Learn the tiling lingo

Abrasion Resistance​
The degree to which a tiled surface will withstand friction and foot traffic wear. This is measured using an abrasion test and classifies tiles from 1 to 5 or provides it with an R rating in Australia in terms of the type of applications they are suited to(see PEI Rating).

The wear rating of the tile has little to do with the quality or price, only durability.  Some of the most expensive and luxurious tiles in the world rate only a 1 or a 2. Whether you require a non slip tile with an abrasion resistance will depend on whether you need a non slip surface for an area such as a pool or your industry requires it, such as in public wet areas, aged care facilities or food preparation areas.

Absorp​tion
This is important in determining a tile’s sensitivity to stains. The size of the pores and their proximity are contributing factors. It is recognised that although a porcelain tile has a very low absorbency rate, polished porcelain may in fact be susceptible to staining as the polishing process can open miniscule pores on the very surface of the tile. A sealer prior to installation may be required.

Anti-Slip (Low-Slip) Tiles
Tiles that have been treated, or specifically produced to reduce slipping. Not all tiles are made with a non slip surface but they can become non slip.  Common processes are adding grit (corundum) to the glaze of a tile, or producing a tile with a structured or roccia surface, or adding studs dots or other raised features to a tile. Tiles can also be acid etched to increase the slip resistance factor.  Maintenance has an effect on the overall slip resistance e.g. build-up of dirt and grease will decrease the slip-resistance of the tile surface. Nerang Tiles can advise you on a number of different methods and professionals that can acid etch your porcelain or ceramic floor tile or wall tile to make it slip resistant.

Backing
Material used as a base over which a tile is installed.

Batch
All tiles are generally produced in batches. This is because they are either all made using one particular mix of dye or a certain type of clay. Generally batches will vary slightly in shade, colour and calibration (finished size). A certain degree of shade variation is inherent in all tiles, be it glazed or unglazed.  The manufacturer will limit the amount of shade variation in a carton by sorting the tiles as they come off the production line. Manufacturers assign tiles a batch number to identify them as belonging to the same batch. When tiling a continuous area, tiles from the same batch should be used to ensure consistency in shade, colour and calibration. If tiling two or more separate areas then you can get away with different batches but you need to make sure the boxes don’t get mixed up between areas.

Battiscopa
A floor trim also known as bullnose that has a finished edge on one side.

Bevelled Edge
Where the edge of a tile is angled rather than perpendicular to the face of the tile.
Biscuit (Body)This is the structural part of the tile (i.e. singular from the glaze), or often the part the industry refers to when talking about the material or mixture from which the item is made.

Brushed Finish
Tiles with a brushed finish have a worn-down look achieved by brushing the surface of the tile to simulate natural wear over time.

Broken Joint
Tile installation where each row is offset for half of its length. Also known as brick joint or staggered pattern.

Bullnose
A trim tile with a finished edge.

Caulk
Waterproof filler used to seal joints and make tile joints watertight.

Cement Board
A panel normally ¼" or ½" thick made of cement, reinforced with fiberglass used as a substrate for tile installation.

Ceramic Tile
This is generally made from red or white clay and from slightly different raw materials to porcelain tiles.  Ceramic tiles are usually finished with a decorative glaze.  Ceramic tiles are used for both wall and floor applications, but are 'softer' than porcelain tiles. Generally best suited to lighter wear traffic, ie residential rather than commercial & tend to carry a PEI of 1 to a maximum of 3 rating. They tend to be more prone to chipping and are less frost resistant than porcelain tiles due to their relatively high absorption rate.

Coefficient of Friction (C.O.F)
The measurement of resistance to friction as related to be effect of how smooth or rough a surface is to prevent material to "slip" across the surface.

Colour Bodied
Coloured bodied tiles are created with continuous coloured stains from the glaze surface throughout the body of the tile. Synchronising the colour of both the glaze and body lessens the visibility of any chipping or scratches which may occur. The colour remains consistent throughout the tile, but any surface design does not continue through the tile body.

Corundum
This is an abrasive grit which is added to a tile glaze to increase its slip co-efficiency.

Cushion-Edged
Tile on which the facial edges have a distinct curvature that results in a slightly recessed joint.

Cove Base
A trim tile having a convex radius with a flat landing on the bottom edge. See also Sanitary Base.

Cure
The time period that a tile installation setting material must be undisturbed and allowed to set for it to reach full strength.

Dimensional Standards
First quality tiles must meet the standards of their class for length, width, thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, and surface flatness. All manufacturers will produce specifications for their ranges, normally outlined in promotional material such a catalogues, which rate these areas against the current standard.

Double Pressed
Where a porcelain tile goes through a press, is decorated and then sent through another press before entering the kiln. This is often used to produce the appearance of natural stone and also seals the surface so the porcelain is less porous and more durable.

Efflorescence
The residue deposited on the surface of a material by the crystallization of soluble salts.

Epoxy Adhesive
A two part adhesive system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener. Used for bonding ceramic tile or stone to backing material.

Epoxy Grout
A two-part grout system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener. Made to have impervious qualities, stain and chemical resistant. Used to fill joints between tiles. 

Feature Strip (Border)
A narrow strip of tile with design, texture or contrasting color that creates a design concept.

Field Tile
The primary tile used to cover a wall or floor. 

Floor Tile
A tile durable enough to withstand traffic and abrasion. 

Finish
The final surface applied to the face of a tile that determines its visual and tactile characteristics.

Full Bodied (Through Bodied) Porcelain Tile
This refers to a porcelain tile where the colour and pattern run right through the entire thickness of the tile making it virtually impervious to wear, as the colour or pattern does not change even if the surface is worn down, scratched or chipped. Such tiles are typically suited to high traffic areas and commercial installations.

Fully Vitrified
Ceramic tiles that have been chemically altered during the firing process to produce a material that will hardly absorb water at all, typically with water absorptions below 0.5%. Porcelain is a fully vitrified ceramic.

Grout
A mortar used to fill the joints between tiles

Glazed Tile
A tile that has an impervious facial finish composed of glaseous ceramic materials fused to the surface of the tile 

Granite
Hard igneous rock consisting chiefly of quartz, orthoclase or microcline. This material can be in tile or slab form 

Glazed Ceramic Tile
A ceramic biscuit that has been coated with an opaque glaze, usually for decorative purposes. Soft bodied, this is easy to cut and is mainly recommended for walls. Ceramic floor tiles are generally recommended only for residential use and low traffic installations.

Glazed Porcelain
A very popular type of indoor tile. The body of the tile is made from porcelain, but colour/decoration is added to the surface for aesthetic purposes. Porcelain tiles are harder, the material more dense and as a result stronger than its ceramic counterpart. Generally, a wet saw is required for cutting during the installation process.

Gloss Finish
Gloss tiles are sprayed with a glaze that produces a shiny, reflective surface after firing. These tiles resist dirt and stains and are easy to clean. As a result, they work well in high-maintenance areas that require frequent cleaning such as kitchen and bathroom walls.

Grip /Roccia Finish
An undulating, textured finish that provides low-slip qualities, and can resemble natural rock. They are normally used for external areas and places that need extra traction (wet areas, for example).

Lappato
A tile finish also known as "Semi-Polished". 

Limestone
Sedimentary stone that could have fossils or shells. This material can be in tile or slab form in a variety of finishes. 

Listel or Listello
A decorative border, primarily for walls. 

Hardness
Hardness of a tile’s surface is the measure of its resistance to a substance that will scratch or damage its surface. The hardness of a tile is directly related to the material it is made from, its density & its porosity. The MOH scale can be referred to for measurements of hardness and density.

Honed Finish
Honed tiles have a semi-polished to matt look, which is created by polishing using a mechanical procedure which does not remove any material of the tile. The result is a smooth with a soft look and a slightly duller colour than the polished tiles.
Impervious TileHas a water absorption of 0.5% or less

Inkjet Printing Technology
Latest method of manufacturing tiles that allow for diversified designs on tiles so that no two tiles look the same. In this way, natural stone tiles can be replicated realistically.

Inserts
Small, sometimes decorative tiles used in combination with larger or plain tiles to create patterns. Small square inserts are also known as a taco or tozzetto.

Interlocking
The edge of two tiles engage with each other by overlapping or fitting together to form a solid surface.

LEED
The acronym stands for Leadership in Energy and Environment Design. The LEED Green Building Rating System was established by the U.S. Green Building Council. The system defines standards for environmentally responsible, healthier, and more profitable structures. Points are awarded to new construction and major renovation in five categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

Lippage
A condition where one edge of a tile is higher than the adjacent edges, giving the finished surface an uneven appearance. This can be avoided by using levelling systems like the Raimondi Levelling System.

Listello
Narrow decorative border tile, often designed to compliment a range of field tiles.

Matt Finish
Matt tiles are smooth and flat and create a more informal and softer look. This finish is created by stopping short of the last stage of polishing. A matt finish shows fewer scratches, and requires very little maintenance.

MOH Scale
Scale used to express the measure of a material’s hardness from Mohs’ 1 (talc - softest) to 10 (diamond - hardest).

Marble
A natural stone product quarried from the earth. This material can be in tile or slab form in a variety of finishes. 

Mastic
A wall tile adhesive used to bond tile to wall substrates. 

Mosaics
Ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal or stone tile less than six square inches. May come in squares, octagons, hexagons or random shapes mounted for ease of installation. 

Mud
A slang term referring to thick-bed mortar consisting of sand and cement. 

Nominal Size
Refers to the approximate size of a tile's upper face or thickness, used for a general dimension of the given product. This is normally in terms of a non-rectified tile as the mm measurement of length, width and thickness can vary slightly.

Non-Vitrified Tile
Has water absorption of 7% or greater. Usually used as a wall covering and suited for indoor, dry area use only.

P.E.I. rating
This rating is established by the Porcelain Enamel Institute to rate the resistance of ceramic tiles to visible surface abrasion. Commonly referred to as "abrasion resistance", this is the most commonly used industry rating for wear. Ratings go from 1 to 5 with 5 being the most durable. To eliminate the possibility of choosing the wrong product, most manufacturers use the following P.E.I guide to rate the durability of each tile.

• Group 1: Tiles suitable for residential bathrooms where softer footwear is worn.
• Group 2: Tiles suited to general residential traffic, except kitchens, entrance halls, and other areas subjected to continuous heavy use.
• Group 3: Tiles suited for all residential and light commercial areas such as offices, reception areas and boutiques.
• Group 4: Tiles suited for medium commercial and light institutional applications such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors.
• Group 5: Tiles suitable for heavy traffic and wet areas where safety and maximum performance are a major factor such as exterior walkways, food service, salad bars, building entrances, around swimming pools or shopping centres.

 
Pillowed/Cushioned Edge
Where the straight edges of a tile have been rounded and softened, giving the tile a pillowed look.

Polished Finish
These tiles are shiny, flat and reflective, obtained by polishing the surface with an abrasive wheel until it shines. The process removes up to 1 mm of material from the pressed surface. They are easy to keep clean and are popular for living, dining and bedroom applications

Porcelain Stoneware
This refers to a tile made from porcelain clays using a dust pressed method resulting in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, and with very square sharp sides. This tends to make them frost resistant and the perfect material for external installations.

Porcelain Tile
Mosaic or paver tile composed by the dust-pressed method. Characterized by a dense and impervious body.

Quarry Tile
Dense unglazed tile that is generally 6" or more in surface area and less than 3/4" thick. Use mostly in commercial spaces because of its slip resistant qualities.

Rectified Tile
Unlike a typical factory-edged tile, a rectified tile has been cut to size after the firing process. This process creates a precise, 90 degree angle edge and, as a result, can be laid with a tighter grout joint than an un-rectified tile. This gives a smoother, more sophisticated and continuous look to the room overall.

Sanitary Base
A trim tile having a concave radius on one edge and a convex radius with a flat landing on the bottom edge

Sealer
A penetrant applied to prevent the absorption of liquids or other debris. Used with porous materials including: quarry tile, grout, and natural stone. Sealer is not necessary for glazed ceramic tile. 

Slate
A natural material that is known for its dynamic colors and "earthy" appeal. Slate is used outside as well as inside because of its natural look and wonderful colors. Because slate is a product of nature, it is characterized by a high shade variation. 

Spacers
Cross-shaped plastic pieces that are used in installation to evenly separate tile. Manufactured in various thicknesses and shapes. 

Semi-Polished (Lappato) Finish
Semi-polished, also known as “lappato” finish is achieved by polishing the tile’s surface with an abrasive wheel but not long enough to attain the luster of a typical polished tile.

Semi-Vitreous (Semi-vitrified) Tiles
Tiles that absorb from 3% to 7% moisture. They are applicable for indoor use only.

Shade Variation
As recent advances in technology have allowed for increased flexibility in colour variation between tiles, a scale has been introduced to communicate the degree of variation intended. The degree of shade variation expresses the level of uniformity of colour between the tiles in the same series.

Slim Tiles
Unlike regular tiles which are commonly 9-11mm thick, slim tiles are only 3-5mm thick, but have comparable strength. This makes them ideal for renovations as they can be laid on top of existing tiles, thereby saving on demolition costs.

Structured
Where the face of the tile is changed during the forming process from a flat to a textured surface. This texture can take many forms, ranging from a rough random texture to protruding geometric shapes.

