| GLOSSARY OF TERMS |
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| Absorption |
Percentage
of moisture absorption by weight after immersion in
water. |
| Acid Etching |
Process of applying
a solution of hydrochloric or muriatic acid and water
to the exposed surfaceof Cast Stone in order to remove
the cement film from the aggregates, achieving a fine-grained
finish whichsimulates natural cut stone. |
| Admixtures |
Chemicals used to
improve the physical properties of Cast Stone. |
| Agraffe |
(or agrafe) A decorative
central keystone in an arch, often carved with a human
face, cartouche or floral design.
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| Air Content |
The amount of entrained
air in wet cast units. |
| Air-Entraining Admixtures |
Chemicals used to
develop entrained air in wet cast units. |
| Air Voids |
Surface imperfections
with restricted size and occurrences in cast stone units. |
| Anchor |
Metal device used
for securing Cast Stone to a rigid structure. |
| Arcade |
A series of arches,
either open or closed with masonry, supported by columns
or piers. |
| Arch |
A basic architectural
structure build over an opening that is supported from
the sides only. The downward pressure it transformed
into a lateral thrust. The shape is usually described
by the interior outline: CircleTop, Elliptical, Gothic
etc. |
| Architrave |
The bottom portion
of an entablature bearing on the column capitals and
supporting the frieze. |
| Arris |
Angle, corner, or
edge of a Cast Stone unit. |
| Ashlar |
Flat units square
or rectangle in size, bonded and laid in mortar. |
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| Backup Mix |
Concrete, normally
composed of concrete, sand, gravel, and grey cement;
used for the unexposed portion of Cast Stone. |
| Baluster |
A small column or
other vertical member used to support a stair or parapet
railing. |
| Balustrade |
An entire railing
system as along the edge of a balcony or stair. Includes
top rail, balusters, and a bottom rail. Runs of balustrade
are occasionally separated by newel piers. |
| Banding |
A flat horizontal
fascia, or a continuous member or series of moldings
projecting slightly from the wall plane, encircling
a building or along a wall that makes a division in
the wall. |
| Base Course |
Continuous horizontal
course that sets on the brick ledge. It is the first
course set in a wall. |
| Bed Joint |
The joint that the
stone sets on. It is normally filled with mortar or
backer rod and sealant. |
| Belt Course |
Continuous horizontal
course of cast stone incorporated in a wall above the
base course and below the frieze. |
| Bevel |
See Chamfer |
| Bollard |
One of a series
of posts preventing vehicles from entering an area |
| Boss |
From the Gothic
era, an ornament placed at the intersection of ribs
in a ceiling whether vaulted or flat. |
| Bracket |
An ornamental projection
from the face of a wall providing visual or structural
support for a statue, cornice, balcony, or window. |
| Bullnose |
Convex molding which
usually starts at the top of the cast stone unit and
returns to the predominant face. |
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| Cartouche |
Taken from the French
name for a scroll of paper, this is an ornament from
the late Renaissance or Baroque era that bears the name
of the building's patron on a paper with rolled up edges. |
| Cast Stone |
A highly refined
architectural pre-cast concrete building stone manufactured
from a mixture of portland cement, coarse aggregates
and fine aggregates to simulate natural cut stone. |
| Chain |
A stack of quoins. |
| Chamfer |
Slanted surface
which connects two external surfaces forming two arrises. |
| Cincture |
A fillet or ring
of moldings that separates either the base of a column
from the shaft or the shaft of the column from the capital. |
| Coarse Aggregate |
Aggregate predominately
retained on the No. 4 (4.74-mm) sieve. |
| Coated Rebar |
Rebar coated with
a zinc alloy or epoxy. This rebar is normally used when
it is within 11/2" of an exposed face. |
| Coffer |
A rectangular or
square recessed area in a ceiling. Sometimes these emphasize
the roof beams; other times they are carved, molded,
or ornately decorated. |
| Colonette |
A column used as
a decorative element on the side or jamb of a window
or door, or a decorative element in a compound pier. |
| Coloring |
The process of (or
material used for) tinting the hue of cast stone. It
is normally achieved through the use of aggregates or
inorganiciron oxide pigments. |
| Column |
A supporting pillar
usually consisting of a round shaft, a capital, and
a base. Columns may be of many design schools, from
classical to modern, solid or hollow, whole or partials. |
| Coping |
Stone unit used to cap off the top of a wall. Its function
is to protect the wall from the natural elementsas well
as adding an aesthetic value to the wall.
