| Aluminum Oxide | Chemical agent commonly used as a protective layer on many types of flooring. |
| Culm | The stem portion of bamboo that is visible above ground. |
| Direct Print Bamboo | Bamboo flooring with an image printed on it so homeowners can enjoy the characteristics of bamboo with the design of natural stone or hardwood. |
| Engineered Bamboo | A floor comprised of a bamboo top layer adhered to layers of plywood for extra stability and moisture resistance. |
| Glueless Bamboo | Floor that locks bamboo planks together as opposed to gluing them to a subfloor. Glueless bamboo is recommended for DIY installation projects. |
| Grain | Alignment of grass fibers that can be horizontal, vertical or woven. |
| Horizontal Bamboo | Describes the direction of the bamboo grain. |
| Plank | Any piece of hardwood, laminate or bamboo that is over 4” or more in thickness. |
| Solid Bamboo | Type of bamboo that is comprised solely of bamboo. |
| Sustainability | Allowing a material to be used no more than it can be renewed. Bamboo is a highly sustainable product because a bamboo plant matures every three months. |
| Vertical Bamboo | Direction of bamboo grain that goes up and down, rather than side to side. |
| Bark | Portion of the oak tree that makes up cork flooring. |
| Cork Oak Tree | Type of tree cork flooring is derived from. |
| Honeycomb | Structure that has the appearance of a honeycomb. Cork has a honeycomb structure with tiny bubbles filled with air. This gives it a cushiony feeling underfoot. |
| Hyperallergenic | Materials that are hypoallergenic don’t harbor pet dander or dust and are less likely to cause allergic reactions, if any. |
| Mastic | Glue or adhesive used to adhere cork to a subfloor. |
| Neutral Cleaner | A non-acidic cleaner recommended for most types of flooring including cork. |
| Resilient Flooring | Flooring that is resistant to normal wear and tear from everyday traffic. Cork flooring is extremely resistant. |
| Sound Absorption | The ability of a floor to diminish noise transmission. Cork is comprised of porous molecules that allow it to be incredibly sound absorbent. |
| Stability | Characteristic of flooring that allows it to have no reaction to adverse external forces. Cork is considered highly stable. |
| Suberin | The waxy substance present in cork that allows it to be water resistant, fire retardant and incredibly durable. |
| Subfloor | The surface a cork floor is adhered to. Subfloors are often concrete or wood. |
| Thermal Insulation | Process where a flooring material (cork) can absorb heat making a warmer, more comfortable floor underfoot. |
| Accent | A small section of glass tile commonly used to decorate an area rather than provide flooring function. |
| Backsplash | Wall covering behind countertops and sinks typically covered in tile. |
| Epoxy | A hardening resin used as an adhesive in many flooring applications. |
| Glaze | Ceramic coating applied to many flooring tiles to add sheen, protection and sometimes to change the tile color. |
| Grout | Cement-based mix used to seal in joint gaps in tiles. |
| Joint | Space between glass tiles filled with grout. |
| Mortar | Mixture of cement and aggregate used to adhere tiles to the subfloor or underlayment. |
| Mosaic | Small tiles pieces together to make a design, pattern or picture. |
| Nippers | Small, handheld tool used to cut tiles. |
| Recycled | Glass tiles that are made from post-consumer materials. |
| Sealer | Top coating applied to tiles to smooth and protect them from wear and tear. |
| Scoring | Placing an indentation in a glass tile to easily break it at a specific spot. |
| Slip-Resistant | Glass tiles that have been treated to have a rougher texture that is less likely to cause slipping underfoot. |
| Square Foot | Unit of measurement used for flooring tiles. |
| Tile Spacers | Plastic or metal pieces used between tiles to leave space for grout. |
| Underlayment | Material installed between new flooring material and the subfloor to further protect against water damage and humidity. |
| Wet Saw | Tool used for larger tile cutting projects that uses a strong stream of water. |
| Above Grade | A floor above ground level. |
| Acrylic Urethane | Clear finish used for hardwood. Used for mild odor and fast drying time. |
| Adhesive | Glue used for tongue and groove hardwood planks. |
| Aluminum Oxide | A chemical added to urethane to seal hardwood floors. Increases strength against wear and tear. |
| Baseboard | molding at base of floor to cover the transition between the wall and the floor. |
| Below Grade | A floor below ground level. Often subject to increased humidity and temperature change. |
| Buckle | The warping of hardwood as a result of excessive moisture. |
| Butt Joint | A type of hardwood joint that forces two planks together. Not considered the strongest joint available. |
