The following glossary contains terms used commonly in the paint and coatings industry to describe the characteristics, usage and components of paints and coatings. Results for "D"
Daybed
A bed made up to appear as a sofa. It usually has a frame that consists of a headboard, a footboard and a sideboard along the back.
Dead flat
Having no sheen or gloss.
Dead space
Wasted space in closets, under staircases, in corners and under furniture that is suitable for storage.
Decay
The destruction of wood by bacteria, fungi and the like.
Decorative painting
Paint process in which a semitransparent glaze color is manipulated to create a pattern which highlights a solid base color underneath.
Decorative surface
The top layer of the wallpaper. Manufactures often coat the printed surfaces with a clear solution or laminate to add extra protection.
Decoupage medium
A smooth and glossy gluelike liquid used to apply cut-out paper or fabric images to a surface or an object. It is used as both an adhesive and a top coat.
Defect
Any irregularity occurring in or on a material.
Defoamer
Product used for controlling undesirable foam.
De-glosser
A liquid preparation used to remove the gloss of a painted surface, to slightly roughen or give “tooth” to the substrate. This lends improved adhesion to the coating being applied.
Degreaser
Solvent or compounded material used for removing oils, fats, or grease from a substrate.
Deionized Water
Water which contains no ions. Usually produced through the use of ion exchange resins and used for rinsing parts after wet sanding or electro-deposition.
Delamination
A condition where wallpaper backing separates from the top or intermediate layer of vinyl. One frequent cause is excessive soaking. Some wallpaper, such as grasscloth and stringcloth, should relax only 3 to 5 minutes before installation.
Denatured alcohol
A solvent used to thin shellac.
Depth
An effect that wallpaper creates in a room regarding its size. If a room is papered in light colors, it appears visibly larger. Darker or bolder colors make the room appear smaller.
Depth of finish
A desirable visual impression which is illustrated by viewing a thick film of varnish of excellent smoothness or evenness.
Descaling
The removal of mill scale or rust from steel by mechanical means, sometimes assisted by flame cleaning.
Design - wallpapering
The decorative composition printed onto wallpaper. The recurring design elements determine the vertical and horizontal repeats within a wallpaper.
Dew Point
The temperature of a surface, at a given ambient temperature and relative humidity, at which condensation of moisture will occur.
DFT
Dried Film Thickness generally expressed in mils.
Diluent
A liquid used in coatings to reduce the consistency and make a coating flow more easily. The water in latex coatings is a diluent. A diluent may also be called a "Reducer," "Thinner," "Reducing Agent" or "Reducing Solvent."
Diagonal pattern
A pattern that appears at a slant; an oblique pattern.
Diagonal pattern effect
An effect that becomes noticeable after you install small-scale or some large-scale patterns on a large wall. The effect may not be evident in a small catalog sample or on a single strip of wallpaper.
Diagonal pattern sequence
The diagonal recurrence of a pattern or design across the wall surface. For example, the diagonal sequence of a half-drop match pattern repeats itself at an angle exactly one-half the distance of the vertical repeat.
Dilatency
The properties of some materials in which the resistance to flow increases with agitation.
Dipping
A treatment where wood is immersed in a bath of sealant for several minutes, then allowed to air-dry. A sealant helps to prevent moisture damage to boards.
Directional print
A pattern or design on wallpaper or a border that must be installed in a particular direction in order to appear pleasing.
Discoloration
Any departure from the appearance of the original color.
Disk faucet
A faucet containing plastic or ceramic disks that move up and down to regulate water flow and rotate to control water temperature.
Disparate patterns
Two or more patterns that are each distinct, placed in juxtaposition. An example might be plaids and floral prints. You should carefully consider continuity when you want to install disparate patterns. They could easily clash or distract from the overall appearance of the room.
Dispersion
The suspension of tiny particles, usually pigments, in a liquid, usually resin. Any heterogeneous system of solids, gasses, or liquids.
Distemper
An old-fashioned type of interior paint made with a casein or gelatin/glue size binder.
Distilled water
Water which has been purified by vaporizing the liquid and collecting the vapor which is then condensed back to a liquid having, in the process, removed the contaminants.
Distinctness of image
The sharpness with which image outlines are reflected by the surface of an object.
Distressed finish
A decorative paint technique in which the final paint coat is sanded and battered to produce an aged appearance.
