Flooring contractor glossary

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

What are rectified tiles?: Rectified tiles are factory-processed tiles with precisely cut, uniform edges that allow for minimal grout spacing and a nearly seamless appearance when installed.
What are tile spacers and grout joints?: Tile spacers are plastic or rubber devices that maintain uniform gaps between tiles during installation, which are then filled with grout to create joints that allow for movement and provide structural integrity.
What is a chevron pattern?: A chevron pattern is a flooring design where rectangular wood blocks are cut at 45-degree angles and arranged in a V-shaped zigzag formation, creating a directional arrow-like appearance across the floor.
What is a concrete moisture test?: A concrete moisture test measures water content or relative humidity in a concrete slab to determine whether it is dry enough for coating systems like epoxy or resin to adhere properly.
What is a herringbone pattern?: A herringbone pattern is a diagonal zigzag arrangement of rectangular parquet or timber planks, where each row alternates direction at 45-degree angles to create a distinctive V-shaped visual effect.
What is a moisture vapor barrier?: A moisture vapor barrier is a membrane or coating applied to concrete slabs to block water vapor from rising through the slab before flooring or coatings are installed.
What is a skirting board?: A skirting board is the trim or molding installed along the wall-floor junction to conceal gaps and protect the base of walls from damage.
What is a wear layer?: A wear layer is the transparent protective top coating of vinyl and engineered flooring, typically measured in mils (thousandths of an inch), that resists scratches, stains, and foot traffic.
What is anti-static flooring (ESD flooring)?: Anti-static flooring, also called ESD (electrostatic dissipative) flooring, is a conductive or dissipative floor surface designed to safely discharge static electricity in environments where sensitive equipment or materials could be damaged by electrostatic discharge.
What is carpet pile density?: Carpet pile density refers to the number of fiber tufts packed into a given area of carpet, measured in ounces per square yard or tufts per square inch, and directly impacts the carpet's durability, comfort, and performance.
What is carpet tile tufting?: Carpet tile tufting is a construction method where yarn is mechanically inserted (tufted) into a primary backing to form the pile surface, which can be left as loops or cut to create a finished texture.
What is click-lock flooring?: Click-lock flooring features interlocking edges on planks that click and lock together without glue, allowing the entire floor to float above the subfloor.
What is engineered timber flooring?: Engineered timber flooring consists of a solid hardwood veneer glued to a plywood or softwood core, designed to resist warping and cupping in humid environments.
What is epoxy screed?: Epoxy screed is a trowel-applied, aggregate-filled epoxy system applied at thickness of 3-6 mm or more to create a monolithic, wear-resistant industrial floor surface.
What is epoxy self-leveling?: A liquid epoxy coating that flows across a floor substrate and naturally settles into a smooth, flat surface without additional troweling or finishing work.
What is floor sanding and polishing?: Floor sanding and polishing is a mechanical refinishing process that removes the worn or damaged surface layer of timber flooring using progressively finer abrasive grits, followed by sealing to restore appearance and durability.
What is floor screed?: A cement-based mortar layer spread over a concrete slab to create a flat, level surface for tile or other floor finishes to be applied.
What is loop pile vs cut pile?: Loop pile and cut pile are the two fundamental carpet pile structures: loop pile leaves yarn loops intact on the surface, while cut pile severs those loops to create individual strands.
What is marble honing and polishing?: Marble honing and polishing are surface finishing processes that use abrasive techniques to create either a matte honed finish or a high-gloss polished finish, affecting both aesthetic appearance and slip resistance.
What is polyurethane floor coating?: Polyurethane floor coating is a two-part protective finish applied to concrete floors that cures into a flexible, durable layer resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and moisture.
What is solid parquet?: Solid parquet is flooring made from timber blocks, typically arranged in geometric patterns like herringbone or chevron, installed directly to a substrate and sanded and refinished to restore appearance.
What is SPC flooring?: SPC (stone plastic composite) flooring is a rigid vinyl product with a solid stone-plastic core that provides better waterproofing and dimensional stability than standard vinyl planks.
What is terrazzo flooring?: Terrazzo is a composite flooring material composed of stone chips (marble, granite, or other aggregates) embedded in a cement or resin binder, then ground and polished to create a smooth, durable surface.
What is underlayment?: A thin foam or IXPE material layer installed under floating floors to reduce sound transmission and provide moisture protection between the subfloor and finished flooring.