The property of a mortar which prevents the rapid loss of water to masonry units of high suction. It prevents bleeding or water gain when mortar is in contact with relatively impervious units.

Natural moisture in stone deposits and freshly quarried stone.

The surface left as the stone comes from the gang saw. Moderately smooth, granular surface varying with the texture and grade of stone.

Terminology referring to the distance from the finished face of a stone unit to the face of the back-up material.

A test method for stone from the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Absorption is the percentage of moisture absorption by weight. The process by which a liquid is taken into (soaked up [..]

Ingredients of a coating composition which are deposited following co-reaction or reaction with the substrate. Active solids are usually measured as a weight percent of the total.

A quartz-based sandstone containing 10% or more of elastic grains or feldspar.

Steps formed in quarry by removal of stone following bed joints. Or, a long seat of cubic stone.

A stone that may be cut freely in any direction without fracture or splitting.

Flush, rake, cove, weathered, bead, stripped, and “V”.