Wood flooring jargon

If you have already started to look at wood flooring and finding out how to fit it yourself, you have probably come up against some specialist jargon that means very little to you. 

Below we demystify the words people in our industry use.

Materials you may need to get a professional finish

Screed
Screed is used to level uneven floors.  It often comes in liquid form that is applied to your existing concrete flooring and spreads out to create a level surface.  Once the screed hardens you are able to lay your floor over it.

Damp-proof membrane (DPM)
The damp proof membrane is a plastic sheet.  It is essential when laying laminate or wooden boards over a concrete or sand and cement floor.  It stops moisture getting into the boards, which can lead them to warp.

Leveller board
Leveller boards come in thick recycled paper to create good sound insulation.  They also come in multipurpose wood boards, such as hardboard or plywood.

Underlay
Underlay is used to cushion the flooring boards, helping to increase their durability and providing insulation.

There are several grades, the cheaper cell polythene foam through to the top of the range felt underlay with a silver foil layer.

Tongue-and-groove
Tongue and groove describes the plank type.  Each plank will have a combination of tongue (projects from the side of the plank) and grooves (which indent the side of the plank).  The tongue fits into the groove securing the boards together.

Click-lock planks
Click lock planks are like tongue and groove, but have shaped edges which require a sequence of movements to fit them together.  Once they are fitted together they can not be move apart.

Tools needed to make the job of fitting wooden flooring easier

Tapping block
The tapping block is a plastic block which is shaped to fit along side the wooden flooring.  You hammer the block instead of hammering directly onto the wooden flooring which will damage it.

Pull bar
Where it isn't possible to use a tapping block the pull bar can be used to pull the planks tightly together.  It is very useful once you reach a wall as it is just big enough to fit into the gap between wall and plank.

Expansion Gap
An expansion gap is needed around your entire floor, this gives a small margin for movement of the wood during hot and cold weather.  Without this gap the flooring can buckle and bend.

Wedges and spacers
Wedges and spacers are used to create the expansion gap.  Simply put them between the wall and your wooden flooring to secure your gap until you have finished and can remove them.

Adhesive
This is used to glue tongue-and-groove boards together and to fix beading or skirting in place above the edge of the floor.

Wood floor plank features

Bevelled edges
Some laminate floors have edges that turn downwards, creating a more realistic boarded appearance once fitted together.

Embossing
Laminated flooring can have knots or grain embossed into them which you can see.  If you run your fingers over the knots or grain you can actually feel these features, and it makes the flooring look realistic.

Finishing touches

Radiator pipe roses
These ring-doughnut-shaped pieces of wood or plastic are used to cover the expansion gaps left around radiator pipes.