Materials

Bowl-like shells of the abalone mollusk, a source of mother of pearl.

Genus containing around 200 species of shrubs or trees widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone, but concentrated in China. Maples are used as ornamentals, tapped for syrup, and provide valuable, dense hardwood for furniture and other uses. All maples bear pairs of winged seeds, called samaras or keys. The leaves are arranged oppositely on twigs. Many maples have lobed leaves, but a few have leaves separated into leaflets. More recent classifications place the genus in the family Sapindaceae, although some have placed it in a family of its own, Aceraceae.

Species of deciduous shrub or small tree native to Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, Mongolia, and southeast Russia; reaching 10 meters in height and typically an understory plant in shady woodlands. The tree may have multiple trunks joining close to the ground. Many different cultivars of this maple have been developed; even in the wild, seedlings from the same parent display remarkable variation in color and shape of leaves.

Nut of oak trees and shrubs, growing in a shallow woody cup or cupule.

Finishing plaster designed to correct sound reverberations or reduce noise intensity.

Any tile composed of materials having the property of absorbing sound waves.

Colorless, transparent, thermoplastic synthetic resin made by the polymerization of acrylic acid derivatives; used for adhesives, fibers, consolidants, protective coatings, finishes, and as a paint medium.

Handmade, sun-dried brick typically made from wet mud and straw, sometimes also containing sand, clay, dung, grass, chaff, or blood. It is porous, wettable, susceptible to wet-dry cycle degradation, but good heat insulation. Adobe walls are typically built using mud mortar between the brick layers followed with a mud stucco finish layer. It was used as early as 7000 BCE for houses, buildings, and pyramids, particularly in arid climates such as Mesopotamia, Persia, Palestine, India, China, and the pre-Columbian Americas. For sun-dried brick that may or may contain the binders of adobe, use the more general "sun-dried brick."

Wood of trees belonging to the genus Khaya, native to Africa. It has a pink heartwood when freshly sawn, which darkens to a pinkish-brown to a deep red. It closely resembles true mahogany. It is used for making cabinets, musical instruments, veneer, furniture, boat planking and cabins, banisters, and handrails.

Cryptocrystalline chalcedony, showing a variegated banded structure and waxy luster. Agate bands are caused by the deposition of successive mineral layers from solution and may be either straight, wavy, or concentric. Agate is slightly harder than quartz. It has been gathered or mined since Neolithic times. It may distinguished from onyx by the parallel structure of the bars in onyx.

Inert granular material such as natural sand, manufactured sand, or gravel that, when bound into a conglomerate mass, forms concrete or mortar.

Lumber that has been dried by exposure to air in a yard or shed, without artificial heat

Concrete containing minute air bubbles that improve its workability and frost resistance.

An American white marble suitable for sculpture.

A light tan-gray or nearly white oolitic limestone quarried in Colbert County, Alabama that contains large isolated shells and other fossils.

Fine-grained marblelike variety of gypsum that is easy to carve but is rather fragile; it has been used as a sculpture material, ornamental building work, vases, small decorative carvings, and powdered for use as a paper filler and paint pigment called mineral white or terra alba. Alabaster is usually a translucent white or pink but may also be a muted red, yellow or gray. It is soft and can be scratched slightly with a fingernail. It also dissolves slowly in wet environments.

A bluish gray stone quarried in Virginia; commonly used for building trim and for chemical laboratory tables and sinks; hard varieties employed for stair treads and flooring.

Genus containing around 150 species of flowering trees, shrubs, and lianas of tropical and subtropical regions, some of which are cultivated as ornamentals or for their timber. The genus was named after Filippo del Albizzi, a Florentine nobleman who in 1749 introduced A. julibrissin into cultivation.

A general name for steel that owes its distinctive properties to elements other than carbon; types of alloy steel typically take the name of the element or elements that are most influential on their character. Usually used for toolmaking and building.

Colorless-to-white crystalline potassium aluminum sulfate; has a wide range of uses, including in treatment of leather and textile, in sizing paper, as a mordant in dyeing, and as a water-purifying agent.

Pure metallic element having symbol Al and atomic number 13; a hard, strong, silver white metal. This metal is also processed and formed, usually in combination with other substances, to make objects and materials.

When not further qualified, the term refers to aluminum-copper alloy with or without small amounts of other alloying elements. Due to the influence of even tiny amounts of other elements on aluminum, there is an infinite variety of aluminum alloys.

Cans made of aluminum.

Paper of silvery appearance coated with powdered aluminum.

Wood of the species Castanea dentata; it is similar to oak with a light brown, coarse grain. The durable wood was widely used prior to World War II for paneling, framing, fence posts, rails, shingles, office desks, and coffins. Trees are have a limited range today; while formerly found throughout North America, they were largely killed off by a fungus in the 20th century.

