Grant's Dictionary of Floor covering terms. 

A list of common terms and there simple explanation with updates regularly!

• LAYOUT TYPES

• STRAIGHT SET
  • Straight set is the most common layout when tile is being installed. Your grout lines line up in a straight line and the tiles are set one behind the other. There are other options that create different effects.
  
  
• BRICK SET
  • Brick set is becoming one of the more popular layouts for tile. In this layout, your tiles are set with an offset. This set does create a pattern, and does not require as much of an overage as a diagonal set. With your installation being done this way, one of the best features is that your grout lines are now offset. Your natural eye will now notice the tile so much more than the grout lines and wether or not they are running straight. With this layout, you also do not have increase your overage much more than a normal set.
  
  
• DIAGONAL SET
• Diagonal set is also an extremely popular way to layout tile. This creates a diagonal pattern and makes a statement with your floor. This option does however, require the largest increase in overage, as there are more cuts. It also costs a bit more, as for the installer, it takes longer to complete.

• LISTELLOS

• Premade tile decorative pieces, usually 3 inches to 4 inches wide, by 12 inches long, installed as a decorative edge piece between two types of flooring or used to create borders. Superior accent pieces made of all varieties of material. Stone, marble, porcelain and glass listellos are available. These can be the accent touch that makes a bold statement in your floor. They also are used in order to save you from having to remove existing flooring and instead just placing these and continuing on with new flooring.

• PORCELAIN TILE VS. CERAMIC TILE

• Porcelain tile differs from ceramic tile in its manufacture, absorption and MOSTLY its “breaking strength”. These inherent differences in the manufacturing processes and quality of the raw materials make porcelain tile a superior product in terms of value, “durability”, color and design. Porcelain tile is pressed under higher pressure than other tiles. It is also fired at a temperature of 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, while ceramic tile would be fired at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. These are the two most important reasons that porcelain tile, weather the high end type, or the budget type, is ALWAYS YOUR BEST OPTION. Porcelain tile will not chip as easily as ceramic tile, and if it does, the color within the body of the tile is either white, or sometimes even the color of the tile itself. Ceramic tile normally has a “red clay” body and therefore when it chips, you have little red spots showing. Often in a home with ceramic tile, if you look closely, you will find “touch ups” all over to hide the chips. Anytime that you can, make your choice PORCELAIN!!

• POWER STRETCH

• The “ONLY” way to install carpeting. A tool used to properly install carpeting, creating the most powerful stretch and hold. Helps aid in the elimination of need for restretches in the future.

• VINYL PLANK FLOORING

• Material manufactured from vinyl, made into planks, just as in “real wood”, and installed with exact installation method as wood or laminate flooring. Installation is completed with a stagger set. Advantages of this type of material over sheet vinyl or even laminate flooring are; better appearance of “real wood”; repairs less expensive than that of laminate board repairs; maintenance is simple – mop and go; durable; if damage occurs, only one piece needs to be replaced – remainder of floor is fine, unlike sheet vinyl where if damage occurs, the entire floor needs to be replaced.