Glossary of Flooring Terms
Acclimation
Acclimation is the time flooring needs to adjust to a home’s moisture and humidity. Hardwood may take 4–5 days up to 2–3 weeks, while other materials vary. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper acclimation.
Backing
Backing is the base layer of flooring, providing stability and support. In vinyl floors, it’s typically made of felt or fiberglass, helping improve comfort underfoot and adding durability to the overall structure.
Bevel Edge
Beveled edge is a type of edge available in flooring. With a distinct and deep “v” shaped groove, the beveled edge is commonly used where subflooring imperfections exist, as it helps to conceal them as well as slight differences in plank thicknesses.
Ceramic Bead Overlay
A ceramic bead overlay is a clear coating with microscopic ceramic particles that boosts durability and scratch resistance, commonly used on vinyl plank and composite flooring surfaces.
Character
In flooring, character refers to the natural visual features and variations present in hardwood, including knots, mineral streaks, color differences, and prominent grain patterns, which contribute to a rustic, authentic, and unique aesthetic.
Core
The center layer of a floor plank that provides its structural integrity, stability, and durability. Types include SPC (Stone Plastic Composite), WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), and HDF (High-Density Fiberboard).
Cup or Crown
Cupping or crowing refers to the natural result of expansion or contraction of hardwood material when exposed to uncontrolled climates, especially water. Solid hardwood that has become wet and has cupped or crowned can eventually move back to its original form once moisture has been removed and the wood has dried over a period of time.
Distressing
Distressing refers to the various methods, using hand tools or machinery, to create chatter marks on hardwood to add a time-worn visual. Distressing is created on laminate and vinyl floors using embossing technology.
Durability Rating
(AC Rating)
An AC rating is a standardized scale from AC1- AC5 that measures the durability and resistance of laminate flooring to wear and tear, with higher numbers indicating greater resilience.
Embossed in Register
Embossed in Register refers to a manufacturing process for flooring like luxury vinyl plank and laminate, where the surface texture is precisely aligned with the printed image of wood grain or stone.
Floating Floor
A floating floor has boards or planks attached together but is not secured to the underlayment or subfloor beneath. It is often quicker and easier to install a floating floor than one that is attached.
Gauge/Mil
Mil refers to the thickness of the wear layer on top of resilient flooring such as sheet vinyl, vinyl planks and tiles, and ridged core products.
Gloss Level
The gloss level is the amount of light a floor’s finish will reflect, ranging from matte (low gloss) to high gloss.
Grain
Grain refers to the visible, vertical patterns on a piece of wood. It can be straight, spiral, or interlocked.
Janka Hardness Scale
The Janka hardness test refers to the strength of the hardwood material based on a scale which determines the amount of force it takes to drive a steel ball into a plank of wood. This force, measured in pounds-force (lbf), is the Janka score. Higher Janka scores indicate harder and more durable wood.
Moisture Vapor Barrier
A moisture vapor barrier is usually a polyethylene film used to impede or block the transmission of water from the subfloor up to the flooring. It acts as a shield against water vapor, liquid, or condensation, protecting the flooring from issues like warping, mold, and mildew. Typical applications of moisture barriers are in rooms where the subfloor is on ground concrete like basements or first floors.
Plank Width
Flooring plank width describes the measurement across a single flooring board, categorized as narrow (3-5 inches), medium (5-7 inches), or wide (7+ inches).
Rigid Core
Rigid core is a waterproof luxury vinyl flooring with a dense core that resists dents and scratches. Available as stone polymer core (SPC) or wood-plastic composite core (WPC), it offers strength and lasting stability.
Screen and Re-Coat
Screen and re-coat is a hardwood maintenance process that involves using a buffer with an abrasive screen to lightly scuff the existing top layer of the floor’s finish and then applying a fresh, protective layer of finish.
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite)
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) is a rigid-core luxury vinyl plank with a stone and PVC core. It’s 100% waterproof, highly durable, and stable against temperature and humidity changes, making it ideal for busy spaces.
Subfloor
The subfloor is the structure that provides support to the top layer of flooring, such as hardwood or laminate. Often, a subfloor is laid over the joists and is made of plywood or cement. Older homes sometimes have subfloors made of pine planks.
Surface Treatment
Distressing, scraping, wire brushing, sawmarking, and antiquing add texture and realism to hardwood, laminate, and LVP. These treatments enhance style, hide wear, and increase durability.
Tongue and Groove
Tongue-and-groove refers to the way certain pieces of flooring fit together. Often, laminate boards or hardwood planks have one edge that protrudes. The other edge has an opening or groove cut into it to receive the protrusion or tongue from another piece. Tongue-and-groove allows the pieces of a floor to be joined together while allowing for flexibility and movement.
Tongue and Groove
Tongue-and-groove refers to the way certain pieces of flooring fit together. Often, laminate boards or hardwood planks have one edge that protrudes. The other edge has an opening or groove cut into it to receive the protrusion or tongue from another piece. Tongue-and-groove allows the pieces of a floor to be joined together while allowing for flexibility and movement.
UV Cured Urethane with Aluminum Oxide
A UV cured urethane is a polyurethane coating that is applied over the stain on a hardwood plank and cured with ultraviolet lighting. For increased durability and protection, Aluminum Oxide (a naturally derived mineral) is added. The combination results in a hardwood floor that can carry a 25 to 50-year finish warranty.
Wire-Brushed Finish
Each hardwood plank is run through machinery that applies a wire brush to the surface, removing the softest grain of the hardwood. This creates visual interest, increased durability and will also conceal scratches on hardwood. Laminate and vinyl flooring are also available with this added visual, which is achieved with embossing technology.
Wear Layer
The wear layer is the top layer of a laminate or vinyl floor. It is a clear finish designed to protect the floor from marks and stains. It can also make the floor waterproof and can keep the design on the decorative layer from fading.
Wear Layer – Engineered Hardwood Floors
Also referred to as the “face,” this engineered hardwood layer is the top layer, and its thickness affects your ability to sand and refinish your floors. The thickness of the wear layer can determine price range and warranty longevity. Recommended engineered hardwood wear layer thickness for sand and refinish is 4mm and no less than 2.5mm per NWFA, the National Wood Flooring Association.
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite)
WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite, referring to an engineered luxury vinyl plank with a thick, waterproof core made from wood fibers and plastic polymers. WPC flooring is known for being softer, quieter, and more cushioned underfoot than SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) flooring, offering a more comfortable and forgiving installation over imperfect subfloors, while still providing the realistic look of hardwood.