has
sometimes been found to come from brick, tile, concrete blocks, cement,
mortar, concrete, and similar materials in the wall or above.
Embossed
A decoration in relief or excised on the wear surface.
Epoxy Adhesive
A two part adhesive system employing epoxy resin and epoxy hardener
used for bonding ceramic tile to back-up material.
Epoxy Grout
A two part grout system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener.
Formulated to have impervious qualities, stain and chemical resistance,
used to fill joints between tiles.
Exposed Aggregate
Phrase applied to the larger pieces of stone aggregate purposefully
exposed for their color and texture in a cast slab.
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
on serviceability of the installed tile.
Faience Tile
Features characteristic variations in the face, edges and glaze which
gives a hand-crafted, nonmechanical, decorative effect. Generally made
by the plastic process with glazed or unglazed tile.
Feature Strip
A narrow strip of tile with contrasting color, texture or design.
Ferruginous
Limestone or sandstone containing a high proportion of iron oxide.
Field Stone
Loose blocks separated from ledges by natural processes and scattered
through or upon the regolith ("soil") cover; applied also
to similar transported materials, such as glacial boulders and cobbles.
Filling
A trade expression used in the fabrication of marble to indicate the
filling of natural voids with cements, shellac or synthetic resins and
similar materials.
Finish
Final surface applied to the face of stone during fabrication.
Finished Stone
Building stone with one or more mechanically dressed surface(s).
Fire, Bisque
The process of kiln firing ceramic wear prior to glazing.
Fire, Decorating
The process of firing ceramic or metallic decorations on the semivitreous,
vitreous or impervious.
Fireproof
Relatively incombustible.
Floating
A method of aligning mortar with the float strips or screeds using a
straightedge. Also called dragging, pulling, rodding or off.
Fracture
A break in rock produced by mechanical failure. Fractures include faults
and joints.
Frost Proof Tile
Product manufactured for use where freezing and thawing conditions occur.
Gauged or Gauging
A grinding process to make all pieces of material to be used together
the same thickness.
Glass Mosaic Tiles
Made of glass usually in sizes not over 2 inches square and 1/4"
thick, mounted on sheets of paper. Sheets are usually 12x12 inches.
Glaze
A Ceramic coating matured to the glossy state on a formed ceramic product.
Also refers to the material or mixture from which coating is made. BRIGHT
GLAZE - A high gross coating with or without color. CRYSTALLINE GLAZE-
Contains microscopic crystals. FRITTED GLAZE -Uses all or part of prefused
fluxing constituents MAT GLAZE - A low gloss glaze with or without color.
OPAQUE GLAZE - A nontransparent coating with or without color. RAW GLAZE
- Compounded primarily of raw constituents and contains no prefused
materials. SEMIMAT GLAZE - A medium gloss finish with or without color.
SPECKLED GLAZE - Features granules of oxides or ceramic stains of contrasting
colors.
Glazed Tile
A fused impervious facial finish composed of ceramic materials fused
to the body of the tile which may be non-vitreous, semivitreous, vitreous
or impervious.
Granite
A fine to coarse-grained. igneous rock formed by volcanic action consisting
of quartz, feldspar, and mica, with accessory minerals. Granite-type
rocks include those of similar texture and origin.
Granite (scientific definition)
A visibly granular, crystalline rock of predominantly interlocking texture,
composed essentially of alkalic feldspars and quartz; this is true granite.
Feldspar is generally present in excess of quartz, and accessory minerals
(chiefly micas, hornblende, or more rarely pyroxene) are commonly present.
The alkalic feldspars may be present (1) as individual mineral species,
(2) as isomorphous or mechanical intergrowths with each other, or (3)
as chemical intergrowths with the lime feldspar molecule, but 80 + 3%
of the
feldspar must be composed of the potash or soda feldspar molecules.
Granite (commercial/building use)
A term that includes granite (as defined above), gneiss, gneissic granite,
granite gneiss, and the rock species known to petrologists as syenite,
monzonite, and granodiorite, species intermediate between them, the
gneissic varieties and gneisses of corresponding mineralogic compositions
and the corresponding varieties of porphyritic textures. The term commercial
granite shall also include other feldspathic crystalline rocks of similar
textures, containing minor amounts of accessory minerals, used for special
decorative purposes, and known to petrologists as anorthosite and laurvikite.
