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Based on an ancient painting technique, in which hot wax is combined with colored pigments and then applied to a surface, encaustic ceramic tiles are produced by combining clay and multiple powdered colors to create a pattern. The compound is then fired to seal the pattern…
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End grain refers to the grain of wood that is exposed when timber is cut across the growth rings at a 90-degree angle, as opposed to a plank of wood that has been cut along the length of the trunk. End grain exposes the character of…
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Embroidered refers to a textile that has been embellished on its surface with fibers, yarns, beads, or other materials. This style can be created by both hand and machine. Hand embroidery is typically constructed through stitch or needle work in the form of a decorative pattern…
Belting leather is a type of full-grain leather that was originally used for pulley belts in machinery during the Industrial Revolution. The heavyweight material—featuring a thick, firm feel with a smooth finish—can be either vegetable or chrome tanned.…
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Braiding is a technique that interlaces a minimum of three threads or strips diagonally across to form a narrow band that can be flat or tubular. Braids are most frequently used for trimmings and can also be sewn together to form a larger surface, such as…
Aldehyde tanning is a process that uses a combination of glutaraldehyde or oxazolidine that reacts with the hide protein to prevent putrefaction. It is typically used when chrome-free leather is specified. The hide is a cream or white color in its raw state and is often referred to as “wet-white”…
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Carved rug refers to carpets and rugs whose pile has been cut to varying levels. Using special tools, the carpets and rugs are carved—with grooves or “valleys” that are cut into the pile—to create patterns with three-dimensional effects. This technique is typically used for high-end rugs.…
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A transparent liquid that is absorbed by leather, aniline dye is used in a tanning method in which the leather does not receive any coating of pigmented finish. This results in a porous, smooth surface that clearly displays the texture of the animal hide, giving it…
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Cut pile is a type of carpet constructed of loop yarns that have been cut in half or sheared. Common cut pile styles include Saxony, with well-defined piles that stand straight up; frieze, featuring fibers that are highly twisted to enable the material to curl in…
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Corduroy is a ridged fabric made from cut pile yarn that has been woven into wales—also referred to as cords—which are the vertical ribs that run the length of the fabric and give corduroy its unique texture. It is a durable fabric that is often used…
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Blackout drapery refers to a type of window treatment that is made from an opaque fabric used to eliminate light in a room. These treatments can come in the form of curtains, shades, or blinds, and are designed to be tightly fitted to a window casing—ensuring…
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Engineered hardwood flooring is constructed from real wood slats that are adhered together in layers at opposing directions to form a plank. The cross-grain configuration minimizes expansion and shrinking, allowing for a tighter fit while installing and less movement after installation is complete. The two main…
Bear scratches are abnormalities formed from indented growth rings on the tangential face of wood, which look like a scratch from a bear’s claw—hence the name. They are commonly found in Sitka spruce.…
Bouclé is a type of novelty yarn with various sized loops that add texture and a curly, knotted finish to the end product. Named for the the French meaning of ‘to curl,’ Bouclé is composed of two or more yarns, with one of the yarns twisted tight to stabilize for…
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Based on an ancient painting technique, in which hot wax is combined with colored pigments and then applied to a surface, encaustic cement tiles consist of three layers of sand, cement, and marble dust, with a top layer measuring between ⅛-inch and ¼-inch in depth that…
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Beck Dyed is a method used to dye large batches of greige goods—usually in rope form—in large becks, vats, or steel tanks. Greige goods are moved in a circular motion in and out of an aqueous dyebath to help provide color uniformity. Although typically used for…
A bee’s wing is a type of wood figuring that typically appears in Indian satinwood, narra, mahogany, and eucalyptus. The small-scale, tight form resembles the wing of a bee, hence the name.…
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A bird’s eye is a type of wood figuring with a distinct swirling pattern in the grain that leads to the formation of small circular figures—or eyes—on the tangential face. Bird’s eyes are most often found in hard maple, as the logs are typically rotary cut…
Bonded leather—also called reconstituted leather or blended leather—is produced from waste that results during leather production. The leather scraps and leather fibers are made into a pulp and stuck to a fiber or paper backing. It is then coated with a polyurethane bonding agent and embossed to give the appearance…
Marquetry is the process of configuring elaborately inlaid patterns for use as decorative cladding on furniture and decorative objects. Thin sheets of wood veneer, shell, glass, or other materials are cut into small pieces and affixed to a wood surface in a predetermined pattern—oftentimes complex geometric designs or graphic depictions…
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Field tile refers to the primary area of tile that is covering a surface. It is the most prominent tile within the space.…