Distressing
A finishing process that adds dents, scratches, burns and other indications of wear and age to furniture for decorative purposes.
Dirt pick-up
Accumulation of dirt, dust and/or other debris on the paint film. Dirt pick-up may resemble mildew.
Door sill
The same as a threshold. A piece of lumber beveled along each edge and nailed to a floor to cover a floor joint or to mark a door passageway.
Door sweep
Weatherstripping that mounts to the bottom of the door. It consists of an extruded aluminum strip that holds a flexible vinyl strip.
Dormer
A window set upright in a sloping roof, and the roofed projection in which the window is set. There are a variety of styles including gable, shed and eyebrow. Dormers afford increased headroom, natural light from windows, and increased ventilation.
Double-hung window
A window that consists of two framed-glass panels that slide open vertically, guided by a metal or wood track.
Double-split complementaries
Colors on either side of two complementary colors on the color wheel.
Downdraft booth
A spray booth in which the air movement is from the ceiling through the floor.
Downlighting
A lighting technique where objects or areas are illuminated from above.
Dragging
A technique that involves pulling a special long-bristled brush through wet paint or glaze to create fine lines or narrow stripes.
Drier
A catalytic material which, when added to a drying oil or drying oil modified coating, accelerates the rate of drying. A substance which speeds the reaction of binder with oxygen. Naphthenates of lead, cobalt, and manganese are common driers.
Drip course
First course of shingles at the eaves.
Dry colors
Powder-type colors to be mixed with water, alcohol, or mineral spirits and resin to form a paint or stain.
Drying Oil
An oil that when exposed to air will dry to a solid through chemical reaction with air: linseed oil, tung oil, perilla, fish oil, soybean oil.
Drag
Resistance on bristle encountered when paints are being applied. Excessive drag of a coating can be a serious fault.
Dry dust free
That stage of drying when particles of dust that land on the surface do not stick to the paint film.
Dry-fall coating
An extremely fast-drying paint commonly used to paint ventilation ducts, trusses, pipes and ceilings in commercial buildings, such as warehouses, retail stores and restaurants. Dry fall coatings are applied by airless spray. Dry fall means the paint completely dries before it reaches the floor.
Dry rot
Decay from fungi that causes wood to become brittle and crumble to powder.
Dry spray
Overspray or bounce back producing a sandy finish due to the sprayed particles having partially dried before reaching the surface. Dry spray has a lower gloss than the normal surface.
Drying Time
The time required for a coating to attain various stages of dryness. Three commonly referred-to drying times are: dry to touch, dry to handle and dry hard (re-coat). Drying time is greatly affected by temperature and humidity.
Dry to handle
The degree of cure at which a film will resist deformation due to handling.
Dry to touch
Drying stage of a coating at which it has hardened enough that it may be touched lightly without any of it adhering to the finger.
Drying
The act of changing from a liquid film to a solid film by the evaporation of solvents, oxidation, polymerization or by a combination of these phenomena.
Drying oil
An oil having the property of hardening by oxidation to a tough film when exposed to air in the form of a thin film.
Drying period
The time that it takes for a primer-sealer to completely dry. Different types of wall conditions, adhesive viscosity and humidity levels will affect the drying period. Some conditions may cause the drying to take longer, such as high humidity, a nonporous wall surface, the viscosity of the adhesive and use of a nonbreathable wallpaper.
Drywall
Also known as wallboard or gypsum board, a paper covered panel of compressed gypsum used as the primary wall covering in almost all homes. It can be finished to look like a plaster wall or used to support other wallcoverings.
Dry tack-free
Drying stage of a coating at which it is not sticky or tacky to the touch.
Dry to re-coat
Drying stage of a coating at which another coat of paint can be applied without damaging the previous coat.
The time required for a film to dry prior to the application of a second coat.
Dry to sand
Drying stage of a sandable coating at which it can be sanded without the excess sticking to or clogging the sandpaper.
Drywall compound
A highly extended paste used to make a continuous seam between pieces of drywall (sheetrock); also used to repair cracks, holes and other defects. It is sanded smooth before painting.
Durability
The degree to which a coating or caulk can withstand the destructive effects of the environment to which it is exposed. The term also refers to interior applications, including the ability to withstand scrubbing, abrasion, etc.
Dull rubbed effect
Mostly a furniture finish, where gloss is rubbed to a mar- free dull finish with sandpaper, pumice or steelwool and either oil or water.