Granite Gneiss
A foliated crystalline rock composed essentially of silicate minerals
with interlocking and visibly granular texture, and in which the foliation
is due primarily to alternating layers, regular or irregular, of contrasting
mineralogic composition. In general, a gneiss is characterized by relatively
thick layers as compared with a schist. According to their mineralogic
compositions, Gneisses may correspond to other rocks of crystalline,
visibly granular, interlocking texture, such as those included under
the definition of commercial granite, and may then be known as granite
gneiss if strongly foliated, or gneissic granite if weakly foliated.
Black Granite
Rock species known to petrologists as diabase, diorite, gabbro, and
intermediate varieties are sometimes quarried as building stone, chiefly
for ornamental use, and sold as "black granite. " As dimension
blocks or slabs, they are valued specifically for their dark grey to
black color when polished. Scientifically, they are removed in composition
from true granites though they may be satisfactorily used for some of
the purposes to which commercial granites are adapted. They possess
as interlocking crystalline texture, but unlike granites, they contain
little or no quartz or alkalic feldspar, and are characterized by an
abundance of one or more of the common black rock-forming minerals (chiefly
pyroxenes, hornblende, and biotite).
Greenstone
Includes stones that have been metamorphosed or otherwise changed so
that they have assumed a distinctive greenish color owing to the presence
of one or more of the following minerals: chlorite, epidote, or actinolite.
Greenstone is an old field term applied to metamorphosed igneous rock
of mafic or ultramafic (low silica) composition (i.e., basalt, diabase,
gabbro, peridotite, and serpentinite). Greenstone derived from basalt
and other dark volcanic rocks consists dominantly of epidote, actinolite
and plagioclase. No present commercial production of such rocks is known.
Peridotite consists dominantly of olivine and pyroxene. Serpentinite
consists largely or talc, chlorite, and serpentine; further alteration
may result in soapstone.
Grout
Mortar of pouring consistency. Coarse grout, used for wide grout spaces
2 inches (5 cm) or more, consists of one part portland cement, not more
than two to three parts sand, and not more than two parts pea gravel.
Fine grout used in narrow grout spaces, consists of one part portland
cement and two-and-one-quarter to three parts sand.
Grouting
The process of filling tile joints with grout.
Hand-cut random rectangular ashlar
A pattern where all the stone is hand cut into squares and rectangulars.
Joints are fairly consistent. Similar to sawed-bed ashlar in appearance.
Head
The end of a stone which has been tooled to match the face of the stone.
Heads are used at outside, corners, windows, door lambs or any place
where the veneering will be visible from the side.
Hearth
That part of the floor of a fireplace of stone on which the fire is
laid.
Hearth Stone
Originally the single large stone or stones used for the hearth, now
most commonly used to describe the stone in front of the fire chamber
and many times extending on either or both sides of the front of the
fire chamber.
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.
Honed Finish
Honed is a super fine smooth finish, though not as fine as a polished
finish.
Igneous
One of the three great classes of rock (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic),
solidified from molten state, as granite and lavas.
Impervious Tile
Has water absorption of 0.5% or less.
Keystone
The last wedge-shaped stone placed in the crown of an arch regarded
as binding the whole.
Latex-Portland Cement Grout
Combines portland cement grout with a special latex additive to make
a less rigid, less permeable grout than regular portland cement grout.
Latex-Portland Cement Mortar
A mixture of portland cement, sand and special latex additives, used
for bonding tile to back-up material. It is less rigid than portland
cement mortar.
Lava
A general term applied to igneous rocks, such as basalt and rhyolite,
that erupted from the earth by volcanic action.
Limestone
A sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate; includes many varieties.
(See oolitic limestone, dolomitic limestone, crystalline limestone.)
Limestones that contain not more than five per cent magnesium carbonate
may be termed calcite limestone, as distinguished from those that contain
between five and 40% magnesium carbonate (magnesium or dolomitic limestone),
and from those that contain in excess of 40% as the mineral dolomite
(dolostone, formerly known as the rock dolomite). Recrystallized limestones
and compact, dense, relatively pure microcrystalline varieties that
are capable of taking a polish are included in commercial marbles.
Liners
Structurally sound sections of marble which are cemented to the back
of marble veneer slabs to give greater strength, additional bearing
surface, or to increase joint depth.
