Essential Glossary of Flooring Terminology words you should know
There are hundreds of different products to choose from which can make picking a new floor a daunting task You want to make sure you are getting the best quality product for your budget. We wanted to help by providing a glossary of fairly common flooring terms so you can understand better as you shop. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! The more you know, the easier it will be to make the choice that’s best for your home.
Above Grade:
Any surface that is above the level of the surrounding ground.
Abrasion:
Abrasion refers to the process of wearing down the finish of a hardwood floor, which can cause damage to the wood
Acclimation:
To avoid expansion, hardwood flooring needs to undergo acclimation, which involves adjusting to the indoor conditions of the building where it will be installed, such as the moisture level and humidity. This process typically takes around three days.
Acrylic Impregnated:
Acrylic monomers are injected into the cell structure of the wood to increase hardness, then finished with a wear layer over the wood.
Acrylic Urethane:
Slightly different chemical composition than Polyurethane, with similar benefits.
Aluminum Oxide:
Added to the wear layer of a urethane finish for increased abrasion resistance. Popular on better grade wood floors.
Backing:
In various flooring types, such as vinyl, the layer located at the bottom is commonly referred to as the backing. This layer, made of materials like felt or fiberglass, adheres to the subfloor and offers protection, thus increasing the longevity of the floors.
Baseboard:
A decorative finishing strip, also known as a baseboard or molding, is typically fitted at the bottom of a wall to give it a more polished appearance. Common styles of baseboard include beaded and quarter-round
Berber:
Berber carpet, which is made from thick, tufted yarns woven into a loop pile that attaches directly to the backing, is named after the woolen, textured carpets produced by the Berber tribes of Morocco and North Africa. This type of carpet is recognized for its durability in high-traffic areas and for being relatively low maintenance, making it easy to clean.
Below Grade:
Any surface that is below the level of the surrounding ground.
Better:
A quality of oak that has small knots and light dark graining.
Beveled Edge:
Hardwood boards with a distinctive groove in them, as seen in informal and country decor. With today’s urethane finishes, these edges can be completely sealed, making these floors easy to clean.
Buckle:
When humidity is high, wood expands and gaps disappear. In situations of too much moisture, wood may cup, or “buckle.”
Carpet Backing:
Carpet backing is created by interweaving yarns and fabrics that contribute to maintaining the appearance and durability of the carpet’s surface.
Carpet Pile:
Carpet pile refers to the surface of the carpet that is composed of a layer of fibers that are secured to the backing. The length of the fibers determines the pile height, which can be categorized as low (less than ¼-inch), medium (¼ to ½-inch fibers), or high (more than ½-inch fibers). While high-pile carpets tend to have a softer feel, they are also more challenging to maintain and clean.
Ceramic:
Made from clay that is molded or pressed into various shapes and sizes before being fired at high temperatures, ceramic floor tiles possess a degree of moisture and heat resistance. To enhance moisture resistance and visual appeal, these tiles are often coated with a glaze in various colors and patterns.
Clear:
A quality of oak that has no visual blemishes or knots. Expensive.
Cork:
Cork, which is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, is utilized to produce floor coverings and underlayment for hardwood flooring. Its soft texture also makes it an ideal choice for use as a backing in vinyl flooring products.
Cove:
Cove molding is a type of decorative trim that is utilized to provide a smooth transition between the floor and a wall, or a wall and the ceiling.
Cross-ply Construction:
A technique where wood plies are stacked on top of each other in opposing directions.
The result is a wood floor that is dimensionally stable and less affected by moisture. Allows the plies to counteract each other, thus prohibiting the plank from shrinking or expanding under humid conditions. These floors can be installed over concrete and/or below grade.
Cupping:
Warping with a concave condition; the center is lower than the sides.
Cut Pile:
Cut pile carpeting is composed of fibers that have been trimmed, as opposed to looped into the foundation, resulting in a significantly gentler texture than loop pile carpets, like Berber. Plush and shag carpets are two examples of cut pile styles.
Decorative Layer:
The decorative layer in vinyl or laminate flooring is positioned in between the wear layer, which is a transparent surface, and the foam inner core. This layer showcases a printed or photographic pattern that frequently mimics the appearance of wood grain, marble, or ceramic tile.
Density:
Density is a metric used to measure how tightly packed the fibers of a carpet are. A higher density value indicates a denser carpet that can handle heavy foot traffic and wear. To calculate density, multiply the weight of a carpet’s pile by 36 and then divide the result by the pile height.
Distressed Hardwood Flooring:
Distressed hardwood flooring encompasses a range of plank designs that intentionally incorporate scratches, scrapes, or gouges on
the surface to achieve an antique appearance. Hand scraping is commonly used to create distinctive and authentic-looking distressed styles, although machine-scraped options are also available. This type of flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas as it can effectively conceal marks and scratches.
Eased Edge:
Some manufacturers add this slightly beveled edge to both the length and end joints of their hardwood planks. This helps hide minor irregularities, including uneven plank heights. Also called “micro-beveled edge.”