Dusting brushes
Soft, medium-length brushes used for combing, stippling and softening textures.
A bed made up to appear as a sofa. It usually has a frame that consists of a headboard, a footboard and a sideboard along the back.
Dead flat
Having no sheen or gloss.
Dead space
Wasted space in closets, under staircases, in corners and under furniture that is suitable for storage.
Decay
The destruction of wood by bacteria, fungi and the like.
Decorative painting
Paint process in which a semitransparent glaze color is manipulated to create a pattern which highlights a solid base color underneath.
Decorative surface
The top layer of the wallpaper. Manufactures often coat the printed surfaces with a clear solution or laminate to add extra protection.
Decoupage medium
A smooth and glossy gluelike liquid used to apply cut-out paper or fabric images to a surface or an object. It is used as both an adhesive and a top coat.
Defect
Any irregularity occurring in or on a material.
Defoamer
Product used for controlling undesirable foam.
De-glosser
A liquid preparation used to remove the gloss of a painted surface, to slightly roughen or give “tooth” to the substrate. This lends improved adhesion to the coating being applied.
Degreaser
Solvent or compounded material used for removing oils, fats, or grease from a substrate.
Deionized Water
Water which contains no ions. Usually produced through the use of ion exchange resins and used for rinsing parts after wet sanding or electro-deposition.
Delamination
A condition where wallpaper backing separates from the top or intermediate layer of vinyl. One frequent cause is excessive soaking. Some wallpaper, such as grasscloth and stringcloth, should relax only 3 to 5 minutes before installation.
Denatured alcohol
A solvent used to thin shellac.
Depth
An effect that wallpaper creates in a room regarding its size. If a room is papered in light colors, it appears visibly larger. Darker or bolder colors make the room appear smaller.
Depth of finish
A desirable visual impression which is illustrated by viewing a thick film of varnish of excellent smoothness or evenness.
Descaling
The removal of mill scale or rust from steel by mechanical means, sometimes assisted by flame cleaning.
Design - wallpapering
The decorative composition printed onto wallpaper. The recurring design elements determine the vertical and horizontal repeats within a wallpaper.
Dew Point
The temperature of a surface, at a given ambient temperature and relative humidity, at which condensation of moisture will occur.
DFT
Dried Film Thickness generally expressed in mils.
Diluent
A liquid used in coatings to reduce the consistency and make a coating flow more easily. The water in latex coatings is a diluent. A diluent may also be called a "Reducer," "Thinner," "Reducing Agent" or "Reducing Solvent."
Diagonal pattern
A pattern that appears at a slant; an oblique pattern.
Diagonal pattern effect
An effect that becomes noticeable after you install small-scale or some large-scale patterns on a large wall. The effect may not be evident in a small catalog sample or on a single strip of wallpaper.
Diagonal pattern sequence
The diagonal recurrence of a pattern or design across the wall surface. For example, the diagonal sequence of a half-drop match pattern repeats itself at an angle exactly one-half the distance of the vertical repeat.
Dilatency
The properties of some materials in which the resistance to flow increases with agitation.
Dipping
A treatment where wood is immersed in a bath of sealant for several minutes, then allowed to air-dry. A sealant helps to prevent moisture damage to boards.
Directional print
A pattern or design on wallpaper or a border that must be installed in a particular direction in order to appear pleasing.
Discoloration
Any departure from the appearance of the original color.
Disk faucet
A faucet containing plastic or ceramic disks that move up and down to regulate water flow and rotate to control water temperature.
Disparate patterns
Two or more patterns that are each distinct, placed in juxtaposition. An example might be plaids and floral prints. You should carefully consider continuity when you want to install disparate patterns. They could easily clash or distract from the overall appearance of the room.
Dispersion
The suspension of tiny particles, usually pigments, in a liquid, usually resin. Any heterogeneous system of solids, gasses, or liquids.
Distemper
An old-fashioned type of interior paint made with a casein or gelatin/glue size binder.
Distilled water
Water which has been purified by vaporizing the liquid and collecting the vapor which is then condensed back to a liquid having, in the process, removed the contaminants.
Distinctness of image
The sharpness with which image outlines are reflected by the surface of an object.
Distressed finish
A decorative paint technique in which the final paint coat is sanded and battered to produce an aged appearance.
Distressing
A finishing process that adds dents, scratches, burns and other indications of wear and age to furniture for decorative purposes.