Lipping
Usually refers to flagging materials; caused when two pieces of material
to be joined together are slightly warped or twisted causing one of
more edges to be higher or lower than the adjoining material.
Marble (scientific definition) -
A metamorphic (recrystalized) limestone composed predominantly of crystalline
grains of calcite or dolomite, or both, having interlocking or mosaic
texture. Marble that contains less than 5% magnesium carbonate may be
termed calcite marble; from 5 to 40% magnesium carbonate, magnesian
or dolomitic marble; and more than 40%, dolomite marble. These limiting
values are, however, not strictly established in petrologic science
and are used herein as arbitrary limits.
- Onyx
So called in trade, is a crystalline form, commonly microcrystalline,
of calcium carbonate deposited usually from cold-water solutions. It
is generally translucent and shows a characteristic layering. The term
onyx-marble is technically a misnomer, as true onyx is a variety of
cryptocrystalline fibrous silica (chalcedony), and is closely related
in form and origin to agate.
- Serpentine
Marble characterized by a prominent amount of the mineral serpentine.
- Travertine
A form of limestone precipitated from ground waters, as in caves or
in orifices of springs (see limestone).
- Verde Antique
A commercial marble composed chiefly of massive serpentine and capable
of taking a high degree of polish. Verde antique is not a true marble
in the scientific sense, but is commonly sold as a decorative commercial
marble and requires the adjectival modifier verde (or verd) antique.
Verde antique is commonly veined with carbonate minerals, chiefly calcite
and dolomite.
Marble Tile
Marble cut into tiles 12" x12" or less, usually 1/2"
to 3/4" thick. Available in various finishes, including polished,
honed and split faced.
Medium Duty Tile
Suitable for entryways in multiple dwellings and lobbies.
Mexican Paver Tile
Used mainly on floors, the hand made tiles vary in color, texture and
appearance. The terracotta-like tile is hexagon, octagon, elongated
hexagon, fleur de lis, squares up to 12" and other shapes. Coated
with various types of sealers to provide a wearing surface.
Metamorphism
The change or alteration in a rock caused by exterior agencies, such
as deep-seated heat
and pressure, or intrusion of rock materials.
Modular multiple-cut (pattern-cut)
This refers to standard patterns used throughout the stone industry.
These patterns are usually based on multiples of a given height. Stone
that is multiple cut or pattern cut is pre-cut to allow typically for
1/4 -1/2 inch (6 or 13 mm) joints or beds.
Moldings
Decorative stone deviating from a plane surface by projections, curved
profiles, recesses or any combination thereof.
Mortar
A plastic mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water used to bond masonry
units.
Mosaic
A veneering which is generally irregular with no definite pattern. Nearly
all the stone used in a mosaic pattern is irregular in shape.
Mosaic Tile
Formed by either dust-pressed or plastic method, usually 1/4" to
3/8" thick with a facial area of less than six square inches. Made
of porcelain or natural clay composition, in plain or with an abrasive
mixture throughout.
Mounted Tile
Tile assembled into units or sheets, either back mounted or face mounted,
and bonded by suitable material to facilitate handling. Back mounted
has perforated paper, fiber mesh, resin or other suitable material permanently
attached to the back and/or edges so that a portion of the back of each
tile is exposed to the bond coat. Face mounted has paper applied to
the face of the tile, usually by water soluble adhesive so it is easily
removed prior to grouting of the joints.
Mud
A slang term for mortar.
Natural bed
The setting of the stone on the same plane as it was formed in the ground.
This generally applies to all stratified materials.
Natural Clay Tile
A ceramic mosaic or paver tile made by dust-pressed or plastic method.
Made from clays that produce a dense body with a distinctive, slightly
textured appearance.
Natural cleft
This generally pertains to stones which are formed in layers in the
ground. When such stones are cleaved or separated along a natural seam
the remaining surface is referred to as a natural cleft surface.
Nominal Sizes
Approximate facial size or thickness of tile for general reference expressed
in inches or fractions of an inch.
Non-Slip Tile
Tile with greater non-slip characteristics due to abrasive admixture,
abrasive particles, grooves or patterns in surface or because of natural
non-skid surface characteristics.
Nonvitreous Tile
Has water absorption of more than 7%.
Onyx Marble
A dense, crystalline form of lime carbonate deposited usually from cold-water
solutions. Generally translucent and showing a characteristic layering
due to mode of accumulation.