| Click-Lock | Hardwood planks that are snapped together permanently. |
| Crowning | Warping where the middle of the floor is higher than the sides. |
| Cupping | Warping where the sides of the floor are higher than the middle. |
| Distressed | An antiquing technique where the floor is intentionally scratched and scrapped to give it a rustic appearance. |
| Engineered | A more stable form of hardwood that takes a thin layer of hardwood and adheres it to plywood or fiberboard. |
| Expansion Gap | The space left at the perimeter of a hardwood floor to compensate for expansion due to humidity. |
| Finish | Wax or urethane coating used to complete and protect a hardwood floor. |
| Floating Floor | A hardwood floor installed above the subfloor as opposed to directly on. |
| Glue Down | A wood floor installation where hardwood planks are adhered directly to the subfloor. |
| Grain | Natural variations in pattern based on the type of wood cut. |
| Knot | Cross section of a tree where a branch meets the trunk. Knots leave a small, dark spot on the wood. |
| Laminate | Type of flooring made to mimic hardwood flooring by imprinting an image of hardwood on fiberboard or a different material. |
| Moisture Cured Urethane | A hardwood finish that requires moisture to finish and seal the planks. |
| Molding | Used to cover expansion joints and improve the appearance of the entire hardwood floor. |
| Nail Down | A hardwood installation that nails hardwood planks directly to the floor. |
| On Grade | A floor on ground level. |
| Plank | Size of the boards used in a hardwood flooring installation. Wider pieces are called planks. |
| Polyurethane | Sealing protectant applied to hardwood flooring to prevent wear and tear. |
| Pre-finished | Hardwood floors pre-sanded and sealed by the manufacturer. Pre-finished floors often have a stronger protectant. |
| Refinish | The process of sanding and finishing a floor that has already been installed. Refinishing reduces the look of damage. |
| Solvent-Based Urethane | Oil-based finish for hardwood floors |
| Stapled Down | An installation method where hardwood planks are stapled directly to the subfloor. |
| Subfloor | The surface below hardwood flooring. |
| Tongue and Groove | A type of hardwood flooring construction where the planks are fit together with tongue and groove locking that provides stability. |
| Transitions | Moldings that blend hardwood floors into other types of floors. |
| Underlayment | Sheets of protection installed between the subfloor and hardwood planks that act as a moisture barrier and sound absorber. |
| Un-finished | Hardwood flooring that is finished after installation. |
| Urethane | A chemical used to seal floors and provide a protective layer. |
| Adhesive | The glue that bonds laminate to the subfloor or underlayment. |
| Baseboard | Makes the transition between wall and floor. |
| Expansion | The process of a laminate floor growing due to moisture or humidity. |
| Fiberboard | The core of a laminate floor that provides stability and durability. |
| Floating Floor | The process of installing a laminate floor above the subfloor, instead of adhering it directly to the subfloor. |
| Laminate | A durable 4-layer flooring material that is made up of a stabilizing under-layer, a fiberboard core and a stylish top layer. The top later is a protective wear layer. |
| Laminate Image Layer | The layer underneath the protective wear layer. The image can give laminate flooring the look of natural stone or hardwood. |
| Molding | A flooring add-on that transitions one room’s flooring to another. (Ex. carpet to laminate) |
| Spacers | Plastic pieces placed on the outer layer of a laminate flooring installation that provides space between the floor and the wall to allow for expansion. |
| Subfloor | The first, under-layer of a floor. Subfloors are typically older flooring materials or concrete. |
| T-Molding | a flooring add-on that transitions two different types of flooring. |
| Tongue and Groove | The edge of specific laminate flooring types that allow the planks to easily and securely fit together during installation. |
| Underlayment | Cushioned flooring materials that provide sound absorption and more comfort underfoot. Underlayments are typically used in floating floor installations. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds | (VOCs) Gases that are emitted by certain flooring levels that may cause allergic reactions in some. |
| Abrasion | Wearing away the finish layer of a floor to give it a rustic/worn appearance. |
| Acid-Washed Finish | Antique finish for natural stone that washes tiles in hard acid to remove the crystalline structure. This finish is known for hiding scratches. |
| Adhesive | Glue that holds flooring material to the underlayment or subfloor. |
| Aggregate | Adding cement to a material to make it more durable and stable. |
