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| U-shaped stairs |
| Also called switchback stairs, they make a 180-degree turn. |
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| UL, Underwriters Laboratories |
| Independent organization that tests electrical products for safe operation and conformance with published standards under various conditions. Products that pass may display the UL logo. |
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| Ultra High Solids Paint |
| Paint containing 90% or higher solids. |
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| Ultrafilter |
| A special filter which can remove particles of 1 micron or less diameter. Used to reclaim electrodeposition paint resins by separating them from dissolved salts and water. |
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| Ultramarine blue |
| One of the native colors, ultramarine blue is an intense blue originally made from crushed lapis lazuli, but now formulated from man-made pigments. |
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| Ultraviolet light (UV) |
| Invisible rays at the extreme violet end of the sun's light spectrum, which causes color fading and deterioration of certain materials, such as plastics. Most pond liners have chemical additives to inhibit the effects of UV rays. |
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| Underbake |
| The result of curing a paint film at too low a combination of time and temperature. The film may be too soft for good durability. |
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| Undercoat |
| Any paint applied under a topcoat. Often but not always synonymous with the term primer. |
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| Undercure |
| A condition or degree of cure that is less than optimum, i.e. when insufficient time and/or temperature has been allowed for adequate cure; may be evidenced by tackiness, longness, or inferior physical properties. |
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| Undertone |
| A subdued color; a color that modifies another color. The color of paint viewed through transmitted (reflected) light. It may be caused by using a top coat that's too thin or that's lacking in solids. |
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| Underwriters Laboratories (UL) |
| Independent organization that tests electrical products for safe operation and conformance with published standards under various conditions. Products that pass may display the UL logo. |
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| Unglazed tile |
| Ceramic tile composed of the same material throughout, deriving it's color and texture from the material and the method of firing. |
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| Universal design |
| Refers to products and designs that are easy to use by people of all ages and varying abilities. |
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| Universal tints |
| Pigments that are combined with ethylene glycol and a small amount of water. They are usable in both water- and alkyd-based paints and glaze mediums. |
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| Unpasted wallpaper |
| Wallpaper that has not been prepasted at the factory. Install unpasted wallpaper according to the manufacturer's instructions. |
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| Untrimmed wallpaper |
| Wallpaper with selvage intact. |
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| Uplight |
| Also used to describe the lights themselves, this is actually the term for light that is directed upward toward the ceiling or the upper part of walls. |
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| Uprights |
| The vertical members of a shelving or storage system. |
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| Urea formaldehyde resins |
| Synthetic resins obtained by the chemical reaction between urea and formaldehyde in the presence of acid or alkaline catalysts. They are characterized by light color and rapid development of hardness by baking. |
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| Urethane |
| Urethane (polyurethane) coatings are those containing an -isocyanate complex. They form tough, hard, flexible, chemical resistant films by one of two methods. |
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| Urethane modified alkyd |
| Not to be confused with a true urethane. An alkyd molecule which has been chemically modified by the incorporation of a urethane. A coating, often a varnish, which uses a urethane modified alkyd resin in the binder. |
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| Urn |
| A water-holding, vase-like shape formed by leaves in bromeliads; also called a vase. |
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| Usable yield |
| The quantity of wallpaper actually installed on the wall. Waste factors such as allowances, matching patterns, etc., are important in predetermining the usable yield for a room or wall. |
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| Utility fencing |
| Also called snow fencing because it prevents snow from drifting across walks or driveways, it consists of narrow wood slats held together with wire. It is sold in large rolls that are simply nailed to permanent or temporary wood or metal posts. |
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| Utility knife |
| A hand-held cutting knife with a retractable, disposable razor blade. Depending on its size and durability, a utility knife can be used to cut everything from cardboard to drywall. |
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| Utility saw |
| Also called a drywall or jab saw, it has a round handle and serrated knifelike blade and is used to cut holes for utility boxes, pipes and ductwork. The pointed tip is thrust through the drywall to start the cut. |
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| Utility staircase |
| A less frequently used staircase, usually built for access to an attic or basement. |
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| Utility storage |
| Areas in the garage, attic and basement of a house used for storing items such as tools and sporting equipment. |
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| UV absorbers and blockers |
| Particles that absorb, or in the case of blockers, reflect, UV light to minimize its effect on the wood. |
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| UV inhibitors |
| Compounds that are designed to disrupt the normal chemical action caused by UV light. |
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| UV resistance |
| The ability of a coating film to endure prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation without suffering damage. |
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| UV stabilizers |
| Chemicals added to paint to absorb the ultraviolet radiation present in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation decomposes the polymer molecules in a paint film and thus UV stabilizers are used to prolong paint life. |
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