Engineered:
One of the three common types of hardwood floor (the others are Solid and Longstrip Plank). Generally made with 2,3, or 5 thin sheets or plies of wood, laminated together to form a single plank. Most can be nailed, stapled or glued down, or floated over a variety of subfloors, including some existing flooring.
Engineered Hardwood:
Engineered hardwood flooring, also known as cross-ply or multi-ply construction, is composed of several layers of wood that are pressed together.
It is a more affordable option compared to solid wood, and it is also better equipped to resist damage caused by moisture.
Expansion Gap:
Expansion gap refers to the gaps deliberately left in between wood or laminate flooring to provide ample room for expansion and contraction as humidity levels change. These gaps prevent the floorboards from shifting and pushing against each other, which could cause them to become dislodged or warped.
Expansion Joint:
An expansion joint is a physical separation or gap between two adjacent structures or building elements that allows them to expand or contract in response to
temperature or moisture changes without causing damage. Expansion joints are often found in bridges, buildings, and other large structures where different sections of the construction materials may have different rates of expansion or contraction. They help to prevent cracks, warping, or other types of damage that can occur when materials are unable to adjust to environmental changes.
Fiberboard Core:
Laminate flooring has a middle layer known as the fiberboard core, composed of softwood fibers, which provides stability and impact resistance to the flooring.
Finish in Place:
The term is given to unfinished hardwood floors that are installed onsite sanded, and finished with an application of 2 to 3 coats of urethane that is brushed or mopped on. May be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor’s natural beauty.
Floating Floor Installation:
With this method of installation, hardwood floors are not mechanically fastened to any part of the subfloor. Instead, a thin pad is placed between the wood and the subfloor, and wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of each plank. This technique protects against moisture, reduces noise, feels softer and provides some additional “R” value. Some Engineered floors and all Longstrip floors can be floated.
Floor Covering:
A floor covering refers to a layer of material, such as carpet or tile, that is used to cover the surface of a room’s floor. It typically sits on top of the subfloor or underlayment.
Foam inner Core:
In layered flooring products like vinyl, there may be a foam inner core situated between the backing and decorative layer. The thickness of this layer plays a crucial role in determining the flooring’s cushioning and resiliency levels.
Frieze:
Frieze is a type of cut pile carpet with high-pile fibers that are twisted multiple times to create a unique texture and enhance its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. The correct pronunciation of this term is “free-ZEY.”
Glue Down:
The process in which hardwood floor is adhered to a subfloor using a recommended mastic or adhesive, spread on with the proper sized trowel. Engineered wood floors and parquets are typically glued down, while solid strip and plank floors are nailed or stapled.
Grade level:
The term “grade level” is used to describe the level of a building’s construction in relation to the ground around it. On-grade flooring installation is at ground level, while below-grade installation is below ground level, and above-grade installation is above ground. Certain types of flooring have restrictions on the grade level at which they can be installed. For instance, solid hardwood flooring is not suitable for below-grade installation.
Graining:
Each species of wood has its unique texture, color and graining, determined by the way it was cut.
Grout:
Grout is a paste or mortar mixture that is used to fill the gaps and crevices between tiles to hold them in place on a wall or floor. Its purpose is to provide stability to the tiles and prevent moisture or debris from getting in between them.
Impact Resistance:
The term “impact resistance” refers to a flooring material’s ability to withstand the force of dropped or dragged objects without sustaining damage. Flooring with high impact resistance can withstand the regular impact of dropped or dragged objects and remain intact.
Janka Hardness Test:
The standard test for determining a wood’s hardness rating in which the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in a piece of wood is
measured. The higher the number, the harder the wood. Only used as a general guideline.
Joist:
Joists are parallel lengths of timber or steel that are located beneath many floors or ceilings to support the building’s structure. They help distribute the weight of the structure evenly and provide stability. In unfinished basements, it is common to see exposed joists in the ceilings.
Knot:
The round, harder, typically darker cross-section of a piece of wood where a branch once joined the tree trunk
Lacquer Finish:
Lacquer is a glossy type of finish that is often applied to hardwood flooring to give it a shiny appearance. It is a clear and durable coating that is commonly used to protect and enhance the natural beauty of wood floors.
Laminate:
A manufactured product sandwiching a backing material, visual element, and a wear layer that simulates the look of hardwood, stone, or other natural or unnatural surfaces.
Linoleum:
Also known as lino, is a type of flooring that is fully recyclable and made entirely of natural materials, including linseed oil and powdered cork, wood, or stone. Linoleum has a similar appearance to vinyl flooring but is distinct in terms of its composition and environmentally-friendly properties.
Longstrip Plank:
One of the three common types of hardwood floor (the others are Solid and Engineered). Similar to Engineered floors in that multiple layers or plies are glued together on top of a center core that is typically a softer wood material that is also used to make the tongue and groove. The result is a board that appears to be 3 rows wide and several planks long. Comes in a wide variety of domestic and exotic hardwood species. Easy to replace if damaged.