Tessellated Tiles
These are tiles which have been precisely calibrated. They have been used extensively in the UK and Europe. Typically the tile is compact and vitrified with a low porosity rate.  These tiles normally feature patterns and geometric decorations and the potential to create unique decorations depending on taste is vast.

Thermal Shock Resistance
The ability of a tile to resist alteration when subjected to rapidly fluctuating extreme temperatures.

Thinset
An adhesive used to attach tiles to a substrate. 

Threshold
A raised member of the floor within the doorjamb. 

Travertine
Similar composition to limestone but with holes created by hot springs. This material can be in tile or slab form also in many different finishes. 

Trim Pieces
Various shaped of bases, caps, corners, moldings, angles, etc. 

Unglazed Tile
A hard, dense tile of uniform composition. 

Vitrified Tiles
Fully vitrified tiles are made from fine particles and fired to high temperatures (1250 degrees) which results in a denser tile with extremely low porosity (moisture absorption of less than 0.5%). Porcelain stoneware tiles are fully vitrified making a layer of glaze unnecessary for the tile to be impervious to water.

Wastage
Used to define the excess tiles that may be required to factor in cutting. Generally this is 10% of the quantity required. However if the installation is complicated or involves a lot of cutting or a very large tile is being used, the amount of wastage may need to be increased. It is important to factor in sufficient wastage when you purchase your tiles because if you do find yourself short, you may not be able to get tiles from the same batch later. 

Wall Tile
Glazed tile with a body suitable for interior use. Not expected to withstand excessive impact or be subject to freezing/thawing conditions.
 

Other Important Tile terms

Abrams law
A rule stating that with given concrete materials and conditions of test the ratio of the amount of water to the amount of the cement in the mixture determines the strength of the concrete provided the mixture is of a workable consistency. (See also Water cement ratio).

Abrasion
Wearing away by friction.

Abrasion resistance
Ability of a surface to resist being worn away by rubbing and friction.

Absorbed moisture
Moisture that has entered a solid material by absorption and has physical properties not substantially different from ordinary water at the same temperature and pressure. (See also Absorption.)

Absorption
The relationship of the weight of the water absorbed by a ceramic specimen subjected to prescribed immersion procedure, to the weight of the dry specimen, expressed in percent. (ASTM C 242).

Accelerator
A substance which, when added to concrete, mortar, or grout, increases the rate of hydration of the hydraulic cement, shortens the time of setting, or increases the rate of hardening of strength development, or both.

Accessories (Tile Accessories)
Ceramic or non-ceramic articles, affixed to or inserted in tile work, as exemplified by towel bars, paper, soap and tumbler holders, grab bars and the like.

Acid
A chemical substance usually corrosive to common metals (iron, aluminum, zinc) and which, in water solution, imparts an acid, sour or tart taste. Acids are generally divided into two classes:
(a) Strong mineral or inorganic acids such as sulfuric, sulfuric, phosphoric, hydrochloric or nitric,
(b) Weak organic or natural acids such as acetic (vinegar), citric (citrus fruit juices), oxalic, and fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, stearic, etc.)

Acid and alkali-resistant grout
A grout that resists - Acidity. Effect of prolonged contact with acids and alkalis.

Acidity
A general term applying to substances on the acid side of neutral -principally the degree of acidity.

Acrylic
A general class of resinous polymers derived from esters, amides or other acrylic acid derivatives.

Additive
A term frequently (but improperly) used as a synonym for addition or admixture.

Adhesion
The state in which two surfaces are held together by interfacial forces which may consist of valence forces or interlocking action,

Adhesion mechanical
Adhesion between surfaces in which the adhesive holds the parts together by interlocking action. (See also Adhesion, specific.)

Adhesion, specific
Adhesion between surfaces which are held together by valence forces of the same type as those which give rise to cohesion. (See also Adhesion, mechanical.)

Adhesive
A substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. Note: Adhesive is the general term and includes among other cement, glue, mucilage and paste. All of these terms are loosely used interchangeably. Various descriptive adjectives are applied to the term adhesive to indicate certain characteristics as follows:
(a) Physical form, that is liquid adhesive, tape adhesive,
(b) Chemical type, that is, silicate adhesive, resin adhesive,
(c) Materials bonded, that is, paper adhesive, metal-plastic adhesive, can label adhesive,
(d) Conditions of use, that is, hot-setting adhesive.

Adhesive, ceramic
Used for bonding tile to a surface. Rubber solvents; and rubber and resin-based emulsions can be used as adhesives.

Adhesive, tile
Organic adhesive used for bonding tile to a surface. Rubber solvents and resin-based and rubber emulsions can be used as adhesives.

Adhesive, pressure-sensitive
An adhesive made so as to adhere to a surface at room temperature by briefly applied pressure alone.

Adhesive, solvent
An adhesive having a volatile organic liquid as a vehicle. Note: This term excludes water based adhesives.

Admixture
A material other than water, aggregates, and hydraulic cement, used as an ingredient of concrete or mortar, and added to the concrete immediately before or during its mixing.

Adobe
Unburnt brick dried in the sun.

Aggregate
Granular material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, andiron blast-furnace slag, used with a cementing medium to forma hydraulic-cement, concrete or mortar. (See also Aggregate, heavyweight and Aggregate, lightweight.)

Aggregate, heavyweight
Aggregate, of high specific gravity such as barite, magnetite, limonite, ilmenite, iron or steel used to

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; sintered fly ash or industrial cinders; used to produce lightweight concrete.

Air, entrained
See Entrained air.

Air-entraining
The capability of a material or process to develop a system of minute bubbles of air in cement, mortar, or concrete during mixing.

Air-slack
A condition where soft-body clay, after absorbing moisture and being exposed to the atmosphere, will spall a piece of clay and/or glaze.

Alkali
A chemical substance which effectively neutralizes acid material soaps to form neutral salts. A base. The opposite of acid. Examples are ammonia and caustic soda.

Alumina porcelain
A vitreous ceramic white ware for technical application in which alumina (A1203) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Alumina white ware
Any ceramic white ware in which alumina (A1203) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Andalusite
A polymorph, along with sillimanite and kyanize, of compositionA1203 Si02. On firing, it dissociates to yield principally mulita. (ASTM C 21)

Angler
Masonry composed of squared stones; one pattern of masonry construction.

Angle curing
Steam curing of concrete products, sand-lime brick, asbestos-cement products, hydrous calcium silicate insulation products, or cement in an autoclave at maximum ambient temperatures generally between 340-420 F (176-215 C).

Angle divider
The angle divider is used by the tile setter to determine the degree of an angle to cut. It is used for fitting trim, mouldings, and floors into corners. A corner angle is measured by adjusting the divider to fit the corner.

ANSI
American National Standards Institute

Anti-Fracture Membrane
See Crack isolation.

APA
The Engineered Wood Association

Apron
Trim or facing on the side or in front of a countertop, table edge or windowsill.

ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials

Autoclave
A pressure vessel in which an environment of steam at high-pressure may be produced; used in the curing of concrete products and in the testing of hydraulic cement.

Back-Butter
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.

Backing off
See Feather edging tile. Angle 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. The same sized cuts will be placed on each side of a mitre.

Ball clay
A secondary clay, commonly characterized by the presence of organic matter, high plasticity, high dry strength, long vitrification range, and a light colour when fired. (ASTM C 242).

Ball milling
A method of grinding and mixture material, with or without liquid, in a rotating cylinder or conical mill partially filled with grinding media such as balls or pebbles. (ASTM C 242).

Bar support
A rigid device used to support or hold reinforcing bars in proper position to prevent displacement before or during concrete placement.

Basalt ware
A black unglazed vitreous ceramic ware having the appearance of basalt rock. (ASTM C 242).

Base
One or more rows of tile installed on a vertical surface above the floor. See Cove.

Basis for acceptance
The method of determining whether a lot of ceramic tile is acceptable under these specifications.

Batch mixer
A machine that mixes batches of concrete or mortar in contrast to continuous mixer.

Batch plant
An operating installation of equipment including batchers and mixers as required for batching or for batching and mixing concrete materials; also called mixing plant when equipment is included.

Beating block
A wooden block used to embed tiles in a flat plane. The method used is called beating in.

Belleek china
A highly translucent white ware composed of a body containing significant amount of frit and normally having a lustre glaze. (Produced commercially at Belleek, Ireland.) (ASTM C 242).

Bench mark
Permanent reference point or mark.

Bentonite
Clay composed principally of minerals of the montmorillonoid group, characterized by high absorption and very large volume change with wetting or drying. Beryllium oxide (barilla) (Be) an inorganic material of exceptionally high thermal conductivity which is toxic in the powder form.

Bicultural
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.

Biscuit chips
Glazed-over chips on the edge or corner of the body of a tile.

Biscuit cracks
Any fractures in the body of a tile visible both on face and back.

Bisque fire
See Fire, bisque.

Blaine fineness
The fineness of powdered materials such as cement and pozzolans, expressed as surface area usually in square centimetres per gram, determined by the Blaine apparatus.

Bleb
A small blister or bubble.

Bleeding
The autogenous flow of mixing water within, or its emergence from newly placed concrete or mortar; caused by the settlement of the solid materials within the mass; also called water gain.

Blend
To mix or make homogeneous.

Blistering
The development during firing of enclosed or broken macroscopic vesicles or bubbles in a body, or in a glaze or other coating. (ASTM C 242).

Block angle
A square of tile specially made for changing direction of the trim such as butterfly or down angle.

Bloom
A visible exudation or efflorescence on the surface.

Blots
Marks or stains on the face of a tile.

Blunting
The wet process of blending, or suspending ceramic material in liquid by agitation. (ASTM C 242). The structural portion of ceramic article. This term also refers to the material or mixture from which the article is made. (ASTM C 242).

Body
The structural portion of a ceramic tile. This term also refers to the material or mixture from which the tile is made.

Bond
The adherence of one material to another.

Bond breaker
Any material preventing adhesion.

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-type Portland cement mortar, organic adhesive, and the like.

Bond Strength
A bond coat’s ability to resist separating from the tile and setting bed. Measured in pounds per square inch (psi).

Bonding agent
A substance applied to a substrate to create a bond between it and succeeding layer. Such as between a subsurface and a terrazzo topping or a succeeding plasters application.

Bone ash
Calcined bone consisting essentially of calcium phosphate. (ASTMC 242).

Bone china
Translucent china made from a ceramic white ware body composition containing a minimum of 25 percent bone ash. (ASTM C 242).

Box Screed
Essentially a box screed is a jig used to apply mortar onto the backside 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.

Brick trowel
The brick trowel is larger than the buttering trowel. The most popularize used by tile setters is 5” wide and 11” long. It is used when any preparatory brick work has to be done. Some tile setters use it for quarry and terra cotta tile work. Its greater surface and weightage advantageous in the buttering and tapping in of the larger tiles.

Brick Veneer Tile
Tile produced by several methods to simulate the appearance of brick.

Bridge
A straightedge used as a starting line for the laying of tile. The straightedge can be blocked up to support tile over an opening.

Bridge deck
The slab or other structure forming the travel surface of a bridge.

Bright glaze
Colourless or coloured ceramic glaze having high gloss. (ASTM C242).

Broom finish
The surface texture obtained by stroking a broom over freshly placed concrete. (See also brushed surface.)

Brown coat
The second coat in three-coat plaster application.

Brushed surface
A sandy texture obtained by brushing the surface of freshly placed or slightly hardened concrete with a stiff brush for architectural effect or, in pavements, to increase skid resistance. (See also Broom finish.)

Building official
The official charged with administration and enforcement of the applicable building code or his duly authorized representative.

Bulking
Increase in the bulk volume of a quantity of sand in a moist or wet condition over the volume of the same quantity of dry sand.

Bulking curve
Graph of change in volume of a quantity of sand due to change in moisture content.

Bulking factor
Ratio of the volume of moist sand to the volume of the sand when dry.

Bull float
A tool comprising a large, flat, rectangular piece of wood, aluminum, or magnesium usually 8 in. (20 cm) wide and 42 to60 in. (100 to 150 cm) long, and a handle 4 to 16 ft. (1 to 5cm) in length used to smooth unformed surfaces of freshly placed concrete.

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 trims with a convex radius on two adjacent edges.

Burlap
A coarse fabric of jute, hemp, or less commonly, flax, for use as a water-retaining covering in curing concrete surfaces; also called Hessian.

Bush hammer
A hammer that has a rectangular head with serrated or jagged faces. The bush hammer is used for roughing concrete to provide a bond for masonry.

Butterfly
A slang term for corner angles for trim shapes such as AB 106, AF105, AF 200, AK106, and AU 106.

Butt joint
A plain square joint between two members.

Butterfly
A term commonly used for inside corner angles for trim shapes such as AB 106, AF 105, AF 200, AK 106, and AU 106.

Buttering
The spreading of a bond coat (followed by a mortar coat, a thin-setting bed mortar, or an organic adhesive) to the backs of ceramic tile just before the tile is placed.

Button back Tile
Tile that have projections on the bondable side. Many of these projections are round and therefore the term button back. Some projections are quite thick and can also be other shapes, such as square.

Calcine
A ceramic mineral or mixture fired to less than fusion for use as constituent in a ceramic composition. (ASTM C 242).

Camber
A deflection that is intentionally built into a structural element or form to improve appearance or to nullify the deflection of the element under the effects of loads, shrinkage and creep.

