Design and Decorating Terms Glossary - P

Paint Systems:

A paint system is a series of coats of paint, in which each coat performs a specific function. A standard paint system consists of a primer, undercoat(s), and finishing coat(s). In general, different types of paints will be used for each function, but there are some paint types that can perform more than one function, emulsions for example.

Parabolic Aluminised Reflector:

(PAR). Similar to a tungsten filament bulb but with a silvered part of the interior of the bulb that reflects the light. 75-300 watts. Used as spotlights to produce wide narrow and medium beams. The silvering can be at the back or crown of the bulb to focus the light. As for the tungsten filament bulb it is not very efficient. The crown-silvered bulb produces a glare free light as it is non-direct i.e. the light is thrown back against the fitting to diffuse out. There are differing lenses to the Par bulbs. Corrugated producing a flood of light and speckled producing a narrower beam.

Parabolic Reflector/Strip:

Light fitting which looks dark from most angles.

Parapet:

a low wall used to protect the ramparts of military structures and the gutters and roofs of houses and other buildings.

Parclose:

an enclosure screen or railing that may be used to protect a tomb to separate a chapel from the main body of a church.

Pargeting:

to coat a wall ornamentally with plaster as the medium.

Parquet:

This is used mainly for high quality domestic projects. It is available in square panels that hold all the timber pieces together. It is fixed by gluing to the base substrate, which is required to be level and free of lumps. The style of parquet is usually three fingers of timber facing vertical with three adjacent facing horizontal and so on. They are available with a prefinished coated surface or raw and require a polyurethane coating finish.

Party Wall:

Wall separating two properties or houses. Often known as an intertenancy wall.

Patchwork:

This consists of small pieces of fabric being pieced together – usually of the same size and shape and different fabrics.

Patera:

a circular ornament resembling a dish often worked in relief on friezes in classical architecture.

Patina:

a green or brown film formed on copper and bronze by weathering or simulated weathering. Oxidisation of the metal.

Pebbledash:

External plaster surfaced with small stones.

Pedestal:

a substructure used below the columns in classical architecture. A base supporting a column or a base supporting a basin or as a base for a statue.

Pediment:

A triangular, rounded, or otherwise shaped structure over a portico, door, window or niche.

Pencil Pleat:

(drapery) This is a tape that forms crisp even upright pleats. It requires 2 ¼ - 2 ½ times curtain fullness. It has two rows of suspension pockets and can be used with track or pole fixtures.

Pendant:

a hanging ornament used in Gothic architecture.

Peristyle:

a court or square or cloister in Greek or Roman buildings with a colonnade round it.

Pier:

Loadbearing brickwork between doors or windows; a short buttress bonded to a wall.

Pilaster:

a square column or pillar generally attached to a wall from which it projects a third, forth, fifth or a sixth of its breadth. A shallow pier or representation of a classic column in shallow relief projecting slightly from a wall.

Pillar:

the column supporting the arch

Pinoleum:

Very thin wooden reeds used for blinds.

Piping:

(drapery) is a product that can be stitched into the seam of a curtain as is a fabric covered cord in a pipe like fold over cord with a narrow flange.

Plinth:

a square member forming the lower division of the base of a column.

Plush:

(fabric) Cut pile like velvet but with a deeper pile.

Plush:

(carpet) This carpet has a cut pile that has the entire tuft ends blended together to provide an even finish.

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