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ASTM E84 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
The ASTM E84 test is a standard of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) that measures the burning properties, or fire resistance, of building materials that may be exposed to flames using the Steiner tunnel chamber…
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.…
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.…
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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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…
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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California Air Resources Board (CARB) is a committee within California’s Environmental Protection Agency whose role is to protect the public from exposure to air pollution. This includes setting statewide emission standards for pollution sources ranging from auto emissions to consumer products. Formaldehyde, a toxic air contaminant…
The California Prop 65 List is a public index of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer and reproductive harm. This list was established by Proposition 65—a law officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986—to inform Californians about potential exposure…
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The CAN/ULC-S102 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies test is the Canadian standard for the relative surface burning characteristics of interior finish materials, products, and assemblies used in building construction. Results obtained from this test are used by code officials in the acceptance of…
The CAN/ULC-S104 Fire Tests for Door Assemblies test is the Canadian standard for measuring fire resistance of door assemblies and individual components like doors, frames, hardware, glazing materials, and other parts.…
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CDPH (California Department of Public Health) / CHPS (Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security) Section 01350 is a United States standard that addresses the human health and environmental impacts of building materials used by the architecture and design community. Also known as the Standard Method for…
Chain-of-Custody (CoC) is the process of following materials through each step of the supply chain in order to verify appropriate management, quality control, and safety. Along the supply chain, materials go through various stages of production, processing, shipping, and retail. CoC systems are made up of a series of procedures,…
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Chevron is a repeating pattern of a continuous V- and inverted V-shaped lines without interruption, resulting in a zig-zag-like appearance. Composed of at least one color, this pattern is often used in the design of flooring and walls, as well as textiles.
Photography Courtesy of Walker…
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Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is a product
standard administered by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) to
incentivize environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing practices. Based
on the principles outlined in their 2002 book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking
the Way We Make Things, authors William…
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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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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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…
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Fiddleback wood figuring is a specific variation of a curly wood figure, where the curls are very tight and uniform. Its close grains and lines appear to swerve or ripple in varying patterns. It is commonly found in maple, sycamore, and walnut trees.
Photography Courtesy of…
Figured refers to the surface effect and markings found on timber that give it a unique appearance. It can vary depending on many factors, including the wood’s grain, color, and the way it was cut. Types of figured effects include curly, fiddleback, and bird’s eye.
Photography Courtesy of Wolf-Gordon…
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The
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a German-based, international non-profit
organization and certification framework working to promote responsible forest
management. The FSC uses independent, third-party accredited certifiers to
appraise operations and determine whether they comply to institutional
standards. Two certification tracks are available: Forest Management
Certification…
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The GREENGUARD Certification Program—previously known as the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification—recognizes products and processes that meet standards for safe levels of chemical and particle emissions in indoor spaces. GREENGUARD is a third-party assessment program created by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Environment to support manufacturers in producing…
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GREENGUARD is a third-party assessment program created by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Environment to support manufacturers in producing safe products designed for indoor spaces, in accordance with strict VOC emissions standards. GREENGUARD Gold is even more rigorous, permitting no more than 1/100 of currently published ACGIH Threshold…
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A Health
Product Declaration (HPD) is a standardized report that is used to disclose the
contents of building materials, as well as their possible human health effects
and hazards. HPDs are overseen by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative
(HPDC), a non-profit organization with members from across…
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Heartwood refers to the wood that is at the core or center of a tree. It was formerly sapwood that died as the result of a chemical transformation that occurred when the tree strengthened to resist decay. In some tree species, the heartwood darkens making it…
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…
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI), established in 2009 by members of the Cascadia Green Building Council, is a non-profit advocating for a socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative society. As the umbrella organization tasked with managing the Living Building Challenge, the Living Product Challenge, the Living Community Challenge,…
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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) is a third-party certification system and global standard for green
buildings and communities. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. It provides
