Renovating Glossary
Puzzled by contractor jargon? Here's what those mysterious terms really mean.
- What is crackling?
- A layer of varnish or paint that cracks as it dries.
- crackling 101
- what is ebonizing?
- Staining your wooden furniture black so that it looks like expensive ebony.
- ebonizing 101
- what is epoxy flooring?
- An easy-to-clean, glossy surface, used on the decks of naval vessels.
- epoxy flooring 101
- What is gold & silver leaf?
- These thin sheets elevate ordinary surfaces to gilded magnificence.
- gilding 101
- What is lacquer?
- A super glossy furniture finish that can be clear or tinted.
- lacquer 101
- What is lime wash?
- A chemical concoction that yields a gorgeous, sun-kissed stucco look.
- lime wash 101
- what is nickel-plating?
- A technique for coating metal or plastic objects with a layer of metal.
- nickel-plating 101
- what is powder-coating?
- A method for finishing metal objects.
- powder-coating 101
- what is skim-coating?
- A technique to turn imperfect walls or ceilings into flat, uniform surfaces by applying drywall mud.
- skim-coating 101
- what is venetian plaster?
- This is the Bentley of decorative wall and ceiling finishes.
- venetian plaster 101