Loop Pile:
Loop pile carpeting is created by uncut carpet fibers that are attached to the backing on both ends, forming loops. Berber is a popular style of loop pile carpet that is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear.
Moisture Cured Urethane:
A chemical similar to solvent-based urethanes, but requires humidity (moisture) to cure.
Extremely difficult to apply, has a strong odor and is best left to the professional.
Moldings:
Used to cover expansion joints and to enhance the performance and appearance of a hardwood floor. Typically need to be removed for installation.
Nail Down:
Nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and a mallet to attach hardwood flooring to a subfloor. This method of installation is typically used with the 3/4″ solid products, though adapters exist for thinner floors.
Overlap Reducer:
An overlap reducer, also known as a reducer, is a flooring accessory that is used to provide a smooth and safe transition between two floors with different heights. It is often used when transitioning from a hardwood floor to a lower-height flooring material, such as bare concrete in a doorway leading to a garage. The overlap reducer overlaps the edges of the two flooring materials, creating a gradual slope that prevents tripping hazards and creates a
seamless appearance.
Overlap Stair Nosing:
An overlap stair nose is a type of molding that is installed on the edge of the top stair to transition the material used on the stairs to the flooring material on the floor below. It overlaps the top stair and creates a smooth and safe transition while also providing a finished look.
Plush Carpet:
Plush carpet is a popular carpet style that features a soft, high-cut pile where all fibers are the same height and tightly packed together. It is often referred to as a velvet carpet due to its luxurious appearance and texture.
Polyurethane:
A clear, durable finish applied as a wear layer over hardwood floor.
Pre-Finished Wood:
Hardwood flooring that comes sanded, stained and finished at the manufacturing plant, ready for installation in your home. These products typically provide a
harder, better-protected surface because several coats of urethane are applied and UV dried. Offers a wider variety of wood species and saves hours of labor and cleanup. May be screened and recoated to rejuvenate the finish and revitalize the floor’s natural beauty.
Radiant Heating:
Radiant heating is a heating system installed below flooring to keep floors comfortable and improve energy efficiency. It uses electric cables or hot water tubes beneath the surface of the flooring to radiate heat upward, providing even heat distribution.
Rotary Cut:
A hardwood cutting process that displays a larger and bolder graining pattern.
Select:
A quality of oak that has some small knots but very little dark graining.
Sliced Cut:
A hardwood cutting process that shows a more uniform pattern.
Solid:
One of the three common types of hardwood floor (the others are Engineered and Longstrip Plank). One solid piece of wood that has tongue and groove sides. Comes unfinished or pre-finished. Sensitive to moisture.
Solvent-Based Urethane Oil:
Used as part of the chemical composition of a polyurethane finish
Square Edge:
When the edges of all hardwood boards meet squarely to create a uniform, smooth surface that blends the floor together from strip to strip or plank to plank.
Stapled Down:
A method of hardwood installation in which staples are used to attach the wood to the subfloor. A pneumatic gun is often used.
Strip:
The “classic” hardwood floor with narrower board widths. Most common species are red oak, white oak, maple, cherry, white ash, hickory and pecan.
Tongue and Groove:
The joining of two hardwood boards, one having a tongue on its edge that fits into the groove in the edge of the other.
Trim:
See “Moldings” Un-Finished Wood Floor: Not pre-finished in a factory. Allows you to customize your floor by sanding, staining/finishing it on site. Also see “Finish in Place.”
UV Cured:
Hardwood finishes cured in a factory with Ultra Violet lights versus heat. Veneer: A veneer is a thin layer of fine wood used for decoration on coarse hardwood floors. It can improve the appearance of less expensive wood planks by covering them with luxury
wood species.
Vinyl Composition Tile:
These floor tiles are made from vinyl resins and filler materials to create resilient flooring in assorted colors and patterns.
Warping:
Warping is when flooring becomes distorted or twisted due to changes in temperature or humidity. It can cause the flooring to buckle or crack, and is often caused by factors like sunlight exposure or water damage. Regular maintenance can help prevent warping and
prolong the life of the flooring.
Water-Based Urethane:
A polyurethane finish that includes water in its chemical composition, dries clear and is non-yellowing.
Wear Layer:
The wear layer is the top layer of vinyl or laminate flooring that protects the decorative layer below from damage. It’s made of urethane and aluminum oxide and varies in its ability to resist fading, moisture, stains, foot traffic, scuffing, and wear. It can also make the floor waterproof in some cases.
Wilton Carpet:
Woven carpet is made in a variety of patterns and textures but with a limited number of colors per pattern.
Wood Flooring:
Most wood flooring is made of hardwoods, such as oak, maple, pecan, beech, and birch. There is solid wood flooring and laminated, which combines wood layered in different directions for strength and to inhibit warping. Most wood flooring today is prefinished at the factory to ease of installation and uniformity of finish.
Woven Carpet:
Looms interlace warp (lengthwise) and filling (widthwise) yarns to create a sturdy textile for the floor. Many woven carpets is produced in intricate, colorful patterns. Types of woven carpet include Axminster and Wilton
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