StoneBilt Concepts® Glossary of Terms
A
ADA: stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, which relates to StoneBilt Concepts Detectable Warning Paving Slab. Also known as the ADA Paving Slab, this truncated dome paver is detectable by cane or underfoot, and is used to alert people with vision impairments of their approach to streets and hazardous drop-offs. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) require these warnings on the surface of curb ramps, which remove a tactile cue otherwise provided by curb faces, and at other areas where pedestrian ways blend with vehicular ways. They are also required along the edges of boarding platforms in transit facilities and the perimeter of reflecting pools.
B
Bluestone: a high density natural stone native to the North East of the United States. It is often used a paving material and has a blue or blue-green color. StoneBilt Concepts produces a concrete paving slab that emulates the color and texture of this natural stone.
Bullnose: refers to rounded or chiseled-round edge on the vertical edge of a paver or a step.
C
Caps: a finished surface atop retaining walls, seat walls or columns. StoneBilt Concepts Paving Slabs are often used in these applications.
Colored concrete: in the case of StoneBilt Concepts this refers to pigment integrated within the concrete to ensure consistent color running throughout the product.
Custom concrete: refers to products made to custom specifications.
F
Fire ring: fire rings are similar to caps, but specifically designed to provide a natural stone appearance atop fire pits or outdoor fire places.
Flagstone: also know as a flag, is a type of generic flat stone, usually used for paving slabs or walkways, patios, fences and roofing.
H
Hardscape: in the practice of landscaping, refers to the paved areas like streets & sidewalks. Typical small-scale hardscaping examples include brick or paver patios and walkways.
L
Landscape: comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms, water bodies such as rivers, lakes and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including land uses, buildings and structures, and transitory elements such as lighting. In terms of construction or residential applications, landscape refers to the physical elements of the land (man made or natural) surrounding a structure.
Limestone: a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and/or aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). StoneBilt Concepts produces a concrete paving slab that emulates the color and texture of this natural stone.
M
Mantel: or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and can include elaborate designs extending to the ceiling. Mantelpiece is now the general term for the jambs, mantel shelf, and external accessories of a fireplace. StoneBilt Concepts Paving slabs can be used as a decorative mantle or hearth stone.
Median: is the area in a roadway which separates opposing lanes of traffic. StoneBilt Concepts paving slabs are a cost effective attractive option for decorative median cover material.
MSE: or Mechanically Stabilized Earth is soil constructed with artificial reinforcing. It can be used for retaining walls, bridge abutments, dams, seawalls, and dikes. Although the basic principles of MSE have been used throughout history, MSE was developed in its current form in the 1960s. The reinforcing elements used can vary but include steel and geosynthetics. StoneBilt Concepts' Lock+Load retaining walls system utilizes MSE technology.
O
Outdoor living: is a term many designers use to describe the transition areas between the home and the landscape. Outdoor living areas usually include features such as patios walkways, barbecue pits and fire places or fire pits.
Overlay: in the context of StoneBilt Concepts, overlay refers to laying decorative paving slabs over the top of an existing paved surface, such as a patio or walkway. Existing concrete surfaces can be overlaid with either a mortar or sand set application.
P
Patio block: another term that is commonly interchanged with paver and paving slab, patio blocks are concrete or stone units used to construct patios and walkways.
Paving slab: a precast concrete paving unit with a surface area of 144 square inches or larger with varying thickness. StoneBilt Concepts Paving Slabs are 1 3/4" thick.
Paver: although StoneBilt Concepts concrete paving products are technically referred to as "slabs", they are commonly called pavers. Any segmental concrete or stone surfaced used to pave an area is often referred to as a paver.
Pedestal paver: concrete or stone paving units that rest on a system of adjustable pedestals. Pedestal pavers are typically used in roof top applications where pedestrian access is required but the integrity of the waterproof roofing system does not allow direct contact with pedestrian traffic.
Plaza: describes an open urban public space, such as a city square.
Pool deck: a multi purpose area surround the pool where people can participate in a variety of activities when not swimming. Pool decks are commonly constructed of pavers or paving slabs.
R
Retaining wall: is a structure designed and constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil when there is a desired change in ground elevation. Lock+Load is a retaining wall system manufactured by StoneBilt Concepts.
Roof paver: sometimes called roof ballast paver, is used for pedestrian access to mechanical structures on ballast roof systems. The roof paver protects the waterproof membrane from potential damaged caused by pedestrian traffic.
S
Sandstone: is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains. Like sand, sandstone may be any color, but the most common colors are tan, brown, yellow, red, gray and pink. StoneBilt Concepts produces a concrete paving slab that emulates the color and texture of this natural stone.
Segmental: is a term commonly used to refer to individual units combined to create a larger structure in both paving and retaining wall construction projects. StoneBilt Concepts paving slabs are segmental paving units, and Lock+Load is a segmental retaining wall system.
Slate: is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. StoneBilt Concepts produces a concrete paving slab that emulates the color and texture of this natural stone.
Splash block: is placed beneath the downspout elbow of a gutter and helps to disperse water away from the foundation of a building. StoneBilt Concepts manufactures concrete splash blocks in a variety of colors.
Stamped concrete: is concrete that provides a texture that often mimics natural stone or segmental pavers. The process utilizes molds that stamp that texture into the surface of freshly poured concrete slabs. Stamped surfaces are often colored only on the surface and are subject to cracking due to ground movement beneath the large slab.
Stepping stone: is another term that is often interchanged with paver, or patio stone. Stepping stones are segmental paving units that are often used in walkways and paths.
Streetscape: refers to the visible features of an area that are hardscaped and landscaped in or around streets and roads.
T
Tiles: paving slabs are also sometimes referred to as tiles, or landscape tiles.
Terrace: is an outdoor, occupiable extension of a building above ground level. Although its physical characteristics may vary to a great degree, a terrace will generally be larger than a balcony and will have an "open-top" facing the sky. Terraces are highly versatile in terms of functionality and can be used for a variety of activities. Terraces are often paved with paving stones or paving slabs such as those produced by StoneBilt Concepts. Another definition of terrace is: designed to slow or prevent the rapid run-off of irrigation water. Often such land is formed into multiple terraces, giving a stepped appearance. These terraces are often created with a retaining wall system, such as StoneBilt Concepts' Lock+Load.
Travertine: is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan and cream-colored varieties. StoneBilt Concepts produces a concrete paving slab that emulates the color and texture of this natural stone.
Truncated dome: is a system of textured ground surface indicators found on many footpaths, stairs and train station platforms to assist blind and vision impaired pedestrians. StoneBilt Concepts' detectable warning paving slabs utilize truncated domes.
W
Wet cast: is a style of concrete production using Portland cement, high quality fine and coarse aggregate and water as its primary constituents. Wet casting creates a mixture with enough moisture to slump when a form or mold is immediately removed from freshly poured concrete. Wet cast concrete requires contact with a mold during the first several hours of the curing process. The process allows for very precise reproductive detail and creates product that is an excellent replacement for natural cut limestone, brownstone, sandstone, bluestone, granite, slate, coral rock, travertine and other natural building stones.
