Flooring contractors glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a flooring contractor provider in Connecticut.

What are herringbone and chevron patterns?: Herringbone and chevron are classic wood flooring patterns created by laying rectangular planks in angled, interlocking layouts. Herringbone uses offset bricks in a zigzag; chevron creates pointed angles where plank ends meet precisely.
What is a calcium chloride moisture test?: A calcium chloride moisture test measures moisture vapor emission from concrete slabs in pounds per 1,000 square feet over 24 hours, used to determine if a slab is dry enough for flooring or coating installation.
What is a Janka hardness rating?: The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of wood to denting by pressing a steel ball into the surface under a set load, with higher scores indicating greater durability for flooring applications.
What is a moisture barrier?: A moisture barrier is a plastic or foil sheet installed between concrete slabs and finish flooring to block moisture vapor from damaging wood, vinyl, or other flooring materials.
What is a PEI rating?: The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating is a numerical scale from 0 to 5 that measures how well glazed ceramic or porcelain tile resists surface abrasion and wear.
What is a subfloor?: A subfloor is the structural layer of plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), or concrete slab that sits beneath finish flooring materials and forms the base for installation.
What is a wear layer?: The wear layer is the clear protective top coating on luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or vinyl tile (LVT) flooring, measured in thousandths of an inch (mils), that resists scratching, staining, and foot traffic damage.
What is carpet padding density?: Carpet padding density is the weight of padding material per cubic foot, measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF), which determines how well the pad resists compression and supports carpet longevity.
What is carpet pile (loop vs cut pile)?: Carpet pile is the yarn loops that make up the carpet's surface texture, divided into loop pile (looped strands) and cut pile (strands cut at the top), each affecting durability, appearance, and comfort differently.
What is engineered hardwood flooring?: Engineered hardwood flooring consists of a thin layer of real hardwood veneer glued to a plywood or high-density fiberboard core, designed to resist warping from humidity changes.
What is floating floor installation?: A flooring system where planks lock together at the seams and sit above the subfloor without being glued or nailed down.
What is hand-scraped hardwood?: Hand-scraped hardwood is a flooring surface created by scraping or machine-distressing wood planks to produce a worn, rustic appearance that naturally camouflages scratches and foot traffic marks.
What is luxury vinyl plank (LVP)?: Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a multi-layer plastic composite flooring material engineered to look like wood while offering superior water resistance and durability in high-moisture areas.
What is prefinished vs site-finished hardwood?: Prefinished hardwood arrives with factory-applied finish already applied, while site-finished hardwood is sanded and sealed on-site after installation.
What is sanded vs unsanded grout?: Sanded grout contains silica sand for strength and is used in joints 1/8 inch or wider, while unsanded grout omits sand and is suited for narrow joints under 1/8 inch to avoid cracking.
What is self-leveling underlayment?: A pourable cement-based mixture applied to uneven subfloors to create a flat, level surface for finish flooring or coatings.
What is solid hardwood flooring?: Solid hardwood flooring is made from single-piece milled wood planks that run the full thickness from top to bottom, typically 3/4 inch thick, and can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime.
What is SPC core flooring?: SPC (stone plastic composite) core is a rigid layer made from limestone and plastic resin used in vinyl planks to provide dimensional stability and complete waterproofing.
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?: Porcelain tile is fired at higher temperatures from refined clay, absorbing minimal water and resisting wear, while ceramic tile is fired at lower temperatures from mixed clays, absorbs more moisture, and suits lower-traffic areas.
What is thinset mortar?: Thinset mortar is a cement-based adhesive mixed to a putty-like consistency and applied in a thin layer to bond tile to a substrate such as drywall, cement board, or concrete.
What is underlayment?: Underlayment is a thin material layer placed between a subfloor and finish flooring to provide cushioning, sound dampening, or moisture protection depending on the flooring type.
What is wire-brushed hardwood texture?: Wire-brushed hardwood texture is created by brushing wire bristles across the wood surface to remove softer grain material, exposing harder wood beneath and producing visible grain definition and textured character.
What is wood floor acclimation?: Acclimation is the process of allowing hardwood flooring to adjust to a room's moisture and temperature conditions before installation.
What is WPC core flooring?: WPC core flooring is a vinyl product with a foamed wood-plastic composite middle layer that provides cushioning, softer feel, and acoustic dampening compared to rigid SPC alternatives.