Glossary of Decorative Concrete Terms

Provided by The Concrete Network

www.concretenetwork.com

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M

marbleize - To give concrete surfaces the look and gloss of marble, through a combination of color layering and finishing techniques.

margin trowel (also pointer or pointed masons trowel) - A steel trowel with a small, rectangular flat blade about 5 to 8 inches in length and a short handle. It has multiple uses, including scraping off concrete from finishing tools and applying patching materials.

masking - Covering select areas of a concrete surface with an adhesive stencil, tape, or other medium before applying a decorative treatment that will affect only the exposed areas.

material safety data sheet (MSDS) - Information sheets containing pertinent chemical ingredients, product handling and safety guidelines.

membrane - Formed over a concrete surface to provide protection and enhance color. Typically clear plastic like acrylic, polyurethane or epoxy.

microtopping - An ultra-thin polymer-based decorative topping, generally less than 1/4-inch total thickness. Typically applied by trowel or squeegee, and given a texture or smooth finish. Pigments can be incorporated into the mix or broadcast onto the surface for a marbleized appearance. (Also see skim coat.)

mil - A measurement equal to 1/1,000 (0.001) inch. Commonly used to denote coating thickness.

mix design - Specific proportions of ingredients (cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures) used to produce concrete suited for a particular set of job conditions.

mixing station - A designated work area outfitted with all the equipment and supplies needed to mix materials properly and efficiently.

mockup - An architectural concrete sample made using the same materials and methods proposed for an actual project. Often required for quality assurance on large projects, to ensure that architectural requirements and industry tolerances are met. The size should be sufficient to adequately demonstrate all decorative treatments.

moisture vapor transmission - The migration of moisture vapor to the surface of a concrete slab, caused by vapor pressure differentials in the concrete and the surrounding atmosphere. Can contribute to the failure of impermeable coatings or other floor toppings that do not permit moisture to escape. (Also see calcium chloride vapor-emission test.)

N

neutralize - To return concrete to the proper pH after acid etching, generally by washing the surface with a mixture of water and ammonia or sodium carbonate. Ideal pH is 7.0 (neutral), but a pH range of 6.0-9.0 is acceptable for most coatings. ASTM D 4262, "Standard Test Method for pH of Chemically Cleaned or Etched Concrete Surfaces," covers the procedure for determining the acidity or alkalinity of concrete surfaces prepared by chemical cleaning or etching prior to coating application. See pH test.

notched-squeegee - A rubber squeegee with notches or serrations on one or both edges. Used for smooth and consistent spreading of epoxy resin products or other low-viscosity coatings.

O

opacity - The ability of a coating to hide the color of the underlying surface. See translucent.

overlay - A bonded layer of material, ranging from 1/4 to 1 inch or more in thickness, placed on existing concrete surfaces to beautify, level, or restore. (Also see polymer-modified overlay, self-leveling overlay.)

A-C |D-F | G-I |J-L | M-O |P-R | S-V |W-Z

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