The natural or finished property of a surface by which it resists abrasions from friction.
Non-reflective and flat finish.
Abrasion resistant properties of stone or tile for floors, stair treads, and other solid surfaces.
The state or process of moisture or liquids being soaked up and held.
A support structure such as arches, beams, trusses or masonry
A substance that accelerates the setting of epoxy, resins and mortar
Chemical based acids or mechanical method used to distress stones and other surfaces to achieve the desired etched or distressed finish.
Resins comprised from acrylic acids that are carried in water or solvent solutions. Acrylics are found in a variety of coatings including paints, grouts, and caulk.
The ingredients in a coating composition that are measured as a weight percent of the total.
Secured and supported stone veneers are attached (adhered) with bonding agents
Colored aggregates, pumice and quartz from volcanic based quarries are available in several colors.
A quartz stone with veins and clouds. Available in a variety of colors.
Fabricated stone product designed to look like quarried stone comprised of stone chips that are embedded in resins and mortar.
Man-made and natural fragments added to mortar and resins to create solid surfaces.
Fine grained white gypsum typically with transparent qualities that is easily carved for special design products.
Change, adjustment or addition to any room or building.
Aluminum oxide.
Anti-settling agents in paint, varnish, water repellents and cement for pigments and other colorings.
Environment temperature
A compound substance containing no water molecules.
Igneous rock characterized by large matrix grains that is dark in color.
A hidden arch that carries the load of a wall when the exterior face is carried by a lintel
The process of refilling dirt removed during construction or the masonry built behind a facing.
Also known as a filler strip that is composed of a compressible and flexible substance often installed at joints.
The exterior facing of a veneer that is designed to resist load.
Tiles that are used for kitchen wall areas - above sinks, ranges, and other areas.
The surface (often times a workbench) where stone is cut, polished and finished.
A volcanic rock with fine grains that often has a columnar structure. Low in silica and is generally charcoal or black in color. Unlike granite, it contains little or no quartz or feldspars.
A block at the base of a column or casing which the baseboard abuts.
Sub layer of walls, supports or piers.
A finish applied to stone type surfaces featuring parallel tool marks.
A joint, normally horizontal, between stones that is filled with sealant or mortar.
The sedimentary stone in its original horizontal plane.
Geological formation of rock marked by planes separating layers from layers as in sedimentary strata. Beds can be differentiated by particle size, mineral type or rock.
Romanesque style of architecture that features continuous layers or rows of tiles, bricks, shingles, or stones on a vertical surface.
A seat of cubic stone or the steps that are formed in quarries as a result of the removing of stone slabs in bed joints.
Raised banks or a strip of land that borders a river or canal.
A micaceous mineral that is black, dark brown or green.
A deep black igneous rock with medium to coarse visible grains and veins.
The staining of surrounding areas caused by putties, mastics, paints, caulks, and other compounds.
A water repellent mixture comprised of raw materials.
Sandstone that is quarried exclusively in western Pennsylvania or New York state.
Substance that is contains calcium carbonate, calcium, or limestone.
Limestone that does not contain more than 5% magnesium carbonate.
Crystalline marble that does not contain more than 5% magnesium carbonate.
The white or milky streaks naturally occurring in stone.
A colorless or white mineral compound containing calcium carbonate found in marble, granites and limestone.
Caustic white alkaline solid
Convex or arched shape of a horizontal surface.
A quartz volcanic stone quarried in Mexico
The top stone of a vertical structure, such as a wall or arch.
The innate ability of stones and masonry to store heat based on the density and mass.
A phenomenon marked by dry materials absorbing moisture through the movement of liquids through porous materials.
Chemical compound most often salts.
Very weak acid formed when water dissolves carbon dioxide.
Rounded rough finished granite or other stones used for paving pathways, sidewalks and driveways.
Flooring products that are designed for commercial applications that have specialized Coefficient of Friction and other industrial standards.
A rock capable of taking a polish that is composed primarily of serpentine, dolomite, or calcite, or a combination of these minerals.
Non metamorphic rocks with natural sedimentary nature that are traded as marble.
As in masonry, a surface that is comprised of various minerals bonded together into a composite form.
A process to dress the surface of a stone through the use of a sharp pointed hand tool.
A volcanic fine-grained extrusive rock somewhere in composition between the rhyolite and basalt.
A layer of impermeable material laid to prevent moisture absorption in foundation walls.
A layer of impermeable material that prevents the entrance of moisture through both horizontal and vertical joints.
The fluctuation a horizontal structure bends in the middle under stress.
