Abrade
In construction, abrade means to remove the surface of a material by rubbing, grinding, or blasting it with an abrasive substance. This maybe used in cleaning, surface preparation before painting or tiling, creating a profile for better adhesion or just for aesthetic purposes. Abrasive materials can include sand, synthetic particles, or water under pressure, while tools like sanders, brushes, and blasting (sand blasting) equipment are used to perform the action. An aesthetic example might be the use of a sand blaster on new green oaf framing to remove softer timber and create contours along the grain giving the effect of aged wood.
In terms of glazing The York Glaziers Trust: Illustrated Glossary mentions the word abrade as meaning "To grind away the coloured upper surface of a flashed glass, revealing the base glass beneath. Tell-tale scratches left by the grinding tool will often remain around the edges of the abraded area. This technique is most commonly found in the context of flashed ruby glass."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Conservation rooflights.
- Curved glass.
- Daylit space.
- Devitrification.
- Domestic windows.
- Double glazing v triple glazing.
- Glass.
- Glass manifestation.
- Glass mullion system.
- Glazier.
- Low-E glass.
- Patent glazing.
- Rose window.
- R-value.
- Rights to light.
- Sand blasting machines.
- Secondary glazing.
- Security glazing.
- Shot Blasting for Balcony Restoration.
- Stained glass.
- Structural glass assembly.
- Suction lifter.
- Tempered glass.
- Triple glazing.
- Types of glass.
- Types of window.
- Window.
- Window frame.
- Glazing
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.





















