Category: Glossary of Terms -G

The recommended mastic or adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the subfloor. You should know that engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. Solid strip floors and plank floors can only be nailed or stapled.

Three distinct grain patterns: Plain Sawn; Vertical; Curly. Plain Sawn has an arching grain. Vertical has pinstripes with no growth rings over 45 degrees perpendicular to the face and Curly is the rarest.

A stamp or symbol indicating the grade, quality, and/or intended use of a piece of lumber, plywood, or other wood products. To be recognized as “grade marked”, the product must bear an official stamp issued by a grading agency and must be applied by a qualified grader; or it must be accompanied by a certificate…

Heartwood is typically a medium reddish brown with irregularly spaced streaks of dark brown to black. Color tends to darken with age. Grain can be straight, but is usually wavy or interlocked. Fine, uniform texture with good natural luster. Hard, heavy, and dense. Used for flooring, veneers, furniture, cabinetry, carving, turned objects, and other small…

Modified fibers that are associated with tension wood in hardwoods.

Refers to the alignment of the fibers in the wood, which designates the pattern seen on the flooring. Each wood species has its own unique graining and texture.

Refers to the appearance of wood used to create the flooring, usually based on the number of visible knots and mineral streaks.

Refers to a very easy do-it-yourself installation of engineered hardwood flooring. No glue is required to install the floor because everything “clicks” and “locks” into place.

A device used to measure the gloss level of a floor’s finish.

Refers to the reflection from the finish. Standard gloss levels are satin or matte, semi gloss and high gloss.