fbpx

Natural Stone Definitions

N

Natural Bed

The horizontal stratification of stone as it was formed in the deposit.

Natural Finish

As the name implies, a natural surface finish is simply the way the stone looks when it is excavated or harvested. No additional hand-work or machine-work is involved (except perhaps cleaning it up). Weathered finishes can be a subset of natural if the weathering processes are natural.

Learn more about Natural Stone Finishes.

Natural Cleft Finish

Natural cleft is a surface finish created by splitting the stone instead of sawing it. Stones like slate, quartzite, and sandstone are naturally formed in layers, which create unique textured faces when the stone is split. Natural cleft stone tiles tend to have an uneven textured surface making it very slip-resistant. It is a great choice for floors in kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms, as well as for outdoor patios, walkways, and around swimming pools. Surface roughness can vary from somewhat rough (1/16-1/4”) to very rough (>2”), depending on the process. Rockfaced and split-face finishes can have a similar appearance.

Learn more about Natural Stone Finishes.

Natural Stone

A product of nature. A stone such as granite, marble, limestone, slate, travertine, or sandstone that is formed by nature, and is not artificial or man-made.

NBGQA

The abbreviation for the National Building Granite Quarries Association, a trade association whose membership is composed of granite producers in the United States. Collectively, these companies provide a major portion of the domestically quarried architectural granite produced in the U.S.

Neat Cement
A fluid mixture of Portland cement and water, with or without other ingredients; also the hardened equivalent of such mixture. Commonly used in a thick, creamy consistency to parge the stone surfaces and strengthen the bond between a stone and a setting bed. Also called “cement butter,” “cement paste” and “cement cream.” See also Back Parging and Parge.
Niche

A recess in an interior or exterior wall usually for a statue or an urn, often semicircular in design.

NIOSH

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Non-staining Mortar

Mortar composed of materials that individually or collectively do not contain material that will stain the adjacent materials to which it comes in contact.

Notch

A v-shaped cut made on the edge or head of a stone.

NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association)

A trade association whose active membership consists of ceramic and stone tile installation contractors in the United States, with an associate membership of those who supply products and services to the industry. Founded in 1947.

Created in collaboration with the Natural Stone Institute (NSI).
Copyrights apply.

Please login or create a FREE account if
you don’t already have one.