Fine-grain, durable wood of the species Ulmus americana, used chiefly for ship building, ax handles, or other uses requiring a combination of strength, bending qualities, and ability to withstand rough usage.

Wood of the species Tilia americana of the eastern United States and Canada. It varies in color from creamy-white to almost brown, and is used in the manufacture of constructional veneer, plywood, piano actions, and turnery.

Wood of the species Sassafras albidum, native to eastern North America. It is soft, lightweight, and moderately coarse, used for fence posts and furniture.

Soft, fine-grained wood of the species Liriodendron tulipifera of North America. The sapwood is usually a creamy off-white color; heartwood is pale green, often with streaks of red, purple, or black. It is cheap, easy-to-work, can take a sharp edge, and is stable, used to seal pipes and valves in organs, for siding clapboards, coffin boxes, pattern timber, and wooden ware.

Purple or bluish-violet varieties of quartz, that have gathered or mined since Neolithic times.

A stone from Ohio, containing up to 95% silica with 4% aluminum oxide, and colored gray and buff with iron oxides.

Any brick having an oblique shape to fit an oblique salient corner.

Completely de-hydrated gypsum that is combined with an accelerator to abbreviate setting time. Due to it's hard surface, it is used as a final coating.

Designates plants that complete their cycle from seed to seed in a single year.

Non-bituminous and most highly metamorphosed form of coal containing more fixed carbon and least amount of volatile matter than any other form. Anthracite is the least plentiful form of coal.

A transparent, light bluish green gem variety of beryl.

A brown to light-gray siliceous sandstone from Aquia Creek in Stafford County, Virginia. It contains rounded, coarse to fine grains of quartz as well as scattered pebbles and clay pellets as big as 1 inch in diameter; it splits easily in any desired direction. Aquia Creek sandstone was one of the important building stones in early Washington, D.C.

Bronze of very high copper content, formulated for color.

Flat glass used for utilitarian purposes, although the term is sometimes used to describe what is known as stained glass. In modern times some is made in solid or hollow blocks to be used for building walls. Can be decorated by etching, sandblasting or other techniques.

Mirrors contained in frames that have strong architectural features, often including side columns and pediments.

A hard-burnt, glazed or unglazed clay unit used in building construction, machine extruded or handmade.

Family of flowering plants containing nearly 2,400 species of palms in 189 genera.

A fine grained ferruginous sandstone quarried in Arizona that can be buff, brown, or pink in color; it is one of the most common and inexpensive sedimentary stones used as flagstone. It is strong, abrasion resistant, and has a natural non-slip surface, making it an exceptional flooring material. It is colorfast and can be used indoors or outdoors.

An obsolete variety of hydrated chromic phosphate; it is the hemiheptahydrate form of chromic phosphate, comprising a powder having a bluish green color and used as a paint pigment.

Glass, especially types invented in the 19th century, that incorporated newly developed techniques for producing colors and surface textures.

Glassware, particularly that dating to the mid- to late 19th century, that was made for ornamental more than for utilitarian purposes and that was made of material that incorporated newly developed techniques for producing colors and surface textures. For the general concept of works made of glass, use "glassware."

Asphalt mixture of 13-60 percent bitumens with finely pulverized mineral fillers, usually limestone. It differs from natural asphalt by the presence of paraffin and a greater content of petroleum oils.

Asphalt mixture of 13-60 percent bitumens with finely pulverized mineral fillers, usually limestone. It differs from natural asphalt by the presence of paraffin and a greater content of petroleum oils.

Any combination or mixture of materials made to imitate stone.

A commercial term for any of several fibrous magnesium silicate minerals readily separable into thin, strong fiber that is flexible, noncombustible, heat resistant, and chemically inert; used in a wide variety of industrial products. It was used by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese as a fireproof material. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, asbestos was used for fireproofing and insulating houses: small asbestos fibers were mixed with binders and compressed into boards, paper, pipe covering, ironing board covers, shingles, tiles, and sprayed onto ceilings. Long asbestos fibers were woven into fabrics for used in brake linings, heat-resistant shields, gloves, and fireproof garments and blankets. Health concerns have limited the use of asbestos since the early 1960s. In the U.S., it was declared a hazardous material in 1986.

Fire-resistant, waterproofing material made by combining portland cement with asbestos fiber.

Earthy or mineral residue that remains after combustible substances have been thoroughly burned.

Wood of any of several trees belonging to the genus Fraxinus, having distinctive growth rings with very large open pores beside small, tight pores. The wood is light in color, dense, elastic, and having a straight grain that is moderately durable but susceptible to insect attack and moisture degradation. The tough, heavy timber is used for ladders, tool handles, oars, poles, gymnasium equipment, and hockey sticks because it produces a smooth surface that rarely splinters. Ash was also popular for furniture (especially Colonial pieces), wheels, and carriage frames, and is used for decorative veneers.

