Floor Glossary
Below is a list of terms and definitions used on this site.
Link To: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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Above-grade Pertaining to the location of a finished floor where the floor is not in contact with the ground and which provides at least 18 inches of well ventilated space. Acrylic Impregnation Liquid acrylic (and stain) injected throughout the surface layer of wood to fortify the fibers for added durability. ADEX Awards ADEX is an acronym for Awards for Design Excellence. It is the largest and most prestigious award for product design of furniture, fixtures and finishes marketed to designers. Armstrong vinyl sheet and laminate products are ADEX award winners. Adhesive a substance that bonds the floor to the subfloor. Armafelt A felt compostion backing that allows installation of vinyl sheet flooring of all grade levels. The floor is bonded to the subfloor either by spreading adhesive under the entire floor, or by using adhesive only around the perimeter and at the seams (Armafelt Options). Armafelt Options An Armstrong installation system for residential vinyl flooring with the Armafelt backing. Armafelt Options provides the option of installing some residential Armafelt backed floors with adhesive under the entire area of the floor (full spread) or just around the perimeter (perimeter bond). Due to the floors' accommodating properties which allow for installation over wood, concrete and existing resilient substrates, less adhesive is needed for the installation of some Armafelt backed floors and therefore installers save time on installation. ArmaLock® Installation System The strongest laminate locking system in the industry, with a locking strength of 670 pounds per linear foot; guaranteed not to unlock at the seams for 20 to 30 years. Available only on Armstrong brand laminate products. Armstrong Certified Installers Floor covering professionals who have been specially trained and certified to install any Armstrong floor product. These installers must pass a rigorous hand-on and written exam; receive ongoing product information and support from Armstrong; have access to a network of additional experts located in your area; and stand behind their work, as Armstrong stands behind them. back to top |
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Below-grade Pertaining to the location of a finished floor that is in direct contact with the ground or with less than 18 inches of well-ventilated space. Bruce Lock Installation Installation method for Bruce Laminate flooring which features a unique tongue-and-groove profile that allows for easy installation of boards by just locking edges into place and requiring no glue. Offers the tightest fit and provides virtually seamless appearance. Bullnose Trim Ceramic trim installed on the wall. Upper edge of the tile slopes inward toward the wall, providing transition or closure. back to top |
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CleanSweep® A patented wear surface that is engineered for easy cleaning and maintenance. No waxing, polishing or buffing is needed, just vacuuming or sweeping with an occasional wash. Resists household stains like mustard, shoe polish, lipstick and foot traffic stains like tracked in asphalt driveway sealer. CleanSweep® Plus Reinforced CleanSweep coating with aluminum oxide and polycarbonate—the same material used in bulletproof glass and fighter plane windows—for remarkable scratch resistance. Available only on Armstrong brand vinyl sheet products. Color Shade Variation The shade (color, tone, texture and value) of all ceramic floor tile pieces varies; it is an inherent characteristic of tile. One of four Color Shade Variation (CSV) indicators is assigned to each floor tile to inform the consumer prior to purchase of the degree of shade variations present among pieces in a single box of that tile. The shade variation indicators are:
A finishing molding piece used along the outer most edges of the floor where it meets the wall. Corner Trim Ceramic trim installed on the wall. Upper and outer edges of the tile slopes inward toward the wall, providing transition or closure. CPL (Continuous Pressure Laminate) The laminate surface and backing consist of multiple layers fused under heat and pressure into a laminate structure. Then in a separate process, they're bonded with glue under heat and pressure to the core board. CushionCore™ Soft and thick floor backing for superior underfoot comfort. Works well in high moisture environments like bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Available on CushionStep™ Better products. CushionCore™ HD Offers the performance of CushionCore on a high density structure for greater durability. Available on CushionStep Best products. back to top |
