Glossary
A
Above Grade
Any level of a home that is at least 18 inches above ground level. These spaces are generally dry and suitable for all types of flooring.
Acclimation
The process of allowing flooring to adjust to the temperature and humidity of its new environment prior to installation. Acclimation helps prevent expansion, contraction, and warping.
Average Length
Refers to flooring with planks of varying lengths. The average is calculated based on the range of minimum and maximum lengths.
Average Width
Refers to flooring with planks of varying widths. The average width is calculated from the minimum and maximum widths.
B
Baseboard
Trim installed along the bottom perimeter of a wall to cover the expansion gap and provide a clean, finished look.
Below Grade
Any floor of a building that is below ground level, such as basements. Flooring installed here should be resistant to moisture.
Beveled Edge
A groove between flooring planks, typically 45 degrees, that gives the appearance of defined plank edges for a traditional, craftsman-style look.
Board Feet
A unit of measurement for lumber volume, calculated as the volume of a one-foot length by one-foot width by one-inch thickness.
C
Click-Lock
A type of floating flooring system where planks interlock for easy, adhesive-free installation.
Curbside Delivery
Delivery service where products are dropped off at the curb or end of a driveway. The recipient is responsible for moving the items indoors.
Cross-Ply Construction
A layered core construction (often in engineered hardwood) with each layer running in opposite directions for added stability and resistance to warping.
D
Dimensional Stability
A material’s ability to maintain its size and shape when exposed to changes in temperature and humidity.
Distressed Finish
A finishing technique that creates the appearance of aged or reclaimed wood through scraping, denting, or brushing methods.
E
Edge Type
Describes how the edges of flooring planks are cut—examples include square (straight), micro-beveled, or full-beveled.
End Cap
A molding used to transition between flooring and vertical surfaces like sliding glass doors or fireplaces.
Engineered Hardwood
A type of flooring constructed with a real hardwood surface layer over a plywood or HDF core, offering greater stability than solid hardwood.
Expansion Gap
A space left between flooring and walls to accommodate natural expansion and contraction due to temperature and humidity changes.
F
Fiberboard
An engineered wood product made by compressing wood fibers under heat and pressure. Used in laminate and vinyl flooring cores.
Floating Floor
A floor installation method where planks are not nailed or glued down but "float" above the subfloor, connected via click-lock or tongue-and-groove.
Flooring Grade
Indicates the quality and appearance of the wood, often categorized by natural characteristics like knots, color variation, and grain.
Flush
Describes a transition where two surfaces meet at the same height, creating a smooth, level finish.
G
Gloss Level
The amount of sheen or luster on the floor's surface. Common gloss levels include matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
Glue-Down Installation
An installation method where planks are adhered directly to the subfloor using flooring adhesive.
Grain Pattern
The arrangement of wood fibers visible on the surface of a plank. Grain patterns vary by species and how the wood is cut.
H
Handscraped
A texture style where each plank is manually scraped to create a rustic, timeworn appearance.
HDF (High-Density Fiberboard)
An engineered core material known for strength and density, used in laminate and engineered flooring products.
I
IIC Rating (Impact Insulation Class)
A measure of how well a floor reduces impact noise, such as footsteps. Higher ratings indicate better sound insulation.
Installation Grade
Refers to the location in the home where flooring can be installed—above, on, or below ground level.
J
Janka Hardness Scale
A measurement of a wood species’ resistance to denting and wear. Higher numbers indicate harder, more durable woods.
Joist
Structural beams that support the subfloor of a building.
K
Kerf
The slit or groove made by a saw blade when cutting wood. Kerfs are also used in engineered flooring to reduce stress on the planks.
L
Locking Mechanism
Refers to how flooring planks connect, such as click-lock or tongue-and-groove systems.
Laminate Flooring
A multi-layer synthetic flooring product with a photographic wood image layer under a protective wear layer, built on a fiberboard core.
M
Moisture Barrier
A protective sheet used beneath flooring to prevent moisture from seeping upward from the subfloor.
Molding
Decorative trim pieces used to cover transitions, edges, or gaps between flooring and walls. Includes quarter round, stair nose, reducer, and T-molding.
Multi-Ply Core
A type of engineered wood core made of several layers of plywood for increased stability and resistance to movement.
N
Nail-Down Installation
A flooring installation method where planks are secured to a wooden subfloor using nails or staples.
Notched Trowel
A tool used to spread adhesive evenly during glue-down installations.
O
On Grade
The floor level at ground level in a structure.
Oil Finish
A natural-looking floor finish that penetrates the wood rather than sitting on top, enhancing grain and color over time.
P
Plain Sawn Wood
Cut tangentially to the growth rings, producing a wavy or "cathedral" grain pattern.
Plywood
A strong panel material made by gluing together layers of wood veneer with alternating grain directions.
Q
Quarter Round
Rounded trim that covers the expansion gap between flooring and walls.
Quarter Sawn Wood
Lumber cut at a 60–90 degree angle to the growth rings, resulting in a linear, uniform grain.
R
Radiant Heating
Heating system embedded in the subfloor. Engineered hardwood and some vinyl flooring are compatible with radiant heating.
Random Length / Width
Planks come in varying lengths or widths to provide a more natural, handcrafted look.
Reducer
A transition molding used to join flooring of different heights.
Resand / Refinish
The process of sanding and refinishing a floor to restore its original beauty.
Rift Sawn Wood
Lumber cut at a 30–60 degree angle to the growth rings. Produces a tight, straight grain pattern and is typically more expensive.
S
Solid Hardwood
Flooring made from a single, solid piece of wood. Known for its durability and longevity.
Stair Nose
Molding that creates a smooth transition at the edge of each stair tread.
STC Rating (Sound Transmission Class)
Rates how well a material reduces airborne sound (e.g., speech, music). Higher numbers indicate better soundproofing.
Straight Edge (Square Edge)
Edges cut at a perfect 90 degrees with no bevel, resulting in a seamless appearance between planks.
Subfloor
The foundational layer that supports finished flooring—typically made of concrete or plywood.
T
T-Molding
A transition piece that bridges flooring of the same height, commonly used between rooms.
Threshold
A molding that transitions between different flooring materials or doorways, also used to cover expansion gaps.
Tongue & Groove
A method of joining flooring planks where one side has a protruding “tongue” that fits into a corresponding “groove” on the adjacent plank.
U
Underlayment
A thin layer placed under flooring to provide cushioning, sound reduction, and moisture protection.
V
Vapor Barrier
A material used beneath flooring to block moisture from rising through the subfloor, especially in basements or concrete foundations.
Vinyl Flooring
Durable, waterproof flooring made from synthetic materials. Available in planks, tiles, or sheets with various wear layers and cores.
W
Wear Layer
A protective surface layer that determines durability, stain resistance, and scratch resistance of a flooring product.
Wirebrushed
A finishing technique that uses wire brushes to remove the softer wood grain, resulting in a textured, rustic surface.
Wood Species
The specific type of tree used in the flooring. Different species offer different levels of hardness, grain patterns, and color.
Wood Veneer
The top layer of real wood in engineered hardwood flooring, bonded over a multi-ply core for stability.
X, Y, Z
X-Factor (Design Appeal)
The unique characteristics that make a particular flooring stand out, including grain pattern, finish, and board variation.
Yellowing
A term used to describe the gradual color change (often yellowish tint) in certain flooring finishes due to UV exposure.
Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Refers to flooring products with no harmful chemical emissions, making them safer for indoor air quality.
