Category: Glossary of Terms -I

The intensity of a color is its purity or degree of hue as seen by the eye.

Includes all defects or blemishes produced in manufacturing.

In the impact bending test, a hammer of given weight is dropped upon a beam from successively increased heights until rupture occurs or the beam deflects 152 mm (6 in.) or more. The height of the maximum drop, or the drop that causes failure, is a comparative value that represents the ability of wood to…

Refers to the methods used to install hardwood flooring. Options include: nail down, glue down, staple down, and floating.

Technique involving laying multiple pieces down to create a pattern inside the hardwood. For example, a border or a mosaic.

See Radiant Heating.

Refers to the likelihood that the flooring will not burn.

The ability of a flooring material to resist fracture or damage from a falling object is termed as its impact resistance. A floor with a high impact resistance will continue to look good even if things are regularly dropped on it or dragged across it.