This glossary covers essential flooring terms for homeowners, contractors, and retailers. Jump to a section below.
General Flooring Terms
Pro Tip: Measure length × width for square footage, then add 10% extra for cuts and waste.
Abrasion ResistanceDurability
A material's ability to withstand wear and tear from foot traffic — critical in hallways, kitchens, and entryways.
AcclimationInstall Prep
Letting new flooring adjust to the room's temperature and humidity before installation — prevents warping or gaps.
Moisture BarrierProtection
A material that blocks moisture from migrating through the subfloor and damaging your flooring from below.
PlankFormat
An individual board used in hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring — typically long and narrow.
Square Footage (Sq. Ft.)Measurement
The standard unit for calculating floor area. Multiply length by width to get your total.
Square Yard (Sq. Yd.)Measurement
Common in carpet sales. 1 square yard = 9 square feet.
SubfloorStructure
The structural layer beneath underlayment and flooring — typically plywood or concrete.
TileFormat
A square or rectangular piece of flooring material — ceramic, stone, or vinyl.
UnderlaymentInstall Prep
A layer beneath the flooring that adds cushioning, moisture protection, and sound insulation.
Wear LayerDurability
The top surface of LVP, laminate, and similar floors — resists scratches, stains, and UV fading.
Flooring Material Types
Pro Tip: For bathrooms or basements, choose LVP, LVT, vinyl sheet, or porcelain tile — they're fully waterproof. Hardwood and laminate can buckle with sustained moisture.
CarpetSoft
Woven fiber flooring offering warmth, comfort, and excellent sound insulation. Ideal for bedrooms.
Ceramic TileHard
Natural clay-based tiles — durable, water-resistant, and available in countless styles.
CorkNatural
Sustainable, naturally water-resistant material with great comfort underfoot and sound absorption.
Engineered HardwoodWood
Real wood veneer over a plywood core — more stable than solid hardwood in humid climates.
HardwoodWood
Solid natural wood planks. Beautiful, durable, and adds real estate value — but sensitive to moisture.
LaminateSynthetic
A photographic image layer with a protective wear layer — looks like wood at a fraction of the cost.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)Vinyl
100% waterproof vinyl planks that mimic wood or stone. Perfect for high-traffic or wet areas.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)Vinyl
Same durability as LVP but in tile format — great for bathrooms and kitchens.
Porcelain TileHard
Denser and more water-resistant than standard ceramic — ideal for high-traffic or outdoor use.
Stone TileNatural
Granite, slate, and marble — luxurious but heavy, porous, and requiring specialized sealing.
Vinyl SheetVinyl
Budget-friendly, fully water-resistant, and seamless — a workhorse for kitchens and laundry rooms.
Flooring Installation Terms
Click LockMethod
Planks snap together without glue or nails — fast, DIY-friendly, and easy to replace individual boards.
Direct Glue DownMethod
Flooring is adhered directly to the subfloor with adhesive — very stable but harder to remove.
Floating FloorMethod
Planks connect to each other but not the subfloor — allows for natural expansion and contraction.
GroutTile
Fills the gaps between tiles for stability and a clean finished appearance.
Tongue and GrooveJoinery
A plank's protruding tongue slots into the groove of the next — creates a seamless, locked connection.
Additional Flooring Terms
Cashmere BackingCarpet
A soft, felt-like carpet backing providing extra comfort and sound absorption.
Janka Hardness TestWood
Measures a wood's resistance to indentation — higher scores mean harder, more dent-resistant floors.
Lead TimeOrdering
How long it takes for your order to be manufactured and delivered — factor this into your project timeline.
MilMeasurement
1 mil = 1/1000 of an inch. Used to measure wear layer thickness in LVP and LVT.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)Ordering
The minimum amount of product a supplier requires per purchase order.
MoldingFinishing
Decorative trim that conceals expansion gaps along walls and baseboards for a polished look.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)Acoustics
Rates how well a material absorbs sound — higher NRC = quieter room.
PEI RatingTile
Porcelain Enamel Institute rating for ceramic tile wear resistance — higher ratings handle more traffic.
R-ValueInsulation
Measures thermal resistance — important for flooring over cold subfloors or unheated spaces.
Transition StripFinishing
Connects two different flooring types at doorways, creating a smooth, safe transition.
Arko Flooring — locally owned in Pennsylvania, wholesale prices, top manufacturers.
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