The world of buying, installing and maintaining flooring can be a little overwhelming at times. Flooring Terms – Quick Reference Guide should help. Installation instructions from flooring suppliers, floor covering warranties and even just speaking with your supplier or professional flooring installer, here is an easy to reference guide of terms used in the industry. If we missed any key terms please drop by our Richmond, BC warehouse store location and let us know, or send us a note. This is intended to help the BC floor buyer (Richmond, Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, etc) flooring buyer, but obviously it works for any region.
For consistency of international use of terms, the default is to American spelling (molding vs moulding). As mentioned, we serve the BC region of Canada flooring buyer, but all warranties and installation instructions tend to follow the American spelling, so we have done the same in this post.
Flooring Buyers Guide Term for Canadian Floor Buyers
Good luck with your project!
Above-grade
A suspended floor above ground level with at least 18 inches of ventilated air space. This is usually over a basement or crawl space. Almost all flooring can be installed above grade
Also see: below-grade and on-grade
Abrasion Resistance
The resistance or toughness of a surface against damage due to friction or scuffs; test abrasion using the coefficient of friction (COF). When buying laminate flooring, look for the term AC rating to learn about that products abrasion resistance
Also see: AC Rating
Abrasive Finish
A rough, non-reflective finish for ceramic & porcelain tile or stone tiling. Helps to reduce slips on the typical smooth tile surface
Absorption Rate
Percentage of moisture that tile or wood will absorb moisture. Tile (like ceramic & porcelain) can have a specific rating called moisture rating.
Here are four different moisture ratings for tile absorption, Impervious being the one with the highest waterproof characteristics. All of these terms are used for Tile:
- Non-vitreous (Low density) – Tile product with water absorption of more than 7.0 percent
- Semi-vitreous (Medium density) – Tile product with water absorption of more than 3.0 percent, but not more than 7.0 percent
- Vitreous (High Density) – Tile product with water absorption of more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 3.0 percent
- Impervious (Extremely dense) – Tile product with water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. Most porcelain tile is in this range, and why it is often the best choice for high moisture environments like bathrooms and kitchens
Also see: Moisture Rating
AC Rating
A rating of 1 to 5 to illustrate the level of scratch resistance laminate flooring has. AC1 being the least resistant, AC2 being acceptable for residential use, AC3 being ideal for residential use and light commercial, AC4 being medium commercial and AC5 being appropriate for full commercial environments
Acclimation
How well a wood floor can adjust or “acclimate” to its environment in terms of moisture and humidity. Example use of this statement: ‘Your wood flooring should acclimatize for 7 days in your location before installation’
Acid Wash
Treatment on stone or concrete that gives it a distressed look
Acoustics
The sound of the floor traffic; how much does the floor absorb or echo noises?
Acrylic Resin
A synthetic resin that dries transparent and helps the floor resist discoloration, moisture, acids, and oils
Acrylic Wood
A name for wood-plastic composites where acrylic monomers are infused in wood cells for added durability
Adhesion
The property that causes materials to bind to one another; for flooring, adhesion depends on the coating, seal, proximity, and chemical interactions
Adhesive
The substances that hold materials together, like epoxy, cement, glue, mastic, or paste
Also see: epoxy
Aggregate
A hard material used in concrete to add texture and unique graining; fine aggregate is less than 1/4” in diameter, like sand, and coarse aggregate is up to 1.5” in diameter, like crushed gravel
Aluminum Oxide
A strong, durable, popular flooring finish, often used as protection for hardwood
Baseboard
Finished, exposed board around the floor on the wall. Serves both a pratical function for hiding gap on a floating floor and a design function, giving the room a framed look, finished look. Baseboards can be matching color to the flooring or often are painted white. Baseboards can be made of various types of materials, including MDF, Plastic, Finger-joint Pine, among others
Also see: Quarter Round Molding, expansion space, base shoe
Base Shoe
Molding attached to baseboard that covers expansion space. It can be used similarly to a quarter round molding, they have similar characteristics.