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Border tile refers to the tiles that surround the field tile—a decorative edging that results in a more finished design, which can highlight or frame particular areas within a space. Border tile designs can be used on both floors and walls, and come in a variety…
Broken fiddleback is a type of wood figuring that is similar to a fiddleback wood figure except it does not cross the whole leaf of the board, giving it a broken effect.…
A burl is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed, goiter-like manner. It can be found on all parts of the tree, including the trunk, base, or a branch filled with knots. Caused when a tree has undergone a form stress, such as injury, insect…
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Chrome tanning is a process in which hides are treated with chromium (III) salts. It is considered to be the most common form of tanning due to its fast process. In this method, a hide’s pH level needs to be increased before the tanning process begins…
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Heterogeneous is used to describe a type of flooring construction, often in the context of vinyl flooring, that is comprised of more than one layer of material. Unlike homogeneous flooring, the wear layer and printed layer in vinyl heterogeneous flooring allows it to be manufactured in…
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Homogeneous is used to describe a type of flooring construction that is comprised of a single layer of material. Unlike heterogeneous flooring, homogeneous flooring is one solid material that usually features color or pattern that has been uniformly dispersed throughout the product, otherwise known as through-body…
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Loop pile is a type of carpet that is constructed of uncut loop yarns. Some variations of loop pile carpet include level loop – featuring loops of uniform height – and multi-level loop, featuring loops of varying heights that create pattern and dimensional effects.…
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Taken from the French word for “quilted,” matelassé is a fabric construction that utilizes a compound weave structure. While simple weaves are confined to one set of yarns, matelassé uses multiple warp and weft series—typically three or four sets. Woven on a jacquard loom, they produce…
Parquetry refers to the process of installing mosaic flooring by fitting small pieces of hardwood together—usually blocks or strips measuring up to ¾-inch in thickness—to form inlaid or overlaid patterns, which are typically geometric and frequently incorporate a variety of species or finishes. Originally inspired by marquetry—the process of configuring elaborately…
Quarter turn is a type of carpet and modular flooring layout in which carpet tiles are installed in rows and columns, with each tile rotated 90-degrees—or quarter-turned—from the one before it.…
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A sequin is a shiny disk or bead that can be sewn onto clothing, textiles, trims, or wallcoverings for decoration. The embellishments are often used to add sparkle or shimmer to fabrics. Sequins are typically made from plastic or shiny metals in many geometrical shapes. They…
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Tip shear pile is a type of carpet that is constructed of a multi-level loop, where the tips of the higher loop yarns are sheared while the shorter loop yarns are left uncut. The combination adds texture and dimension to a carpet’s design or pattern.…
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A light duty, commercial grade vinyl wallcovering is categorized as Type I. This product is designed to be used in areas of light to moderate traffic, such as restaurants and office buildings. Vinyl wallcoverings labeled as Type I typically weigh between 12 to 19 ounces per…
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A medium to heavy-duty, commercial grade vinyl wallcovering is categorized as Type II. This product is designed to be used in high-traffic areas, such as schools, hallways, and retail spaces. Vinyl wallcoverings labeled as Type II typically weigh between 20 to 28 ounces per 54-inch linear…
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A vinyl wallcovering that is used in the most heavily trafficked areas is categorized as Type III. This material is best utilized in locations where more durable wall protection is needed, such as healthcare or restaurant environments. Vinyl wallcoverings labeled as Type III typically weigh between…
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Corrected grain is a leather hide whose surface has been altered or corrected. During the production process, the hide is frequently sanded or buffed on the grain side to remove imperfections and obtain a more uniform surface and the leather is often coated with a semi-aniline…
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Digital dye injection is a method where dye is injected onto the face of carpet with a series of small jets. The dye penetrates directly into the fiber and is chemically bonded to it. This process is used to create accurate, high-definition patterns and color gradations…
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Fringe refers to the warp’s yarns that are a by-product of the weaving process. These strands are typically left free on the short sides of a rug and can be loose or twisted.…
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Knit refers to a textile constructed by continuously interlocking loops of a single yarn or multiple yarns. Two techniques are used to create knitted fabrics: warp and weft knitting. Warp knitting occurs when the yarns move in the vertical direction of the fabric to form loops,…
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Quilted refers to a multilayered textile that is created by combining a face fabric, a fibrous batting, and a backing fabric. The process results in a thicker-padded material that features a surface pattern. This style can be created by commercial machinery or hand stitching.
