Natural Stone Industry Glossary

Glossary is usually defined as an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge. This Natural Stone industry glossary provides a collection of industry terms that define many products and technical terms. These terms are arranged alphabetically, but you can quickly jump to specific term by selecting its first letter from the index of the glossary below.

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Search Results: 47 Terms Found

RABBETT
A recessed groove cut into the edge of wood or stone to form a match with another piece.

RACKING
In masonry, the process in which successive courses are stepped back from the face of the wall.

RAKE
A stone's face that has been angularly cut.

RANDOM ASHLAR
In masonry, the layout and design when geometric stones are not laid in continuous regular courses but are arranged at different widths and heights.

RANDOM MASONRY
When stones and rocks are laid in varying heights.

RANDOM
In masonry, a pattern where joints appear web-like.

RANGE OF COLOR
In masonry terms, the measured variation of shades, hues, colors, veins, and textures in stones including granite, marble, quartz, and onyx.

RANGE
In masonry terms, the course of thickness across the façade. All range courses are not necessarily of equal thickness.

REBATED KERF
The additional cut made by cutting that sinks a kerf on stone for anchoring.

RECEPTOR
Also known as a shower base; it is the curb and combined floor structure.

RE-CRYSTALLIZED LIMESTONE
The crystalline patterns in limestone that have be replaced with crystals, fossils or other materials.

REEDED
A specially crafted and shaped molding of woods or stone that have a semi-cylindrical face.

REGRATING
A finish for stone where the surface is removed or cleaned to expose fresh stone.

REINFORCEMENT
The process or act of strengthening and structure.

RELIEF
A decorative or ornamental detail of embossing or carving.

RE-POINTING
The process of raking out, refilling or finishing joints with mortar.

RESINING
The process or action of treating stone with resins to fill nicks, crevices and fissures.

RESTAURANT FLOORING
Flooring that is engineered specially for the necessary requirements needed in a restaurant such as anti-slip and skid.

RESTORATION
In masonry, the process of cleaning, finishing or repairing stone.

RETAINING WALL STONE
The stones that are used in retaining walls engineered to resist lateral pressure.

RETARDING AGENT
A chemical mixture added to grout or mortar that slows the curing and hardening.

RETEMPURING
The process of moistening mortar and remixing it to bring it to the proper consistency.

RETUCLITATED WORK
Also known as "opus reticulatum" is a design of brickwork from Ancient Roman architecture that features diamond-shaped bricks that are placed at 45 degree angles.

RETURN HEAD
In masonry terms, the stone façade that has the same finish on two sides for corners.

RETURN
A right angle wall, molding or other horizontal structure.

REVEAL
In masonry, the depth of stone between the outer face and an opening typically at 90 degrees from the front face.

RIFT
The pronounced cleavage of a stone, or the direction that the grain runs.

RIPRAP
Loose irregular shaped stones use to form the foundation of a breakwater or other structure such as foundations. Can be used for stepping stones and patios.

RISE
In masonry terms refers to the varying heights of stones.

RISING RAMP
The natural capillary action where ground water travels through masonry.

RIVEN
A finish for stone where it has been cut or slit along the natural cleavage planes.

ROCK (PITCH) FACE
A finish for stone that is similar to "split face" except that the stone is pitched in a given line that produces a bold appearance.

ROCK
Solid mineral materials that are part of the earth's crust.

ROCKED FINISH
A finish for stone that leaves a bubbled and textured appearance.

RODDING
The reinforcement of a structure, including stone, cured by cementing reinforcing rods into channels or groves.

ROMAN ARCH
Also referred to as a "Norman Arch", it is a semi-circular arch where the stones are wedge shaped.

ROSE WINDOW
A circular window or stone that radiates in a pattern suggestive to the petals of a rose.

ROUGH BACK
The finish on stone where one side is rough and the other has been gang sawed.

ROUGH SAWN
A stone finish crafted by gang sawing.

ROUGHING OUT
The process of cutting or carving a raw stone to remove the unwanted bulk.

ROWLOCK
A pattern or design of masonry where bricks are laid on their face with ends visible in the façade.

RUBBED FINISH
A finish for stone where machinery rubs for smoother finish.

RUBBING STONE
The abrasive stone that is used to finish and smooth the edges of stones and tile.

RUBBLE
The term used for dimension stones that are used for building walls and foundations that include irregularly shaped pieces.

RUSTIC
A grade of limestone characterized by the coarse texture. Can also refer to stone that has been roughly hand-finished.

RUSTICATED
In masonry, joints that have been beveled or recessed for ornamental or design purposes.

RUSTIFICATION
The process of recessing cut stones for the purpose of creating a channel in the joints.