Cap
See Bullnose.

Cassiterite (Sri 02)
An inorganic mineral of the tetragonal form used as a source of tin and tin oxide. (ASTM C 21)

Cast-in-place
Mortar or concrete which is deposited in the place where it is required to harden as part of the structure, as opposed to precast concrete.

Casting
Forming ceramic ware by introducing a body slip into a porous old which absorbs sufficient water from the slip to produce a semi rigid article. (ASTM C 242).

Casting plaster
A fast-setting gypsum plaster that is used to anchor marble towels, set spots, or mix temporary “hot mud.”

Casting solid
Forming ceramic ware by introducing a body slip into a porous old which usually consists of two major sections, one section forming the contour of the inside of the ware and allowing a solid cast to form between the two mild faces. (ASTM C 242).

Casting, drain (hollow casting)
Forming ceramic ware by introducing a body slip into an open porous mild, and then draining off the remaining slip when the cast has reached the desired thickness. (ASTM C 242).

Caulk
See Sealant.

Caulking compound
A soft, plastic material consisting of pigment and vehicle, used for sealing joints in buildings and other structures where normal structural movement may occur. Caulking compound retains its plasticity for an extended period after application. It is available in forms suitable for application by gun and knife and in extruded preformed shapes.

Ceiling mortar
Extra-rich wall mortar.

Cement
Usually refers to Portland cement which when mixed with sand, gravel, and water forms concrete. Generally, cement is an adhesive; specifically, it is that type of adhesive which sets by virtue of a chemical reaction.

Cement grout
A cementitious mixture of Portland cement, sand or other ingredients and water which produces a water resistant, uniformly colored material used to fill joints between tile units.

Cement mortar
A cementitious mixture of Portland cement, sand or other ingredients and water which is used for bonding tile to back-up material.

Cement Portland
Hydraulic cement produced by pulverizing clinker consisting essentially of hydraulic calcium silicates, and usually containing one or more of the forms of calcium sulphate as an underground addition.

Cement, white
Portland cement which hydrates to a white paste; made from raw materials of low iron content, the clinker for which is fired by reducing flame.

Cement, masonry
Hydraulic cement for use in mortars for masonry construction, containing one or more of the following materials: Portland cement,
Portland blast-furnace slag cement, Portland-pozzolan cement, natural cement, slag cement or hydraulic lime; and in addition usually containing one or more materials such as hydrated lime, limestone, chalk, calcareous shell, talc, slag, or clay, as prepared for this purpose.

Cement-body tiles
Tiles with the body made from a mixture of sand and Portland cement. The surface may be finished with Portland cement, spheroids of marble or other materials.

Cementitious
Having the properties of cement.

Centigrade
A scale of temperature which features 0oand boiling point of water respectively. To convert centigrade to Fahrenheit multiply by 1.8 and add 32, e.g., (100o32=212oF.

Ceramic article
An article having a glazed or unglazed body of crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or of glass, which body is produced from essentially inorganic, non-metallic substances and either is formed from a molten mass which solidifies on cooling or is formed and simultaneously or subsequently matured by the action of the heat. (ASTM C 242).

Ceramic mosaic tile
An unglazed tile formed by either the dust-pressed or plastic method, usually 1/4 to 3/8 in. (6.4 to 9.5 mm) thick, and having facial area of less than 6 in. and which is usually mounted on sheets approximately 2 by 1 ft. (0.3 by 0.6 m) to facilitate setting. Ceramic mosaic tile may be of either porcelain or natural clay composition and may be either plain or with an abrasive mixture throughout. (ASTM C 242).

Ceramic paste
A French term synonymous with “ceramic body.” (ASTM C 242).

Ceramic process
The production of articles or coatings from essentially inorganic, Non-metallic materials, the article or coating being made permanent
And suitable for utilitarian and decorative purposes by the action of heat at temperatures sufficient to cause sintering, solid-state reactions, bonding, or conversion partially or wholly to the glassy state. (ASTM C 242).

Ceramic 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, called the body of the tile, having either a “glazed “or “unglazed” face, and fired above red heat in the course of manufacture to a temperature sufficiently high to produce specific physical properties and characteristics.

Ceramic white ware
A fired ware consisting of a glazed or unglazed ceramic body which is commonly white and of fine texture. This term designates such products as china, porcelain, semi vitreous ware and earthenware. (ASTM C 242).

Candy 100o
C as the freezing

Ceramics
A general term applied to the art or technique of producing articles by a ceramic process, or to the articles so producing. (ASTM C242).

Chair
See Bar support.

Chalk line
Usually cotton cord coated with chalk. The cord is snapped to markka straight line. The chalk line is used to align spots or screeds.

Checking
Short shallow cracks on the surface. Chemical porcelain. Vitreous ceramic white wares used for containing, transporting, or reacting of chemicals. (ASTM C 242).

China
A glazed or unglazed vitreous ceramic white ware used for nontechnical purposes. This term designates such products as dinnerware, sanitary ware, and art ware when they are vitreous. (See also Bone china.) (ASTM C 242).

China process
The method of producing glazed ware by which the ceramic body is
Cx1.8)-fired to maturity, following which the glaze is applied and maturedby firing at a lower temperature. (ASTM C 242).

China sanitary ware (sanitary plumbing fixtures)
Glazed, vitrified white ware fixtures having a sanitary service function. (ASTM C 242).

Chipped
Caused from the same reasons as given under “pitted” or by rough handling and confined to the corners and edges of the tile.

Chipping hammer
The chipping hammer is a lightweight hammer that comes in a variety of sizes. The head and back can be capped with tungsten carbide for durability. It is used by the tile setter to chip excess material from the backs and edges of wall and quarry tiles, thus reducing the amount of grinding work necessary to smooth a cut.

Chips
The scaling or breaking off at the edges of fragments from the surface of a tile, as might result from rough handling.

Clay
A natural mineral aggregate, consisting essentially of hydrousaluminum silicates; it is plastic when sufficiently wetted, rigid when dried end masse, and vitrified when fired to a sufficiently high temperature. (ASTM C 242).

Clear glaze
A colourless or coloured transparent ceramic glaze. (ASTM C 242).

Cleavage membrane
A layer of 15 lb. roofing felt, or an equivalent type of construction paper or polyethylene sheeting, used to isolate a wire reinforced mortar bed for tile from the concrete substrate. (CTI)

Cold joint
Any point in a tile installation where tile and setting bed have terminated and the surface has lost its plasticity before work is continued.

Cold joint lines
Visible lines on the surfaces of formed concrete indicating the presence of joints where one layer of concrete had hardened before subsequent concrete was placed. (See also Cold joint).

Colour
The aspect of the appearance of an object dependent upon the spectral composition of the incident light, the spectral reflectance of transmittance of the object, and the spectral response of the observer.

Coloured grout
Commercially prepared grout consisting of carefully graded aggregate, Portland cement, water dispersing agents, plasticizers and colour fast pigments. (CTI).

Column
A member used primarily to support axial compression loads and with a height of at least three times its least lateral dimension.

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 mild it within forms or melds and around embedded parts and reinforcement, and to eliminate voids other than entrained air.

Composition tile
A hard tile surfacing unit made from a mixture of chemicals. The finished surface can be the mixture of chemicals or can be marble chips to create a terrazzo finish. The unit is made hard by the setoff the chemicals and the product is not fired as in the manufacture of ceramic tile. (CTI)

Compressive strength
The measured maximum resistance of a concrete or mortar specimen to axial loading; expressed as force per unit cross-sectional area; or the specified resistance used in design calculations, in the U.S. customary units of measure expressed impounds per square inch (psi).

Concrete
A composite material which consists essentially of a binding medium within which are embedded particles or fragments of aggregate; in Portland cement concrete, the binder is a mixture of
Portland cement and water.

Concrete pump
An apparatus which forces concrete to the placing position through pipeline or hose. Concrete, prestressed. See prestressed concrete.

Concrete, pumped.
See Pumped concrete.

Concrete, fibrous
Concrete containing, dispersed, randomly oriented fibres.

Concrete, field
Concrete delivered or mixed, placed, and cured on the job site.

Concrete, foamed
Concrete made very light and cellular by the addition of prepared foam or by generation of gas within the unhardened mixture.

Concrete, green
Concrete which has set but not appreciably hardened.

Concrete, lightweight
Concrete using lightweight aggregates or combination of lightweight
And normal- weight aggregates. Structural lightweight concrete air-dry density ranges from 85 to 115 PCF and compressive strengths in excess of 2500 PSI.

Concrete, precast
See precast concrete.

Concrete, refractory
See Refractory concrete.

Concrete, terrazzo
Marble-aggregate concrete that is cast-in-place precast and ground smooth for decorative surfacing purposes on floors and walls.

Condensation
Usually refers to liquid drops which form when a vapour is chilled below its boiling point. Also refers to water droplets that deposit on surfaces whose temperature is below the dew point. Conductive (adj.) Having the quality or power of conducting or transmitting heat, electricity, or static electricity.

Conductive mortar
A tile mortar to which specific electrical conductivity is imparted through the use of conductive additives.

Conductive tile
Tile made from special body compositions or by methods that result in specific properties of electrical conductivity while retaining other normal physical properties of ceramic tile.

Contaminated
Stained tile as a result of carton and tile being saturated by moisture, oils, solvents or other materials.

Contraction joint
Formed, sawed, or tooled groove in a concrete structure to create weakened plane and regulate the location or cracking resulting from the dimensional change of different parts of the structure. (See also Isolation joint.)

Control joints
See Contraction joint. (TCNA Handbook)

Conventional installation
The method of installing ceramic tile with Portland cement mortar.

Coping
The material or units used to form a cap or finish on top of a wall, pier, pilaster, or chimney.

Corbel
A projection from the face of a beam, girder, column, or wall used as a beam seat or a decoration.

Cordierite porcelain
A vitreous ceramic white ware for technical application in which cordierite is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Cordierite white ware
A ceramic white ware in which cordierite is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Corrosion
The eating and wearing away by chemical action (pitting, rusting).

Cove
A trim tile unit having one edge with a concave radius. A cove issued 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 with a flat landing on the opposite edge. This base often issued as the only course of tile above the floor tile.

Coverage
A measure of the amount of material required to cover a given surface.

Covering power
The ability of a glaze to uniformly and completely cover the surface of the fired water. (ASTM C 242).

Crack-control reinforcement
Reinforcement in concrete construction designed to prevent opening of cracks, often effective in limiting them to uniformly distributed small cracks.

Cracked
Tiles that have actually been cracked in one or more pieces usual during the beating in process of installation. These will show up as hairline cracks.

Crack Isolation
Prevention of transfer of cracks from the substrate through the tile or stone when substrate is subjected to horizontal movement of cracks.

Cracks
Hair-line fissures.

Crawling
A parting and contraction of the glaze on the surface of ceramic ware during drying or firing, resulting in unglazed areas bordered by coalesced glaze. (ASTM C 242-58T)

Crazing
The cracking which occurs in fired glazes or other ceramic coatings due to critical tensile stresses. (ASTM C 242).

Creep
Tune-dependent deformation due to sustained load.

Crooked edges
A curvature of the sides, either convex or concave, measured along the sides. The degree of crook is the departure from the straight line between two corners, expressed in percentage of the tile length.

Crow hop
A slang term used to describe tile joints that are out of alignment.

Crystalline glaze
Glazed tile with an extra heavy glaze produced for use on countertops and light duty floor surfaces where abrasion or impact is not excessive. (CTI)

CSI
Construction Specification Institute
CTDA

Ceramic Tile Distributors Association
CTEF

Ceramic Tile Education Foundation
CTI

Ceramic Tile Institute
CTIOA

Curing
Maintenance of humidity and temperature of freshly placed concrete during some definite period following placing, casting, or finishing to assure satisfactory hydration of the cementitious materials and proper hardening of the concrete.

Curing blanket
A built-up covering of sacks, matting, hessian, straw, waterproof paper, or other suitable material placed over freshly finished concrete. (See also Burlap.)

Curing compound
A liquid that can be applied as a coating to the surface of newly placed concrete to retard the loss of water or, in the case of pigmented compounds, also to reflect heat so as to provide an opportunity for the concrete to develop its properties in a favorabletemperature and moisture environment. (See also Curing.)

Curing, electrical
A system in which a favourable temperature is maintained in freshly-placed concrete by supplying heat generated by electrical resistance. Curing, steam. See Steam curing.

Curling
The distortion of an originally essentially linear or planar member into a curved shape such as the warping of a slab due to creeper to differences in temperature or moisture content in the zones adjacent to its opposite faces.

Cushion-edged tile
Tile on which the facial edges have a distinct curvature that resulting a slightly recessed joint.

D-cracking
The progressive formation on a concrete surface of a series of fine cracks at rather close intervals, often of random patterns. Evidenced in slabs on grade by cracks paralleling edges or joints and curving across slab corners. (Also termed D-cracks and D-line cracks.)

D-load
A constant load that in structures is due to the mass of the members, the supported structure, and permanent attachments or accessories.

Dago float
A slang term used to describe the use of a fresh mortar screed in lieu of float strips to rod floor mortar. This method is commonly used in floor work. Terrazzo workers use this technique to align “concrete” for placement of brass or aluminium strips to the desired grade.

Dago stick
A slang term used by tile setters when referring to a small piece of wood used to rod off mortar that has been applied to fill the holes caused by the removal of float strips.