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| Control Dimensions |
Minimum dimensions
needed to describe a Unit, such as the width and height
of a masonry opening for a window surround. Only Control
Dimensions are approved by the client in the shop drawing
phase. |
| Corbel |
This appears to
be the original method of making arches: a series of
stones or bricks that protrude beyond the lower level.
Corbels are also used to support cornices, turrets,
brackets, and oriel windows. A corbel can also mean
a stone or piece of wood that supports a superincumbent
weight. |
| Cornice |
The uppermost division
of an entablature; a projecting shelf along the top
of a wall supported by a series of brackets; the exterior
trim at the meeting of a roof and wall, consisting of
soffit, fascia and crown molding. |
| Course |
Horizontal scope
of units incorporated in a wall. |
| Cramp |
"U" shaped
metal anchor used to attach two abutting units. |
| Crazing |
A series of hairline
cracks, normally less than a thirty-second of an inch
in depth in the outer surface of a concrete product.
Crazing does not constitute cause for rejection of Cast
Stone. |
| Crest |
Crests were used
to identify both the owners of buildings and the professions
that were practiced within buildings. A coat of arms,
family crest, or city crest can be found on a building
either within a pediment, under a bracket or on a wall. |
| Cross Section |
A plane cutting
through an object, or a cutaway view showing the inner
workings of an object. Cross sections are used to show
assembly and other details needed to understand a Unit. |
| Curing |
The process of hydrating
the Portland Cement in cast stone to a specified age
or compressive strength in a warm, moist environment. |
| Cut Stone |
Natural stone quarried
and dressed to an architectural shape. |
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| Dowel |
Round (usually non-corrosive)
metal pin used in anchoring and aligning cast stone. |
| Drip |
Continuous groove
cut or cast into the bottom of the projecting edge of
cast stone in order to disrupt the capillary attraction
of water to the wall below. |
| Dry Tamp |
Dry tamping is the
process used to make cast stone. The design mix of the
stone is mechanically tamped into a rigid form until
it is dense and ready for removal. The final product
takes on the shape of the form and can be anything from
a complex, ornamented column capital to a simple panel
of flat stone. |
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| Entablature |
Series of horizontal
courses that incorporates an architrave, frieze, and
cornice. |
| Entasis |
The portion of a
classical column, which has a diminishing arc on the
shaft. The lower third of the column is straight (two-thirds
entasis column). |
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| Fascia |
A broad and well-defined
continuous horizontal band of cast stone at least header
high. |
| Feather Edge |
A thin edge, so
named because of its frailty when handled (see quirk
miter). |
| Finial |
Finials were originally
an ornamented stone carving at the top of a buttress
to offer added weight for vertical support. Now they
can be any ornament added to the top of a gable, pinnacle,
canopy, or spire. |
| Flute (or Fluting) |
Originally from
Greek columns (600 - 400 B.C.), these are hollows or
channels cut vertically in the shafts of columns or
pilasters. The upper surface can be sharp edged or finished
with a radius. The flute is a stone version of a bundle
of sticks that were originally used for columns. |
| Form |
A form is used to
shape cast stone. It can be constructed from wood, plaster,
rubber, fiberglass, and other materials. |
| Frieze |
Originating from
Greek architecture (600 - 400 B.C.), a frieze is a continuous
horizontal band of carved or painted decoration. It
was originally the middle band of an entablature which
lies between the architrave and the cornice. |
| Full Bed |
A horizontal joint
completely filled with mortar. |
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| Gazebo |
A roofed structure
with open sides found in public parks or large private
gardens which acts as an outdoor room or venue for summer
concerts and luncheons. |
| GFRC |
Glass Fiber reinforced
concrete |
| Grout |
Mortar of pouring
consistency. |
| Guttae |
Originally from
Greek architecture (600 - 400 B.C.), these are the small
ornaments that finish the bottom of a triglyph. These
can be very decorative and have been translated onto
many triglyphs and brackets. In the 20th century, these
are often stylized by Art Deco and other styles. |
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| Header |
Stone unit running
horizontally over an opening in a wall. Not self-supporting
(see lintel). |
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| Incise |
To cast concave
or engrave. |
| Inscription |
Characters incised
into a unit. |
| Insert |
A metal device cast
into a unit normally used for anchoring or handling. |
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| Jamb |
Either side of an
opening for a vertical door, window or chimney that
sustains a superincumbent load. These can be of wood
or stone, ornate or plain. |
| Joint |
Gap between masonry
units filled with mortar or backer rod and sealant. |
| Jointing Scheme |
The jointing pattern
shown on shop and assembly drawings. The pattern is
designed to be aesthetically pleasing. |
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| Keystone |
1) The final supporting
unit at the center of an arch. It is generally wedge
shaped.
