A Glossary Of Flooring Terms

Every industry has its language and terms. These words and phrases can be confusing to anyone who is not part of the daily operations of a specific sector, and the flooring industry is no exception.

To help you understand the terms, acronyms, and phrases regularly used when considering flooring options, Expert Flooring INC. has created this handy reference guide. Here, you’ll find valuable information allowing you to comprehend and communicate your flooring needs and preferences effectively.

Baseboard
In the context of flooring, a baseboard is usually a wooden or vinyl board covering the lowest part of an interior wall. Its purpose is to cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor.

Fiber
Fiber flooring is scientifically engineered out of woven fiberglass, foam, and several resilient layers. A unique flooring option that stands up to real-life water, moisture, scuffs, scratches, and indentations and looks great for years and years.

Binding
Binding is the process of taking a piece of carpet and applying stitching, fabric, or adhesive to the edges to keep it from wearing out and unraveling.

Carpet tiles
Carpet tiles, also known as modular carpets or square carpets, are squares cut from wall-to-wall rolls which can be fitted together to make up a carpet. They are generally a cost-effective option that can be installed and combined in several creative ways.

Broadloom
Broadloom carpets are woven on a wide loom and installed wall-to-wall giving a uniform appearance. Unlike tiled carpets, broadloom seams are sealed with a chemical to appear like a singular piece. This option is a good fit for large areas, and the padding helps mask substrate imperfections.

Adhesive
Carpet adhesive, also known as carpet glue, is often used instead of carpet tacks for keeping a carpet well-grounded and in place. Carpet adhesive is an excellent choice for installing wall-to-wall carpeting and stairway carpets.

Cork
Cork is a great flooring choice for comfort-conscious homeowners. Cork flooring adds warmth and comfort underfoot and is a noise insulator, so it is excellent for busy rooms of your home, like the kitchen.

Cupping
Cupping occurs as a result of the high moisture content in solid wood flooring. Wood tends to swell as the moisture content increases and shrinks when the moisture content diminishes. This causes a defect in the wood floor where the sides of the flooring are higher than the center of the boards, thus giving it a visibly concave shape.

Cut and loop
A cut and loop is a carpet style that combines looped fibers with cut (straight) ones. This allows the manufacturer to create a design in the carpet, which can be geometric or abstract.

Gaps
Gaps between the bottom of the baseboard and the floor usually occur because floor joists sag and foundations settle over many years. In some cases, these gaps are wide enough to allow air infiltration, which can seriously impact your home’s energy consumption.

Carpet density
Generally, the higher the carpet density numbers, the better your carpet will perform under pressure. Higher-density carpets also make it more difficult for dirt and stains to penetrate away from the surface.

Dimensional stability
Dimensional stability refers to a carpet’s tendency to retain its size and shape. Before the secondary backing is applied, a piece of greige carpet has no dimensional stability. It is much like a dishcloth. But, once the secondary backing is applied, the carpet should be dimensionally stable.

Beveled edge
A beveled edge is often used to smooth angles on materials where a sharp edge might be dangerous, such as counters, cabinets, and tabletops. A bevel may appear on baseboards, molding, and trim for decorative appeal.

Berber carpet
Berber carpets were originally hand-woven by the Berber people in North Africa and the Sahara. Modern Berbers are offered in a variety of colors and patterns using texture, twist, plush, and looped weaves to create pieces of art from millennium-old inspirations. Berber or looped-weave carpets are very durable. They can be used in high-traffic areas of the home, as well as commercial spaces.

If you’re looking for flooring contractors in Richmond Hill, Ontario, reach out to Expert Flooring INC. We offer solid and engineered hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, carpets, area rugs, runners, tiles, ceramic, vinyl flooring, and more.

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