Gypsum Construction Handbook

USG Glossary

Listed below are commonly used terms and acronyms pertaining to USG and the construction and building materials industries. Click on the first letter of the word you would like to look up and you will be taken to that section of the glossary.

Select A Letter

‘A’

There are 45 entries for this letter.

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Absorb: To take up light, noise, moisture, or energy and not transmit it.
Accelerator: An additive that quickens the time for gypsum plasters or setting-type joint compounds to set.
Access Door: A door that comes in various sizes and is framed into an acoustical ceiling to provide access.

An exposed tab located on a special spline for making a particular tile in a concealed ceiling removable.
Access Tile: An acoustical tile that is removable.
Acoustic Power: Acoustic (sound, ultrasound) energy delivered per unit time, measured in watts per unit2 (W).
Acoustic Science: Science dealing with the production, control, transmission, reception and effects of sound, and noise and the process of hearing.
Acoustical Ceiling: Sound absorbing and/or sound attenuating modules held in a suspended grid. A system having highly effective sound absorbing and/or sound attenuating qualities.
Acoustical Ceiling Board: (also see Lay-In Paneling)

Acoustical material used in conjunction with a lay-in grid system.
Acoustical Cement: A special type of adhesive or mastic used to stick up or adhere acoustical tile to concrete or gypsum board.
Acoustical Consultant: Trained professional in recommending solutions to sound problems and designing facilities to meet specific sound criteria. Also acoustical engineer or acoustician.

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