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Rectified refers to a tile that has undergone an additional machining process to produce precise edges on all sides. This results in smaller, cleaner grout lines that give the tile a smooth look. Rectified tiles can be used on walls or floors to achieve a seamless…
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emi-aniline dyed refers to a process in which leather is aniline-dyed or stained, incorporating a small amount of pigment so as not to conceal the hide’s natural characteristics and grain. This results in leather that is typically soft and warm to the touch, with a thin…
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Subway tile refers to a rectangular shaped tile that was first introduced in New York’s subway stations. Traditionally they are white and measure 3 inches by 6 inches in size but have expanded over the years to include slimmer and larger formats, along with a wide…
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Trim tile refers to the tile placed along the edges to finish off the main area of an installation. Trim tiles can come in various shapes of bases, caps, corners, moldings, and more. A few common styles include bullnose, featuring a rounded edge; chair rail, which…
Cross cut is a stone slab cut perpendicular to the natural bedding. It is characterized by its mineral veins and layers that create a swirly or cloudy look at a cross section. This type of cut shows a mixture of dark and light colors on the same slab face.…
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Enhanced is a type of full grain leather that has a slight plating over its surface to help even the hide. This is done to improve the grain’s overall appearance.
Photography Courtesy of Foglizzo Leather…
Flashed is a method of firing brick that creates a reduced atmosphere in the kiln to change the brick’s color to a dark or black hue. It can also be referred to as reduction firing. The process typically changes the color of the brick’s surface, while the body retains its…
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Unglazed refers to tile that has been baked and not finished with a liquid coating on its surface. Its color is derived from mineral deposits found in the clay and runs throughout the body of the tile, resulting in an earthy, natural appearance. This style is…
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Full grain is a type of leather whose natural grain markings have not been corrected or altered in any way. It often displays natural characteristics and subtle markings that occurred during the life of an animal like insect bites, scars, and scratches. Full grain leather will…
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Haired hide, or hair-on hide, is a type of leather that has the original hairs intact. Unlike other kinds of leather, the hair is left on during the tanning process. It is typically used for its natural colors and appearance but can also be dyed. This…
Inlay is a decorative technique that inserts pieces of contrasting materials into a depression or shallow surface in a base object to create an ornamental design, pattern, or picture. The inlaid material is usually made flush with the surface it has been added to. This technique is commonly seen in…
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Traditional felt is a non-woven fabric that is produced by matting, condensing, and pressing loose fibers in order to form the structure of the fabric. With a loose construction that is subject to tearing, felt products that are used industrially are typically made by heating, shrinking,…
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Netted refers to textiles that are constructed through a method of fusing, looping, or knotting yarns at their intersection to create a geometrically shaped mesh or open fabric. This method can also be used with cords, threads, and ropes.
Photography Courtesy of 4Spaces…
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Nubuck is a type of top-grain leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side of the hide, resulting in a soft and velvet-like feel, which is similar to suede but more durable. The material has a fine pile, which can be recognized when…
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A pleat is a permanent, regular crease, wave, or fold in a fabric that is made using steam heat, pleater tape, and pleater hooks. While there are numerous types of pleats that can be created, they all take a wide piece of fabric and make its…
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Rouched, or ruched, refers to a gathered pleat or ruffle of fabric that is tightly stitched along the seam, creating soft folds that can stretch with the fabric.…
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Puckered refers to the process of intentionally gathering a fabric into wrinkles or small folds and fixing it in place using steam heat or sewing. Unlike pleated fabrics, puckered fabrics have irregular or wrinkled creases that are not measured out or made to create a repeat.…
A running bond is a bond in which each unit is staggered a ½ unit further than the adjacent course, resulting in a one-over-two pattern. It is considered to be the most common type of bond pattern used in construction and can be applied to any hard surface that consists…
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Solution dyed is the process of adding color to synthetic fibers in the liquid stage. Rather than adding color to the fiber after it has been created—as with dyeing natural fibers like wool that is spun and then dyed—the polymer itself is dyed all the way…
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Top grain is a type of leather that has undergone minor corrections to its natural grain markings. It is made from the top or outermost layer of the hide. During the production process, top-grain leather can be corrected, meaning it can be treated to reduce blemishes…
