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
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.