StonePly: Stone Glossary

S

Sample
A segment of stone, usually 12" x 12", showing the general range of color, markings, and finish of a given variety of stone.
Sandblasted
A matte-textured surface appearance with no gloss, finished by application of a steady flow of sand and water under pressure suitable for exterior use. http://stoneply.com/finish_options
Sandstone
See quartz based stone.
Sawed edge
A clean-cut edge generally obtained by cutting with a diamond blade, gang saw, or wire saw.
Sawed face
A finish achieved from the process used in producing blocks, slabs, or other units of building stone. It varies in texture from smooth to rough, and is typically named for the type of material used in sawing, e.g. diamond sawn, sand sawn, chat sawn, and shot sawn. http://stoneply.com/finish_options
Schist
A highly foliated, medium-grained metamorphic (recrystallized) rock that are composed predominately of minerals of thin platy or prismatic habits and whose long dimensions are oriented in approximately parallel positions along the planes of foliation. Because of this foliated structure, schists split readily along these planes and so have a pronounced rock cleavage. The more common shists are composed of mica-like minerals (such as chlorite) and generally contain subordinate quartz and/or feldspar of a comparatively fine-grained texture; all gradations exist between schist and gneiss (coarsely foliated feldspathic rocks).
Scotia
A concave stone molding at or near the base of a column.
Sealant
An elastic adhesive resilient compound used to seal stone veneer joints.
Sealing
  1. To make a veneer joint watertight and leak-proof with an elastic adhesive compound.
  2. Application of a treatment to retard staining of stone.
Sedimentary
Stone formed by precipitation from solution. The materials of which they are formed are derived from preexisting rocks or the skeletal remains of sea creatures.
Serpentine
A hydrous magnesium silicate stone material; generally dark green in color with markings of white, light green, or black used for architectural and decorative purposes. Considered commercially as a marble because it can be polished. Definition of serpentine is given in ASTM C119 under the marble group.
Setter
An experienced journeyman who installs or erects dimension stone.
Setting
The trade of installing or erecting dimension stone units.
Setting space
The gap from the finished face of a stone unit to the face of the backup material.
Shim
A fragment of plastic or other noncorrosive, nonstaining material used to hold joints to size.
Shop drawing
A detailed fabrication and installation drawing showing dimensions and methods of anchorage usually prepared by the stone manufacturer. http://stoneply.com/cad
Shop ticket
Also referred to as a "cutting" or "cut" ticket, it is generally manufactured by the stone fabricator or shop for in-house use and reference. A shop ticket is produced for each differing piece of stone required for a project and is referenced to shop drawings, which are used for communicating intent with parties outside of the fabricating team or shop.
Sill
The horizontal stone piece or member below a window or opening in a structure.
Slab
A lengthwise-cut of a large quarry block of stone prior to fabrication.
Slate
A very fine grained metamorphic stone that splits into thin, smooth-surfaced layers. Characterized by an excellent parallel cleavage, and entirely independent of original bedding, slate may be split easily into relatively thin slabs. See definition of slate in ASTM C119.
Soapstone
A massive variety of talc with a "soapy" or greasy feel, used for hearths, tabletops, chemical-resistant laboratory tops, stove facings, and cladding; known for its stain-proof characteristics. Classified in ASTM C119 as part of the greenstone group.
Soffit
The underside of any architectural feature, such as an arch, beam, lintel, ceiling, cornice or balcony.
Soundness
A characteristic of stone used to describe relative freedom from cracks, faults, voids, and similar imperfections found in untreated stone. One of the characteristics encountered in fabrication.
Spall
A chip or splinter formed from the main mass of a stone.
Spandrel
  1. The triangular area between an arch and a wall, or two adjoining arches. Often decorated.
  2. In modern high-rise construction, a panel like area between the head of a window and the bottom of the one above it. Can be made of stone, metal, or glass.
Splay
A beveled or slanted stone surface, inclined to another surface.
Split
Division of a rock by cleavage.
Split-faced stone
Stone on which the face has been broken or fragmented to an approximate plane.
Stacked bond
Veneer stone that is shaped to one dimension and installed with unbroken vertical and horizontal joints running the entire length and height of the veneered area.
Stool
A flat unit of stone panel, generally polished, often referred to as an interior window sill.

T

Template
A pattern or model for a repetitive marking or stone panel fabricating operation.
Texture
Surface or appearance quality of stone independent of color.
Textured finish
A rough stone surface finish that tends to subdue stone color and markings.
Thermal finish
A surface treatment applied by intense heat flaming to exfoliate the surface of the stone and expose the actual grain. Generally limited to granites. http://stoneply.com/finish_options
Threshold
A flat strip or segment of stone projecting above the floor between the jambs of a door. Also known as a "saddle."
Tolerance
Dimensional allowance to fabricate a stone product of exact dimensions.
Translucence
The light-transmitting quality of certain marble, onyx and alabaster varieties containing a crystal structure capable of transmitting light.
Travertine

A variety of limestone that is a precipitant from cave or spring waters. Some varieties of travertine take a polish and are known commercially as marble. ASTM C119 classifies travertine in both the limestone and the marble groupings.

Tread
A flat stone used as the top walking or stepping surface.
Trim
Decorative framing or edging of openings and other features on the interior or exterior of a building, including baseboards, picture rails, cornices, and casings.
Tumbled finish
A weathered, aging finished produced when the stone is tumbled with sand, pebbles, or steel bearings to wear down and round off the edges.

U

Unit
A piece or fragment of fabricated cubic or thin dimension stone.
Undercut
Cut or shape so as to present an overhanging part.
Urinal screen
A thin stone panel in between urinals.

V

Vein
A layer, seam, or narrow irregular body of mineral material in contrast with the surrounding stone formation.
Vein cut
A cut or slot into quarried stone perpendicular to the natural bedding plane.
Veneer
An interior or exterior stone wall covering layer or stone panel.
Venting
See cavity vent.

W

Wainscot
An interior veneer of stone panels, less than full wall height covering the lower portion of an interior wall.
Wash
The slope or incline on the top of a stone unit intended to shed water.
Water-jet finish
A surface treatment conducted by using high pressure water.
Weathering
Natural alteration to stone by either chemical or mechanical processes due to the action of the atmosphere, soil, surface waters, and other ground waters, or temperature changes.
Weep holes
Openings or passageways for drainage in veneer joints or in the structural components supporting the veneer.
Wire sawing
A method of cutting or quarrying stone by passing a twisted, multi strand wire over the stone. The wire may either be immersed in a slurry of abrasive material or be fitted with spaced industrial diamond blocks.
Wythe
The inner or outer part of a cavity wall that either faces a back-up or is a back-up wall and secured.