Natural Stone Industry Glossary

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

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Search Results: 42 Terms Found

FABRICATION
In masonry, the process of transforming quarry stones into finished stone.

FACE
The exposed surface of a structure or stone.

FACIES, METAMORPHIC
Groups of mineral compositions in metamorphic rocks that come from specific pressure temperature areas.

FACTOR OF SAFETY
The mathematical calculation by which the expected stress or weight is multiplied to determine the strength or resistance required for safety.

FACTORY-FINISH INSTALLATION
Stones, tiles, floors or walls that have surface finishes manufactured and tooled in a factory, and not onsite.

FALSE JOINT
Also known as a dummy joint; refers to the lines and grooves that appear on stones or other surfaces.

FASCIA
The long flat surface between moldings.

FAT MORTAR
A sticky mortar that contains cement components.

FAULT
A break in bedding planes of stones, granites, limestone, and marbles that can interfere with underground drainage.

FEATHER EDGE
A fine edge finish crafted by beveling or cutting stone.

FELDSPAR
A rock-forming mineral that occurs as pale-colored crystals resulting from crystalline minerals.

FERRUNGINOUS
A limestone, sandstone, or other quartz-based stone that contains a high percentage of iron oxide.

FIELD STONE
Stones scattered over ground cover.

FIELDSTONE
A naturally weathered stone collected from the top of the ground. Popular areas from which fieldstones are gathered include the High Plains and New England.

FILLER STRIP
A resilient material placed in the joint to provide sealant properties.

FILLET
A flat thin molding strip used to separate larger or ornamental moldings.

FILLING
A masonry term that refers to the filling of the natural voids with resins, mortars, cements, or shellacs.

FINES
The residue created from processing rock.

FINISH
The final coating and texture applied to the surface of stone, walls, or wood.

FIREPLACE
A fire-proof structure engineered for the purpose of housing an intentional fire.

FIREPROOFING
The process of making a product or surface resistant to sparks, flames, and fire.

FIXING
A European term referring to the installation of stone work.

FLAGSTONE
Stone cut into thin slabs primarily used for patios, walkways and driveways.

FLAMED FINISH
A rugged finish for stone accomplished by heating surface to extreme temperatures and then rapidly cooled.

FLASHING
A thin strip of metal or other material used under a roof to stop water and moisture from being absorbed by the junction.

FLEURI CUT
A process in which quarried stone or marble is cut parallel to the natural bedding plane.

FLEURI
An effect crafted when marble and other stones are sawn parallel to the natural bedding plane in the quarry.

FLINT
A hard, finely grained deep gray stone that is nearly pure silica that fractures conchoidally.

FLOAT COAT
The thin layer of mortar that is applied to a surface and given a float finish.

FLOAT
A masonry tool used for smoothing and spreading plaster, cement, or mortar.

FLOORING
Materials used to cover floors. These can include granite, tiling, marble and wood.

FLUTED
A stone that has a channel or groove carved into it such as a column.

FLUTING
Shallow groove or grooves carved into stone columns or pillars for decoration.

FOUR-CORNER FINISH
A coarse hammered finish.

FOUR-MAN BOULDERS
Rough cut stones weighing less than 750 pounds.

FOYER
An entrance space or hall between a building's entrance and interior.

FREESTONE
A stone that can be cut in any direction without risk of splitting or fracture.

FRIEZE
A horizontal ornamental band at the junction of walls and the ceiling.

FROG
The indentation on the surface of a brick.

FRONT
The primary façade of a building that has the main entrance.

FULL MORTAR BEDDING
Refers to the process of applying mortar to the entire masonry base; typically used in load-bearing construction of foundations and walls

FURRING
A finishing method for a masonry wall that prevents moisture absorption, provides for insulation or simply to provide a smooth surface for finishing.