the tools for building industry…
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Low-emitting or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reduced concentrations of chemical contaminants in manufactured goods that, at significant levels, can be harmful to human health and the environment. VOC emissions can be released from household products like paints, solvents, carpets, wood composites, and cleaning products,…
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…
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…
Microban is a proprietary antimicrobial and odor control agent developed by the company Microban International. Microban inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria, mold, and mildew throughout the entire lifecycle of a product by damaging or disrupting the internal systems of a microbe. It can be custom formulated to fit…
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Mindful MATERIALS (mM) is a free online aggregator of sustainability information for design professionals and manufacturers. It was created in 2014 by HKS, an international architecture firm, as a user-friendly platform that promotes product transparency and optimization information across the industry. The mM L3C is a…
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The mindful MATERIALS (mM) label is a physical sticker placed on product binders in resource libraries to communicate information about manufacturer transparency and optimization. Labels are designed to facilitate identification of products whose manufacturers disclose information about their impact on human health and the environment. Products…
Mottled refers to a wrinkled, blotchy wood figure that is produced when a wavy grain in the wood combines with a spiral. It is similar to a curly wood figure, but the curl lines are more broken up.…
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…
The pith is the center of the tree that is typically recognized by a change in wood-grain color, which darkens with age. Pith is considered to be an unstable part of the wood that has a greater tendency to crack.…
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Plain sawn, also referred to as “flat sawn,” is the most common cut of lumber found and the most cost-effective way to mill a log. The technique consists of cutting parallel through the log, yielding wider planks with minimal waste. The annular rings on plain sawn…
Pommele is a blister-like wood figure that resembles the look of light rain on a puddle. It is comprised of a dense pattern of irregular shaped rings that envelop one another. This figuring is found commonly in the sapele species.…
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Post-consumer recycled content is material waste generated after the consumer-use phase of an item’s life cycle that is used to manufacture new products. To claim post-consumer content, manufacturers must disclose the percentage of recycled materials used, according to the item’s total weight. Use of either kind…
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Post-industrial recycled content, also known as pre-consumer recycled content, is material waste generated during mass production that is later used to manufacture new products. Unlike post-consumer recycled content, post-industrial material has been recycled before entering into contact with consumers and being sent to a landfill. In…
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Quarter sawn, or quarter sawing, refers to a type of cutting technique used when rip-sawing lumber. The lumber is cut at an angle so that the annular growth rings intersect the face of the board. The angle’s exact number varies between 45 and 90 degrees. When…
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Reclaimed wood is structurally sound wood that has been salvaged from a building project and reused to extend its lifespan. When buildings are decommissioned, abandoned, or slated for demolition, intact components can be recovered through a dismantling process to be used in new construction or remodeling.…
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Recycled content, as opposed to virgin stock, is material that has been diverted from a landfill and subsequently used in the manufacturing of new product. Defined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent false marketing claims, recycled content can be supplied from industrial or consumer…
A ribbon curl is a figure that gives the appearance of a slightly twisted ribbon. It is typically found in quarter-cut veneers, which interlace with one another and reflect differently in the light, giving them a shimmering, ribbon-like figure. A ribbon curl is commonly found in mahogany or other woods…
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Rift sawn refers to a lumber cutting technique with the goal of producing more stable lumber that yields less distortion and figuring. Rift sawn lumber is typically narrow with a very straight grain pattern on the face of the board. The annular rings of a rift…
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Rotary sawn refers to a cutting technique in which an entire log is shaved or peeled on a rotary, resulting in a continuous ribbon of wood. This is the only process that is capable of producing full sheets of veneer. Rotary sawn lumber features a broad…
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Sapwood is the younger, living wood of the tree that grows around the outside of the older, dead center. Sapwood can be distinguished by its lighter color in comparison to the wood that it surrounds, which will become more prominent over time as it is exposed…
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Ships carbon neutral is an indicator
that activities associated with a product’s transportation release a net zero
amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. There are two main
strategies for achieving carbon neutrality in shipping: offsetting greenhouse
gas emissions and using alternative fuel sources. The…
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The
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a non-profit organization committed to
advancing sustainable forest management. SFI’s standards and product labels aid
consumers in making responsible decisions and promote market visibility of
certified forest products, such as wood, paper, and packaging items. SFI has
developed a set…
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…
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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The UL 723 Surface Burning Characteristic of Building Materials test is a standard of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that measures the burning properties, or fire resistance, of building materials that may be exposed to flames. Results obtained from this test are used by code officials in the…