Also see: Expansion space, Quarter Round molding, Baseboard
Below-grade
Partially or completely below ground level
See: above-grade; on-grade
Bevel
The type of bevel edge (the side edge of the plank) used in hardwood, engineered, bamboo and laminate flooring; beveled edges have a “v” shaped groove; eased edges are slightly shallower, softer, and rounder than beveled edge; micro-beveled is the shallowest edge and best hides imperfections in the subfloor. Bevels add to the appearance, but a large bevel can capture dirt and make cleaning surface slightly more difficult
Also see: Edge Type
Blind Nail
A wood nailing technique that inserts nails at a 45-degree angle
Also see: face nail
Burl
A swirl or twist in the grain of the hardwood
Caulk
Type of adhesive; used often between floor and appliances, like around toilet or bathtub; can be acrylic, butyl, latex, and silicone urethane
Ceramic
A type of tile made from a mixture of clays and pressed at high temperatures; can be glazed or unglazed
Also see: porcelain
Cross-ply Construction
Stacking engineered hardwood planks in alternating directions for a more stable, moisture-resistant flooring
Also see: engineered hardwood
Crowning
Wood warping where the boards in the center are higher than those on the sides
Also see: cupping
Cupping
Warping where the sideboards are higher than the centerboards
Also see: crowning
Cure
The time it takes to allow a coating or seal to completely dry; different finishes cure at different rates
Dimensional Stability
The ability of a floor to retain its dimensions throughout a lifetime and avoid warping, swelling, and contracting in response to changes in humidity, temperature, and moisture; high dimensional stability means the floor won’t change much throughout its lifespan
Drum Sander
A type of sander that is used to smooth the surface of hardwood for restoration or finishing
Edge Type
The type of edge (the side of the board) used in hardwood flooring; beveled edges have a “v” shaped groove; eased edges are slightly shallower, softer, and rounder than beveled edge; micro-beveled is the shallowest edge and best hides imperfections in the subfloor
Also see: Bevel
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
A stable hardwood construction manufactured from multiple plies of wood and assembled in a cross-ply construction
Also see: cross-ply construction
Epoxy
A strong adhesive that is highly chemical- and heat-resistant
Learn how to maintain epoxy-coated floors here.
Expansion Space
The amount of space left for potential expansion, such as swelling and contracting of wood due to moisture
Face Nail
A wood nailing technique that secures flooring with nails that are perpendicular to the surface
Also see: blind nailing
Finish
The wax-based or urethane coating atop a flooring surface that protects from abrasion, stains, scuffs, marks, and fading
Also see: gloss level
Flatsawn
Wood, cut in long planks, where the rings of the wood are parallel to the board
Also called: plain-sawn
Floating
Type of installation where individual planks are glued together without direct attachment to the subfloor
Also see: subfloor
Gloss Level
The amount of reflection from the finish of wood or tile; can be satin, matte, semi-gloss, or high-gloss
Also called: sheen level, finish
Grade
The appearance of the hardwood based on knots, burls, and mineral streaks; a system to understand size, shape, and thickness of ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles
Grain
The alignment or pattern of fibers on a wood floor
Grout
Adhesive used between tiles
Hardness
The strength of material; how much force it takes to drive a steel ball through the flooring
Also called: Janka hardness (for wood)
Herringbone Flooring
A specific flooring pattern that creates a look similar to a “v” design
Chevron – another flooring install type, looks like V on top of V
Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the air; affects moisture levels in flooring, especially with hardwood
Impact Resistance
The ability of a floor to resist damage from impact, like a falling object or dragging a large item
Inflammability Class
The likelihood that flooring will or will not burn
Inlay
A laying technique that creates a pattern within the floor, like a border or mosaic
Lacquer
A hard, protective varnish that dries clear and creates a shiny look on wood
Limestone
Type of flooring made from natural rock; usually soft and porous
Marble
Natural stone tile in a variety of colors and veining patterns
MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheet; lists hazardous ingredients and safety precautions about chemicals and equipment
