Glossary: D
Darby – A longer version of a hand float, ranging in length from 2 to 4 feet. Useful for leveling problem areas.
Decorative Aggregate – Richly colored natural stones, such as basalts, granite, quartz, or limestone, used to enhance exposed aggregate concrete or decorative toppings.
Decorative Concrete – Concrete that has been enhanced by color, pattern, texture, or a combination of ornamental treatments.
Degreaser – A chemical solution for removing grease, oils, and other contaminants from concrete surfaces.
Delamination – A separation of a coating or topping from a substrate or the layers of a coating from each other due to poor adhesion. Or in the case of a concrete slab, a horizontal splitting or separation of the upper surface.
Densifier – A penetrating liquid chemical hardener applied to concrete to help solidify and densify the surface and provide extra protection from water penetration and staining. Often recommended for polished concrete, because hard concrete produces a better polish.
Diamond Grinding – A multistep grinding procedure for producing polished concretesurfaces. Contractors use a floor polisherequipped with diamond-segmented abrasives, progressing from coarser to finer grits until the desired level of sheen is achieved. (Also see Dry Polishing, Wet Polishing.)
Dry Polishing – The method most commonly used for polished concrete. The floor polisher is hooked up to a dust-containment system that vacuums up the dust fromdiamond grinding of the surface. (Also see Wet Polishing.)
Dry-Shake Color Hardener – A mixture of coloring pigments, cement, aggregates, and surface conditioning agents. Applied as a dry shake to stamped concrete or stamped overlays to produce a colorful, wear-resistant surface.
Drying Shrinkage – A decrease in the volume of concrete as it dries, due to loss of moisture. See also plastic shrinkage cracks
Dyes – Translucent color solutions containing very fine pigments that penetrate into the concrete surface. Will not chemically react with concrete (like acid stains will). Both water-and solvent-based dyes are available, with colors ranging from soft pastels to bolder hues such as red, blue, and orange.
Tags: chemical solution, color hardener, color solutions, concrete slab, concrete surfaces, containment system, decorative aggregate, dust containment, floor polisher, hard concrete, liquid chemical, natural stones, pattern texture, plastic shrinkage, polished concrete, poor adhesion, resistant surface, shrinkage cracks, translucent color, water penetration