Small dimension stone with a flat faced surface, usually square or rectangular.

A brick whose face has been hacked to resemble roughly hacked stone.

The dark, brownish-black bituminous resin that is found in natural deposits or is produced as a byproduct of oil refineries. It has consistencies varying from viscous liquid to glassy solid. It is composed of aliphatic, alicyclic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It is soluble in oils and waxes and can act as a plasticizer or a strengthener, depending on the hardness of the variety. Natural asphalt, which is believed to have been formed during an early stage in the breakdown of organic marine deposits into petroleum, characteristically contains minerals, while residual petroleum asphalt does not. Asphalt has been used since the 3rd millennium BCE for waterproofing; it is also used for road paving, roof coating, joint sealing, and a waterproof barrier in sandy soils. Ancient sources for asphalt were Egypt, the north end of the Dead Sea, the Is river northwest of Babylon, and the Greek island of Zante.

Adhesive and binding material that is a preparation of refined asphalt and heavy petroleum oil, made by refining petroleum until there is no water or foreign matter in it, except for the minerals naturally found in the asphalt. Asphalt cement contains less than one percent ash. Usually used for paving.

A composite material consisting of gravel, sand, and stone that is bound together with asphalt; it is laid down in layers and compacted. It is commonly used in construction projects such as road surfaces, airports, and parking lots. The ingredients are mixed under high temperatures and kept heated until applied to a surface.

Rooms or entire buildings designed for a variety of activities such as would occur on a stage before a seated audience; for rooms or buildings used only for theatrical performances, use "theaters;" for rooms with fixed seating designed for lectures, use "lecture halls."

Roof-like coverings, usually of canvas or metal and often adjustable, placed over windows, doors, or decks to provide protection from sun and rain.

Earthenware tile of Spanish or Portuguese manufacture, painted and enameled in rich colors. They are typically large and used to decorate the exterior walls of buildings. The term is probably of Arabic origin but its derivation is debated.

A relatively low-quality brick used behind face brick or other masonry.

The residue left after grinding sugarcane and extracting the juice, employed in making paper and fiber building board.

A hard, glossy coating of paint that is baked dry in an oven at 180 degrees. Baked enamel is usually used to coat metallic surfaces in industrial applications such as sign-making or the construction of household appliances.

Railed platforms projecting from the exterior walls of buildings. Use also for similar interior features, when small. For larger platforms which extend the length of one side of a room or are recessed behind an arcade, use "galleries (upper level spaces)."

Heavy material, such as water, sand, or iron, used to increase weight, as in a machine.

Wooden frameworks in which all vertical structural elements, posts and studs, of the exterior bearing walls and partitions extend the full height of the frame from sill to roof plate.

The wood of a fast-growing tropical bombaceous tree that is the lightest and softest wood used commercially. The white to tan-color, soft wood has a straight grain, coarse texture and is relatively strong. Balsa wood is easily carved and often used for model airplanes and toys. Balsa is also used as a substitute for cork in insulation, flats, life preservers, and buoys.

An oleoresinous exudate from coniferous trees, especially of the Pinus genus. Balsams have been used since antiquity for medicinal purposes and as sealers. The exudate is a soft, semi-liquid consisting of terpenes of resinous character and a large amount of essential oils. Upon distillation, a liquid portion, called turpentine, and a solid residue, called rosin, are produced. Balsams have been used in varnishes and paint mediums; however, they deteriorate easily unless a harder resin is mixed with them.

Material derived from the stem or stalk of the bamboo plant, which is any of 480 species of woody or treelike tropical and semitropical grass.

General term for any of around 480 species of woody or treelike tropical and semitropical grasses of various genera, including Bambusa, Phyllosyachys, Dendrocalamus, and allied genera, all having woody, hollow stems, stalked blades, and flowering only after years of growth. Bamboo has been used locally for constructing houses, rafts, poles, bridges, and scaffolding. In Europe and America, bamboo stems were popular for chairs, tables, cabinets, and other interior furniture during the 19th century. They are also split, flattened and woven into smaller items such as baskets, mats, hats, and fish traps. Bamboo has also become an important source of long, cellulose fibers for specialty papers. Additionally, a wax is extracted from the bamboo leaves.

Shaped, beaten clay used for making granaries.

Slate that is distinguished by the light colored stripes or ribbons running through it. It was prized as a material in bannerstones and other ancient American ceremonial objects. When used in construction, it is known for being less durable than other slates because the ribbons are weaker than the surrounding dark areas.

Wire furnished with barbs or sharp hook or points spaced at regular intervals; typically used for fencing or other barriers, it may be of single or multiple intertwined strands.

The external material that covers the woody parts of trees, as distinct and separate from the wood itself.