The result of a faulty lamination process that results in loss of adhesion, separation, or splitting.
A variety of limestone that contains in excess of 49% of magnesium carbonate.
Found in ledge formations of limestone it is rich in magnesium carbonate available in a wide array of textures and color tones.
The squaring and shaping of stones, rocks, slabs and blocks for easy shipment and storage.
A stone wall that is constructed without the use of mortar.
A deposit of white carbonates or sulfates that form on the surface of brick, concrete, mortar or stone when moisture is absorbed.
A finish for woods, walls, or stone that is matte in appearance, like an egg shell.
A mixture of particles, liquids and binders where particles are suspended.
A marble saturated with shells and fossils creating unique patterns and colors.
A man-made composite material that is comprised of resins, rocks, glass, epoxies and other ingredients.
The process of building or setting a stone into place in the vertical plane.
The peeling off of flakes of stone or mineral in thin layers cause by chemical reaction, weather, or heat.
The enlargement (in all directions) due to natural phenomenon including absorption of water or rise in temperature.
In masonry, the process of transforming quarry stones into finished stone.
The exposed surface of a structure or stone.
Groups of mineral compositions in metamorphic rocks that come from specific pressure temperature areas.
The mathematical calculation by which the expected stress or weight is multiplied to determine the strength or resistance required for safety.
Stones, tiles, floors or walls that have surface finishes manufactured and tooled in a factory, and not onsite.
Also known as a dummy joint; refers to the lines and grooves that appear on stones or other surfaces.
The final coating and texture applied to the surface of stone, walls, or wood.
A fire-proof structure engineered for the purpose of housing an intentional fire.
A European term referring to the installation of stone work.
Stone cut into thin slabs primarily used for patios, walkways and driveways.
Materials used to cover floors. These can include granite, tiling, marble and wood.
A coarse hammered finish.
A coarsely grained plutonic crystalline rock containing pyroxene, plagioclase and feldspar.
A part of a wall that enclose the end of a pitched root from the eaves to the apex.
A chip of stone
The rough surface of a stone after having been gang sawed.
The grinding process that makes all pieces of material are the same thickness.
Tiles of a mosaic design made from glass. Can be translucent, textured, and mounted to mesh backings for easy installation.
A flat working surface area composed of natural coarsely grained igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspars and mica.
A slab of igneous rock that can be used for countertops, walls, flooring, table tops, and other design projects.
A very dense igneous rock comprised mostly of quartz, feldspar and magnesium.
The innate and natural texture of stones characterized by small grains and particles.
Small aggregate stones of quartz, limestone, basalt, and granite used for landscaping and driveway applications.
Natural or altered igneous stones that have a greenish hue.
The height in which grout is placed in joints or cavities.
The recommended specifications for the installation of stone and other masonry products.
The naturally occurring superficial thin cracking of a concrete surface.
An edging option for stone or other hard surfaces such as a countertop that as a semi-circular finish.
Colorless cubic crystals including rock salt.
The process in which stones are hand-cut into geometric shapes with consistent joints for a patterned finish.
The measurement of hardness in stones and other surfaces as determined by the Mohs Scale.
The principle stone in a construction project such as a keystone or cornerstone.
In masonry, the end of a stone or rock that has been machine or hand-tooled to match the face of the stone. These heads are used as corner pieces for door jams, windows or other areas where corners are visible.
A fire-proof, typically raised, section of the floor directly in front of a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
A pattern for setting tiles or stones in a slanted design in alternating polarities.
A type of finish available for stones and other hard surfaces that has a smooth satin appearance.
A type of finish recommended for commercial flooring constructed from marble, granite and quartz that has a smooth satin finish.
A rock that is formed by the solidification of molten magma.
A professional that acts as an import agent for foreign sourced products.
A business or individual that purchases, distributes and resells foreign sourced products.
The process of applying a chemical compound to penetrate a stone for a variety of purposes including stain inhibition.
Chemical compounds that are engineered to penetrate the surface of a stone. Typically applied to reduce absorbency rate inherent in stone.
The action of cutting or engraving a stone or other solid surface.
The intentional practice of omitting stones in a pattern to allow for future bonding work.
A steel reinforcement that is placed in mortar bed joints.
An architectural drawing of location, dimensions, design and configuration of stones indicating the joints in the pattern.
A process in which the joints of masonry are finished before mortar has completely hardened and cured.
In masonry, the space between stones or tiles and the abutting materials.
A piece of a stone that is raised in comparison to the adjacent stones or material. Typically used in horizontal joints.
A mineral that is white or light gray comprised of aluminum silicate.