Moisture Content
This is the amount of moisture in the wood; wood is hygroscopic, so it gains or loses moisture based on environmental conditions
Also see: Acclimation
Moisture Rating
A rating is given to tile products to illustrate their absorption levels
Also see: Absorption rate
Natural Stain
A clear finish that doesn’t color floor to maintain natural, organic beauty of wood or tile
Natural Stone
Organic tone materials used for flooring, like granite, marble, limestone, slate, sandstone, travertine
NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association)
National Wood Flooring Association. The NWFA produces many guidelines for wood flooring industry which have been adopted as industry norms. So following NWFA installation guidelines for wood flooring will often be required to ensure compliance with manufacture warranties
On-grade
On the same level as the surrounding ground
Also see: Above-grade and Below-grade
Oxidation
Rusting of stone or metal when exposed to water or air
Parquet floor
Geometric pattern in the floor that gives a tiled look
Penetrating Sealers
Solutions that penetrate the surface of the floor for staining and finishing
Photo Sensitivity
The likelihood the floor will change color or fade when exposed to light over time
Polyurethane
A type of finish that doesn’t require waxing
Porcelain Tile
Made of feldspar materials and pressed at extremely high temperatures; durable and resistant to scratches, moisture, and temperature fluctuations
Also see: ceramic, Absorption Rating and Moisture Rating
Prefinished Flooring
Flooring that is stained and sealed before installation
Quarter Round Moulding
Accessory used to hide the installation gap on a floating floor installation. Think of it as a very thin baseboard
Also see: Baseboard moulding, base shoe
Reducer Moulding
The transition between two types of flooring where one thickness of flooring is thicker than the other type of flooring
Also see: Stair nose
Refinish
Sanding down a floor to finish it again to reduce the appearance of damage, wear, and tear
Resin
Sticky, flammable substance insoluble in water; used as a sealant between stone and tile for watertight barrier
Resistance
The ability of the floor to withstand stains, scratches, and pressure
Shellac
A natural high-gloss finish that is highly resistant to stain and odor
Slate Tile
Gray, green, or bluish natural rock used in slabs or tiles
Square Foot (SqFt)
Unit of measurement with the area of square equaling 1 foot on each side
Stain
The coloration of flooring, either applied topically or chemically altering surface
Stair Nose (Stair Nosing)
Used on a step to finish the appearance, used in conjunction with a floating floor. Usually matched with the same visual appearance of the flooring
Also see: Reducer, T-Moulding, floating floor
Stair Tread
A full unit, one piece of molding accessory that acts as both the flooring and the stair nosing. This is a preferable visual appearance vs stair nose & flooring combination, and it is easier to install. But as such, it is more expensive and often requires custom work to match the transition to other floorings in the room
Also see: Stair Nose
Subfloor
The support surface beneath the flooring, usually concrete or plywood
Texture (surface texture)
Feel or consistency of floor material
T-Molding (T-Moulding)
This is a moulding transition piece from one flooring type to another flooring type. Usually one of the floors is a floating floor. T-Moulding usually matches one of the floors visual appear. Commonly used with laminate flooring, hardwood floors, engineered floors, and LVT vinyl flooring
Also see: Reducer, Stair Nose, Quarter Round
Translucence
Stone tile that allows through some light; usually light-colored marble or onyx
Tread
Traffic or walking volume on a given floor
Underlayment (underpad)
A layer of material between the subfloor and main floor that can be used as a sound or moisture barrier, padding, or insulation; made of foam, felt, cork, or plastic sheathing
Urethane
A chemical floor solvent used to seal and finish floors
Waterproof Flooring
A sealing and coating that allows for easy cleanup as well as stain- and moisture- resistance. Waterproof means complete protection from moisture absorbing into the product surface
Water Resistance Flooring
Water will bead on product surface for a period of time, but it is not waterproof, so water will eventually be absorbed. This type of flooring is inferior to waterproof flooring when measured for their ability to repeal moisture
Weathering
Natural or chemical alteration due to element exposure such as water, soil, ground minerals, and temp changes