Darby
A hand-manipulated straightedge, usually 3 to 5 ft. (1 to 2.5) long, used in the early stage levelling operations of concrete or plaster, preceding supplemental floating and finishing.

Dash-bond coat
A thick slurry of Portland cement, Sand and water flicked on surfaces with a paddle or brush to provide a base for subsequent
Portland cement plaster coats; sometimes used as a final finish on plaster.

Deck
The form on which concrete for a slab is placed, also the floor or roof slab itself. (See also Bridge deck.)

Deck or floor mortar
Mortar commonly used for decks or floors. It consists of sand and regular Portland cement mixed with water to a firm consistency.

Decorated
Adorned, embellished, or made more attractive by means of colourer surface detail. (ASTM C 242).

Decorating fire
See Fire, decorating.

Decoration
See Decoration, in glaze; Decoration, over glaze; Decoration, underglaze.

Decoration, in glaze
A ceramic decoration applied on the surface of an unfired glaze and matured with the glaze. (ASTM C 242).

Decoration, over glaze
A ceramic or metallic decoration applied and fired on the previously glazed surface of ceramic ware. (ASTM C 242).

Decoration, underglaze
A ceramic decoration applied directly on the surface of ceramic ware and subsequently covered with a transparent glaze. (ASTMC 242).

Decorative tile
Tile with a ceramic decoration on the surface. (See heading under Decorated and Decoration.)

Deflection
A variation in position or shape of a structure or structural element due to effects of load or volume change, usually measured as linear deviation from an established plane rather than an angular variation.

Deformation eutectic
See Eutectic, deformation.

Delft ware
Calcareous earthenware having an opaque white glaze and monochrome over glaze decorations. (Originated in Delft, Holland.)(ASTM C 242).

Discoloration
Departure of colour from that which is normal or desired.

Divider strips
In terrazzo work, nonferrous metal or plastic strips of different thickness, and embedded depths usually 5/8 to 1/4 in. (10 to 40mm), used to form panels in the topping.

Dolomite
The double carbonate of lime and magnesia having the general formula CaCO3 MgCA3. (ASTM C 242).

Dope coat
Neat cement applied to the setting bed.

Double Bullnose
A type of trim with the same convex radius on two opposite sides.

Dowel
A steel pin, commonly a plain round steel bar, which extends into two adjoining portions of a concrete construction, as at a joint in a pavement slab, so as to connect the portions and transfers hear loads. Also, as used in the construction of column and wall sections, a deformed steel reinforcing bar placed so as to transmit tension or compression as well as shear loads.

Down Angle
Trim tile with two rounded or curved edges, which serves to finish
An outside corner.

Drain casting
See Casting, drain.

Dry edging
Rough edges and corners of glazed ceramic ware due to insufficient glaze coating. (ASTM C 242). Dry mix. See Process, dry.

Dry pack
Concrete or mortar mixtures deposited and consolidated by dry packing.

Dry packing
Placing of zero slumps, or near zero slumps, concrete, mortar, or grout by ramming into a confined space.

Dry pressing
See Pressing, dry.

Dry process
See Process, dry.

Dry spots
Small areas on the face of tile which have been insufficiently glazed.

Dry-set mortar
A water-retentive hydraulic cement mortar usable with or without sand. When this mortar is used, neither the tile nor walls have Tobe soaked during the installation process.

Drying
Removal by evaporation, of uncombed water or other volatile substance from a ceramic raw material or product, usually expedited by low temperature heating. (ASTM C 242).

Denting
The cracking that occurs in fired ceramic bodies due to thermally induced stresses. (ASTM C 242-72)

Dusting
The application of dry Portland cement to a wet floor or deck mortar surface. A pure coat is thus formed by suction of the dry cement.

Dutchman
A cut tile used as filler in the run of a wall or floor area.

Eagle beak
A 6”x3/4” outside corner trim shape. (AC 106) Earthenware. Glazed or unglazed no vitreous ceramic white ware. (ASTM C 242).

Edge-mounted tile
A type of mounted tile. Tile is assembled into units or sheets and is bonded at the edges or corners of the back of the tiles by an elastomeric or resinous material which becomes an integral part of the tile installation. Units or sheets must meet criteria mounted sheets. See definition for Mounted tile.

Edge-bonded tile
See definition for Rerouted tile.

Edger
A finishing tool used on the edges of fresh concrete to provide abounded corner.

Efflorescence
The residue deposited on the surface of a material by the crystallization of soluble salts.

Egg shelling
The texture of a fired glaze similar in appearance to the surface of an eggshell. (ASTM C 242).

Electrical porcelain
Vitrified white ware having an electrical insulating function. (ASTMC 242).

Electrolysis
Production of chemical changes by the passage of current through an electrolyte.

Elastomeric
A natural material, for example, rubber, or a synthetic material. For example, polyvinyl, that has elastic properties.

Embossed
A decoration in relief or excised on the ware surface. (ASTM C242).

Englobe
A slip coating applied to a ceramic body for imparting color, opacity or other characteristics, and subsequently covered with ablaze. (ASTM C 242).

Entrained air
Microscopic air bubbles intentionally incorporated into mortar or concrete during mixing, usually by use of a surface-active agent. (See also Air entrainment.)

Epoxy adhesive
A two-part adhesive system employing epoxy resin and epoxy hardener used for bonding of ceramic tile to back-up materials.

Epoxy grout
A two-part grout system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener, especially formulated to have impervious qualities, stain, and chemical resistance used to fill joints between tile units.

Epoxy mortar
A two-part mortar system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener used to bond tile to back-up material where chemical resistance of high bond strength is a consideration.

Epoxy resin
An epoxy composition used as a chemical resistant setting adhesive or chemical-resistant grout.

Equilibrium eutectic
See Eutectic, equilibrium. Eutectic. See Eutectic, deformation;

Eutectic, equilibrium.
Eutectic, deformation
The composition within a system of two or more components which, on heating under specific conditions, develops sufficient liquid to cause deformation at minimum temperature. (ASTM C242). Eutectic equilibrium (eutectic). The composition within any system of two or more crystalline phases which melts completely at minimum temperature, or temperature at which such composition melts. (ASTM C 242).

Expansion joint
A joint through tile, mortar, and reinforcing wire down to the substrate.

Exposed-aggregate finish
A decorative finish for concrete work achieved by removing, generally before the concrete has fully hardened, the outer skin of mortar and exposing the coarse aggregate.

Extra duty tile
See Special purpose tile.

Extruded tile
A tile or trim 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 facial surface of the tile which is readily observed to be nonconforming and which will detract from the aesthetic appearance or serviceability of the installed tile.

Faience mosaics
Faience that are less than 6 in in facial area, usually 5/16 to3/8 in. (8 to 9.5 mm) thick, and usually mounted to facilitate installation. (ASTM C 242).

Faience tile
Glazed or unglazed tile, generally made by the plastic process, showing characteristic variations in the face, edges, and glaze that give a handcrafted, no mechanical, decorative effect. (ASTMC 242).

Faience ware
Formerly decorated earthenware with an opaque glaze, but currently
Designating decorated earthenware having a transparent glaze (ASTM C 242).
Fan or fanning

Spacing tile joints to widen certain areas so they will conform to section that is not parallel.

Fascia
A flat member or band at the surface of a building or the edge beam of a bridge; exposed eve of a building; often inappropriately called fascia.

Feather edge
A wood or metal tool having a bevelled edge; used to straightener-entrant angles in finish plaster coat; also edge of a concrete or
Mortar placement such as a patch or topping that is bevelled at an acute angle.

Featheredging file (metering)
The method of chipping away the body from beneath a facial edge of a tile in order to form a mitre.

Feature strip (decorated liner)
A narrow strip of tile that has a contrasting colour, texture, or design.

Feldspar
A mineral aggregate consisting chiefly of microcline, albite and/Oran orthite. (ASTM C 242)

Fiberglass
The name for products made of or with glass fibres ranging from5 to 600 hundred-thousandths inch in diameter. Used for making textile fabrics and for heat or sound insulation.
Field tile

Tile other than trim tile covering a wall or floor.

Filler
See Spacing mix.

Final setting time
The time required for a freshly mixed cement paste, mortar or concrete to achieve final set.

Fire
See Fire, bisque; Fire, decorating; Fire, glost; Fire, single.

Fire clay
An earthy or stony mineral aggregate which has as the essential constituent hydrous silicates of aluminium with or without free silica, plastic when sufficiently pulverized and wetted, rigid when subsequently dried, and of suitable refractoriness for use in commercial refractory products.

Fineness modulus
A factor obtained by adding the total percentages by weight of an aggregate sample retained on each of a specified series of sieves, and dividing the sum by 100. In the United States the standard sieve sizes are No. 100 (150 pm), No. 30 (600 we), No. 16(1.18 mm), No. 8 (2.36 mm) and No. 4 (4.75 mm), and a/s in.(9.5 mm), 3/a in. (19 mm), 11/2 in. (38,1 mm), 3 in. (75 mm),and 6 in. (150 mm).

Fire, bisque
The process of kiln-firing ceramic ware prior to glazing. (ASTM C242).

Fire, decorating
The process of firing ceramic or metallic decorations on the surface of glazed ceramic ware. (ASTM C 242).

Fire, glost
The process of kiln-firing bisque ware to which glaze has been applied. (ASTM C 242).

Fire, single
The process of maturing an unfired ceramic body and its glaze in one firing operation. (ASTM C 242).

Firing
The controlled heat treatment of ceramic ware in a kiln or furnace, during the process of manufacture, to develop the desired properties. (ASTM C. 242).

Firing range
The range of firing temperature within which a ceramic composition develops properties which render it commercially useful. (ASTM C242).

Flaked
Irregularities left on the edge of the tile mainly due to the use of machine cutting tools.

Flammable
Capable of being easily ignited.

Flash point
The temperature at which the material gives off flammable vaporing sufficient quantity to ignite momentarily on the application of aflame under specified conditions.

Flexural strength property of a material or structural member that indicates its ability to resist failure in bending. (See also Modulus of rupture.)

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” thick and 1-1/2” wide. It is used as a guide to align mortar surfaces.

Floating
A method of using a straightedge to align mortar with the float strips or screeds. This technique also is called dragging, pulling, rodding, or rodding off.

Fluorite (Ca F2) (fluorspar)
An inorganic mineral of the isometric form, used as a source of fluorine for fluxing of glasses and glazes.

Flux
A substance that promotes fusion in a given ceramic mixture. (ASTM C 242).

Fog curing
1. Storage of concrete in a moist room in which the desired high humidity is achieved by the atomization of fresh water. (See also moist room).2 Application of atomized fresh water to concrete, stucco, mortar, or plaster.

Form oil
Oil applied to interior surface of formwork to promote easy release from the concrete when forms are removed.

Forming
The shaping or melding of ceramic ware. (ASTM C 242).

Forsterite porcelain
A vitreous ceramic white ware for technical application in which forsterite (2MgO Silo) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C242).

Forsterite white ware
Any ceramic white ware in which Forsterite (2MgO - Silo) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Freehand floating
The application of wall mortar without the use of guide screeds. This technique is used by specialists when they are setting glass mosaic murals.

Frit
A glass which contains fluxing material and is employed as constituent in a glaze, body or other ceramic composition. (ASTMC 242).

Fritted glaze
A glaze in which a (ASTM C 242).


Frost proof tile
Tile produced for use where freezing and thawing conditions occur. (CTI)

Furan mortar
A two-part mortar system of furan resin and furan hardener used for bonding tile to back-up material where chemical resistance of floors is important.

Furan Plastics
Plastics based on resins in which the furan ring is an integral part of the polymer chain, made by the polymerization -orpolycondensation of furfural, furfural alcohol, or other compounds containing a furan ring, or by the reaction of these furan compounds with other compounds, the furan being in greater amount by weight.

Furan Grout
An intimate mixture of a furan resin, selected fillers and an acid
Catalyst. Fillers are generally carbon, silica or a combination thereof into which the acid catalyst, or setting agent, may be incorporated. When combined, the components form a flowablechemical resistant material for grouting tile.

Furan resin
A furan resin composition used as a chemical-resistant setting adhesive or chemical-resistant grout.

Furan resin grout
A two-part grout system of furan resin and furan hardener used for filling joints between quarry tile and pavers where chemical resistant properties are required.

Furring
Stripping used to build out a surface such as a studded wall where strips of suitable size are added to the studs to accommodate vent pipes or other fixtures.

Fusion
The process of melting; usually the result of interaction of two or more materials. (ASTM C 242).

Gilmore needle
A device used in determining time of setting of hydraulic cement.

Glass Mesh Mortar Unit/Cementitious Backer Unit
A backer board designed for use with ceramic tile in wet areas. Incan is used in place of metal lath, Portland cement scratch coat and mortar bed.

Glass mosaic tiles
Tiles made of glass, usually in sizes not over two (2) inches square and 1/4 inch thick, mounted on sheets of paper. Usually sheets are twelve (12) inches square.