2) A type of coral stone indigenous
to Florida |
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| Lift Hook |
A metal device embedded
into the cast stone for the purpose of lifting and/or
anchoring. |
| Lintel |
A stone or other
material spanning an opening and carrying the load of
a wall above. |
| Lunette |
A semi-circular
area formed by an arch. Lunettes can either be windows
or decorated areas at the end of a barrel vault. The
windows were popular in Neo-classical and Classic Revival
architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries. |
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| Masonry |
Construction made
by the laying of units of substantial material such
as brick, concrete block, and cast stone. |
| Masonry Opening |
The actual opening
size of a window, door, vent or fireplace. The masonry
opening is the basis for the description of many Unit
Types, and is the basis for the Control Dimensions used
in preparing Shop Drawings. |
| Medallion |
Medallions were
a very fashionable form of ornament during the Renaissance;
the most famous medallion maker was Luca Della Robbia
in Florence. These are plaques, usually round, bearing
figures or family symbols in relief. Sometimes they
have stories or anecdotes. In the Art Deco period, these
were left plain. |
| Medallions |
Medallions were
a very fashionable form of ornament during the Renaissance;
the most famous medallion maker was Luca Della Robbia
in Florence. These are plaques, usually round, bearing
figures or family symbols in relief. Sometimes they
have stories or anecdotes. In the Art Deco period, these
were left plain. |
| Miter |
The splicing of
two cast stone profiles at an angle (see quirk miter). |
| Model |
The positive shape
that represents the final product. The form for making
cast stone is produced from a model. |
| Molding |
This is a general
term for all the decorative outlines, contours, cavities,
and projections on cornices, bases, door and window
jambs and continuous designs around a building. |
| Mortar |
A blend of cement,
lime, sand, and water that is applied at a pliable consistency
to bond masonry units. Mortar bonds and cushions the
stone, acting as a compression gasket. |
| Mullion |
A vertical member
that forms a separation from adjacent window and doorframes. |
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| Niche |
A recess in a wall
for a statue or ornament. A niche is usually semicircular
in the back with a half-dome on the top. Depending on
the style of building, the niche can have a pediment
above it or have decorative molding. A niche can also
be a tabernacle. |
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| Pilaster |
A squared column
or pillar used to help support the structure. The pilaster
often has a base and a capital. In Greek architecture
the pilaster is the same size at the top and bottom,
in Roman the pilaster is diminished at the top. Often
these are decorative. |
| Pillar |
An upright structure
that supports an arch or a superstrucure or provides
a decorative element. Pillars are massive in the norman
period, and have a wide variety of decorated, square,
rounded and ornate patterns. Pillars can have bases
and capitals. |
| Plinth |
A square or rectangular
base for column, pilaster, or door framing. |
| Pointing |
Final finishing
of a stone installation. The joints are left clear about
1" back from the face of the stone and filled with
either a matching or contrasting mortar mix. |
| Portal |
Strictly speaking
a portal is any doorway, gateway or entrance to an area,
but most portals are large and impressive. |
| Portico |
An elaborate or
at least covered porch area adjacent to a main entrance,
generally in a classical building. This functions as
a means to protect visitors from the elements as well
as emphasizing the taste and wealth of the owner. |
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| Quirk Miter |
An end condition
cast with a forty-five degree angle and an edge put
on the point at a ninety-degree angle to eliminate feather
edging. |
| Quatrefoil |
A leaf ornament
found generally in tracery composed of four foils or
leaves arranged around a common center. Trefoils are
most commonly found in Gothic designs. |
| Quoin |
Cast stone block
used to make up a corner of a wall. |
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| Rebar |
A deformed steel
unit used for reinforcing cast stone. |
| Reglet |
A continuous groove
cast or cut into a cast stone unit to receive flashing. |
| Reinforcing |
Rebar placed into
a cast stone part during the manufacturing process to
augment the part during handling or to enable it to
carry a structural load (i.e. lintel). |
| Return |
An external corner
of a profiled unit. |
| Reveal |
The side of an opening
(as for a window) between a frame and the outer surface
of a wall. |