| Anti-microbial | Material that does not harbor microbes and resists bacteria growth. |
| Antiquing | Specific techniques applied to flooring materials in order to make them appear worn. |
| Backsplash | Area of wall behind sinks and counters. |
| Baseboard | Board placed along the transition between wall and floor. |
| Border Tiles | Tiles used at the perimeter of the room, usually with a pattern. |
| Buffed Finish | Tile finish that leaves a smooth and matte look. |
| Calcium Carbonate | Primary component naturally found in limestone. |
| Ceramic | Made of clay and other materials fired at extremely high temperatures. Ceramic is often confused with porcelain because they are made of the same materials. |
| Classes | Porcelain tiles are rated in classes from 1-5 depending on their strength and what applications they are suited for (outdoor, heavy foot etc) |
| Clay | A mineral aggregate that is fired at extremely high temperatures to form ceramic. |
| Colored Grout | Substance forced between tiles during installation to fill in gaps between each tile. Colored tile provides a decorative finish. |
| Composite | The makeup of specific natural stone (volcanic ash, clay, mud, etc). |
| Crystalline Glaze | Heavy glaze used on countertop and floor surfaces where extra protection from wear is needed. |
| Density (Tile) | How “heavy” a ceramic tile is. The denser the tile the stronger it is. |
| Direct Glue Down | Process of gluing flooring material directly to the subfloor. Many tile projects are installed this way. |
| End Joint | Where two tiles meet end to end. Joint gaps are typically filled with grout. |
| Epoxy Grout | Epoxy resin and hardener combined to fill joints between tiles for extra protection. |
| Extrusion | Process of forcing ceramic through a die-cut to give it a specific shape. |
| Finish | Coating applied to tiles to protect them and give them a polished appearance. |
| Firing | The process of placing tiles in an extremely hot kiln oven in order to finish them. |
| Flamed Finish | Blowtorching stone to force the crystals inside to explode. The result is a rough texture used for non-slip surfaces. |
| Furniture Protectors | Soft pads placed on the feet of furniture to prevent scratching and denting. It is important to use furniture protectors on ceramic tiles. |
| Glazed | Liquid glass finish applied over tile to protect it from stains and moisture and in some cases to change the color. |
| Granite | Igneous rock that is hard, dense and perfect for flooring applications that see heavy traffic. |
| Grout | Mixture of mortar or cement with water that is forced between the gap joints during tile installation. |
| Honed Finish | A matte finish used for many natural stone types including slate and limestone. |
| Hypoallergenic | Flooring that reduces allergic reactions. |
| Joint Filler | Material forced between tile joints to prevent debris from getting trapped. |
| Igneous Rock | Natural stone formed from molten rock. Ex. Granite |
| Limestone | Sedimentary rock made of calcite and sediment. Marble is derived from limestone. |
| Mallet | Rubber tool used to firmly tap tiles into place after installation. |
| Marble | A derivative of limestone that is polished and known for its sheen. Marble is typically used in bathrooms and entryways. |
| Mastic | Glue or adhesive used in many flooring projects. |
| Metamorphic Rock | A rock created from other types of rocks through heat and pressure. Marble is a metamorphic rock derived from limestone. |
| Mortar | Specific adhesive used to adhere ceramic to a subfloor. |
| Mosaic | Small tiles pieced together in order to form patterns or designs. |
| Onyx | Form of marble that is dense with a lime carbonate composite typically found in cold water. |
| Polished Finish | A natural stone finish that leaves tiles shiny and mirror-like. |
| Porcelain Enamel Institute | A rating system for porcelain tiles and other stone tiles to determine strength and durability. |
| Porosity | How many holes a piece of stone has. The more holes increases porosity and porosity increases vulnerability to water damage. |
| Poultice | A cleaning paste made of hydrogen peroxide and flour used to remove tile stains. |
| Quarry | Locations where massive quantities of natural stone are extracted. |
| Quartz | One of the main composites of sandstone; a silicon dioxide mineral. |
| Raw | Tiles that have been untreated and left in their natural state. |
| Saltillo | Terra cotta tiles typically made in Mexico. |
| Sandstone | Sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate and quartz. |
| Saw-Cut Finish | A moderate polishing of stones to give them an uneven, rustic appearance. |
| Slate | Metamorphic stone extracted in sheets. |
| Spacers | Pieces of wood or plastic placed between tiles during installation to make gaps filled in with grout. |