Glaze
A ceramic coating matured to the glassy state on a formed ceramic article. The term glaze also refers to the material or mixture from which the coating is made. (ASTM C 242). Bright glaze. A high-gloss coating with or without colour. (ASTM C 242). Clear glaze. Transparent glaze with or without colour. (ASTM C 242). Crystalline glaze. A glaze that contains microscopic crystals. (ASTM C242). Fritted glaze. A glaze in which a part or all of the fluxing constituents are perfused. (ASTM C 242). Matt glaze. A low-gloss ceramic glaze with or without colour. (ASTM C 242). Opaque glaze. A no transparent glaze with or without colour. (ASTM C 242). Raw glaze. A glaze compounded primarily from raw constituents. It a medium-gloss ceramic glaze with or without colour. (ASTM C242). Speckled glaze. A glaze containing granules of oxides or ceramic stains that are of contrasting colours.

Glaze fit
The stress relationship between the glaze and body of a fired ceramic product. (ASTM C 242).

Glazed interior tile
A glazed tile with a body that is suitable for interior use and which is usually no vitreous, and is not required or expected to withstand excessive impact or be
subject to freezing and thawing conditions. (ASTM C -242).

Glazed paver tile
See Pavers. Glazed quarry tile. See Quarry tile. Glazed tile. Tile with fused impervious facial finish composed of ceramic materials, fused into the body of the tile which may be a no vitreous, semivitreous, vitreous, or impervious body. The glazed surface maybe clear, white, or coloured. (ASTM C 242). Glazed tile, extra duty glaze. Tile with a durable glaze that is suitable for light duty floors and all other surfaces on interiors where there is no excessive abrasion or impact. (ASTM C 242).

Glost fire
See Fire, glost.

Grade
A predetermined degree of slope for floors requiring drainage.

Grades
Grades of tile recognized in ANSI standard specifications for ceramic tile.

Grout
A rich or strong cementitious or chemically setting mix used for filling tile joints.

Grouting
The process of filling the tile joints with grout. =

Grout saw
The grout saw is a saw-toothed carbide steel blade mounted oak wooden handle. It is used to remove old grout. It also is used in patching work. Care should be used as it can easily damage adjacent tiles. The carbide steel blade is brittle, and it will shatter if it is dropped or abused. On front of the saw blade is a spring steel tip, used for scraping grout out of corners where the saw blade cannot reach.

Grout scrubbing pad
A no scratch nylon pad impregnated with abrasive used for cleaning grout off tile. Hairline cracking.

Grout, coloured
See Coloured grout.

Half and half
See Spacing mix.

Hard screed
A mortar screed that has become firm.

Hard Tile
A term used in the tile trade to designate types of tile, such as ceramic, glass mosaic, marble tile, etc. over which the tile trade has jurisdiction. Hard tile as compared to resilient tile.

Hawk
Hawks range in size from 10” to 14” square, but tile setters generally prefer the 11” square. Most hawks are made of aluminium with wooden handle at the centre. A rubber pad fits over the handle and covers that portion of the metal hawk that would come in contact with the hand. The hawk should not be held with a hand that is wet or covered with lime or mortar.

Healing power
The ability of a glaze to heal surface blemishes during firing. (ASTMC 242).

Heavy duty tile
Tile suitable for areas where heavy pedestrian traffic is prevalent. Tile can be specified to meet higher test values as determined by job requirements but a minimum heavy duty tile test requirement is necessary.

Hood
A portable trough for carrying mortar, bricks, etc., fixed crosswise on top of a pole and carried on the shoulder.

Hollow casting
See Casting, drain.

Hopped-up mud
Mortar mixed with an accelerator.

Horizontal broken joints
A style of laying tile with each course offset one-half its length.

Horizontal Broken Joints
A style of laying tile with each course offset one-half its length.

Hot cement
Newly manufactured cement which has not had an opportunity to cool after burning and grinding of the component materials.

Hot-Mopped Pan
A type of shower pan made of alternating layers of hot asphalt and tar paper.

Hot mud or hot stuff
Mortar mixed with an accelerator. Hot pressing. - See pressing, hot, hopped-up mud.

Hue
The attribute by which a perceived colour is distinguished as red, yellow, green, blue, purple or a combination of these. White, garland black colours possess no hue. Lightness – The attribute by which a perceived colour is judged to be equivalent to a member of the continuous series of greys ranging from black to white.

Saturation
The attribute by which a perceived colour is judged to depart from gravy of equal lightness toward a pure hue.

Hydrate
A chemical combination of water with another compound or an element.

Hydrated lime
Calcium hydroxide, a dry powder obtained by treating quicklime with Hydraulic – (cement) (mortar) those products that will set or harden under water.

Impervious
That degree of vitrification evidenced visually by complete wall tile which are considered impervious up to 0.5 percent water absorption.

Impervious tile
Water absorption of 0.5 percent or less.

In/Out Corner
Trim tile for turning a right-angle inside or outside wall corner.

Incised
Decorated by cutting or indenting the ware surface. (ASTM C 242).

In glaze decoration
See Decoration, in glaze.

Initial setting time
The time required for a freshly mixed cement paste, mortar, or concrete to achieve initial set. (See also Final setting time.)

Ironstone ware
(Also called Stone China or Granite Ware) Historic term for adorable English earthenware. (ASTM C 242).

ISO
International Standards Organization

Isolation joint
A separation between adjoining parts of a concrete structure, usually a vertical plane, at a designed location such as to interfere least with performance of the structure, yet such as to allow relative movement and avoid formation of cracks elsewhere in the concrete. (See also Contraction joint.)

Jagged edges
Irregularities left on the edges of the tile due to the use mainly offhand cutting tools.

Jasper ware
A vitreous, opaque, coloured unglazed ceramic ware having white or contrasting relief-decorations and containing a substantial amount of barite. Originally developed by Josiah Wedgwood. (ASTM C242).

Jiggering
Forming ceramic ware from a plastic body by differential rotation of profile tool and mild, the mild having the contour of one surface of the ware and the profile tool that of the other surface. (ASTM C242).

Jitterbug
A grate tampers for pushing coarse aggregate slightly below the surface of a slab to facilitate finishing.

Joint filler
Compressible material used to fill a joint to prevent the infiltration of debris and to provide support for sealants.

Joint sealant
Compressible material used to exclude water and solid foreigmaterials from joints.

Joint, control
See Expansion joint.

Joint, contraction
See Contraction joint.

Joint, expansion
See Expansion joint.

Jointer (concrete)
A metal tool about 6 in. (150 mm) long and from 2 to 4 1/2 in.(50 to 100 mm) wide and having shallow, medium, or deep bits(cutting edges) ranging from 3/16 in. to 3/8 in. (5 to 20 mm) or deeper used to cut a joint partly through fresh concrete.

Journeyman
An experienced reliable worker who has learned his trade and works for another person.

Kaolin (china clay)
Refractory clay consisting essentially of minerals of the kaolin group and which fires to a white or nearly white colour. (ASTM C242).

Keene’s cement
Cement composed of finely ground, anhydrous, calcined gypsum, the set of which is accelerated by the addition of other materials.

Knockings
The oversize residue obtained in screening a ceramic slip. (ASTMC 242).

Kyalite
The most abundant of the mineral polymorphs that includeandalusite and sillimanite. Kyalite is used as a source of mulita in ceramics. (ASTM C 21)

L cut
A piece of tile cut or shaped to the letter L.

Laitance
A layer of weak and nondurable material containing cement and fines from aggregates, brought by bleeding water to the top of wet concrete; the amount of which is generally increased by overworking or over manipulating concrete at the surface by improper finishing or by job traffic.

Lap
The length by which one bar or sheet of fabric reinforcement overlaps another.

Latex
A water emulsion of a synthetic rubber or plastic obtained by polymerization and used especially in coatings and adhesives.

Latex-Portland cement grout
A Portland cement grout with a special latex additive which results in a less rigid, less permeable grout than regular Portland cement grout.

Latex-Portland cement mortar
A mixture of Portland cements, sand, and special latex additives which are used for bonding tile to back-up material. It is less rigid than Portland cement mortar.

Lath
A wood strip or metal mesh, which acts as a background or reinforcing agent for the scratch coat or mortar coat.

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. A common name for this item is idiot stick.

Leadless glaze
A ceramic coating matured to a glassy state on a formed article, or the material or the mixture from which the coating is made, to which no lead has been deliberately added. (ASTM C 21) NOTE:
This does not imply that the glaze is nontoxic or that it contains no lead. Because of plant practices and conditions, a small percentage of lead, 0.1 to 0.2% (by dry weight), expressed as lead monoxide, and may be present.

Leg
A tile wall running alongside a bathtub or abutment. This term sometimes is used to describe a narrow strip of tile wall.

Level
a. A surface or line with all points at the same elevation
b. Horizontally straight.

Levelling coat
See Plumb scratch.

Light duty tile
Tile suitable for limited pedestrian traffic such as entryways in single family residences.

Lime
Specifically, calcium oxide (Cano); also, loosely, a general term for the various chemical and physical forms of quicklime, hydrated lime and hydraulic hydrated lime.

Limestone
A sedimentary carbonate rock composed chiefly of calcite (CaC0), but sometimes containing appreciable dolomite. (ASTM C 21)

Lippage
A condition where one edge of a tile is higher than an adjacent tile giving the finished surface an uneven appearance.

Live load
Any load that is not permanently applied to a structure.

Load-bearing wall
A wall designed and built to carry superimposed vertical and shear loads as opposed to no-load-bearing walls.

Lugs
See Self-spacing tile.

Marble mosaic tile
Tile made of small marble tesserae that varies slightly in size, usually about one half inch square and mounted on sheets of paper to facilitate installation. (CTI)

Marble tiles
Quarried marble, usually 3/4” thick or less, various sizes, finishes available are polished, honed, split faced, acid washed etc.

Master Grade certificate
A certificate that states tile listed in the shipment and described on the certificate are made in accordance with TCNA 137.1-76.

Mastic
Tile adhesive.

Mastic grout
A chemical mixture of organic and inorganic ingredients forming one part grouting composition that is used directly from the manufacturer’s container.

Mat glaze
A colourless or coloured ceramic glaze having low gloss. (ASTM C242).

Maturing range
The time-temperature range within which a ceramic body, glaze, or other composition may be fired to yield specified properties. (ASTMC 242-72)

Medium duty tile
Tile suitable for pedestrian traffic such as entryways in multiple dwellings and lobbies.

Melt
To change a solid into a liquid by the application of heat; or the liquid resulting from such action. (ASTM C 242).

Metal quarry tile rack
Metal quarry tile racks are available in many patterns, and they can be made to order for special patterns. They are used to maintain the same width between the quarry tiles.

Mexican paver tile
Terra cotta-like tile, used mainly for floors, and handmade. This tile varies in colour, texture and appearance, from tile to tile and within each tile. Available in squares up to 12 inches, hexagon, octagon, elongated hexagon, fleur de lies and other shapes. Tiles are coated with various types of sealers because of their soft absorptive characteristics. Coatings provide a wear surface for residential to light commercial use.

MIA
Marble Institute of America.

MMSA
Materials & Methods Standards Association.

Mix
The act or process of mixing; also mixture of materials, such a mortar or concrete.

Mixer
A machine used for blending the constituents of concrete, grout, mortar, cement paste, or other mixture.

Mixer efficiency
The adequacy of a mixer in rendering a homogeneous product within a stated period; homogeneity is determinable by testing for relative differences in physical properties of samples extracted from different portions of a freshly mixed batch.

Mixer no tilting
A horizontally rotating drum mixer that charges, mixes, and discharges without tilting.

Mixer plant
See Batch plant.

Mixer, colloidal
A mixer designed to produce colloidal grout.

Mixer, horizontal shaft
A mixer having a stationary cylindrical mixing compartment, with the axis of the cylinder horizontal, and one or more rotating horizontal shafts to which mixing blades or paddles are attached.

Mixer, open-top
A truck-mounted mixer consisting of a trough or a segment of a cylindrical mixing compartment with paddles or blades rotating about the horizontal axis of the trough. (See also Mixer, horizontal shaft.)

Mixer, pan
See Mixer, vertical shaft.

Mixer, tilting
A rotating drum mixer that discharges by tilting the drum about affixed or movable horizontal axis at right angles to the drum axis. The drum axis may be horizontal or inclined while charging admixing.

Mixer, vertical shaft
A cylindrical or annular mixing compartment having an essentially level floor and containing one or more vertical rotating shafts to which blades or paddles are attached; the mixing compartment may be stationary or rotate about a vertical axis.

Mixing cycle
The time taken for a complete cycle in a batch mixer, i.e., the time elapsing between successive repetitions of the same operation (e.g., successive discharges of the mixer).

Mixing speed
Rotation rate of a mixer drum or of the paddles in an open-top, pan, or trough mixer, when mixing a batch; expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm) or in peripheral feet per minute of a point on the circumference at maximum diameter.

Mixing time
The period during which the constituents of a batch of concrete are mixed by a mixer; for a stationary mixer, time is given in minutes from the completion of mixer charging until the beginning of discharge; for a truck mixer, time is given in good mixing in specific mixing speed or expressed in terms of total revolutions ate specific mixing speed.

Mixing water
The water in freshly mixed sand-cement grout, mortar, or concrete, exclusive of any previously absorbed by the aggregate (e.g., water considered in the computation of the net water-cement ratio).

Mixture
The assembled, blended, co-mingled ingredients of mortar, concrete, or the like; or the proportions for their assembly.

Modular ratio
The ratio of modulus of elasticity of steel E, to that of concrete unusually denoted by the symbol N.

