Created byPQ Admin
This 72-card set will help you prepare for the Red Seal Exam for Floorcovering Installers. It covers advanced terms and concepts that are essential for success on the exam, while ignoring obvious or easy material. Learn and test your knowledge with these concise, informative cards.
Flashcards in set (54)
TermAxminster carpet
DefinitionA type of carpet featuring a cut-pile construction with an intricate pattern, typically woven on a Jacquard loom.
TermBroadloom
DefinitionA wide continuous roll of carpet, usually 12 to 15 feet in width.
TermCarpet seam
DefinitionThe junction where two pieces of carpet meet, usually joined by adhesive tape or heat-bonded tape.
TermCove base
DefinitionA trim piece installed at the base of a wall, providing a finished edge where the floorcovering meets the wall.
TermCut-and-loop pile
DefinitionA carpet construction that combines both cut and looped yarns, creating patterns and textures.
TermDelamination
DefinitionThe separation of a floorcovering's layers, often caused by excessive moisture or improper adhesive application.
TermDouble-gluedown installation
DefinitionA carpet installation method involving adhesive applied to both the subfloor and the carpet backing.
TermElastomeric
DefinitionA flexible, rubber-like material used in floorcoverings to provide resilience and durability.
TermFelt-backed vinyl
DefinitionA type of vinyl flooring with a felt backing that provides cushioning and dimensional stability.
TermFlatweave
DefinitionA non-pile woven textile used for floorcoverings, often found in area rugs and runners.
TermGauge
DefinitionThe distance between the needles on a tufting machine, affecting the density of a carpet.
TermHeat-welded seam
DefinitionA seam created by melting the edges of two pieces of resilient flooring and then fusing them together.
TermInlaid flooring
DefinitionA decorative flooring technique that incorporates multiple materials, colors, or patterns into a single surface.
TermJute
DefinitionA natural fiber used as a backing material for some types of carpeting.
TermKarndean
DefinitionA luxury vinyl tile (LVT) brand known for its realistic wood and stone designs.
TermLippage
DefinitionA condition where adjacent tiles are not level with each other, creating an uneven surface.
TermMoisture vapor emission rate (MVER)
DefinitionThe amount of moisture vapor that travels through a concrete slab over a specified time period, measured in pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours.
TermNotched trowel
DefinitionA tool used to spread adhesive, featuring notches that create ridges of consistent thickness.
TermOpen time
DefinitionThe time between applying an adhesive and when it is no longer able to bond the floorcovering.
TermPile reversal
DefinitionA phenomenon in which carpet fibers change direction, causing the appearance of shading or watermarking.
TermQuarter round
DefinitionA trim piece with a curved, quarter-circle profile, often used to cover the expansion gap between flooring and baseboards.
TermResilient flooring
DefinitionA category of flooring that includes vinyl, rubber, cork, and linoleum, known for their durability and flexibility.
TermScribing
DefinitionThe process of marking and cutting a piece of flooring to fit precisely against an irregular surface.
TermTack strip
DefinitionA narrow, wood or metal strip with protruding nails, used to secure the edges of wall-to-wall carpet.
TermUnderlayment
DefinitionA material placed between the subfloor and the finished floor, providing cushioning, insulation, or soundproofing.
TermVapor barrier
DefinitionA material used to prevent moisture from migrating through a subfloor or floorcovering.
TermWeld rod
DefinitionA thin rod of material used to create a heat-welded seam between two pieces of resilient flooring.
TermXPS underlayment
DefinitionExtruded polystyrene foam used as an underlayment for flooring, providing thermal insulation and moisture resistance.
TermYarn denier
DefinitionA unit of measurement for yarn thickness, often used in carpet manufacturing.
TermZ-bar
DefinitionA metal transition strip used to join carpet to a different type of flooring, such as tile or wood.
TermAcclimation
DefinitionThe process of allowing flooring materials to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the installation environment before installation.
TermBuckling
DefinitionA distortion in the surface of a floorcovering, caused by tension or compression.
TermCross-laminated timber (CLT)
DefinitionAn engineered wood product made from layers of wood, bonded together with adhesive.
TermDryback LVT
DefinitionLuxury vinyl tile (LVT) that requires an adhesive for installation, as opposed to click-together or loose-lay systems.
TermExpansion gap
DefinitionA space left around the perimeter of a room to allow for the natural expansion and contraction of flooring materials.
TermFlooring grade
DefinitionA classification system that indicates the quality, appearance, and intended use of a floorcovering.
TermGeotextile
DefinitionA synthetic, permeable fabric used beneath flooring installations to provide stabilization and separation.
TermHydronic radiant heating
DefinitionA heating system that uses water or another liquid to transfer heat through tubes installed beneath the floor.
TermInfrared thermography
DefinitionA diagnostic tool that uses infrared imaging to detect temperature differences in flooring materials, often used to identify moisture issues.
TermJanka hardness scale
DefinitionA measure of a wood's resistance to denting and wear, often used to compare the durability of different wood species.
TermKnot
DefinitionA natural imperfection in wood flooring, caused by the former presence of a branch.
TermLeveling compound
DefinitionA self-leveling mixture used to correct irregularities in a subfloor before installing a floorcovering.
TermModular carpet
DefinitionCarpet tiles that can be installed individually, allowing for easy replacement of damaged or worn areas.
TermNosing
DefinitionThe rounded, projecting edge of a stair tread, often covered by a metal or wood stair nosing.
TermOffset pattern
DefinitionA tile installation pattern in which each row is offset by half the length of a tile, creating a staggered appearance.
TermPatching compound
DefinitionA material used to fill holes or cracks in a subfloor, providing a smooth surface for floorcovering installation.
TermQuarter-turn installation
DefinitionA carpet tile installation method in which each tile is rotated 90 degrees from its neighbor, creating a checkerboard pattern.
TermRoll crush
DefinitionA temporary indentation in a carpet caused by compression during storage or transportation, typically resolved through restretching or exposure to heat and humidity.
TermSeam sealer
DefinitionAn adhesive applied to the edges of a carpet seam to prevent fraying and unraveling.
TermT-molding
DefinitionA transition strip shaped like the letter "T," used to join two floorcoverings of equal height.
TermUrethane adhesive
DefinitionA type of adhesive used for installing various types of floorcoverings, known for its strong bond and moisture resistance.
TermVOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
DefinitionChemical compounds that can be released into the air from some flooring materials and adhesives, potentially causing indoor air quality issues.
TermWoven vinyl
DefinitionA type of floorcovering made from interwoven strands of vinyl, offering a unique appearance and texture.
TermExpansion joint
DefinitionA gap between two sections of flooring or subflooring that allows for movement due to temperature and humidity changes.