Dirt pick-up
Accumulation of dirt, dust and/or other debris on the paint film. Dirt pick-up may resemble mildew.
Door sill
The same as a threshold. A piece of lumber beveled along each edge and nailed to a floor to cover a floor joint or to mark a door passageway.
Door sweep
Weatherstripping that mounts to the bottom of the door. It consists of an extruded aluminum strip that holds a flexible vinyl strip.
Dormer
A window set upright in a sloping roof, and the roofed projection in which the window is set. There are a variety of styles including gable, shed and eyebrow. Dormers afford increased headroom, natural light from windows, and increased ventilation.
Double-hung window
A window that consists of two framed-glass panels that slide open vertically, guided by a metal or wood track.
Double-split complementaries
Colors on either side of two complementary colors on the color wheel.
Downdraft booth
A spray booth in which the air movement is from the ceiling through the floor.
Downlighting
A lighting technique where objects or areas are illuminated from above.
Dragging
A technique that involves pulling a special long-bristled brush through wet paint or glaze to create fine lines or narrow stripes.
Drier
A catalytic material which, when added to a drying oil or drying oil modified coating, accelerates the rate of drying. A substance which speeds the reaction of binder with oxygen. Naphthenates of lead, cobalt, and manganese are common driers.
Drip course
First course of shingles at the eaves.
Dry colors
Powder-type colors to be mixed with water, alcohol, or mineral spirits and resin to form a paint or stain.
Drying Oil
An oil that when exposed to air will dry to a solid through chemical reaction with air: linseed oil, tung oil, perilla, fish oil, soybean oil.
Drag
Resistance on bristle encountered when paints are being applied. Excessive drag of a coating can be a serious fault.
Dry dust free
That stage of drying when particles of dust that land on the surface do not stick to the paint film.
Dry-fall coating
An extremely fast-drying paint commonly used to paint ventilation ducts, trusses, pipes and ceilings in commercial buildings, such as warehouses, retail stores and restaurants. Dry fall coatings are applied by airless spray. Dry fall means the paint completely dries before it reaches the floor.
Dry rot
Decay from fungi that causes wood to become brittle and crumble to powder.
Dry spray
Overspray or bounce back producing a sandy finish due to the sprayed particles having partially dried before reaching the surface. Dry spray has a lower gloss than the normal surface.
Drying Time
The time required for a coating to attain various stages of dryness. Three commonly referred-to drying times are: dry to touch, dry to handle and dry hard (re-coat). Drying time is greatly affected by temperature and humidity.
Dry to handle
The degree of cure at which a film will resist deformation due to handling.
Dry to touch
Drying stage of a coating at which it has hardened enough that it may be touched lightly without any of it adhering to the finger.
Drying
The act of changing from a liquid film to a solid film by the evaporation of solvents, oxidation, polymerization or by a combination of these phenomena.
Drying oil
An oil having the property of hardening by oxidation to a tough film when exposed to air in the form of a thin film.
Drying period
The time that it takes for a primer-sealer to completely dry. Different types of wall conditions, adhesive viscosity and humidity levels will affect the drying period. Some conditions may cause the drying to take longer, such as high humidity, a nonporous wall surface, the viscosity of the adhesive and use of a nonbreathable wallpaper.
Drywall
Also known as wallboard or gypsum board, a paper covered panel of compressed gypsum used as the primary wall covering in almost all homes. It can be finished to look like a plaster wall or used to support other wallcoverings.
Dry tack-free
Drying stage of a coating at which it is not sticky or tacky to the touch.
Dry to re-coat
Drying stage of a coating at which another coat of paint can be applied without damaging the previous coat.
The time required for a film to dry prior to the application of a second coat.
Dry to sand
Drying stage of a sandable coating at which it can be sanded without the excess sticking to or clogging the sandpaper.
Drywall compound
A highly extended paste used to make a continuous seam between pieces of drywall (sheetrock); also used to repair cracks, holes and other defects. It is sanded smooth before painting.
Durability
The degree to which a coating or caulk can withstand the destructive effects of the environment to which it is exposed. The term also refers to interior applications, including the ability to withstand scrubbing, abrasion, etc.
Dull rubbed effect
Mostly a furniture finish, where gloss is rubbed to a mar- free dull finish with sandpaper, pumice or steelwool and either oil or water.
Dusting brushes
Soft, medium-length brushes used for combing, stippling and softening textures.
