Flooring contractors glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a flooring contractor provider in Klang Valley.

What is a moisture barrier for flooring?: A moisture barrier is a layer of plastic sheeting or specialized coating installed between a concrete slab and flooring material to prevent moisture from rising through the ground.
What is a skirting board?: A skirting board is a decorative trim installed along the bottom of interior walls where they meet the floor, designed to conceal gaps, expansion joints, and protect wall bases from damage.
What is a vinyl wear layer?: The vinyl wear layer is a transparent protective coating applied over the printed design on vinyl flooring, measured in mils, that resists scratches, stains, and foot traffic wear.
What is an epoxy self-leveling coating?: A pourable epoxy resin formulation that flows across concrete substrates and automatically settles to create a level, monolithic floor surface without joints or seams.
What is anti-static epoxy flooring (ESD)?: Anti-static epoxy flooring (ESD) is a conductive flooring system designed to safely dissipate static electricity buildup, protecting sensitive electronic equipment and components in controlled environments.
What is balau wood?: Balau (Shorea species) is a dense tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia, valued for decking and flooring because of its high durability and inherent resistance to decay and wood-boring insects.
What is chengal wood?: Chengal is a dense, dark tropical hardwood from Southeast Asia, one of Malaysia's most durable timber species, widely used for flooring and construction due to its hardness and resistance to wear.
What is click-lock vinyl?: Click-lock vinyl is a vinyl plank flooring system where planks interlock along their edges and snap together without requiring adhesive or glue, allowing for floating floor installation.
What is engineered timber flooring?: Engineered timber flooring consists of a hardwood veneer glued to a plywood or hardwood core, designed to resist warping and movement from humidity and temperature changes.
What is epoxy flake flooring?: A flooring system where colored vinyl flakes are sprayed onto a wet epoxy base coat, creating a decorative and slip-resistant surface commonly used in commercial and residential garages.
What is floor polishing for timber?: Floor polishing for timber is the process of buffing a sanded wood floor and applying protective coatings to restore shine and seal the surface against wear and moisture.
What is floor sanding?: Floor sanding is the process of using drum sanders and edge sanders to mechanically strip the upper layers of a timber floor in preparation for staining, sealing, or other refinishing treatments.
What is homogeneous tile?: Homogeneous tile is a full-body porcelain tile where the colour, pattern, and composition are uniform from top to bottom, maintaining a consistent appearance even if the surface is scratched or chipped.
What is marble polishing crystallisation?: A chemical process that uses crystallising compounds and mechanical equipment to harden marble surfaces and restore their polish and lustre after wear or damage.
What is Merbau wood?: Merbau is a tropical hardwood species native to Southeast Asia, known for its deep golden-brown colour, high density, and durability, commonly used in solid timber flooring.
What is polyurethane (PU) floor coating?: Polyurethane (PU) is a flexible thermosetting resin coating applied to concrete or industrial floors to provide chemical resistance, durability, and tolerance to temperature changes.
What is screed flooring?: Screed flooring is a thin layer of cement mixed with sand, laid and leveled over a concrete substrate to prepare it for the installation of final flooring materials such as tiles, epoxy, or vinyl.
What is solid parquet flooring?: Solid parquet is flooring made from whole timber blocks or strips, typically arranged in geometric patterns like herringbone or basketweave, and installed directly onto a subfloor.
What is SPC flooring?: SPC flooring is a rigid vinyl product with a core layer of limestone powder and polyvinyl chloride stabilisers, designed to resist moisture and withstand tropical conditions.
What is stair nosing?: Stair nosing is the rounded or beveled edge trim attached to the front edge of a stair tread, serving to protect the exposed edge and improve safety and aesthetics.
What is tile grout?: Grout is a mortar-like filler material applied between tiles to seal joints, prevent water penetration, and hold tiles in position on floors and walls.
What is tile rectification?: Tile rectification is the precision-cutting of tile edges to achieve exact, uniform dimensions, allowing for minimal grout joints and near-seamless finishes on walls and floors.
What is underlayment in flooring?: Underlayment is a foam, felt, or composite layer placed under vinyl, laminate, or timber flooring to provide cushioning, sound dampening, and moisture protection.
What is WPC flooring?: WPC (wood plastic composite) flooring is a vinyl plank material with a composite core made from wood fibers and plastic, offering more cushioning than SPC variants.