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization committed
to transforming the nation’s construction industry by promoting the values of
the green building rating system Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Its mission is to facilitate healthier, more
socially and environmentally responsible buildings and communities that improve…
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The WELL Building Standard is a global rating
system that uses a point-based framework of best-practice policies to assess
the impact of the built environment on human health. WELL was founded by the
International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a public benefit corporation with
a mission to…
Balance is a wood panel matching method where the veneer width is uniform, creating a more consistent and symmetrical appearance. This method can be used on different wood matches, such as random or book, as long as the veneer widths are equal throughout. This method produces veneer yield and is…
Book match is considered the most commonly used wood match. Every other consecutive veneer leaf is flipped on the vertical and butted, creating a mirrored effect similar to an opened book. It creates a symmetrical pattern that accentuates the grain and wood figuring of the log. Book match can be…
Bullnose is a term most commonly used to describe ceramic tile that is distinguished by rounded edges primarily appears as decorative trim. The format is often used to frame the perimeter of a tiled wall or create a transition between the tile and the wall, so that unfinished tile sides…
Center is a wood panel matching method. Similar to balance, center match has uniform veneer widths, creating a more consistent and symmetrical appearance. Different from the balance method, center matching requires that the wood grain pattern is centered on the panel, creating a different overall pattern. This method produces veneer…
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Distressed refers to a material that has simulated marks of age and wear or has been purposely blemished so as to give the appearance of long, steady use. It can be applied to wood, metal, textile, glass, and stone through many methods such as hammering, denting,…
Also referred to as a softened square, eased edge describes the technique of bordering countertops and other surfaces with rounded square edges, as opposed to sharp square cuts that can reveal unfinished layers of material. Stone, engineered stone, solid surfacing, and high-pressure laminate commonly employ eased edges to address both…
End match refers to a four-panel wood match sequence. The pattern starts with two wood veneers that are book matched, on the vertical, and then joined by two additional book matched veneers that are flipped, on the horizontal, creating an almost mirrored effect between the four panels. The grains are…
Random match is created by deliberately adjoining wood veneers of different width sizes and grain patterns to create a randomized design. It gives the appearance of solid wood and accentuates the grain and color of each panel. Creating a random pattern yields minimal waste as it maximizes the amount of…
Reverse slip match is a wood match pattern similar to slip match. The difference is that in reverse slip every other veneer leaf is flipped 180 degrees, breaking up the consecutive grain pattern seen in a slip match. Typically, the coloring and wood figuring is consistent, and the reversed effect…
A sealant can be applied for purposes of protecting a substrate material from air, gas, dust, liquids, or abrasion. It can be designed to provide thermal and acoustical insulation or serve as a fire barrier. Sealants may have smoothing or gap filling properties, and may be weak or strong, flexible…
A substrate refers to a base surface or underlying layer upon which another material is adhered, coated, laminated, deposited, printed, or otherwise brought into contact with.…
Blister is a wood figure that appears short and straight with raised sections. A blister looks similar to a quilt and fiddleback figure, except that it does not appear as oval as quilt or as long as fiddleback. This figuring is a direct result from cutting across uneven growth rings…
Broken stripe refers to a wood figure that looks like stripes running down the veneer, but in a broken or faded pattern. The stripe lines are not consistently visible throughout, allowing for the broken line appearance. It can sometimes appear similar to a ribbon stripe or a broken ribbon.…
Cluster refers to a wood figure that is similar to a burl wood figure but is always grouped together in smaller areas, or clusters. Surrounding the clusters are darker figurings that have a muscle-like appearance.…
Crotch refers to a wood figure that appears when a cut is made from the joint connecting the tree’s trunk and its branch. It can have a wide range of appearances and usually the veneer leaves are smaller. The juncture connecting the trunk and branch creates an extreme form of…
Dimple figuring in wood resembles little pockets or shallow holes on the tree bark. When cut, the wood veneer will have ring like shapes that resemble the dimples on the tree bark.…
Dog-tooth moulding is an ornamental architectural element. The dog-tooth pattern consists of triangles, pyramids, or a petal-like designs connecting at the ends to form a diamond or square, that more often look like a sharp canine tooth. The dog-tooth moulding pattern stems from the Early Normal period (c.1066-1485 AD) and…
Flake wood figuring appears when a wood species has heavy medullary ray growth. Medullary rays are a type of cellular structure found in some species of wood, which grows in a radial pattern perpendicular to the wood’s growth rings. Flake figuring will appear if you cut the wood parallel, or…
Flame refers to a wood figuring that is caused by a distortion in the wood fiber, which creates a wavy or flame-like lines. It is similar to fiddleback and curly wood figuring, but with more straight lines instead of a curled pattern. Flame figuring is commonly found in the maple…
Ghost refers to wood figuring that is commonly found in the maple species when a tree is infested with the ambrosia beetle. A fungus grows from the remains of the beetle larva and breaks down the wood into a compound for the larva to eat. When the tree is cut,…
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Knots on a tree are formed when branches—which are often smaller in size and located lower on the trunk—either break off or are cut off, and the outer layer or bark of the tree grows around or over the broken area. When the tree is cut,…
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Nail holes are often found in reclaimed or antique wood. The nail holes are created in wood planks from previous installations and are visible in the plank when removed and restored. Nail holes can add to the character of reclaimed wood. Depending on the installation method,…