A slit made by cutting with a saw blade.
The first block removed from a new ledge in a quarry that is removed by lateral shifting, undercutting or drilling.
A wedge-shaped stone placed at the top of an arch.
A brick that has been crafted to have one 2-inch end and one full-width end.
The process of adhering two pieces of stones or other surfaces together.
Natural stones cut for landscaping projects including driveways, outdoor fireplaces, and other projects.
The process of overlapping one surface with another.
Engineering practice where walls and columns are braced by floors, beams, roofs or walls.
An emulsion of rubbers and resins used to adhere a variety of surfaces together.
Ready to install panels of stone for fireplaces and walls that have the appearance of individually stacked or laid stones.
A flat horizontal slab of stone used in foundations.
The vertical dimension of a stone used on sides of vertical openings including fireplaces.
An anchor bolt that has a conical base where concrete is poured to secured.
A hydrated lime in a plastic form ready for the addition to mortar.
A hard sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate or dolomite created from the decomposition of marine organisms.
In masonry, a metal pin that is used to attach a line for alignment.
A structured engineered section of masonry structures that are constructed to give strength, increase joint depth and in the cases of chimneys provides fire resistance.
In masonry terms, a slightly protruding stone that is used to attach to a bordering structure.
A finish produced by mechanical planers to create a variety of surface finishes.
A dark colored rock found in rough terrain typically from a volcanic source.
In masonry, refers to fabricated stones that are ready for installation.
In masonry, the company that fabricates stone.
A crystalline metamorphic stone with veins and streaks of color and texture that is capable of being polished.
A fabric made from synthetic yarns less than 1 denier.
A pattern or picture created by arranging small colored pieces of stone, tile or glass.
Tiles that are mounted on mesh sheets or adhesive strips that have a pattern or picture.
Typically stratified materials such as stone that have been set on the same plane.
An organic product of lime that has a high clay content.
Stones that are attached by a mesh or adhesive backing in a design or pattern.
A stone, including granite, quartz, slate, marble and others that occur naturally.
In masonry, a dimension that is greater than the specified dimension as determined by the mortar joint thickness. In carpentry, the labels given to lumber prior to finishing.
Materials that will not ignite or burn when subjected to extreme temperatures or flames.
A metal, including alloys that does not contain appreciable percentages of iron; it includes nickel, titanium, zinc, lead and many more.
A dark, hard volcanic rock (normally black) formed by the rapid solidification of lava.
A design feature when pieces of material including wood, stones and tiles are intentionally set in an opposite manner.
A dense and semi-transparent crystalline rock comprised of calcite and sometimes aragonite.
A semiprecious agate stone that is a variety of quartz featuring different colors and layers with varying degrees of translucency,
A sedimentary rock formed from spherical grains in concentric layers. This calcite calcareous limestone is often formed from shells and is available in some areas of Indiana, Texas, Alabama and Kansas.
Naturally occurring compounds that are biological in origin.
Rocks or stones that appear above ground level.
The waste stone in quarries that covers the useful or prized underlying stones.
The system for safely stacking stones on wooden pallets for storage or shipment.
In masonry refers to a fabricated unit of stone veneer.
A cover of plaster or mortar that provides damp proofing.
A fabricated interlocking stone used for pathways, patios and driveways.
A supporting structure crafted from stone or wood.
The state or quality of a material that causes it to allow gases or liquids to pass through it.
A mild acidic toxic white crystalline solid used in the manufacturing of resins.
A finish for stone that has been dressed with a masonry point.
A support structure made from stone that is smaller than a column.
From classical architecture, a rectangular column that projects 1/3 of its width from a wall.
A finish for a stone crafted by a pitching chisel creating a rough cut face.
A finish for stone that resembles a rock face that is crafted with a pitching tool.
A finish for stone that is rough and tooled.
In masonry and tiling, refers to the final finishing and filling of mortar joints.
A finish that has been rubbed or sanded to a smooth shiny finish. Can be accomplished on dense materials such as granite, marble, and others to bring out full character and colors inherent in stone.
A ceramic made from clay and fired to over 2500 degrees for strength and toughness.
A mass produced countertop that is cut, finished and polished at the factory. Can be granite, marble, composites, quartz, or other countertop materials.
A mass produced granite product that is cut, finished and polished in the factory.
In masonry, the individual or company that quarries stone.
In masonry, refers to the process of removing stones or rocks in veneer walls to create rough visual characteristics.
A stone that has been removed from the natural planes in a quarry by use of machinery and tools.
The individual who works in a quarry.
