Glossary of Laminate Terms
Acclimation
The adaption of the laminate floor to its installation environment.
Backing
The bottom layer which is a plastic layer that helps guard the laminates from moisture and acts as a stabilizer to the planks and tiles.
End molding
Also a carpet reducer, this is a transition piece from the laminates to another type of flooring.
Laminate flooring
A manufactured type of flooring that act out the look of natural wood, stone, and many other types of floors.
Moldings
Trim piece that fill the space that is left to allow the floors to expand and move naturally over the subflooring. These trim pieces also can act as a transitional piece from one flooring to another.
Peaking
Can sometimes be seen between the tiles of planks of laminates as a seam.
Plank
A panel of laminate that are usually five or six times longer than they are wide.
Quarter round
Used wherever the laminate flooring reaches a wall or baseboard.
Reducer
The piece used to transition from laminates to another type of flooring.
Screens
The different variations of the photos used in the looks of the laminates. The more screens a style has the more authentic it will look.
Seams
The location where the panels meet together.
Multi-purpose
Used when the laminates meet with carpets or other vertical surfaces that expose an edge (i.e. fireplaces)
Stair noise
A molding piece coordinating each of the steps of the home.
Tile
Laminate flooring that comes in a square shape rather than a plank.
T-molding
Used in doorways to join laminate flooring from two different rooms. It also can be used from laminate to other flooring that is the same height.
Underlayment
A material used under the laminates that act as both a moisture and a sound barrier. This also lets the floor expand and contract with the differences of the temperature.
Wear layer
The durable top layer of the laminates which provides protection from stains.