Peanut shell refers to figuring that can be found when wood has an already quilted or blistered figure and is then cut on a rotary saw. A veneer with peanut shell figuring will appear to be bumpy, wavy, or pitted, when it is in fact a flat surface. It is…
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When wood has a localized area of decay or infection on the growth rings, the veneer may show a pecky figuring. It can commonly be found when they infected wood is cut on a rotary saw. Pecky wood figuring is visible on a veneer as an…
Pin stripe refers to a wood figuring in which the grain lines are thin, appear uniform, and are placed closely together. Wood that is rift sawn will commonly have pin stripe figuring.…
IIC, or Impact Insulation Class, is an acoustical rating that measures the sound insulation and transmission of impact noise, such as vibrations or footsteps, on a floor-ceiling assembly. The IIC rating of a floor product is expressed using whole numbers and is based on the entire assembly on which it…
Abrasive (sand) blasting
is the process of forcibly propelling a stream
of abrasive material against a surface under
high pressure to smooth or polish a rough surface, roughen
a smooth surface, shape a surface, or remove surface impurities. It
consists of pressurized fluid, typically compressed air, that is used to propel
a high-velocity stream of blasting material,…
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Reconstituted wood, or wood veneers, are wood sheets that
are rotary sawn, applied to one another, and finished to have the appearance of
various desired woods. A consistent color, pattern, and aesthetic of a desired
wood is applied, and each is made to be identical from…
Ropey refers to a wood figuring that is similar to a broke stripe figuring, in which the grain lines run vertically in a broken line pattern. However, in a ropey figuring the grain lines appear twisted in one direction, which creates a second diagonal line pattern that resembles a rope-like…
Crown moulding refers to decorative cornice installed at the intersection of the ceiling and wall, which is constructed from wood, plaster, or other materials. This decorative moulding can give a ceiling the feeling of height. Crown moulding dates back to Egyptian times, and later in classical Greek and Roman architecture,…
Dentil moulding refers to a decorative moulding that consists of a simple repetition of closely spaced, rectangular blocks. Dentil is derived from the Latin word dens, meaning teeth. This moulding is generally used below the cornice of the roof line, or along a fireplace mantel. It is a popular ornamentation…
Egg and dart moulding refers to a type of decorative moulding, which consists of the simple repetition of an egg-shaped object—also called the echinus—interspersed with a V-shaped element such as an arrow, anchor, or dart that surrounds the echinus. This moulding is traditionally found at the top of ionic capitals,…
Ribbon moulding refers to a decorative moulding that gives the appearance of a spiraling ribbon around a narrow cylindrical column. These mouldings are generally reeded and have decorative elements such as rosettes.…
Running refers to a wood panel matching method where the panel is assembled in order in as many leaves as necessary. The veneer grain does not have to be centered on the panel and the widths do not need to be consistent. This can allow for some mismatching with wood…
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Rustic wood figuring refers to planks or veneers that highlight the natural appearance of wood, including knots of all sizes, color variation, natural markings, or any irregularities in the grain. Rustic wood is considered the most natural form of wood as it embraces wood in its…
Slip match refers to a wood match pattern in which veneer leaves are aligned side by side, in sequence, to create a repeating grain pattern across the panel. Typically, the coloring and wood figuring is consistent throughout the pattern. Slip matching is commonly used with quarter and rift cut veneers.…
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Solid wood is wood that has been cut directly from a tree. Although cut, it exists in its natural form and has not been created by wood composites, veneers, or any type of multi-layer construction. Solid wood is the most ideal to work with for carpentry,…
Spalted wood figuring is found on wood veneers and planks that have been discolored due to a fungi infestation. Spalted wood will have discoloration in its pigment and, depending on the wood type, may also have zone lines and white rot. Zone lines are single or doubled dark, almost black,…
Tiger stripe wood figuring can be identified as compressed lines that run across the wood grain, with some variations to the density and spacing of each line. The overall pattern of the lines gives the appearance of a tiger-like striping, as found on the animal. It is sometimes interchangeably used…
Wormy wood figuring is a type of character grade, or rustic grade, wood. Wormy wood occurs when the wood is eaten by insects, mainly beetles, who eat away at the wood creating small holes, sometimes accompanied by grey colored streaks or ghost figuring. Insect holes in wood are not uncommon,…
Wear layer refers to the top layer of a heterogenous flooring product, such as luxury vinyl tile (LVT), that helps protect from scruffs, scratches, and everyday wear and tear. Made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), the wear layer sits on top of the print layer and can be smooth or embossed,…
A declaration is a report that provides quantified,
transparent information about a product’s environmental performance and
material ingredients. It can be used by building industry professionals to
facilitate comparison with similar products and to help manufacturers qualify
for transparency credits in green building rating systems. Declarations can be
published as…
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Bamboo refers to a manufactured cellulose fiber that is made from bamboo pulp with a solvent spun process. As part of the rayon fiber family, bamboo fiber can be produced in filament or staple form. It is not inherently antibacterial. Bamboo is a renewable resource and…
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment
Method, or BREEAM, was the world’s first widely used green building certification
system. Developed in the 1990s in the UK by Building Research Establishment
(BRE), today BREEAM is used in over 80 countries.1 BREAAM
certification demonstrates a building project’s sustainability and its
commitment to protecting…
Environmental Justice is the equitable distribution of
environmental burdens and benefits, and of meaningful participation in
environmental decision-making. This means that all people have
the right to equal protection from environmental and health hazards, and the
right to live, work, play, worship, or learn in safe, healthy communities.1 The
US…
