Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Term of the Day: Touch up Applying paint to small sections of a surface to obtain an even, unbroken coating film. Tack That property of cohesion between particles of a paint that can be described as the pulling power of the paint against the surface to which it is applied. Similar to stickiness or adhesion. Tack cloth A piece of cheese cloth or other lint-free cloth treated with turpentine and a small amount of varnish to produce a tacky surface that picks up and holds dust and lint. Tack free That condition when a film of finishing material has reached the point that the surface can be touched lightly without a sensation of stickiness. Tack rag A piece of cheesecloth or other fabric treated with turpentine and varnish to create a sticky or tacky quality so the rag will pick up and hold all the dust that it touches. Tacky That stage in the drying of a paint at which the film appears sticky when lightly touched with the finger. Tall oil A vegetable oil by-product from the manufacture of wood pulp. It is a mixture of fatty acids and rosin. Tannin Water- or solvent-soluble colors/resins found in wood. Tape test A type of adhesion test consisting of the application of an adhesive tape to a dried coating and rapidly removing the tape with a swift, jerking motion. The coating can be either scribed or unscribed, depending on the specification. The "wet adhesion" test for latex paints is performed by first wetting the paint with a specified quantity of water for a specified time and blotting off the excess surface water. The tape test is made immediately after blotting. Tarnish Surface discoloration of a metal surface caused by a thin film of corrosion product. Task lighting Lighting that concentrates in specific areas for tasks such as preparing food, applying makeup, reading or doing crafts. Tempera paint A mixture of pigments and a water-soluble glutinous emulsion binder, often made from an oil extracted from egg yolks. Tempered hardboard Solid or perforated hardboard panels impregnated with resin under high pressure to make them stronger and more resistant to moisture. Terebene dryer A substance (prepared from oil of turpentine) that can be added to alkyd-based paints (most often house paints) to speed their drying. Terne plate Steel coated on one or both sides with a lead-tin alloy. Tertiary colors A mix of a primary and secondary that produces a range of complex colors, such as blue-green, yellow-green and red-orange. Textured roller A roller with a nap made from wire or plastic strands that leave a distinctive pattern in wet joint compound. Texturing compounds Substances that go into paints where a rough, grained or dimensional quality is desired. Thermal expansion/contraction The movement within a structure or wall in response to temperature changes. Thermal paint Coating containing small granules of metallic powder that creat a resistance when current is applied and thereby heat the substrate. Thermoplastic The property of softening when heated and hardening upon cooling, as contrasted to thermosetting. Thermosetting The term applied to resins which become hard after heating and cannot be resoftened. Thick-bed mortar A layer of mortar more than 1/2-inch thick that is used to level an uneven surface for tiling. Thickener (1) Any material used to thicken a liquid. (2) An additive used to thicken (increase viscosity) or modify the rheology of a coating. Thin set A method of attaching tile to a substrate by means of a troweled-on adhesive. Thin-set adhesive (mortar) Any cement-based or organic adhesive applied in a thin layer (less than 1/2 inch) for setting tile. Thinner A liquid that is mixed with paint to make it less thick. Mineral spirits may be used for alkyd paints and water for latex paint. Thinset adhesives Any cement-based or organic adhesive applied in a thin layer (less than 1/2 inch) for setting tile. Thixotropy The property of certain gels to become liquid upon being shaken or agitated and to coagulate again when left in an undisturbed condition. Threshold A wood or aluminum strip used on the bottom of doors to cover the gap between the sill and the floor; not often used on interior doors. Timber Lumber pieces, larger than a nominal 4x4, typically used as columns or beams. Tint A color lightened with white toward a pastel range. Pink is a tint of red. Tinting strength Coloring power of a given quantity or pigment or paint. Titanium Dioxide, TiO2 A white pigment used in paints and enamels primarily to increase hiding power and give greatest brightness. Titanium white The most common white pigment, titanium white is a brilliant white that is synthetically derived from the metal titanium. Tolerance Variation from a specified limit. Toluene Sometimes called toluol. A solvent, like xylene, that softens glue enough so it can be scrubbed off with a coarse cloth or soft-bristle brush. Tone A color to which gray has been added to change its value. Toner An organic pigment which does not contain inorganic pigment or inorganic carrying base. It is usually a heavy metal salt of a water soluble dye. Tooth The coarse quality of a surface (or a coating on a surface) that improves the performance, appearance and longevity of paint. Top cap A horizontal piece of lumber laid flat on top of the post and top rail, covering the end grain of the post and providing a flat surface wide enough to set objects on. Topcoat Usually the final paint film applied to a surface. Topping compound A drying-type joint compound used for the middle (filler) and/or finish coats. Total rise The total vertical distance through which the stairs must cross, from finished floor to finished floor. Total run The total horizontal distance the stairs cover from the face of the top riser to that of the bottom riser. Touch up Applying paint to small sections of a surface to obtain an even, unbroken coating film. Toughness The ability of a hard finish to resist bending, impacts, or distortion without cracking. The opposite of brittleness. Toxic Poisonous. Toxicity A relative property of a chemical agent with reference to a harmful effect on some biological mechanism and the condition under which this effect occurs. The quality being poisonous. Track lighting Lighting that utilizes a fixed band that supplies a current to movable light fixtures. Translucent A coating which admits some light; between opaque and transparent. Transom A window mounted above a door or another window. Transoms usually occur above head height. Transparent A coating which light can penetrate; one which we look through and see the surface underneath. Trash compactor A mechanical device for squeezing trash into a compact bundle. Tread The horizontal boards on stairs, supported by the stringer. Treated pigment A pigment that has been processed during manufacturing to impart specific properties. Triad Any three colors located equidistant from one another on the color wheel. Trim One-by lumber used as siding corner boards or as finish materials around windows and doors, under eaves or around cornices. Trim tile A specially formed tile that is used to finish off inside or outside edges and corners of tile installations. Trisodium phosphate (TSP) A strong, low-sud, powdered cleaning agent to be mixed with water and used to clean house exteriors and walls that have remaining wallpaper glue. Trompe l'oeil French for fool the eye, used to describe a painted surface that convincingly mimics reality. Troweling Finishing the concrete after it has been screeded. This finishing step is for interior concrete applications and concrete without air-entrainment. True divided-light window A window composed of multiple glass panes that are divided by and held together by muntins. Truss Manufactured roof-support member internally supported through cross braces called webs. W-type and Howe trusses are the most common ones used in garage construction. Trusses A roof framing system with rafters supported by crossed webs. An attic with trusses is not suitable for conversion to living space. Tufting The fabric of an upholstered piece or a mattress that is drawn tightly to secure the padding, creating regularly spaced indentations. Tumbling Process used in some paint storehouses whereby containers are repeatedly up-ended to redisperse pigments which may have settled or caked during storage of the paint. Tung oil A water-resistant finishing oil or varnish ingredient made from crushed tung-tree seeds. Turbidity A cloudiness in transparent coating caused by finely suspended matter. Turnaround Space permitting, an area for cars to park and turn around without having to back into the street. Turpentine A solvent made from distillate of pine resins, used as a thinner and cleaner for alkyd-based paints.