Distributors and Wholesalers of Home Floor Covering Key Terms

Learn the terms to help you choose the right home floor covering

By Catherine Ryan

Whether you run a retail home flooring shop or are a housing developer, it is important to understand the key terms associated with distributors and wholesalers of home floor coverings. From wood and carpet to tile and linoleum, there is a wide selection of flooring options available, and a variety of technical jargon that goes along with it. As you search for the right home floor covering, you'll want to learn terms like resilient flooring, plush, vinyl remnants, engineered hardwood, laminate and carpet pad.

Resilient flooring

Resilient flooring is a type of artificial sheet flooring made of plastic, fillers and dyes. It is available in a range of thicknesses. You'll find it marketed as vinyl, linoleum, cork and rubber flooring.
Try: Find out more about resilient flooring at Resilient Floor Covering Institute.

Plush

Plush describes carpeting with a high, slightly twisted pile of even height. Plush carpeting is a popular option for bedrooms, family rooms, and formal living and dining rooms.
Try: Go to FloorBiz for an in-depth description of plush carpet. You can also find tips about the best applications for this type of carpet.

Vinyl remnants

Vinyl remnants are the rolls of vinyl flooring that are left over after wholesalers or distributors make cuts for other jobs from the roll. Vinyl remnants are an extremely cost effective flooring option, especially for small jobs, such as apartment kitchens and bathrooms.
Try: Learn about vinyl remnants from Carpet Express.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is designed to emulate the look and feel of solid hardwood. Laminate flooring usually consists of several layers of fiberboard topped with a thin layer of laminate that is printed with an image of wood grain. Laminate is generally cheaper and more stable than genuine hardwood.
Try: On its website, FlooringGuide.com explains the particulars about laminate flooring.

Engineered hardwood

Like laminate, engineered hardwood is a type of wood flooring that is comprised of a combination of materials. The components of engineered hardwood include a core of MDF board, hardwood or plywood that is coated with a thin veneer of a particular hardwood. Engineered hardwood provides the beauty of real hardwood with the increased stability of a compressed wood product.
Try: Visit BuildDirect for more information on engineered hardwood.

Carpet pad

Carpet pad, sometimes referred to as cushion, is the term for the roll of foam or rubber sheeting that is laid down beneath wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpet pads protect the sub flooring while making the carpeting more comfortable and easier to clean.
Try: Visit the website for Shaw Industries Group to learn about carpet pads and their many benefits.