Oolitic Limestone
A calcite-cemented calcareous stone formed of shells and shell fragments,
practically non-crystalline in character. It is found in massive deposits
located almost entirely in Lawrence, Monroe, and Owen Counties, IN,
and in Alabama, Kansas, and Texas. This limestone is characteristically
a freestone, without cleavage planes, possessing a remarkable uniformity
of composition, texture and structure. It possesses a high internal
elasticity, adapting itself without damage to extreme temperature changes.
Paper and Wire
Tar paper and wire mesh or metal lath are used as a backing for tile
installation.
Paver Tile
Unglazed porcelain or natural clay tile formed by the dust-pressed method.
Similar to ceramic mosaic tile in composition and physical properties
but relatively thicker with six square inches or more of facial area.
Perrons
Slabs of stone set on other stones serving as steps and arches in gardens.
Pinholes
Imperfections in the surface of a ceramic body or glaze.
Plucked finish
Obtained by rough-planing the surface stone, breaking or plucking out
small particles to give rough texture.
Polished Finish
The finest and smoothest finish available in stone characterized by
a high luster (gloss) and strong reflection of incident light, generally
only possible on hard, dense materials.
Porcelain Tile
A ceramic mosaic or paver tile, generally made by the dust-pressed method,
of a composition that produces a dense, impervious, fine-grained tile
with smooth and sharply formed face.
Pregrouted Tile
A surfacing unit consisting of an assembly of ceramic tile, bonded together
at the edges by a material (generally elastomeric) which completely
seals the joints. the material (grout) may fill the joint completely
or partially and may cover all, part or none of the back surfaces of
the tiles. The perimeter of these factory pregrouted sheets may include
all, part or none of the joint between the sheets. The term edgebonded
tile is sometimes used to designate a type of pregrouted tile sheet
having the front and back surfaces completely exposed.
Quarry
The location of an operation where a natural deposit of stone is removed
from the ground.
Quarry Tile
Unglazed tile that is usually six square inches or more in surface area
and 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Made by the extrusion process from
natural clay or shale.
Quartz
A silicon dioxide mineral that occurs in colorless and transparent or
colored hexagonal crystals and also in crystalline masses. One of the
most common minerals, the chief constituent of sandstone.
Quartzite
A compact granular rock composed of quartz crystals, usually so firmly
cemented as to make the mass homogenous. The stone is generally quarried
in stratified layers, the surfaces of which are unusually smooth. Its
crushing and tensile strengths are extremely high; the color range is
wide.
Quartzitic Sandstone
A sandstone with a high concentration of quartz grains and siliceous
cement.
Range
A course of any thickness that is continued across the entire face.
All range courses need not be of the same thickness.
Reducer
A trim unit used to shorten the radius of a bullnose or a cove to another
radius or to a square.
Rock
An integral part of the earth's crust composed of an aggregate of grains
of one or more minerals. (Stone is the commercial term applied to quarry
products.)
Rock (pitch) face
Similar to split face, except that the face of the stone is pitched
to a given line and plane producing a bold appearance rather than the
comparatively straight face obtained in split face.
Rubble
A product term applied to dimension stone used for building purposes,
chiefly walls and foundations, and consisting of irregularly shaped
pieces, partly trimmed or squared, generally with one split or finished
face, and selected and specified with a size range.
Saddle
A flat strip of stone projecting above the floor between the jambs of
the door; a threshold.
Sampling
Method of obtaining tile for testing from an agreed upon lot.
Sandblasted
A matte-texture marble surface finish with no gloss, accomplished by
exposing the surface to a steady flow of sand under pressure.
Sand-sewn finish
The surface left as the stone comes from the gangsaw; moderately smooth,
granular surface varying with the texture and grade of the stone.
Sandstone
A sedimentary rock consisting usually of quartz, cemented with silica,
iron oxide or calcium carbonate. Sandstone is durable, has a very high
crushing and tensile strength and a wide range of colors and textures.