Modulus of deformation
A concept of modulus of elasticity expressed as a function of two-time variables; strain in loaded concrete as a function of the age at which the load is initially applied and of the length of time the load is sustained.

Modulus of rigidity
The ratio of unit shearing stress to the corresponding unit shearing strain; referred to as “shear modulus” and “modulus of elasticity in shear”; denoted by the symbol G. (See also Modulus of elasticity.)

Modulus of rupture
A measure of the ultimate load carrying capacity of a beam and sometimes referred to as “rupture modulus” or “rupture strength”. It is calculated for apparent tensile stress in the extreme fibre of a transverse test specimen under the load which produces rupture. (See also flexural strength.) NOTE: The actual stress in the extremefiber is less than the apparent stress since the flexure formula employed in the calculation is valid only for stresses within the proportional limit of the material. Nevertheless, the nominal rupture strength so obtained is considered the rupture modulus.

Modulus of sub grade reaction
Ratio of load per unit area of horizontal surface (of a mass of soil) to corresponding settlement of the surface; it is determined as the slope of the secant, drawn between the point corresponding to zero settlement and a specified point on the load-settlement curve obtained from a plate load test on a soil using a 30 in. or greater diameter loading plate.

Moist room
A room in which the atmosphere is maintained at a selected temperature (usually 23.0orelative humidity of at least 98 percent, for the purpose of curing and storing cementitious test specimen; the facilities must be sufficient to maintain free moisture continuously on the exterior of test specimens.

Moisture expansion
An increase in dimension or bulk volume of a ceramic article caused by reaction with water or water vapour. (ASTM C 242).NOTE: This reaction may occur in time at atmospheric temperature and pressure, but is expedited by exposure of the article to water or water vapour at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Moisture movement
1. The movement of moisture through a porous medium;
2. The effects of such movement on efflorescence and volume change in hardened cement paste, mortar, concrete, or rock.

Meld
1. A divider containing a cavity into which neat cement, mortar, or concrete test specimens are cast;
2. A form used in the fabrication of precast mortar or concrete units (e.g., masonry units).

Meld oil
A mineral oil that is applied to the interior surface of a clean mild, before casting concrete or mortar therein, to facilitate removal of the mild after the concrete or mortar has hardened. (See also for moil, Bond breaker, and Release agent).

Moment distribution
A method of structural analysis for continuous beams and rigid frames whereby successive converging corrections are made to an assumed set of moments until the desired precision is obtained; also known as the Hardy Cross method.

Monochrome decoration
A single colour decoration. (ASTM C 242).

Monocot Tura (Single-Fired)
Manufacturing process which allows the simultaneous firing of the clay with the glaze producing a finished tile. A single firing.

Monolith
A body of plain or reinforced concrete cast or erected as a single integral mass or structure.

Monolithic concrete
Concrete cast with no joints other than construction.

Monolithic terrazzo
The application of a 5/8 in. (15 mm) terrazzo topping directly toe specially prepared concrete substrata, eliminating an underbid.

Monolithic topping
On flatwork: a higher quality, more serviceable topping course placed promptly after the base course has lost all slump and bleeding water.

Monomer
An organic liquid, of relatively low molecular weight, that creates solid polymer by reacting with itself or other compounds of low molecular weight.

Monomolecular
Composed of single molecules; specifically, films that are one molecule thick. Denotes a thickness equal to one molecule (e.g. certain chemical compounds develop a “monomolecular film” over bleeding water at the surface of freshly placed concrete or mortars a means of reducing the rate of evaporation).

Montmorillonite
See Montmorillonite.

Montmorillonite
A group of clay minerals, including montmorillonite, characterized by a sheet-like internal molecular structure; consisting of extremely finely divided hydrous aluminium or magnesium silicates that swell on wetting, shrink on drying, and are subject to ion exchange.

Mortar
A mixture of cement paste and fine aggregate; in fresh concrete, the material occupying the interstices among particles of coarse aggregate; in masonry construction, mortar may contain masonry cement, or may contain hydraulic cement with lime (and possibly other admixtures) to afford greater plasticity and workability than are attainable with standard hydraulic cement mortar. (See also Cement, masonry and Masonry mortar).

Mortar bed
The layer of mortar on which tile is set. The final coat of mortar one wall, floor or ceiling.

Mortar hoe
The mortar hoe is used for hand-mixing mortar. The best type has a perforated blade and a handle about 66” in length. The hoe should be kept clean and free of all mortar so it can be pushed and pulled easily through a box of mortar.

Mortar mixer
An electric or gas driven machine designed to mix mortar.

Mortar pumping machine
The mortar pumping machine is used with the mortar mixer. Mixed mortar is poured into the hopper, and a pneumatic gun forces the mortar through a hose. The mortar can be delivered through the hose to tile setters working as high as 13 stories above the street.
Admixtures are added to the mortar as a bonder so that the mortaring the hose will not separate. The plastering gun can be used on the hose, or the hose can be used as a hoist.

Mortarboard
The mortarboard is used as a table to hold mortar. It is usually 30”square.

Mosaics
Small tile or bits of tile, stone, or glass. These are used to form surface design or an intricate pattern.

Mounted tile
Tile assembled into units or sheets by suitable material to facilitate handling and installation. Tile may be face-mounted, back-mounted or edge-mounted. Face-mounted tile assemblies may have paper or other suitable material applied to the face of each tile, usually by water soluble adhesives so that it can be easily removed after installation and prior to grouting of the joints. Back-mounted tile assemblies may have perforated paper, fibre mesh, resin or other suitable material bonded to the back and/or edges of each tile which becomes an integral part of the tile installation.
Back-mounted and edge mounted tile assemblies shall have 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 and/or inset areas.

Mud
A slang term for mortar.

Murals
Tile installed in a precise area of a wall or floor to provide 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. See Decorated and Decoration.

Muriatic acid
Hydrochloric acid (30% HCL), commercial grade.

Natural clay tile
A tile made by either the dust-pressed method or the plastic method, from clays that produce a dense body having a distinctive, slightly textured appearance. (ASTM C 242).

Neat cement grout
Hydraulic cement in the non-hydrated state. Neat cement grout.
A fluid mixture of hydraulic cement and water, with or without admixture; also the hardened equivalent of such mixture.

Neat cement paste
A mixture of hydraulic cement and water, both before and after setting and hardening.

Neoprene
A type of synthetic rubber with outstanding oil resistance. Can be used for quick-setting, high strength adhesives.

NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Nominal sizes
This is the approximate facial size or thickness of tile, expressed in inches or fractions of an inch, for general reference.

Non-slip tile
Tile having greater non-slip characteristics due to an abrasive admixture, abrasive particles in the surface, grooves or patterns in the surface or because of natural non-skid surface characteristics.

Non-vitreous (non-vitrified) tile
That degree of vitrification evidenced by relatively high water absorption. (ASTM C 242). NOTE: The term nonvitrcous generally signifies more than 10.0 percent water absorption, except for floor and wall tile which are considered no vitreous when water absorption exceeds seven percent.

NTCA
National Tile Contractors Association

NTMA
National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association

Opaque glaze
A no transparent coloured or colourless glaze. (ASTM C 242).

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.

Orange peel
A pitted texture of a fired glaze resembling the surface of rough orange peel. (ASTM C 242)

Organic adhesive
A prepared organic material, ready to use with no further addition of liquid or powders, for bonding tile to back-up material by thethinset method. Cures or sets by evaporation.

Oven ware
Ceramic white ware for culinary oven use. (ASTM C 242).

Over glaze decoration
See Decoration, overgraze.

P.S.I. or psi
Pounds per square inch, a unit measure of pressure.

Packing house tile
Similar to quarry tile but usually of greater thickness.

Paper and wire
Felt paper and wire mesh (or metal lath) that is used as a backing; for the installation of tile. Paper mounted ceramic mosaics Ceramic mosaic tiles mounted on paper. Paper is applied to face of tile in sheets approximately twelve inches wide, twenty-four inches long.

Pate dares (hard paste)
A French term designating ceramic white wares fired at relatively high temperatures. (ASTM C 242).

Pate tender (soft paste)
A French term designating ceramic white wares fired at relatively low temperatures. (ASTM C 242).

Pavers
Unglazed porcelain or natural clay tile formed by the dust-pressed method and similar to ceramic mosaics in composition and physical properties but relatively thicker with 6 in. or more of facial area. (ASTM C 242).

Peeling
See Orange peel; shivering.

Pencil rod
Reinforcing steel rod with a diameter of 1/4”.

PH
A simplified system of measuring acidity or alkalinity irrespective of the acid or alkali involved; in which neutrality is 7.0, e.g., Mineral Acid Solution is 1.0-2.8, Acetic Acid Solution or Citric Acid Solutionism 3.0-4.0, Ammonia is 9.0, Lime Water is 12.0.

Physical properties of ceramic tile
Those properties as measured by ASTM tests.

Pinholes
Imperfections in the surface of a ceramic body or glaze resembling pin pricks. (ASTM C 242).

Pitted
Indentations in the finished surface of individual tiles other than at the corners and edges. These are caused by sharp corners on trowels and other tools of the workmen and are different than manufacturing defects.

Pitting
Development of relatively small cavities in a surface, due to phenomena such as corrosion or cavitation, or, in concrete, localized disintegration. (See also Pop out.)

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. (See also Stucco.)

Plastic cracking
Cracking that occurs in the surface of fresh concrete soon after it is placed and while it is still plastic.

Plastic flow
See Creep.

Plastic pressing
See Pressing, wet.

Plasticity
A complex property of a material involving a combination of qualities of mobility and magnitude of yield value; that property of freshly mixed cement paste concrete, or mortar which determines its resistance deformation or ease of melding.

Plasticizer
A material that increases plasticity of a cement paste, mortar, or concrete mixture.

PLI
Pounds per lineal inch.

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.

Pointing mix
Mortar with a consistency of stiff paste. The mix is forcibly compressed into the tile joints where it hardens.

Poisson’s ratio
The ratio of transverse (lateral) strain to the corresponding axial (longitudinal) strain resulting from uniformly distributed axial stress below the proportional limit of the material; the value will average about 0.2 for concrete and 0.25 for most metals.

Polychrome decoration
A multicolour decoration. (ASTM C 242).

Polyethylene
A thermoplastic high-molecular-weight organic compound used in formulating protective coatings or, in sheet form, as a protective cover for concrete surfaces during the curing period, or to provide temporary enclosure for construction operations.

Pop out
The breaking away of small portions of a concrete surface duet internal pressure which leaves a shallow, typically conical, depression.

Porcelain
A glazed or unglazed vitreous ceramic white ware used for technical purposes. This term designates such products as electrical, chemical, mechanical, structural, and thermal wares when they are vitreous. (See also, Alumina porcelain; Cordierite porcelain;
Forsterite porcelain; Steatite porcelain; Titania porcelain; and Zircon porcelain.) (ASTM C 242).

Porcelain process
The method of producing glazed ware by which a ceramic body and glaze are matured together in the same firing operation. (ASTMC 242).

Porcelain tile
A ceramic mosaic tile or paver that is generally made by the dust-pressed method, of a composition resulting in a tile that is dense, fine-grained, and smooth with sharply formed face, usually impervious. (ASTM C 242).

Porosity, apparent
The relationship of the open pore space to the bulk volume, expressed in percent. (ASTM C 242).

Post-tensioning
A method of pre-stressing reinforced concrete in which tendons are tensioned after the concrete has hardened.

Pot life
The period of time during which a material maintains its workable properties after it has been mixed.

Pottery
All fired ceramic wares that contain clay when formed, except technical, structural and refractory products. (ASTM C 242).

Precast
A concrete member that is cast and cured in other than its final position; the process of placing and finishing precast concrete.

Precast concrete
Concrete cast elsewhere than its final position.

Preload
The term used to describe mortar that has been placed and allowed to harden prior to bonding tile to it with thin-set materials.

Rerouted tile
A surface unit consisting of an assembly of ceramic tile bonded together at their edges by a material, generally elastomeric, which seals the joints 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 regrouped sheets may include the entire, or part of the joint between the sheets or none at all. The term edge bonded tiles sometimes used to designate a particular type of regrouped tile sheets having the front and back surfaces completely exposed.

Pressing
See Pressing, dry; pressing, hot; Pressing, wet.

Pressing, dry
Forming ceramic ware in dies from powdered or granular material by direct pressure. (ASTM C 242).

Pressing, hot
A jiggering process wherein a heated profile tool or plunger is employed. (ASTM C 242-72)

Pressing, wet (plastic pressing)
Forming ceramic ware in dies from a plastic body by dire pressure. (ASTM C 242).

Prestressed concrete
Concrete in which internal stresses of such magnitude and distribution are introduced that the tensile stresses resulting from the service loads are counteracted to a desired degree; reinforced concrete the prestress is commonly introduced by tensioning the tendons.

Pretensioning
A method of pre-stressing reinforced concrete in which the tendons are tensioned before the concrete has hardened.

Primary clay (residual clay)
Clay which remains geologically at its site of formation. (ASTM C 242).

Process, dry (dry mix)
The method of preparation of a ceramic body wherein the constituents are blended dry, following which liquid may be added as required for subsequent processing. (ASTM C 242).

Process, wet (slip process)
The method of preparation of a ceramic body wherein the constituents are blended in sufficient liquid to produce a fluid suspension for use as such or for subsequent processing. (ASTMC 242).