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Type 6 Nylon, or Nylon 6, is a synthetic thermoplastic polyamide, whose fiber form is widely used in commercial carpets. Unlike Type 6,6 Nylon, its molecular structure contains one monomer called caprolactam, which is comprised of six carbon atoms. The fiber comes in two forms—filament or…
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Type 6,6 Nylon, or Nylon 6,6, is a synthetic thermoplastic polyamide, whose fiber form is widely used in commercial carpets. Unlike Type 6 Nylon, it has a molecular structure comprised of two monomers—adipoyl chloride and hexamethylene diamine—each containing six carbon atoms.The fiber comes in two forms—filament…
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Vegetable tanning uses tannins, or tanning agents, that are found naturally in plant-derived sources, including tree bark and various plant species. During this method, the tannins are placed alongside the hides in water-filled pits that create a tannic acid after a few days. Over time, the…
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Vein cut refers to a stone slab that is cut parallel to the natural bedding plane and shows the mineral veins running lengthwise or vertically along the slab. These veins stretch across the entirety of the slab and are often darker or lighter colors with similar…
A bevel edge is a straight planer cut added to the edges of a surface. According to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), this cut should be at or around a 45-degree angle and greater than a .045-inches in depth. It can be created on different flooring and surface materials…
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Digital print refers to a process of directly printing onto a substrate from a digital resource. The process deposits ink droplets of various colors in a continuous jet or pulse that combine to create the desired colors for a given design. With advancements in ink compositions…
A dye lot is a record attributed to all yarn or yardage in a specific dye bath. Yarns and pieces from the same dye lot are understood to have the same coloration and considered to be a match when used throughout a space. Even with consistent dye formulas between dye…
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Flannel is a soft and warm woven fabric that has a napped, or fuzzy, finish on both sides. Typically made of cotton, it may be brushed or unbrushed, depending on its desired softness and end use. Flannel is often woven with patterns, such as plaid or…
A knife edge top—sometimes referred to as a platner edge—is characterized by a sloping cut that recedes downward and away from the topmost edge of a surface. When used in countertop applications this edge profile is free from any material that protrudes beyond the edge of the top of the…
A micro bevel edge is similar to a bevel edge—a straight planer cut added to the edges of a surface—but falls within a tolerance measuring between .025-inches and .045-inches, as set forth by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). A micro bevel edge offers ease of cleaning and maintenance and…
Rawhide is a type of leather that has not been exposed to tanning. It is the original animal skin that has been cured and removed of fur, meat, and fat. This results in a natural look that is lighter in color than other kinds of leather. It is typically stretched…
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Screen print refers to a fabrication process for applying printed graphics. Designs are transferred to a screen that a resist has been applied to, allowing only the desired sections to retain permeability. Ink is then forced through the resulting open sections of the screen. Only one…
The term tongue and groove refers to an assembly technique that joins two like materials together, edge to edge, to create a single flat surface. It is commonly used for many types of wood and laminate flooring. Each floorboard piece has a protruding tongue on one side and a receiving…
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Waxed leather refers to a process in which an oily or waxy finish is applied to a hide. It can also be called pull-up or oiled leather. In this process, the waxes are often dyed, causing a slight risk of dye transfer. Waxed leather is soft…
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A woven textile is created by interlacing warp and weft (fill) yarns on a loom. Warp yarns run vertically in a loom and weft yarns run horizontally. Warp yarns are thin with a high twist, making them more durable than weft yarns. They usually have a…
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Standard expanded metal is a plate or sheet of metal that has been cut and stretched to form a mesh-like material. The most common expanded profile is a diamond shape because of its durability and ease of production but other profiles can be also achieved through…
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The term beaded refers to the process of stringing beads on a thread or wire, or of sewing them to a cloth. Beads can be made of various materials and are available in different sizes and shapes. Beadwork techniques can be combined with weaving, embroidery, crochet,…
Continuous dyed is a method used to dye large quantities of yarn, textiles, or carpet on a continuous production line. Unlike piece dyeing in batches, continuous dyeing involves moving the goods through the dye application, dye fixation, washing, and sometimes finishing stages without interruption.…
Corrugation is the process by which structural ridges can be introduced to a material. The advantages of corrugated material over sheet material include dramatically increased tensile and load-bearing strength. Different edge profiles can be applied to achieve different aesthetic and performance attributes. Many different types of materials can be corrugated including…
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Cross dyed is a method used to produce multicolor effects in yarns, textiles, or carpets made from more than one kind of fiber. The desired material can be dipped into a single dyebath and obtain varying color effects based on each fiber’s dye affinities. This method…
