Glossary [22]
smoothing: smoothing consists in the filing and finish of a material. In flooring, smoothing the surface gives a smoother and more regular surface suitable for internal living spaces. The materials that lend themselves to smoothing are terracotta, stoneware, cobbles and marble.
syenite porphyry: porphyry free of or with little quartz, characterised by the association of alkaline feldspars, biotite micas and amphiboles.
terracotta: terracotta is a type of ceramics obtained by baked clay and solidified in an oven at 900-950°. Terracotta consists of porous paste without covering. The typical red colour, due to the presence of iron impurities, makes terracotta suited to manufactured goods for warm and antique style environments. In old times terracotta was used for portraits, front statues, votive statues, symbolic decorations and statues. Today terracotta is used in sculptures, artistic goods and has architectonic and chromatic functions.
tile: square tile in different dimensions, used mainly for floors, brickwork and less frequently for coverings.
tin oxide: non-metal chemical compound formed by oxygen with tin which combining with water gives origin to acids. It is used as an abrasive in polishing marble.