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Dimensional Stability The ability of flooring to retain its original dimensions during the service life of the product. Distressed Visual A design term that describes an aged, timeworn look. DIY (Do it Yourself) DIY is an acronym for “do it yourself”,” referring to projects that can be installed without a professional. DIY levels are typically described as easy, to difficult, requiring varying ranges of tools and experience. DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate) Direct pressure laminate is the most typical fusing method used to manufacture residential laminate flooring. The surface, inner layers and backing layer are fused in a single press operation. Drying Room Film (linoleum “bloom”) A term describing the yellow-cast color linoleum has on the surface before it is exposed to ultraviolet light. The color is a natural effect produced by the floor’s composition. This film, or bloom, will disappear after the floor is exposed to light for a few hours. back to top |
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Edge Detail A term that describes the way hardwood and laminate board edges and ends are cut. Edges and ends are typically described as square, eased, microbeveled and beveled. Embossed in Register A manufacturing process that intensifies the depth, texture and realistic look of the floor by aligning the embossing with the printed design. This technique is used on Armstrong laminate and vinyl floor products. Engineered A term describing hardwood construction. Engineered hardwood boards are manufactured from multiple layers, or plies, of solid wood assembled in a cross-ply construction. The top layer is the species and color you see when the boards are installed. back to top |
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Fiberglass An encapsulated glass rotovinyl (printed) flooring designed to be installed using Glass-Tac tape as the adhesive. Field Tile The primary ceramic tile used to cover a wall or floor. Finish The surface coating on pre-finished flooring. Usually either urethane or wax finish. Floating Installation method in which individual boards are glued only at edges and end joints, without direct attachment to the sublfoor. Floating Floor A floor that does not need to be nailed or glued to the subfloor and can be installed over most existing floors, including concrete, ceramic, vinyl, wood and even some indoor/outdoor carpet, except high pile carpet. Floor Protectors Screw-on attachments for the bottom of chair and table legs to distribute the weight of furniture evenly to reduce indentations in resilient floors. Abrasions can be prevented with unique, replaceable felt pads on the floor protectors. FloorScore™ Certification FloorScore is a registered trademark of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute. Products with FloorScore certification are guaranteed to meet or exceed low emission standards, will not adversely affect indoor air quality, and have passed a third party certification process. Floor Tile A ceramic tile or natural stone tile durable enough to withstand traffic and abrasion. Foam underlayment Three foot wide foam layer installed under laminate flooring for sound reduction and smoothing of subfloor irregularities. Full Bathroom A bathroom with sink, toilet and bathing facilities including one or more of the following: shower, bathtub, Jacuzzi /whirlpool, spa, sauna. Full Spread Adhesive An installation system for linoleum, felt-backed vinyl sheet products, fiberglass vinyl sheet products, and luxury vinyl tile in which adhesive is spread across the entire underside of the floor before it is placed down for installation. back to top |
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G3™ Wear Layer This durable wear layer protects against wear, stains and fading. It offers the best resistance to scratches, indentations, dents and dings for your home. Glazed Tile Ceramic tile with a fused facial finish composed of ceramic materials. The glaze is essentially a liquid form of colored glass that provides color and texture that can be manipulated to produce the desired design and finish. Ceramic tile glaze also provides a protective function preventing staining. Gloss Level Different sheens or levels of Gloss- Satin , Semi Gloss or Gloss. Glueless Tile Vinyl tiles that install with your choice of adhesive tabs or spray adhesive. Glueless tiles are sold as a system including the tile, a roll-out underlayment that has a premarked grid pattern that assists with the installation, and the adhesive tabs or spray adhesive. Glueless tile is easy to place down and easy to pick up again. Grade Level Grade refers to the construction level relative to the ground around it. Below grade is below ground level, on grade is at ground level, and above grade is above ground level. back to top |
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Half Bathroom A bathroom with a sink and toilet. Hand Scraped Also called hand sculpted. Hardwood planks are individually hand scraped to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind floors. Heat Welding A process for sealing seams for linoleum floors and some vinyl sheet floors. Heat welding requires skilled professionals who use specialized tools. (See “Weld Rods.”) Hi-Definition Print Technology™ Print technology used to create extremely realistic patterns. Colors are vibrant and natural with intensified depth and realism. The embossing technology infuses the look with depth and texture. High Density Fiberboard Board utilized in the core of Armstrong laminate designed to resist moisture, resist indentations, and provide dimensional stability. High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) Core Board