Flooring Terms and Definitions
- Acrylic
- A synthetic polymer used in high performance water-based or latex paints. Acrylic resin binders allow
the coating to last longer and retain its colour/gloss.
- Acrylic Latex Paint
- A water thinned paint using acrylic resin as the majority binder.
- Adhesion
- Ability of a paint to remain on a surface without blistering, flaking or cracking.
- Alkyds
- A type of synthetic resins used in exterior applications equipment and marine enamels. Tend to yellow
and brittle with age.
- Binder
- A constituent of paint which cements the colour pigments and adheres it to a surface.
- Bleaching
- Loss of colour caused by exposure to sunlight. Sometimes called fading.
- Blistering
- A problem whereby dome shaped bubbles appear on the surface of the paint, often caused by heat or moisture.
- Chalking
- A problem resulting in a white powdery deposit forming on the surface of a paint film. Caused by the disintegration
of the binding medium due to weathering.
- Efflorescence
- A surface encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, on the surface of coatings, stone, brick, plaster
or mortar caused by salts or free alkalis leaching from the mortar.
- Enamel
- A siliceous topcoat characterized by a smooth surface and typically high gloss.
- Extender
- A substance such as clay, calcium carbonate or silica used as filler. Must be used with a pigment.
- Flaking
- The peeling of a paint film due to a loss in adhesion or elasticity. Sometimes called scaling or peeling.
- Glycol
- A co-solvent, combined with water to form thinner.
- Latex
- The fine dispersion of rubber or resin in water. Emulsion polymerization.
- Latex Paint
- A water thinned paint made with synthetic binders such as polyvinyl acetate or acrylic resins.
- Mildewcide
- A chemical agent that retards mildew, a problem in humid climates.
- Pigment
- A finely ground powder which is added to a liquid to make paint to create colour, opacity, hardness, durability
and corrosion resistance.
- Polymer
- A petrochemical based binder which, when mixed with water, forms emulsion.
- PVA
- Polyvinyl Acetate. A colourless, thermoplastic water soluble polymer used as a latex binder in cheaper
water based paints.
- PVC
- Pigment Volume Concentration. The ratio of pigment to non volatile material (i.e. pigment or binder) expressed
as a percentage.
- Resin
- The generic name for any polymer compound used in coatings and plastics
- Silicate
- A compound typically used with titanium dioxide as an extender and to improve properties such as brush
ability.
- Surfactants
- Additives which reduce surface tension, aid wetting and emulsification.
- Thinner
- A liquid added to a paint to aid its application. Water, the thinner used in water based paints, evaporates
as the paint dries allowing a smooth application. Turpentine or spirits are used in oil based paints.
- Titanium Dioxide
- A bright white pigment with high opacity. Two varieties; Anatase (subject to chalking) and Rutile (non-chalking).
- Vinyl
- A compound derived from ethylene regarded as tough and flexible and used as a basic ingredient for coatings
and plastics.
- Wet Edge
- The edge of a wet painted area which remains workable. An invisible overlap between old painting and new
painting.
- Zinc Chromate
- A bright yellow pigment used as a primer for anti-corrosive paints
- Zinc Oxide
- A white pigment used in the rubber, paint and plastic industries for mildew resistance.
- Zinc Rich Primer
- An anti corrosive primer for iron and steel which uses sufficient zinc dust to give electrical conductivity
and protect the substrate underneath.