Pumice
A highly porous and vesicular lava usually of relatively high silica content composed largely of glass drawn into approximately parallel or loosely entwined fibres, which themselves contain sealed vesicles.

Pumped concrete
Concrete which is transported through hose or pipe by means of pump.

Pure
See Neat cement.

Pure coat
A thin coat of pure Portland cement which is used to bond tile to mortar.

Propylite
A hydrated aluminium silicate mineral of the theoretical composition
A12 03 - 4Si 02 - H2 O, having physical properties in the raw state resembling mineral talc. (ASTM C 21)

Quality assurance
A system of procedures for selecting project or portion thereof to perform the functions intended, and assuring that these levels are obtained.

Quality control
A system of procedures and standards by which a constructor, product manufacturer, materials processor, or the like, monitors the properties of the finished work.

Quarry tile
Unglazed tile, usually 6 in. or more in surface area and 1/2 to 3/4in. (13 to 19 mm) in thickness, made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shales. (ASTM C 242).

Quartering
A method of obtaining a representative sample by dividing circular pile of a larger sample into four equal parts and discarding opposite quarters successively until the desired size of sample is obtained.

Quicklime
Calcium oxide (Cano). (See also Lime.)

Rack
A metal grid that is used to properly space and align floor tiles.

Ragging Off
The procedure of spreading a damp cloth and pulling it over the tile surface during the tile grouting process in order to clean the tile.

Rake or rake line
The inclination from a horizontal direction.

Raked joint
A joint in a masonry wall which has the mortar raked out to a specified depth while it is only slightly hardened.

Raw glaze
A glaze compounded primarily from raw constituents, that is, containing no perfused materials. (ASTM C 242).

Receptor
A metallic or non-metallic waterproof support for a shower stall.

Reducer
A trim unit used to reduce the radius of a bullnose or a cove to another radius or to a square.

Reference lines
 A pair of lines chalked on a substrate that intersect at a 90 degree angle and establish the starting point for plotting a grid of layout lines to guide in accurately setting tile.

Refractory concrete
Concrete having refractory properties, and suitable for use at high temperatures (generally about 315° to 1315° C), in which the binding agent is hydraulic cement.

Reinforced concrete
Concrete containing adequate reinforcement (prestressed or not prestressed) and designed on the assumption that the two materials act together in resisting forces.

Reinforced masonry
Unit masonry in which reinforcement is embedded in such manner that the two materials act together in resisting forces.

Reinforcement, mesh
See Welded-wire fabric and Welded-wire fabric reinforcement.

Relative humidity
The ratio of the quantity of water vapour actually presents to amount present in a saturated atmosphere at a given temperature; expressed as a percentage.

Release agent
Material used to prevent bonding of concrete to a surface. (See also Bond breaker.)

Return
The ending of a small splash wall or a wainscot at right angle tithe major wall.

Rockingham ware
A semi-vitreous ware or earthenware having a brown or mottled brown bright glaze. Originated in England on the estate of the
Marquis of Rockingham. (ASTM C 242).

Rod saw
The rod saw is one of the newest tools used in the cutting of tile. Itis a steel rod approximately 1/8” in diameter. The rod has tungsten carbide particles embedded in the surface. The rod saw is used to cut circles or irregular curves in tile.

Rodding
See Floating.

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 is a non-porous synthetic-rubber-faced float that is mounted on aluminium back with wood handle. This trowel is used to force material deep into tile joints and to remove excess material for a perfect finish.

Rubbing stone
A Carborundum stone that is used to smooth the rough edges of 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.

Salamander
A portable source of heat, customarily oil burning, used to heat an enclosure around or over newly placed concrete to prevent the concrete from freezing.

Saltillo Tile
Adobe-type tile made of clay and other natural raw materials, molded and allowed to dry. Not a fired clay product.

Sampling
The method of obtaining tile for testing from an agreed-upon lot.

Sand holes
Tiny pits in the surface of the tile.

Sandblast
A system of cutting or abrading a surface such as concrete by a stream of sand ejected from a nozzle at high speed by compressed air; often used for clean-up of horizontal construction joints or for exposure of aggregate in architectural concrete.

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.

Sander-grinder (Cutting tool)
In addition to sander and grinder attachment both uninstalled and installed tile. The cutting is done dry.

Sand-Portland Cement Grout
An on-the-job mixture of Portland cement, fine graded sand, lime and water.

Saw cut
A cut in hardened concrete utilizing diamond or silicone-carbide blades or discs.

Sawed joint
A joint cut in hardened concrete, generally not to the full depth of the member, by means of special equipment.

Scaffolding
A temporary structure for the support of deck forms, cart ways, or workmen, or a combination of these such as an elevated platform for supporting workmen, tools, and materials; adjustable metal scaffolding is frequently adapted for shoring in concrete work.

Scarify
Mechanical means of roughening a surface to obtain a better bond.

Scarred faces
Surface blemishes caused by scraping or other marring of the tile.

Scratch
A mixture of Portland cement, sand, and water.

Scratch coat
The first coat of plaster or stucco applied to a surface in three-coat work; usually cross-raked or scratched to form a mechanical key with the brown coat.

Scratched
Tiles that have surface scratches (usually glazed wall tile) caused from sand, tools or rough handling.

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.

Scratches
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. See also Scarify.

Scratching
The application of a scratch coat and its combing with scratches.

Screed
To strike off mortar lying above the desired plane or shape.

Screed guide
Firmly established grade strips or side forms for unformed concrete which will guide the strike off in producing the desired plane or shape.

Screed or Screed Strip
Strips of wood, metal, mortar or other material used as guides on which a straightedge is worked to obtain a true mortar surface.

Sculptured tile
Tile with a decorative design of high and low areas melded into the finished fare.

Sealant
An elastomeric material that is used to fill and seal the expansion joint. This material prevents the passage of moisture and allows horizontal and lateral movement at the expansion joint.

Sealing compound
See joint sealant.

Second grade ceramic tile
Ceramic tile with appearance defects not affecting wearing or sanitary qualities.

Self-furring
Metal lath or welded wire fabric formed in the manufacturing
Process to include means by which the material is held away from the supporting surface, thus creating a space for “keying” of the insulating concrete, plaster, or stucco.

Self-spacing tile
Tile with lugs, spacers, or protuberances on the sides. These devices automatically space the tile for the grout joints. (SS-T-308b)

Semi-mat glaze
Having moderate gloss. (ASTM C 242).

Semi-porcelain
A trade term designating semi-vitreous dinnerware. (ASTM C 242).

Semi-vitreous
Less than 3 percent to 7 percent water absorption.

Set
The condition reached by a cement paste, mortar, or concrete when it has lost plasticity to an arbitrary degree, usually measured in terms of resistance to penetration or deformation; initial set refers to first stiffening; final set refers to attainment of significant rigidity; also, strain remaining after removal of stress.

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.

Setting time
See Set.

Shade
The gradation of colour.

Sharp sand
Coarse sand of which the particles are of angular shape.

Shear
A force that tends to slide or rupture one part of a body from another part of the body or from attached objects.

Shear test
A method of separating two materials by forcing (either by compression or tension) the interfaces to slide over the other. The force exerted is distributed over the entire bonded area at the sometime. Strengths are recorded in psi.

Shear wall
A wall portion of a structural frame intended to resist lateral forces, such as earthquake, wind, and blast, acting in or parallel to the plane of the wall.

Shelf Life
The maximum period of time that an item can be stored before itis used.

Ship and galley tile
A special quarry tile having an indented pattern on the face of the tile to produce an anti-slip effect. (ASTM C 242).

Shivering (peeling)
The splintering which occurs in fired glazes or other ceramic coatings due to critical compressive stress. (ASTM C 242).

Shore hardness
The reading of a material’s hardness on a durometer, the scale of which is 0-100, used on elastomers as polyacrylic esters and
natural rubber. Consists of a pinpoint depression into the material,the material being at least 100 mils thick. A Shore A reading of 80equals a Shore D reading of 30.

Shore D hardness
The reading of a material’s hardness on a durometer similar to
the Shore A durometer, the scale of which is 0-100, used onrigid and semi-rigid materials such as polystyrene. Consists of apinpoint depression into the material. Both the Shore A and Shore

D instruments are made by the Shore Instrument Manufacturing
Company, Inc., Jamaica, New York.

Shower pan
Terminology in some areas for Waterproof membrane. (CTI)

Shower receptor
The floor and side walls of the shower tip to and including the curbof the shower. (CTI) Shower receptor liner or lining. Terminology used in some areas for Waterproof membrane.

Shrinkage
The decrease in volume, or contraction, of a material by the escape of any volatile substance, or by a chemical or physical change in the material. Shrinkage crack. Crack due to restraint of shrinkage.

Shrinkage cracking
Cracking of a structure or member due to failure in tension caused by external or internal restraints as reduction in moisture content develops, or as carbonation occurs, or both.

Silica (Si02).
The common oxide of silicon usually found naturally as quartz Orin complex combination with other elements as silicates. Various polymorphs and natural occurrences of silica include cristobalite, tridymite, cryptocrystalline chart, flint, chalcedony, and hydrated opal.

Silicone Grout
An engineered elastomeric grout system for interior use.

Sink Angle
Trim shape used on a drain board at the corners of the kitchen sink.
This trim shape, which is AU 106, is also called a “Butterfly”

Skid resistance
A measure of the frictional characteristics of a surface.

Skim coat
See Bond coat.

Slake
Allowing the mixtures of mortar, thinnest mortar or grout to stand for a brief period of time after the ingredients have been thoroughly combined and before the final mixing 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 buckled or sagged. This condition maybe caused by excessive mortar, insufficient lime in the mortar, or excessive moisture in the scratch coat. A slide also may result if the surface is slick or the mortar is too soft.

Slip (slurry)
A suspension of ceramic material in liquid. (ASTM C 242).

Slip coating
A ceramic material or mixture other than a glaze applied to ceramic body and fired to the maturity required to develop specified characteristics. (ASTM C 242).

Slip glaze
A glaze consisting primarily of a readily fusible clay or silt. (ASTMC 242).

Slip process
See Process, wet.

Slip-resistant tile
Tile having greater 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 switchboxes. This tile is usually in the shape of the letter u or the letter L.

Slump
A measure of consistency of freshly mixed concrete, mortar, or stucco equal to the subsidence measured.

Slump cone
A mild in the form of the lateral surface of the frustum of a cone with a base diameter of 8 in. (203 mm), top diameter 4 in. (102mm), and height 12 in. (305 mm), used to fabricate a specimen of freshly mixed concrete for the slump test; a cone 6 in. (152 mm) high is used for tests of freshly mixed mortar and stucco.

Slump test
The procedure for measuring slump.

Slurry
A mixture of water and any finely divided insoluble material, such as Portland cement, slag, or clay in suspension.

Slush coat
A pure coat of very soft consistency. This also is called a slurry coat.

Smelt
A specific batch or lot of frit. The act of melting a batch of frit. (ASTM C 21).

Smelter
A furnace in which the raw materials of a frit batches are melted. (ASTM C 21)

Soaping tile
The method of applying a soapy film to newly tiled walls to protect them from paint and plaster during construction.

Soffit
The underside of a part or member of a structure, such as a beam, stairway, or arch.

Soil
A generic term for unconsolidated natural surface material above bedrock.

Soldier course
Oblong tile laid with the long side vertical and all joints in alignment.

Solid casting
See Casting, solid.

Solids
The dry ingredients remaining after evaporation of all volatile solvent or water. Not a fluid and not flow able.

Soluble (adj.)
Describes the property of a substance to dissolve in another and form a solution, e.g., sugar is soluble in water.

Solution
The process by which a substance (solid, liquid, or gas) is homogeneously mixed with a liquid, called the solvent, and the mixture being incapable of mechanical separation into its components. Alloys and amalgams are solutions of metals in metal; brines are solutions of a salt in water; syrups are solutions of sugars in water. Solution should not be confused or used interchangeably with such terms as dispersion, suspension or emulsion.

Solvent
In a solution, that substance which dissolves another is called the solvent. Solvent is also a common term for many liquids which are commonly used in making solutions, e.g., organic solvents, petroleum solvents, etc. Also used for thinning down a fluid, and for cleaning purposes.

Spacers
T-shaped, Y-shaped and cross shaped, they are used in installations to separate tile on walls and floors. They are manufactured in thicknesses of 1/16”, 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2”.

Spacing; mix
A dry or dampened mixture of one part Portland cement and one part extra-fine sand. This mix is used as filler in the joints of mounted ceramic mosaic tiles to
keep them evenly spaced during installation.

Spall
A fragment, usually in the shape of a flake, detached from a larger mass by a blow, by the action of weather, by pressure, or by expansion within the larger mass.

Spandrel
That part of a wall between the head of a window and the sill of the window above it.

Special-purpose tile
A tile, either glazed or unglazed, made to meet or to have specific physical design or appearance characteristics such as size, thickness, shape, colour, or decoration; keys or lugs on backs or sides, special resistance to staining, frost, alkalis, acids, thermal shock, physical impact, high coefficient of friction, or electrical properties. (ASTM C 242).

Specific gravity
The ratio of the weight of any volume of a mass or substance tithe weight of an equal volume of water at a given temperature. The specific gravity of a substance times the density of water equals the density of the substance.

Specks
Any dark dots on the tile less than 1/64 inch in diameter, and noticeable at a distance of more than three feet.