utilized in the core of Armstrong laminate flooring to provide the ultimate peace of mind against moisture resistance and indentations, as well as providing dimensional stability. High Performance Wear Layer Wear layer utilized on the surface of Armstrong laminate flooring. It is made from multiple layers of resin saturated paper fused together with a high fidelity printed design layer and hard mineral particles to resist wear, stains, and surface burns. HydraCore™ Armstrong laminate’s superior performance structure that resists surface spills or moisture wicking from the subfloor. Its locking fit provides superior dimensional stability. HPL (High Pressure Laminate) High pressure laminate is an extra-hard fusing process used to manufacture laminate flooring. The surface, inner layers and backing layer are fused in a multiple step press operation. This process creates the most durable laminate construction. back to top |
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Inlaid Color™ Construction Proprietary Armstrong vinyl flooring manufacturing process where millions of tiny color granules are applied in layer upon layer using hand-cut stencils. The color is built from the backing to the wear surface, which provides handcrafted beauty that's more than skin deep. Installation Level Refers to grade levels of the installation site. Interlocking (Interlocking floating) An installation method that connects engineered hardwood or laminate boards to each other without the need for glue on the edges or ends. The boards lock together via a tongue-and-groove system. Interlocking floors “float” over the subfloor (see “Floating Floors.”) Interflex Flexible vinyl backing that allows the floor to expand and contract with subfloor movement and also bridges minor subfloor irregularities. These floors are bonded with adheisves or staples around the perimeter of the room and with adhesive at the seams. back to top |
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Laminate Backing A thermo-fused backing that provides additional strength and protection and ensures the floor stays flat, even when exposed to bottom-up moisture, which is particularly common with installations over concrete. Laminate Flooring Hard surface flooring utilizing a fiberboard core and Melamine wear layer, that is available in blocks, planks, and squares and can be installed as individual units. Laminate Flooring Glue Adhesive used to bond the tongue and groove edges of laminate flooring. Now in a "peelable" formulation for easy cleanup. Laminate Image Layer The look of your laminate floor, in choices as varied as the entire North American woodland. Laminate Surface A clear wear layer for super protection, even against the harsh punishment of sunlight, stains and burns. Linoleum A floor surfacing material composed of oxidized linseed oil, mixed with cork or wood flour, mineral filler and pigments and bonded to a jute or suitable backing. Can be produced with or without a high performance, permanently bonded coating that improves the floor’s resistance to damage and makes cleaning easier. Lock & Fold™ A simple, two-step process that fits laminate strips together faster and easier than other laminates. Available on Armstrong Pacific Heights™ floors. Locking Installation System Method of installing laminate flooring with a unique tongue-and-groove profile that allows for easy installation of boards by just locking edges into place and requiring no glue. Allows for installation up to 50% faster than standard installation. Loose Lay (and Modified Loose Lay) An installation method for fiberglass-backed vinyl sheet floors where no adhesive (loose lay) or adhesive used just in strategic spots such as under appliances (modified loose lay) is used for installing the floor. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) A type of flexible, vinyl floor tile and/or plank that has a beautiful printed designs protected by a durable urethane wear layer. LVT products are easy to install, but they do require full spread adhesive and the proper sized trowel for installation. back to top |
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Magnum HDF™ Core All Bruce Laminate floors have a Magnum HDF Core with thermofused backing that forms a moisture barrier. There’s no need to worry about spills soaking in or moisture wicking up from the subfloor. The Magnum HDF Core also eliminates the need to acclimate planks in the home environment so you can buy it and install it the same day. MasterWorks™ Technology Combines advanced digital reproduction techniques with superior craftsmanship to create amazingly authentic-looking designs like exotic hardwood, stone, slate and ceramic. MasterWorksTM Technology is available in many vinyl sheet and laminate product lines. MasterWorks with VTx™ A new, patent-pending variable texture technology that delivers a range of realistic textures and gloss with an incredibly natural feel. Available only on Armstrong brand vinyl sheet floors. Mosaic Tile Ceramic tile having a facial area of less than 6 square inches. Mildew protection Characteristic of Armstrong vinyl floor backing that protects against color or pattern discoloration caused by mildew, mold or alkali. back to top |