Curly wood figuring refers to a primarily horizontal pattern that runs perpendicular to the wood grain. This creates a three-dimensional effect that gives the wood a wavy surface when light reflects off of it, as if there are curls or ripples in the grain. It is commonly found in maple…
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Laminated refers to a fabrication process used for creating a composite surface in which two or more layers of a material have been bonded together. Typical heat, pressure, welding, adhesives, or a combination is used to bond the layers of the laminate together. Generally, a laminated…
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Luxury Vinyl Tile, or LVT, is a heterogeneous resilient flooring material comprised of multiple layers—most often an embossed or smooth wear layer coated with a protective finish, a printed film layer that can mimic the aesthetic of other materials, a vinyl or rigid core that provides…
Railroad is a term that refers to the direction in which a textile is applied to upholstery and drapery products. In contrast to the off-the-bolt or up-the-roll textile applications, railroaded textiles are positioned perpendicularly, in the direction of selvedge to selvedge. Stripes in particular are frequently railroaded. Since they are…
Stack bond, or stacked bond, refers to a pattern in which bricks or tiles are stacked on top of one another, resulting in continuous horizontal edge joints and the vertical head joints. A stack bond pattern is typically used in non-load bearing situations. It is typically reinforced or supported with…
A three-dimensional material has physical attributes that exist in the X, Y, and Z plains. While specific categories of materials will define three-dimensionality differently, if there has been an additive, reductive, or transformative process done to the material, it may qualify as having three-dimensional characteristics.
Photography Courtesy of INAX…
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Large format tile refers to tiles that have at least one edge that measures longer than 15 inches. They can be made from a variety of materials, including natural stone, ceramic, and porcelain in both traditional and thin slabs. Because large format tiles offer more coverage…
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Piece dyed is a method used to dye carpet and textiles after they are constructed. The process involves adding color to greige goods in an aqueous dyebath and is generally used to produce single colored materials. Goods can be piece dyed in a discontinuous, such as…
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Skein dyed refers to a method where yarn is loosely wound into long skeins and immersed into dyeing troughs. With the exception of olefin, this method can be used on any fibers strong enough to handle the process of winding and back-winding the skeins onto cones.…
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Space dyed refers to a method of yarn dyeing that creates segments of different colors along on each strand. This results in different hues that can be related or contrasting, measure equal or unequal lengths, and often displays a rainbow-like effect. Three processes that are used to…
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Split grain is a type of leather produced from the central portion of the hide, usually the middle or lower layer. The top layer of the hide is not present in split leather, so no natural grain markings appear. Optional finishes include coating the leather with…
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Ledgestone is a refined type of stacked stone that emphasizes horizontal joints. The pattern is typically comprised of individually stacked rectangles of stone, usually no higher than four inches, where the horizontal ledge is more defined than the vertical joints. A bonding agent may be used…
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Mosaic tile refers to small tiles or bits of tile that are used to form a design. Each piece is usually two-by-two inches or smaller and can come in different shapes and colors. Mosaics are often used to create patterns and pictures on floors, walls, and…
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Suede refers to leather that is produced from either the inner layer of split leather or the uncoated flesh side of a smooth leather. This results in a soft, fuzzy, and pliable material, which works well for delicate uses. Suede’s fibers are coarse as well as…
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Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is a homogeneous resilient flooring material comprised of limestone with a mix of vinyl, filler material, binders, and pigments. Unlike luxury vinyl tile, vinyl composition tile features the same color or pattern throughout the body of the material, otherwise known as through-color…
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A wallcovering with Type II characteristics has performance features that meet the Wallcoverings Association’s Type II expectations but is comprised of either a vinyl alternative or has a low percentage of vinyl in the product. Products that fall in this category can be considered more environmentally…
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Yarn dyed is a method used to add color to yarns after they are spun and before they are used in the construction of a textile or carpet. Yarns can be dyed in either package or hank form and the process involves dyestuff penetrating the core…
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Coated fabrics are created by bonding a coated layer to a textile substrate. The coated layer comes in either a liquid or film form and it can be applied to woven, knit, or non-woven substrates. Depending on the desired fabric properties such as durability, impermeability, resistance,…
