Category: Glossary of Terms -P

In hardwood flooring, a small round hole not more than 1/16″ (1.5626mm) in diameter, made by a small wood-boring insect.

When shopping for a hardwood floor you will see boards in various sizes. The narrower board widths are referred to as “strips” and the wider units as “planks.” When we think of solid wood floors we generally are talking about a 3/4″ thick plank that is 2 1/4″ wide. This is the classic strip wood…

A process of impregnating lumber or other wood products with various chemicals, such as preservatives and fire-retardants, by forcing the chemicals into the structure of the wood using high pressure.

A method of sawing lumber, where the log is cut tangential to the growth rings.

Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes, which was formally known as the Pan European Forest Certification Scheme.

To convert a log into veneer by rotary cutting.

Pith-like irregular discoloured streaks of tissue in wood, due to insect attack on the growing tree.

Flooring that is sanded, stained and sealed before installation, usually done at the flooring factory. Factory-finished flooring that only requires installation. In many cases this can provide a harder, better- protected surface. Several coats of urethane are sprayed on the boards and then they are UV dried for a very durable finish. Pre-finished floors offer…

A clear, tough and durable finish for hardwood that is applied as a wear layer.

A power nailer that uses air pressure to operate, commonly used to speed the process of nail down hardwood installations.