Varieties of sandstone are commonly designated by the kind and prominence
of interstitial and bonding materials, as siliceous
stone (bonding material primarily silica), calcareous sandstone (calcium
carbonate prominent as bonding material or as accessory grains or both),
argillaceous sandstone (clay minerals prominent as interstitial or bonding
materials, or as thin laminac), ferruginous sandstone (iron oxide or
hydroxide minerals [hematic, limonite, et al] as interstitial or as
bonding materials in sufficient amount to impart appreciable color to
the stone); brownstone (ferruginous sandstone of dark brown or reddish
brown color), arkose, arkosic sandstone, or feldspathic sandstone (a
sandstone that contains an abundance of grains of feldspar), conglomerate
(a sandstone composed in large part of rounded pebbles, also called
puddingstone). The term "brownstone" was applied originally
to certain Trassic sandstones of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts
(Longmeadow sandstone), Connecticut (Portland sandstone), and to similarly
appearing reddish-brown sandstone quarried in and near Hummelstown,
PA. Thus the term originally had geographic significance, but such geographic
limitation is undesirable.
Sawed edge
A clean cut edge generally achieved by cutting with a diamond blade,
gangsaw or wire saw.
Sawed Face
A finish obtained from the process used in producing building stone;
varies in texture from smooth to rough and coincident with the type
of materials used in sawing; characterized as diamond sawn, sand sawn,
chat sawn and shot sawn.
Sculptured Tile
Tile with a decorative design of high and low areas molded into the
finished face.
Self-Spacing Tile
Tile with lugs, spacers or protuberances on the sides which automatically
space the tile for grout joints.
Semi-rubbed
A finish achieved by rubbing (by hand or machine) the rough or high
spots off the surface to be used, leaving a certain amount of the natural
surface along with the smoothed areas.
Semivitreous Tile
Has water absorption of more than 3%, but not more than 7%.
Serpentine
A hydrous magnesium silicate of igneous origin, generally a very dark
green color with markings of white, light green or black. One of the
hardest varieties of natural building stone.
Shaped stone
Cut stone which has been carved, ground or otherwise processed.
Shear
A type of stress; a body is in shear when it is subjected to a pair
of equal forces which are opposite in direction and which act along
parallel planes.
Shot-sawn
Description of a finish obtained by using steel shot in the gangsawing
process to produce random markings for a rough surface texture.
Shot-sawn finish
A rough gangsaw finish produced by sawing with chilled steel shots.
Sill
A flat stone used under windows, doors, and other masonry openings.
Siltstone
A fine-grained non-carbonate elastic rock composed of at least 67% of
detrital grains of quartz and silicate minerals of silt size. Siltstones
are rarely marketed as such but commonly are considered as fine-grained
sandstones. This class of sediments is texturally
transitional between sandstones and shales (mudstones). Many bluestones
and siliceous flagstones fall within this category.
Slab
A lengthwise cut of a large quarry block of stone produced by sawing
or splitting in the first milling or quarrying operation. A slab has
two parallel surfaces.
Slate
A very fine-grained metamorphic rock derived from sedimentary rock shale.
Characterized by an excellent parallel cleavage entirely independent
of original bedding, by which cleavage the rock may be split easily
into relatively thin slabs. Essential mineral constituents of slates
are usually members of the mica group, commonly sericite, muscovite,
and paragonite; of the clay group, chiefly illite and kaolinite; and
of the chlorite group. Common accessory minerals are iron oxides, calcite,
quartz, and feldspar. Other minerals may be present also as minor accessories.
Most slates are derived from shales. Others are derived from fine-grained
igneous rock, chiefly volcanic tuffs, but these are rare and of little
commercial importance.
Slip-Resistant Tile
Tile having greater slip-resistance characteristics due to an abrasive
admixture, abrasive particles in the surface, or grooves or patterns
in the surface.
Smooth finish
Description of the finish produced by planer machines plus the removal
of objectionable tool marks. Also known as "smooth planer finish"
and smooth machine finish."
Soapstone
A massive variety of talc with a soapy or greasy feel used for hearths,
washtubs, table tops, carved ornaments, chemical laboratory counters,
etc., and known for its stain-proof qualities.
Soffit
The finished, exposed underside of a lintel, arch or portico.
Sound stone
Stone which is free of cracks, fissures, or other physical detects.
Spacers
Cross, tee-shaped and y-shaped, they are used in installation to separate
tile on walls and floors. Manufactured in various thicknesses from 1/16"
to 1/2".
Spalls
Sizes may vary from chip-size to one- and two- man stones. Spalls are
primarily used for taking up large voids in rough rubble or mosaic patterns.
