Flooring contractors glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a flooring contractor provider in Klang Valley.
- What is a carpet tile modular system?
- Carpet supplied in square modules (typically 50cm x 50cm or similar) rather than continuous rolls, designed for easy individual replacement and adaptable commercial floor layouts.
- What is a chevron pattern?
- A chevron pattern is a V-shaped wood flooring arrangement where each plank is cut at 45-degree angles and laid to form continuous zigzag rows across the floor.
- What is a click-lock flooring system?
- A click-lock system is a mechanical joint using interlocking tongue-and-groove edges that allow flooring planks to lock together and float on the subfloor without glue or fasteners.
- What is a drum sander?
- A drum sander is a floor sanding machine with a large rotating cylindrical drum that performs the first heavy-duty abrasive pass to remove old finishes and level timber floors.
- What is a floor hardener for concrete?
- A floor hardener is a chemical treatment applied to concrete surfaces to densify the top layer, reduce dusting, and increase resistance to abrasion and wear in heavy-traffic or industrial environments.
- What is a herringbone pattern?
- A herringbone pattern is a wood flooring layout where rectangular planks are arranged in a V-shaped zigzag, with each plank angled at 45 degrees to the next.
- What is a moisture barrier for flooring?
- A moisture barrier is a plastic sheet or coating installed beneath timber or laminate flooring to block moisture rising from concrete slabs or damp ground.
- What is a tile leveling system?
- A clip-and-wedge mechanical system that holds large-format tiles at the same height during installation to prevent uneven surfaces (lippage) between adjacent tiles.
- What is a tile spacer?
- A tile spacer is a small plastic cross or T-shaped device placed between tiles during installation to maintain consistent, even spacing for grout joints.
- What is a vapour barrier primer?
- A moisture-blocking primer applied to concrete substrates before epoxy coating to prevent water vapour transmission that causes adhesion failure and surface bubbling.
- What is a wear layer?
- The wear layer is the clear protective top coating on vinyl and SPC planks, measured in mil thickness, that resists scratches, stains, and wear from daily use.
- What is an epoxy self-leveling floor?
- A poured epoxy resin system that flows across a substrate and automatically levels itself to create a smooth, even floor surface without seams or joints.
- What is anti-static flooring?
- Anti-static flooring is a conductive or ESD epoxy coating system designed to safely dissipate static electrical charges and prevent electrostatic discharge that can damage electronics and sensitive components.
- What is carpet pile?
- Carpet pile is the visible surface layer of carpet made from looped or cut fibers that determines its texture, durability, and appearance.
- What is engineered timber flooring?
- Engineered timber flooring consists of a thin hardwood veneer glued to a plywood or hardwood plank base, designed for greater dimensional stability than solid wood in fluctuating moisture conditions.
- What is epoxy flake flooring?
- Epoxy flake flooring is a decorative system where vinyl or polyurethane chips are scattered onto wet epoxy resin and sealed, creating a textured, slip-resistant surface.
- What is grout?
- Grout is a paste-like filler made from cement, sand, water, or epoxy resin that sets between tiles to seal gaps, prevent moisture ingress, and stabilize the tile surface.
- What is marble polishing (crystallisation)?
- Marble polishing through crystallisation is a chemical treatment that hardens the surface of marble by forming a protective crystal layer, creating a high-gloss finish that is more durable than mechanical polishing alone.
- What is nosing on stair edges?
- Nosing is the protective trim molding installed along the exposed edge of a stair tread to cover the raw flooring edge and provide a finished, safe transition at each step.
- What is rectified tile?
- Rectified tile is a tile that has been precision-cut along its edges to reduce thickness variation and allow for tighter, more uniform grout joints compared to standard pressed tiles.
- What is screeding?
- Screeding is the application of a cement-sand mortar layer spread and flattened over a subfloor to create a level surface for tiling or other floor finishes.
- What is solid parquet flooring?
- Solid parquet flooring consists of individual hardwood blocks or strips of solid timber, typically laid in traditional patterns like herringbone or basketweave during installation.
- What is SPC flooring?
- SPC (stone polymer composite) flooring is a rigid vinyl plank with a core made from limestone, polyvinyl chloride, and plasticizers that resists water and dimensional change, sitting between LVT and WPC in durability tiers.
- What is underlayment for flooring?
- Underlayment is a thin foam or felt layer installed between a subfloor and floating floor to provide cushioning, sound dampening, and moisture resistance.