| Speleothem | Cave formation where minerals and clay collect and form many types of natural stone including travertine. |
| Split-Faced | A rough texture finish achieved through hand chiseling. |
| Structural Placement | Location or floor on which flooring materials are being installed. Below grade refers to the basement level, on grade is the first floor and above ground refers to anything above the first level. |
| Substrate | Also known as a subfloor, the substrate is the layer underneath a new floor. Substrates are typically wood or concrete. |
| Terrazzo | A composite of natural stone and cement that is ground down and polished. |
| Tile Cutter | Specific tool used to cut tiles. Commonly used to fit tiles along the perimeter of a room, or along a wall. |
| Thinset Mortar | A type of adhesive commonly used in natural stone installations where the tile is adhered directly to the subfloor. |
| Travertine | Another derivative of limestone that can be filled and honed easily. |
| Trowel | Space tool used during tile installation to spread mortar along the subfloor. |
| Tumbled | Finishing technique where tiles are tossed with mild abrasives to give it a natural-looking, matte finish. |
| Unglazed | Tiles that have only one color and have not had a glaze applied to them. |
| Vitrification | Process of heating ceramic to make it less porous and susceptible to water damage. |
| Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) | Chemical compound found in some flooring materials including wood. VOCs can be toxic. |
| Wall Tiles | Tiles that are not fit for floor installation but are commonly used as backsplashes or decoration. |
| Wet Saw | Tool used to cut ceramic that uses a strong stream of water. |
| Anti-fungal | Material that prohibits the growth of fungi and mold. |
| Anti-microbial | Material that prohibits the growth of microbes and fungi. |
| Coin | Style of rubber flooring that creates round ridges for a non-slip surface. |
| Non-toxic | Material that is not made from and does not emit harmful chemicals or other substances. |
| Post Consumer | Rubber flooring that is made from recycled materials. |
| Raised | A “bumpy” rubber finish that provides a non-slip surface. |
| Ribbed | Ridged rubber flooring that provides a non-slip surface. |
| Sealer | Finishing layer applied to rubber flooring to protect it from wear and tear. |
| Synthetic | Made from processes not occurring naturally. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds | (VOCs) Emitted from certain chemicals and gases that may cause allergic irritation in certain people. |
| Abrasive Cleaners | Harsh cleaners that should not be used on metal tiles to avoid scratching. |
| Accent Tile | Tile used on walls and floors for decoration rather than to provide flooring function. |
| Anti-Slip | Rough textured tiles that prevent slipping. |
| Epoxy Grout | Polymer-based filler placed between tiles to prevent water seepage. |
| Micro Tile | Smaller-sized tiles glued together on a backing to create a design or pattern. |
| Mortar | Cement-based adhesive used to adhere tiles to a subfloor or underlayment material. |
| Rust | Combination of water and oxygen on a metal tile can cause the iron to oxidize and show a stained, reddish color. |
| Stainless Steel | Rust and corrosion resistant material commonly used as a flooring tile. |
| Tarnish | Layer of corrosion that forms over many types of metal. |
| Wall Tile | Metal tiles installed on walls (typically backsplashes and countertops) instead of as flooring tiles. |
| Adhesive | Substance that bonds a floor to the subfloor or underlayment. |
| Asbestos | A mineral fiber present in many forms of vinyl flooring installed BEFORE 1970. |
| End Joint | Where two tiles are joined together. |
| Floating Floor | Method of installation where the boards are placed together at the end joints and not adhered directly to the subfloor. |
| Luxury Vinyl Tile | Flexible plank with printed designs and a durable urethane protective layer. |
| Particle Board | A board made of bits of compressed wood often uses when installing faux-wood planks. |
| Plank | Boards with a width of 3” or greater. |
| Roller | Tool used to press newly installed vinyl sheets into place and to remove any air pockets. |
| Seam Sealer | Liquid that fills the gaps between vinyl sheets. |
| Self-Stick | A type of vinyl tile that has an adhesive backing already included. |
| Subfloor | Layer beneath a floor covering. |
| Underlayment | Layer installed between the subfloor and a vinyl floor for increased stability. |
| Urethane | Protective finish applied to many laminate floors. |
| Vinyl Sheets | Most commonly found with a faux-wood finish because this product closely resembles hardwood planks. |
| Vinyl Tiles | Tile shaped vinyl material available in a variety of colors and patterns. |