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NATURCote™ A new, manufacturer applied permanent coating bonded to the surface of Armstrong linoleum flooring. The high performance layer protects the floor design, provides superior stain, scratch and scuff resistance. Linoleum with NATURCote is easy to maintain with sweeping and occasional mopping. |
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On-grade Pertaining to the location of a finished floor with no portion below ground, and with the floor and the ground in contact or separated by less than 18 inches of well-ventilated space. back to top |
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Parquet Inlaid woodwork in geometric forms, sometimes of contrasting woods, used in flooring. A common example is individual pickets of wood flooring, adhered together in groups of six pickets - then four picketed squares are alternately adhered to form a tile pattern. Patching compound Compound used to fill or smooth subfloor irregularities in preparation for installing a new vinyl floor. Paver Tile Ceramic tile having a facial area of more than 6 square inches. P.E.I. An acronym for Porcelain Enamel Institute, and their rating system on wall and floor tile durability. The Wear Resistance measure equates to the PEI rating. Peel ‘n Stick A term used for self adhesive tile that does not require adhesive for installation. Tiles have a peel-off backing that, once removed, uncovers adhesive on the tile’s underside. These tiles are easy to stick to the floor, but once placed, can be difficult to remove. Perimeter Spread Adhesive An installation system for felt-backed vinyl sheet floors in which adhesive is spread around the perimeter, or outside edge, of the underside of the floor before it is placed down for installation. Permion® A hardwood floor finish that contains a high level of aluminum oxide for superior resistance to surface wear-through. Plank Boards widths that are 3" in width or greater. Ply (Plies) Another word for a layer of wood, typically used to described engineered hardwood construction layers. Plywood A structural material consisting of sheets of wood glued or cemented together and used as underlayment for vinyl flooring. Armstrong recommends the use of APA Underlayment Grade plywood with the installation of Armstrong resilient floors. Polyurethane A type of finish used on hardwood to protect it from damage. Polyurethane finishes do not require waxing. Polished Tile A ceramic tile that undergoes a final polishing step, in which the product is sanded to achieve a smooth-looking finish. Porcelain Tile Ceramic tile that is made from dry-pressed porcelain clay resulting in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine-grained, and smooth with sharply formed face. Prefinished Hardwood floors that are stained with color and sealed with a protective finish by the manufacturer prior to installation. Printed construction A printing process that provides accurate reproductions of a wide variety of patterns and designs in intricate detail. Also known as the "rotogravure" process. Pull Bar Tool used to tighten up tongue and groove joints used during the installation of laminate flooring. back to top |
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QuickTac™ Installation System A new system for installing Armstrong glueless tile. It includes tile, your choice of adhesive tabs or spray adhesive, and premarked underlayment with grid lines. The system allows for easy down/easy up installations. Quarry Tile A type of ceramic tile that is unglazed and extremely durable. Quarter-Round Molding Detail piece that finishes the space where wood or laminate flooring meets the wall. back to top |
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Reducer Strip Molding that finishes the space between wood or laminate flooring and other flooring surfaces, like vinyl or carpet. Roller Heavy tool used after installing vinyl sheet or vinyl tile to press the flooring into the adhesive and to help to remove any entrapped air. back to top |
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Seam Sealer Liquid compound that fuses the seamed edges of vinyl flooring together. Simulated Appliance Foot-Drag Test The drag test measures a sheet vinyl floor's resistance to rips, tears and gouges. In a controlled test, an appliance-type foot loaded with weight is pulled across a vinyl floor to simulate a consumer moving a heavy object without proper protection. Site Finished Hardwood floors that are stained with color and sealed with a protective finish at the installation site by the installer. Solid Manufactured from a solid piece of wood. Spacers Small pieces of wood used in the initial step in the installation of laminate to maintain a 1/4" expansion zone. Species The type of tree, such as oak, cherry or walnut. Different wood species have different hardness’s that affect durability; graining, which affects the board’s look; and indigenous color, which can be kept natural or stained. Stair Nosing A finishing piece applied to the forward edge of stairs, step-downs and landings, creating a rounded quality finish. Standard Engineered The traditional construction for engineered hardwood boards and laminate products. These products require the pieces to be glued to each other prior to installing over the subfloor. Standard Installation System Method of installing laminate flooring by precisely placing continuous beads of laminate flooring glue on the top of the tongue and the bottom of the groove of adjoining laminate flooring planks. Straight-Edge Any strong, straight piece of metal that can be used for cutting straight lines for installing vinyl sheet and tile. Strip Board widths that are less then 3" in width. Structural Integrity A term often used in a guarantee or warranty to assure the floor’s composition/construction will remain intact. Subfloor The structural layer intended to provide the home's floor support, which may receive floor coverings directly if the surface is appropriate, or indirectly via an underlayment if its surface is not suitable. back to top |