Spit out
A glaze defect of the pinhole type developed in the decorating kiln, due to evolution of minute gas bubbles from body or glaze. (ASTMC 242).

Splash walls
The walls of a tile drain board or bathtub.

Split L Cut
An improper “L” cut that is made by splitting a tile instead of cutting it.

Spodumene (alpha spodumene)
A lithium mineral of the theoretical composition Li20 - A1203 -4Si02 (monoclinic crystallization) which on heating inverts to betaspodumene, a form having very low nil thermal expansion. (ASTMC 21) pots
Any dark dots on the face of the tile more than 1/64 inch in diameter.

Spread
The quantity of adhesive per unit area applied to an adherent, usually expressed in pounds of adhesive per thousand square feet of area.
1. Single Spread refers to application of adhesive to only one adherent.
2. Double Spread refers to application of adhesive to both adherents.

Stability
The ability to remain unchanged; equilibrium, steady, constant.
Ability to restore to original condition after being disturbed by some force.

Stacking tile
A method of installation whereby glazed tiles are placed on the walls that they are in direct contact with the adjacent tiles. The width of the joints is not maintained by the use of string or other means.
The tiles may be set with either straight or broken joints.

Staining
Discoloration caused by a foreign matter chemically affecting the material itself.

Standard grade ceramic tile
Highest grade of all types of ceramic tile.

Steam curing
Curing of concrete or mortar in water vapour at atmospheric or higher pressures and at temperatures between about 100° and420°F (40° and 215° C). (See also Autoclave curing).

Steatite porcelain
A vitreous ceramic white ware for technical application in which magnesium met silicate (Mg - Silo,) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Steatite talc
Massive talc or the pulverized product. Thereof having the general formula 3 Mg - 4SiO, H2O. (ASTM C 242).

Steatite white ware
Any ceramic white ware in which magnesium met silicate (Inigo -Silo,) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Steel square
The steel square is one of the most important tile setting tools. The large arm of the square is 2 ̋ wide and 24 ̋ long and is called the body or blade. The smaller arm is at a 90-degree angle to the blade and is 11⁄2 ̋wide and 16 ̋ long; it is called the tongue. The point where the outside edges of the blade and tongue join is called the heel. The surface with the manufacturer’s name is called the face; the opposite surface is called the back.

Stoneware
A vitreous or semi vitreous-ceramic ware of fine texture, made primarily from no refractory fire clay. (ASTM C 242).

Stoning
Use of a carborundum stone to smooth rough edges caused by cutting.

Storage life
The periods of time during which a materials can be stored underspecified temperature conditions and remain suitable for use.
Sometimes called “shelf life”.

Story pole
See Layout stick.

Straight joint
The usual style of laying tile where all the joints are in alignment.

Straightedge
A straight piece of lumber that is used to rod mortar and to align tile.

Stretcher
A masonry unit lay with its length horizontal and parallel with the face of a wall or other masonry member.

Striking joints
A process of removing excess grout from the joints by wiping with sponge or cloth or scraping with a curved instrument.

Structural defects
Cracks or laminations in the body of the tile which detract from the aesthetic appearances and/or the structural soundness of the tile installation.

Stucco
A cement plaster used for coating exterior walls and other exterior surfaces of buildings. (See also Plaster.)

Stud
Vertical member of appropriate size (2x4 to 4x10 in.) (50x 100 to100x250 mm) and spacing (16 to 30 in.) (400 to 750 mm) to support sheathing; also a headed steel device used to anchor steel plates or shapes to concrete members.

Sub floor
A rough floor – plywood or boards – laid over joists and on which an underlayment or substrate is installed.

Substrate
The underlying support for the ceramic tile installation.

Taber Abrader
An instrument used to test the abrasion resistance of a material.

Take-off man
Someone who can read blueprints and is familiar with the specifications. This person makes tracings of special details concerning the tile work after gathering the necessary information and then estimates the labour, materials, tile quantities, and special trim shapes needed to complete the job.

Tapping tile
An inspection technique whereby a coin, key, or other small metallic object is tapped against an installed tile to determine by sound whether the tile is completely bonded to its backing. Tile setters often tap the tile with a pointing trowel to determine that good bond has been achieved.

TCNA
Tile Council of North America

Tensile strength
The pulling force necessary to break a given specimen divided by the cross sectional area. Units given in lbs. /ins. (P.S.I.). It measures the resistance of a material to stretching without rupture. Normally is not used with reference to elastic materials which recover after elongation.

Terra cotta
Hard baked clay ware, including tile, of variable colour, averaging reddish red-yellow in hue and of high saturation. (CTI)

Terra sibilate
A porous, red clay ware characterized by embossed decorations of the same colour and a satin-like unglazed surface. Originated on the
Island of Samos. (ASTM C 242).

Terrazzo concrete
See concrete, terrazzo.

Terrazzo tile
A terrazzo surface, on a Portland cement and sand body, made bay mixture of marble chips and Portland cement and usually ground smooth. (CTI)

Tessera, tesserae
A small chip of glass or marble used in mosaic formations. (CTI)

Test
A trial, examination, observation, or evaluation used as a means of measuring a physical or chemical characteristic of a material, or a physical characteristic of a structural element or a structure.
Testing machine device for applying test conditions and accurately measuring results.

Testing of ceramic tile
The act of determining whether ceramic tile is acceptable. See Physical properties of ceramic tile.

Thermal conductivity
Ability of a material to conduct heat; physical constant for quantity of heat that passes through unit volume of a substance in unit of time when difference in temperature of two opposite faces is one degree.

Thick-bed mortar
A thick layer of mortar (more than 1/2 inch) that is used for levelling.

Thin-set
A term used to describe the bonding of tile with suitable materials applied approximately 1/8” thick. See also Dry-Set mortar.

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.

Threshold, marble
A piece of marble placed beneath a door.

Tie wire
The 18-gauge galvanized wire used 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, having either a glazed or unglazed face and fired above red heat in the course of manufacture to a temperature sufficiently high to produce specific physical properties and characteristics. (ASTM C 242).

Tile assemblies
See definition for Mounted tile

Tile cutter
The cutter is one of the most efficient and economical tools in the tile setting trade. A popular model is the hand-drawn tile cutting board that is adjustable.

Tile, mounted
Tile assembled into units or sheets and bonded together to facilitate handling.

Tile, back-mounted
Mounted tile with perforated paper, fibre mesh, or other suitable bonding material applied to the backs or edges of the tile so that relatively large proportion of tile area is exposed to the setting bed.

Tile, face-mounted
Mounted tile with paper applied to the faces of the tile. The water-soluble adhesive can be removed easily prior to grouting of the joints.

Tile Nipper
Special pliers that nibble away little bites of ceramic tile to create small, irregular or curved cuts.

Tin Oxide (Sri OQ)
In finely ground form used in glazes as a pacifier.

Titania porcelain
A vitreous ceramic white ware for technical application in which Titania (Trio,) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Titania white ware
Any ceramic white ware in which Titania (Trio,) is the essential crystalline phase. (ASTM C 242).

Tongue and groove
A type of lumber or precast concrete tile having mated projecting and grooved edges to provide a tight fit, abbreviated “T & G.”

Trammel bar
A trammel bar, which is easy to construct, is more accurate than many other layout tools. It is used to erect perpendicular lines and to bisect angles. The tile setter can make a trammel bar from a stick of a size that is suitable for the particular job.

Trial batch
A batch of concrete prepared to establish or check proportions of the constituents.

Trimmers
Units of various shapes consisting of such items as bases, caps, corners, mouldings, angles, etc. necessary or desirable to make complete installation and to achieve sanitary purposes as well as architectural design for all types of tile work. (ASTM C 242).

TROWELS
Buttering trowel
The blade of the buttering trowel is 4 1/2” wide and 7” long. It issued in buttering pure cement to tile, a method commonly used in the eastern states. The trowel is more efficient than the pointer for working on the larger and heavier tiles because more weight can be placed on it.

Flat trowel
The flat trowel is used in conjunction with the hawk for the transferring of mortar from the mortarboard to the wall or to other vertical surfaces. It is frequently used for spreading pure cement finished float coat. The flat trowel also is used for spreading mortar on floor surfaces before tiles are set.

Gauging trowel
The gauging trowel is larger than the pointing trowel but smaller than the buttering trowel. Tile setters prefer the 31/4” x 7” size.

Notched trowels
Notched trowels are available in the serrated, square tooth, and round designs. The teeth are made in various sizes. The correct tooth size and depth must be used to apply the thickness of bonding mortar specified. These trowels are used to apply all of the various kinds of bonding materials for ceramic tile. When the teeth become worn, the trowel has to be sharpened or replaced.

Underglaze decoration
See Decoration, underglaze. Unglazed paver tile. See Pavers.

Unglazed quarry tile
See Quarry tile.

Unglazed tile
A hard, dense tile of homogeneous composition throughout, deriving colour and texture from the materials of which the body is made. The colours and characteristics of the tile are determined by the materials used in the body, the method of manufacture, and the thermal treatment. (ASTM C 242).

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 applied in a fluid state and cure (polymerize) after installation. Typical tile industry applications include sealants, caulks, waterproofing membranes, and high performance flexible adhesives.

Vapour barrier
Waterproof membrane placed under concrete floor slabs that are placed on grade.

V-Cap Trim
V-shaped trim tile used on the front edge of a countertop. The tile ‘stop surface is gently curved upward at the front edge to prevent water from running onto the floor.

Vellum glaze
A semi-mat glaze having a satin-like appearance. (ASTM C 242).

Vertical broken joint
Style of laying tile with each vertical row of tile offset for half its length.

Vitreous
0.5 percent to 3 percent water absorption.

Vitreous (Vitrified)
That degree of verification evidenced by low water absorption (See also Impervious; No vitreous; Semivitreous.) (ASTM C 242).NOTE: The term vitreous generally signifies less than .5 per rent absorption, except for floor and wall tile and low voltage electrical porcelain which are considered vitreous up to 3.0 percent water absorption.

Vitreous slip
A slip coating matured on a ceramic body, producing a vitrified surface. (ASTM C 242).

Vitreous tile
Tile with water absorption of more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 3.0 percent. (ANSI A137.1-1980).

Vitrification
The progressive reduction in porosity of a ceramic composition as a result of heat treatment, or the process involved. (ASTM C 242).

Vitrification range
The maturing range of a vitreous body, producing a vitrified surface. (ASTM C 242).

Void
An unfilled space in a material of trapped air or other gas.

Wainscot Tile
The lower part of an interior wall when finished in tile.

Wall tile
A glazed tile with a body that is suitable for interior use and which is usually no vitreous and is not required nor expected to withstand excessive impact.

Warpage
A concave or convex curvature of a tile so that the surface is not perfectly flat.

Water absorption
The ability to take up and retain water.

Water-cement ratio
The ratio of the amount of water, exclusive only of that absorbed by the aggregates, to the amount of cement in a concrete or mortar mixture; preferably stated as a decimal by weight.

Water level
The water level is a piece of clear plastic hose 3/8” to 1/2” in diameter and usually about 50’ in length. It is filled with water, from which all air must be removed.

Waterproof membrane
A membrane usually made of built-up roofing, to provide appositive waterproof floor over the substrate, which is to receive agile installation using a wire reinforced mortar bed. (CTI)

Wearing course
A topping or surface treatment to increase the resistance of concrete pavement or slab to abrasion.

Weathering
Changes in colour, texture, strength, chemical composition or other properties of a natural or artificial material due to the action of the weather.

Welded-wire fabric
A series of longitudinal and transverse wires arranged substantiality right angles to each other and welded together at all points of intersection.

Welded-wire fabric reinforcement
Welded-wire fabric in either sheets or rolls, used to reinforce mort and concrete.

Well-graded aggregate
Aggregate having a particle size distribution which will produce maximum density, i.e., minimum void space.

Wet areas
Tile surfaces that are either soaked, saturated or regularly and frequently subjected to moisture or liquids (usually water) such as gang showers, tub enclosures, showers, laundries, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, hot tubs and exterior areas.

Wet pressing
See Pressing, wet. Wet process. See Process, wet.

Wetting
The thorough impregnation of a material by a liquid. The more viscous a fluid, and the higher its surface tension, the more difficult it is for the liquid to “wet” materials. Certain additives, such as, water softeners, reduce surface tension or viscosity and improve wetting properties, allowing the material to be better absorbed.

Wetting agent
A substance capable of lowering the surface tension of liquids, facilitating the wetting of solid surfaces and permitting the penetration of liquids into the capillaries.

Whiting
Calcium carbonate powder of high purity. (ASTM C 242).

Wire mesh
See Welded-wire fabric.

Wood float
The wood float is sometimes used in place of the flat trowel for floating mortar. It is good for smoothing small irregularities left on the mortar bed, working the surface of the mortar before trowelling the pure coat, or compacting floor and deck mortar.

Workability
The property of freshly mixed concrete or mortar which determines the ease and homogeneity, with which it can be mixed, placed, compacted, and finished.

Wrinkled sheets
Pertaining to ceramic mosaics mounted on paper. Due primarily thorough handling in shipment.

Yellow ware
A yellow semi-vitreous ware or earthenware with a colorlessclear glaze. (ASTM C 242).

Credit to the Australian Tile Council, tiles.co, TCNA and tile-assn.