Material comprising strips of tree bark.

A type of gray granite quarried in Barre, Vermont, a center of granite quarrying in the U.S. since just after the War of 1812.

Refers to works executed in relatively shallow relief.

A dense, hard, dark brown-to-black volcanic igneous rock, consisting of feldspar and mafic minerals such as augite or olivine.

Igneous rocks as classified according to chemical or mineralogical parameters, having low silica and typically high iron - magnesium content; examples are gabbro and basalt.

Limestone from Arkansas, gray or cream colored.

In the context of wood products for carpentry and building, battens are pieces of squared timber of certain dimensions: not more than 7 inches broad and 2 1/2 inches thick, and over 6 feet long. Examples of use of battens includes for flooring, furring, supports for laths, or as cross pieces to secure the joint between two parallel boards.

Windows, either single or in a series, forming a bay or recess in a room and projecting outward from the wall in a rectangular, curved, or polygonal form.

Enrichment consisting of a line of tiny beads; common on silver and furniture.

Material derived from the bill of a bird or similar horny mouthpart in other animals, such as the squid.

Pale reddish-brown, close-grain wood from any of several trees of the genus Fagus; it is hard and heavy, bends well, is durable under water, and gives a smooth shiny finish. Beech wood is commonly used for flooring, cabinetry, furniture (especially bentwood chairs), veneer, plywood, tool handles, and turnery. It was used in panel paintings in western Europe.

A dense, hard marble from Belgium, considered the best black marble for carving due to its deep color and lack of veins and streaks.

A type of paving stone generally cut in a slightly pyramidal shape, laid with the base of the pyramid down.

A soft plastic light-colored clay formed by the chemical alteration of volcanic ash; it can swell to several times its original volume when placed in water.

Wood that is formed by bending rather than being cut into shape.

Genus of hardy, deciduous trees of the family Betulaceae, common to North America, Europe and Asia. Birch tress are readily distinguished by their white bark and diamond-shaped leaves. The lightweight bark contains natural waxes, oils, and tannins that make it tough, durable, and waterproof. Thin sheets of bark were commonly used for paper in Central Asia and the Far East. The water-impervious bark was used for wigwams, canoes, and shoes for Native Americans. Birch produces a strong, pale yellow-brown wood with a close, straight grain and uniform texture that finishes to a smooth surface. Dyes can also be obtained from various parts of birch trees. The leaves, usually gathered before they develop a mature green color, produce a yellow dye. The bark produces a pale brown color. The female catkins (a long shoot bearing flowers with no leaves) are boiled to produce a dull yellow color. Birch bark oil and birch beer are made from sap obtained from the trees. The sap allows birch bark to burn even when it is wet.

Species of ornamental tree found on riverbanks and swamps in the eastern one-third of the United States, growing 18-30 m (60 to 80 feet) in height. Because the lower trunk becomes very dark with age, the tree is sometimes called black birch. The red-brown, deeply furrowed bark on an old trunk breaks into ragged, closely appressed scales; the upper trunk and branches are smooth, salmon pink to rose cinnamon, with a metallic luster.

Wood of the species Acer macrophyllum, the only species native to the western United States. This commercially valuable wood is darker than that of other maples; used in the manufacture of furniture, piano actions, turnery, and musical instruments.

Any substance that produces or promotes cohesion among loosely assembled materials; also includes the substance in a photograph or photographic film that holds the final image material. For the combined material of photographic binder and image material, use "emulsion."

Strong, pale yellow-brown wood from trees of the genus Betula, having a close, straight grain and uniform texture that finishes to a smooth surface. It is sometimes dyed to imitate mahogany. Birch is used for tools handles, plywood, hoops, shoe heels, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, turnery, and firewood. The bark is also used for various purposes.

Maple wood with grain having a wavy, circular pattern with a central spot that resembles the eye of a bird. Used for veneers and furniture.

A relatively soft coal containing the tarlike substance asphaltic bitumen. Its carbon content is 60-80%, the rest composed of water, air, hydrogen, and sulfur. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than anthracite. It was usually formed as a result of high pressure on lignite. It dark brown to black in color, commonly banded or layered. The major problem with burning of bituminous coal is air pollution. A relatively soft coal containing the tarlike substance asphaltic bitumen. Its carbon content is 60-80%, the rest composed of water, air, hydrogen, and sulfur. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than anthracite. It was usually formed as a result of high pressure on lignite. It dark brown to black in color, commonly banded or layered. The major problem with burning of bituminous coal is air pollution.

Heavy, dark wood of the species Robinia pseudoacacia, native to the Appalachian mountain region of the United States, and introduced into Europe, Asia, North Africa, and New Zealand as an ornamental and shade tree. It is used for making wheels, posts, gates, outdoor trim, and formerly for shipbuilding.