A rectangular piece of stone that comes from a quarry.
A convex molding.
A sedimentary stone such as sandstone or a metamorphic stone as in quartzite.
A metamorphic sandstone that consists of quartz fine grains that are cemented with silica.
A compact, extremely hard granular rock that consists of quartz crystals. Most often it is quarried in stratified layers
A white or colorless mineral found in sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks typically responsible for the natural veins and streaks.
A brick that has been cut with a two-inch face dimension.
A recessed groove cut into the edge of wood or stone to form a match with another piece.
In masonry, the process in which successive courses are stepped back from the face of the wall.
When stones and rocks are laid in varying heights.
In masonry, a pattern where joints appear web-like.
In masonry terms, the course of thickness across the façade. All range courses are not necessarily of equal thickness.
The crystalline patterns in limestone that have be replaced with crystals, fossils or other materials.
The process of raking out, refilling or finishing joints with mortar.
The process or act of strengthening and structure.
Flooring that is engineered specially for the necessary requirements needed in a restaurant such as anti-slip and skid.
In masonry, the process of cleaning, finishing or repairing stone.
The stones that are used in retaining walls engineered to resist lateral pressure.
A finish for stone that leaves a bubbled and textured appearance.
Solid mineral materials that are part of the earth's crust.
A circular window or stone that radiates in a pattern suggestive to the petals of a rose.
The process of cutting or carving a raw stone to remove the unwanted bulk.
A finish for stone where machinery rubs for smoother finish.
The abrasive stone that is used to finish and smooth the edges of stones and tile.
The term used for dimension stones that are used for building walls and foundations that include irregularly shaped pieces.
A finish for stones that is matte in appearance created by the application of sand under high pressure
A sedimentary rock that consists of quartz, feldspar and sand. Available in a wide array of colors and designs including reds, yellows and browns.
A finish for stone that features textures from rough to smooth accomplished by chat sawn, shot sawn, diamond sawn, or other processes.
Rocks that have been formed by the natural sedimentation process within the Earth's surface. Can include rocks or fossils.
A fine-grained bluish, gray or green metamorphic rock that is easily split into smooth flat plates.
The process of caring for natural stones, tiles, grouts and mortars. Maintenance can include period re-sealing as with granite.
Whitish markings in stones that are the result of damage occurring to the crystals when subjected to high stress.
The professional association of manufacturers of ceramic and porcelain tiles. The leading resource for education and installation techniques.
A pattern made from plastic, wood, or metal that is used to apply a repetitive pattern through chemical process, drilling or cutting.
A hard durable flooring material comprised of chips of granite and/or marble set in concrete and then polished.
The appearance, consistency and feel of a surface.
A finish for stone that is rough and non-reflective that is achieved through the application of intense heat or flames.
A thin composite of clay or porcelain used for flooring, walls and countertops.
A white or light colored calcareous rock that is a variety of limestone.
A finish for stone that is produced by machine tumbling creating an uneven surface.
A travertine finish that has a rough textured finish and rounded edges.
A drum like rotating machine used to produce the tumbled finish on stones including marbles and travertine.
The process where a quarried stone is cut perpendicular to natural bedding or cleavage.
A naturally occurring seam or layer of minerals different from the surrounding material.
A thin facing stone used for vertical coverings including exterior and interior walls and fireplaces.
The result of high temperature firing that causes grains and pores of clays to fuse.
Tiles that are used for kitchen backsplashes, bathroom and shower walls.
In masonry terms, a natural condition of slates and flagstones that are not treated with rubbing, honing or polishing.
In landscaping, a sloped area where water will run.
A solution that contains a water soluble or water dispersible binder.
Stains on woods, tiles, stones or other hard surfaces caused by acid in water.
The water molecules that form as an essential part of the crystal structure of compounds.
The process of making a surface impervious to water.
In masonry terms, the process of filling natural voids with shellac or cements.
A mortar joint that has an outward and downward slope to shed water.
The process in which the appearance or texture of a surface is changed by natural atmospheric phenomena or by chemical or mechanical processes.
The process of splitting a stone by driving wedges into the planes of inherent weaknesses.
A person or entity that purchases a product for resale.
The warp in a semi-finished slab of stone that is removed during further fabrication.
A narrow horizontal shelf fitted across the inside of a window opening.
The method of cutting a natural stone with wire that has been immersed in abrasive liquids to create various effects.
A tool with one or more wire cables that run on a pulley system to cut natural stones into slabs and blocks.
The ability of a coating or film to cover all areas of a substrate including edges and sides.