Not sure what a term means? Our glossary covers the most common words and phrases you might encounter when working with a painting and decorating contractor.
Airless Spray Painting A method of applying paint using a high-pressure pump that atomises the paint without using compressed air. Airless spraying is faster than HVLP spraying and ideal for large surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and exterior cladding.
Anaglypta A type of thick, embossed wallpaper made from cotton fibres and designed to be painted over. Anaglypta creates a textured, three-dimensional pattern on walls and was particularly popular in Victorian and Edwardian homes.
Bonding Primer A specialised primer used to improve adhesion on difficult or non-porous surfaces such as glass, tiles, metals, and plastics. Bonding primers create a chemical key that allows topcoat paints to adhere where they otherwise would not.
COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. UK regulations that require employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. In painting, this covers solvents, paint thinners, and other chemicals used on site.
Eggshell A paint finish with a slight sheen, similar in appearance to the surface of an eggshell. Eggshell is a popular choice for woodwork and walls because it is more durable and washable than matt emulsion while being less reflective than satin or gloss.
Emulsion A water-based paint used primarily for interior walls and ceilings. Emulsion paints are available in a range of finishes from flat matt to silk and come in a huge variety of colours.
Fascia The horizontal boards that run along the lower edge of a roof, to which guttering is attached. Fascias are typically made from timber or uPVC and require regular painting or maintenance to prevent deterioration.
Feature Wall A single wall within a room that is decorated differently from the others, typically in a bolder colour or with a wallpaper, to create a focal point or add visual interest to the space.
Gloss A highly reflective paint finish most commonly used on woodwork such as doors, skirting boards, and window frames. Oil-based gloss provides a very hard, durable finish; water-based gloss is available as an alternative with lower odour and faster drying times.
HVLP High Volume Low Pressure. A type of spray painting system that uses a high volume of air at low pressure to atomise paint. HVLP spray systems produce less overspray than airless systems and are often preferred for fine finish work such as furniture and cabinetry.
Intumescent Paint A fire-retardant paint or coating that swells when exposed to heat, forming an insulating char layer that protects the substrate — usually structural steel — from fire damage. Also called intumescent coating.
Lining Paper A plain wallpaper hung on walls before decorating, either to provide a smooth surface for paint or to provide a stable base for a decorative wallpaper. Lining paper helps to disguise surface imperfections and improves the quality of the finished decoration.
Masonry Paint A specialised exterior paint formulated for use on brick, stone, render, and concrete surfaces. Masonry paint is designed to be flexible, breathable, and resistant to weathering, algae, and moss growth.
Matt A paint finish with no sheen or reflectivity. Matt emulsion is the most common finish for interior walls and ceilings, and is effective at hiding surface imperfections. Matt paint is less durable than sheened finishes and can be harder to wipe clean.
Microporous Paint An exterior paint for timber that allows water vapour to pass through while remaining waterproof from outside. Microporous paints are important for wooden windows and doors because they reduce moisture build-up within the wood that can lead to paint failure and rot.
Primer The first coat applied to a surface before painting. Primer improves adhesion, seals porous surfaces, and provides a stable base for topcoat paints. Different primers are formulated for different substrates including wood, metal, masonry, and previously painted surfaces.
Sash Window A traditional window type consisting of one or more movable panels (sashes) that slide vertically. Sash windows are common in Victorian and Georgian properties and require specialist knowledge to paint correctly due to their sliding mechanism and glazing bars.
Satin A paint finish between eggshell and gloss in terms of sheen level. Satin finishes are popular for woodwork and walls in high-traffic areas because they are durable and washable.
SMP (Silicone Modified Polyester) A high-performance coating system used on metal cladding, roofing, and steel building components. SMP coatings offer excellent UV resistance, colour retention, and durability, making them a popular choice for industrial and commercial buildings.
Soffit The horizontal surface underneath the overhanging section of a roof eave, or the underside of a staircase or arch. Soffits are typically made from timber or uPVC and may require painting as part of an exterior decoration project.
Sugar Soap A alkaline cleaning solution used to degrease and clean painted surfaces before repainting. Sugar soap removes grease, nicotine, cooking residue, and other contamination that would otherwise prevent good adhesion of the new paint.
Two-Pack Paint A two-component paint system that requires mixing a base and a hardener (activator) before application. Two-pack paints cure chemically, producing an extremely hard, durable finish. They are commonly used for high-performance applications such as kitchen cabinets and industrial coatings.
Undercoat A paint applied between the primer and the finish coat, primarily to provide opacity and build up the paint system. Undercoat helps to cover the previous colour and provides a stable base for the topcoat. 