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T-Molding Molding piece that finishes the space between two areas of wood or laminate flooring. For laminate, it also fills the gap at doorways. Tapping Block Block of wood used directly against the edge of laminate boards during installation when tightening the joints with a hammer. Terracotta A type of unglazed ceramic tile that is fragile and requires surface sealers for protection. Texture The term used to describe the surface look and feel of flooring. Textures can range from silky smooth to hand scraped and distressed. Threshold A finishing piece applied to the wood floor transition area where the wood transitions to another flooring level or another flooring type. Tongue and Groove The edge effect used on laminate boards to enable mechanical fastening of one board to the adjacent board(s). ToughGuard® Flooring Armstrong's toughest vinyl floor ever. Armstrong ToughGuard floors are designed for long life and extraordinary durability. They are guaranteed not to rip, tear, gouge or indent from normal household use for the life of the warranty. Transition Strips Installation accessory that bridges two floors of different heights to equalize the height differential. Transition strips are functional and decorative. Trim Pieces Various shapes of ceramic bases, caps, corners, moldings, angles, etc. Bullnose and corners are also considered trim pieces Trowel Tool used to place the correct amount of adhesive on the floor prior to installing vinyl sheet or (dry-back) vinyl tile. back to top |
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Ultraviolet Light Ultraviolet (UV) light is part of the light spectrum. UV light wavelengths cannot be seen by the human eye. Underlayment Layer of material usually installed on or over a subfloor that provides a surface suitable to receive a new floor covering. Unglazed Tile Ceramic tile (quarry tile, porcelain or terracotta) with no surface glaze. Urethane A urethane surface that keeps its like new look far longer than vinyl no-wax surfaces, without waxing, buffing, or polishing. Resists household stains like mustard, shoe polish and lipstick. Resists foot traffic stains like tracked in asphalt driveway sealer. Utility Knife Tool containing a blade and used to cut vinyl sheet and vinyl tile during installation. back to top |
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VapArrest™ An Armstrong exclusive installation aid for sealing concrete that has excess moisture, prior to installing the floor. Vinyl Sheet Flooring Resilient flooring, available in roll form, providing an installation with few seams. Vinyl No-Wax A surface that protects the color and pattern of the floor, but needs floor polish to maintain a high gloss. Vinyl Tile Resilient flooring available in flat pieces usually measuring 12" x 12" which can be installed as individual units. VisionGuard™ An easy to clean surface that protects the floor from stains, fading or wear; and resists scuffs in normal household use. Available only on Armstrong brand laminate flooring. Available only on Armstrong brand laminate and vinyl sheet flooring. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) VOC is an acronym for volatile organic compounds, which are gases that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and upper respiratory infections. All Armstrong floors have very low VOC levels (see “Floor Score.”) back to top |
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Wall Tile A glazed ceramic tile suitable for interior walls. It is not required to withstand excessive impact, freezing or thawing conditions. Water Absorption Ceramic tiles are classified based on their water absorption levels as follows:
Wear Layer Weld Rods Thin, round rods that are melted with a specialized tool to seal seams on sheet floors. Vinyl floors use vinyl rods; linoleum floors use linoleum rods; in color-coordinated shades that blend with or accent seams. (See “heat welding.”) Width The width of the individual wood boards that make up the floor. “Strips” are narrow boards measuring less than 3 inches wide. “Planks” are wider boards measuring more than 3 inches wide. Wood Species The primary species from which the wood floor is made. Wood Stain A type of paint that is very "thin," or low in viscosity, and formulated so that the pigment penetrates the surface rather than remaining in a film on top of the surface. Stain is predominantly pigment or dye and solvent with little binder. back to top |
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