Special Purpose Tile
Glazed or unglazed tile made to meet or to have special physical design
or appearance characteristics such as: size, thickness, shape, color
or decoration; keys or lugs on backs or sides: pregrouted assemblies
or sheets; special resistance to staining, frost, alkalies, acids, thermal
shock, physical impact or high coefficient or friction.
Split Face Stone
Stone on which the face has been broken to an approximate plane.
Splitstone Finish
Obtained by sawing to accurate heights then breaking by machine to required
bed
widths. (Normal bed widths are 3 1/2 inches [90 mm]).
Sticking
An expression used in the marble finishing trade to describe the process
of cementing together of broken slabs or pieces of marble.
Stone
Sometimes synonymous with rock, but more properly applied to individual
blocks, masses or fragments taken from their original formation or considered
for commercial use.
Straight Joint
The style of tile installation which features all joints in alignment.
Stratification
A structure produced by deposition of sediments in beds or layers (strata),
laminae, lenses, wedges, and other essentially tabular units.
Strip Rubble
Generally speaking, strip rubble comes from a ledge quarry, the beds
of the stone, while uniformly straight, are of the natural cleft as
the stone is removed from the ledge, and then split by machine to approximately
4-inch (100 mm) widths.
Structural Defects
Cracks or laminations in the tile body which detract from the aesthetic
appearances and/or structural soundness of the installation.
Substrate
The underlayment for the ceramic tile installation.
Terrazzo
A type of concrete in which chips or pieces of, stone, usually marble,
are mixed with cement and are ground to a flat surface, exposing the
chips, which take a high polish.
Thin Marble
A fabricated marble unit of 2 inches (50 mm) or less in thickness.
Thin-Set
The bonding of tile with suitable materials applied approximately 1/8"
thick.
Thin Stone/Thin Veneer
A cladding under 2 inches (50mm) thick.
Tile
A ceramic surfacing unit, usually relatively thin in relation to facial
area, made from clay or a mixture of clay and other ceramic material.
Has glazed or unglazed face and is fired above red heat in the course
of manufacture to a temperature sufficiently high to produce specific
physical properties and characteristics.
Tolerance
Dimensional allowance made for the inability of men and machines to
fabricate a product of exact dimensions.
Tooled Finish
Customarily has four, six, or eight parallel, concave grooves to the
inch.
Translucence
The light-emitting quality of certain marble varieties containing a
crystal structure capable of' transmitting light.
Travertine Limestone
A variety of limestone that has a partly crystalline or microcrystalline
texture and porous or cellular layered structure, the cells being usually
concentrated along certain layers and commonly displaying small stalactitic
forms.
Travertine Marble
A variety of limestone regarded as a product of chemical precipitation
from hot springs. Travertine is cellular with the cells usually concentrated
in thin layers that display as marble and may be classified a stalactitic
structure. Some that take a polish are sold as travertine marble under
the class of commercial marble.
Trim Units
Various shapes of bases, caps, corners, mouldings, angles, etc. necessary
to achieve an installation of the desired sanitary and/or 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.
Vein Cut
Cutting quarried marble or stone perpendicular to the natural bedding
plane.
Veinings
Colored markings in limestone, marble, alabaster, etc.
Veneer
A non-loadbearing facing of stone attached to a backing for the purpose
of ornamentation, protection or insulation. Veneer shall support no
vertical load other than its own weight and possibly the vertical dead
load of veneer above.
Verde Antique
A marble composed chiefly of massive serpentine and capable of being
polished. It is commonly crossed by veinlets of other minerals, chiefly
carbonates of calcium and magnesium.
Vertical Broken Joint
Ceramic tile installation featuring each vertical row offset for half
it's length.
Vitreous Tile
Has water absorption of more than 0.5%, but not more than 3%.
Wall Tie
A bonder or metal piece which connect wythes of masonry to each other
or to other materials.
Waxing
An expression used in the marble finishing trade to indicate the filling
of natural voids with color-blended materials.
Wear
The removal of material or impairment of surface finishing through friction
or impact use.
Weathering
Natural alteration by either chemical or mechanical processes due to
the action of constituents of the atmosphere, surface waters, soil and
other ground waters, or to temperature changes; the inclined top surface
of a stone such as a coping, cornice, or windowsill.
Wedging
A splitting of stone by driving wedges into planes of weakness.
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