Architecture / Material / Other

asbestos: A fibrous material used as a barrier against fire.
asbetic: Consisting of or containing asbestos; perhaps, as a trade name, having the fireproof qualities of asbestos without necessarily the presence of that material. In 1895 and later this term was applied to various devices for protection against fire.
insulbrick: Asbestos and asphalt shingles applied to the exterior of frame structures in early 1900’s to provide additional insulation and an updated look. The end result simulated brick…
Transite: Trade name for a building board made of cement and asbestos, molded under pressure.

asphalt: A bituminous substance used for paving, roofs, etc., in combination with sand and crushed rock.
asphaltum: Natural asphalt.
bitumen: Type of mineral pitch used for mortar and waterproofing, similar to asphalt called bitumen judaicum. 2. Natural pitchy substance similar to tar consisting mostly of hydrocarbons varying in color and hardness, which melts when heated and sets hard. When it is mixed (either naturally occurring or artificially) with limestone, shale, etc., it is called rock asphalt and has been used for road-surfacing from the late 18th c.
bitumen felt: An asphalt roofing material.
bituminous: Describing cement, mastic, or roofing, indicating a product in which asphalt is a major ingredient.
maltha: In ancient Roman construction, a type of bitumen, various cements, stuccos, and the like, used for repairing cisterns, roofs, etc. 2. A bituminous substance midway in consistency between asphalt and petroleum.

carton-pierre: Paper-pulp mixed with resin and glue, pressed into molds and backed with sheets of glued paper. It was used for roofing, and is not the same as papier-mache.
kraft paper: A strong, usually brown paper, processed from wood pulp and sized with resin.
papier mache: An inexpensive lightweight material made from paper pulp, used to form various items of interior embellishment.
papier-mâché: A material composed principally of paper; usually prepared by pulping a mass of paper (sometimes glue is added) to a dough-like consistency and molding to a desired form.
quilting: Insulation material between two sheets of paper.

cement paste: A mixture of cement and water for coating, setting, and binding the aggregate particles together in a concrete or mortar mix.
filler: A pigmented composition in liquid or paste form, used for filling the pores or irregularities in surfaces of open-grained woods, preparatory to application of other finishes.
iron cement: A composition especially prepared for filling the joints, holes, and other small openings which hold water and cause oxidation. It is therefore not a cement in the usual sense, but is a paste only. The largest part of its substance is composed of iron borings or filings, which must be clean and fresh without oxidization; this powder is held together by a glutinous or adhesive paste, for which there are many formulae.
ormolu: Gold crushed with mercury to form a paste. 2. An article or ornamental applique of bronze, first coated with such paste, then heated to evaporate the mercury, leaving pure gold evenly and securely deposited. 3. Any metal or substitute finished to resemble mercury-gilded bronze.

tar: A dark viscid oil, dry-distilled from resinous woods, coal, peat, and shale; used in roofing and as a road surface binder.

valarium: Also see valarium.
vellum: A fine parchment made from calf, kid or lamb skin; also, a heavy cream-colored paper resembling such parchment.
velum: Also see valarium.

Also see Architecture index.