| Roundel or Rondel |
A roundel is a small
circular decorative plate used extensively in Renaissance
courtyards and arcades. A roundel window is a small,
ornate, circular window. |
| Rustication |
An incision cast
around the outer edges of a unit to produce a shaded
affect. |
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| Sample |
The specimen submitted
to represent the color and texture of cast stone. This
specimen dictates the general range of the color and
texture of production pieces. |
| Scalloping |
In Gothic or Medieval
architecture, scalloping was used as decoration under
a cornice or decorative frieze. The design may come
from the machicolations in turrets. The brackets used
to support the openings for assault gradually became
more decorative. |
| Scotia |
A deep concave molding
found on Classical Ionic column bases and Baroque bases
between the torus moldings. |
| Scupper |
An outlet in the
wall of a building or a parapet wall for drainage of
water from a flat roof. |
| Setting |
The masons process
of installing and anchoring cast stone. |
| Setting Bed |
Surface space allotted
for mortar joints between masonry units. The materials
used for the structure in question determine the minimum
setting bed dimensions. |
| Setting Pad |
Non-corrosive pads
used to set cast stone on in order to prevent the bed
joint from compressing at the time of setting. |
| Shaft |
In a column or colonette,
the shaft is the vertical pole that exists between the
base and the capital. Shafts can be plain, fluted or
ornate. See also Ionic, Doric, Composite, Corinthian. |
| Shop Drawings |
The drawing submitted
for approval showing control dimensions, elevation,
plan views and any necessary Unit cross sections. |
| Sill |
Windows and doors
rest on sills. Sills can be of wood, stone, concrete,
or metal, and can be plain or ornate. The sill is generally
intended to direct water away from the door or window
in addition to being a support and a decorative element. |
| Soffit |
The exposed underside
portion of an entry or other Unit. |
| Spandrel |
The area between
the curve of an arch and the adjacent wall, or between
two consecutive arches. |
| Spring Line |
The point at which
the arch rises from its support or the point at which
the arch enters the radius. |
| Surround |
Decorative stone casing
to go around an opening, such as a door or window. Surround
Units can be many shapes and virtually any size. |
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| Template |
A type of model used
to convey the pattern, shape, or profile to be used
by the manufacturer in the molding process. |
| Texture |
The finish structure
consisting of visual and tactile surface qualities. |
| Tolerance |
Allowable deviation
from specified dimensions. |
| Tracery |
A pattern of interlacing
ribs carved or formed from stone and ornamenting a Gothic
building, generally in the window and door areas as
well as ceilings and staircases. |
| Transom |
In North America
a transom is generally the light above the doorway,
also called a fanlight. In Europe, a transom is the
horizontal structural member that separates the door
from the window above it. |
| Trefoil |
Composed of three
foils or leaves, a trefoil can be a pattern over a window
or an arch design. A trefoil pattern is most frequently
found in Gothic designs. |
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| Unit |
A Unit is a logical
assembly of masonry Parts used to build a final product.
Examples: Columns, Door Surrounds, Entries, Balustrade,
Fountains. |
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| Veranda |
(Verandah) An enclosing
porch or sheltered area around a shopping district or
on a house. The veranda might circle two or three sides
of the house as in Queen Anne designs. |
| Volute |
A carved whirl or
twist that takes the form of a scroll as in the capital
of Ionic columns. Also called a helix, this form is
found in Baroque ornament, late Renaissance and Art
Nouveau. |
| Voussoir |
A tapered or wedge-shaped
block or stone that composes an arch. |
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| Warp |
Twist or bowing
of final casting measured by deviation from plane and
tolerance. |
| Wash |
A sloping horizontal
surface formed to cause water to run off. |
| Water Repellant |
Normally a clear sealer
sprayed or brushed on the exposed portion of a masonry
wall to deflect moisture. |
| Watertable |
The course of cast
stone that sits on the base course. This course normally
transcends an offset in the building. |
| Weep Hole |
An opening normally
in a masonry head joint at the bottom of a unit to allow
any moisture behind it to escape. |
| Weld Plate |
A square metal device
cast flush to the surface for attachment by means of
welding. |
| Wet Cast |
Concrete Products
Manufactured from measurable slump concrete. |
