Terminology Index

Learn more about our products!

If you find it difficult to understand terminology used in a granite busisness don't worry! Use our guide below to clarify technical mambo jambo.

Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Letter: P

palletized
a system of stacking stone on wooden pallets. Stone which comes palletized is easily moved and transported by modern handling equipment. Palletized stone generally arrives at the job site in better condition than unpalletized material.
panel
a finished stone unit used on walls.
parapet wall
that part of any wall entirely above the roof line.
parging
plastering a cementitious coating of mortar onto a surface, often used for damp-proofing.
parquetry
an inlay of stone floors in geometrical or other patterns.
paving
stone used as an exterior wearing surface, as in patios, walkways, driveways, etc. (see flooring).
perforated wall
one which contains a considerable number of relatively small openings. Often called pierced wall or screen wall.
perrons
slabs of stone set on other stones serving as steps and arches in gardens.
phenocryst
in igneous rocks, the relatively large and conspicuous crystals in a finer-grained matrix or ground mass.
pilaster
an engaged pier of shallow depth; in classical architecture it follows the height and width of related columns, with similar base and cap.
pitched stone
stone having arris clearly defined; face, however, is roughly cut with pitching chisel used along the line which becomes the arris.
plinths
the lower square part of the base of a column. A square base or a lower block, as of a pedestal. The base block at the juncture of baseboard and trim around an opening.
plucked finish
obtained by rough planing the surface of stone, breaking or plucking out small particles to give rough texture.
pointing
the filling and tooling of mortar joints with mortar or caulking compounds.
polished finish
the finest and smoothest finish available in stone characterized by a gloss or reflective property. Generally only possible on hard, dense materials.
porphyry
an igneous rock in which relatively large and conspicuous crystals (phenocrysts) are set in a matrix of finer crystals.
pressure relieving joint
an open horizontal joint below the supporting angle or hanger located at approximately every floor line and not over 15 feet (4.6 m) apart horizontally and every 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9m) vertically to prevent the weight from being transmitted to the masonry below. These joints are to be caulked with a resilient non-staining material to prevent moisture penetration.
processing
the work involved in transforming building stone from quarry blocks to cut or finished stone. This includes primary sawing into slabs. It may also include both hand and mechanical techniques such as sawing, drilling, grinding, honing, polishing, and carving.
projections
this refers to the pulling out of stones in a wall to give an effect of ruggedness. The amount of each stone is pulled out can vary between ½ and 11/2 inches (1.3 to 3.8cm). Stones are either pulled out at the same degree at both ends or sometimes one end is pulled out, leaving the other end flush with the majority of veneer.
pumice
and exceptionally cellular, glassy lava resembling a solid froth.