Glossary of Decorative Concrete Terms

Provided by The Concrete Network

www.concretenetwork.com

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P

Patterned Concrete - See stamped concrete

penetrating sealer - A sealerwith the ability to penetrate into the concrete surface to increase water repellency and resist stains. Often used on decorative concrete to provide invisible protection without changing the surface appearance.

permeability - The degree to which a membrane or coating will allow the passage or penetration of a liquid or gas.

pH Test - A test performed on the concrete surface to determine the level of acidity or alkalinity. Typically performed prior to applying sealers or coatings.

pigment - A finely ground natural or synthetic particle adding color and opacity to a coating or topping.

pinholing - A defect in a coating characterized by pinhead-sized holes that expose the underlying substrate.

plastic - A condition of freshly mixed concrete indicating that it is workable and readily moldable.

plastic shrinkage cracks Irregular cracks that occur in the surface of fresh concrete soon after it is placed and while it is still plastic.

plasticity - Property of freshly mixed concrete, cement paste, or mortar which determines its ease of molding or resistance to deformation.

platform tools - Rigid stamps made of plastic or metal that leave deep grooves in freshly stamped concrete, which can later be grouted or left open.

polished concrete - A high-gloss finish attained by using special floor polishers fitted with diamond-impregnated abrasive disks (similar to sandpaper) to grind down surfaces to the desired degree of shine and smoothness. The resulting surface is very low-maintenance and can be stained to replicate the look of polished stone. (Also see dry polishing, wet polishing, diamond grinding.)

polyaspartic - An aliphatic polyurea coating that is very fast-curing and that can be applied to concrete over a wide range of temperatures. Seamless polyaspartic floors are typically applied in two or three coats with embedded vinyl or quartz chips to form a highly stain- and abrasion-resistant coating.

polymer - modified overlay - A cement-based overlay with polymer resins added to improve performance, wear resistance, and aesthetic qualities. Overlay manufacturers use different types of polymer resins, often blending them to produce proprietary products with unique characteristics. Many of todays decorative overlays use acrylics or vinyl blends because these resins provide excellent bond strength and UV resistance.

polymer stain - An acrylic-urethane based stain available in a broader palette of colors than acid stains. Very low in volatile organic compounds, with workabilitycharacteristics similar to latex paint. Can be applied to concrete surfaces by brush, roller, sponge, cloth, or commercial sprayer.

popout - A pit or crater in the concrete surface, ranging in size from 1/4 inch to several inches in diameter, that results from the fracturing of unsound aggregate particles due to expansion pressure. Usually caused by porous aggregate having a high rate of absorption.

pot life - The length of time a material is useful after its original package is opened or a catalyst is added.

profile - The act of preparing a concrete surface to achieve the necessary degree of roughness (also see concrete surface profile).

portland cement - A hydraulic product that sets and hardens when it chemically interacts with water. Made by burning a mixture of limestone and clay or similar materials. (Also see white cement.)

pozzolan - A siliceous and aluminous material that, in the presence of moisture, chemically reacts with calcium hydroxide to form compounds possessing cementitious properties. (Also see cement replacement).

primer - The first coat of material applied to a concrete surface to improve bonding or adherence of subsequent coats. See also bond coat.

pump-up sprayer - An airless sprayer often used to apply sealers and liquid release agents.

R

raveling - The dislodging of aggregate at the edges of jointsor scored patterns in concrete, generally caused by sawcutting joints too soon after concrete placement.

ready-mixed concrete - Concrete thats batched or mixed at a central plant before delivery to the job site for placement.

rebar (or reinforcing bars) - Ribbed steel bars installed in cast-in-place concrete to provide flexural strength. Rebar come in various diameters and strength grades.

reentrant corner - An angle in a concrete slab that points inward. Often vulnerable to cracking, unless a control joint is installed.

reflection cracking - The occurrence of cracks in overlays and toppings that coincide with the location of existing cracks in the substrate.

reinforced concrete - Concrete construction that has steel rebar or welded wire mesh embedded in it to provide greater tolerance to tension and flexural stress.

release agent - A powder or liquid parting agent applied to stamping mats or texturing skins before stamping to keep the mats from sticking to fresh overlay or concrete surfaces.

rustication strip - A strip made of wood, polystyrene, or plastic thats fastened to forms or form liners to impart architectural details to wall surfaces.

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