Glossary

Boards measuring between 6 1/2" (165mm) and 8 1/4" (210mm).

Complies with the following regulatory programs for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products:  California’s CARB P2, the US federal TSCA Title VI, and Canada’s CANFER.

The top layer that protects the design and colour layer from wear and tear.

Flat, low-sheen finish that gives the flooring a natural, raw appearance. It’s ideal for hiding scratches and dust, making it a low-maintenance choice with a modern, understated look.

Planks fit flush together for a seamless transition.

Lightly textured and without a noticeable pattern.

Slight grooves or indentations at the plank edges.

Gloss Level Of 8% Or Less.

A synthetic resin that is applied as a liquid and ‘cured’ to a hardened state to create a protective durface. Aluminum Oxide is added to this finish to offer greater scratch & wear protection. 

Visual variation refers to the natural differences in color, grain patterns, and textures that are inherent in various wood species and even within the same species. These variations contribute to the unique character and beauty of wood, making each piece of wood distinct. In terms of Visual Variation, Kentwood floors are classifies as low, medium or high

Boards measuring 8 1/2” (215mm) or wider.

A nominal size is a size "in name only" used for identification. In the case of Kentwood, all Veneer's are nominal. There is a possible veneer variance of +/-0.3mm on Abode by Kentwood & a possible veneer variance of +/-0.4mm on Kentwood & Couture by Kentwood.

How to assess the quality of a floor's finish.

A texturing process where the surface of the planks planks is deliberately made rough and uneven through scraping or other techniques to create a unique, rustic, and often aged appearance.

A proprietary staining process that engages naturally occurring agents in the wood to create unique polychromatic effects.  The image shows an example of wood before and after an alchemic staining process.  Note: Alchemic stained floors may exhibit a high degree of color change after installation. See Color Change for more information.

A process which draws the tannins in the wood to the surface, darkening the wood without the use of coloring agents.  Unlike a surface stain, the smoked effect penetrates deep into the wood. Also called fuming. The image shows an example of wood before and after a smoking process.  Note: Smoked floors may exhibit a high degree of color change after installation. See Color Change for more information.

Pronounced chiselled surface treatment.

Replicated look of saw marks on the surface to add realistic texture.

As a natural material, every piece of wood has a unique appearance.  Some pieces may be very ‘clean’ and free of imperfections, while others exhibit natural characteristics including exaggerated grain patterns, knots of varying sizes, mineral streaks and other naturally-occuring effects.  In terms of natural characteristics, Kentwood floors are classified as low, medium or high. 

Boards are 5' (1500mm) or longer.

Fixed size boards intended to be installed in a pattern.

Strictly limiting VOC emissions, the GREENGUARD program goes beyond CA 01350 to create one of the strongest low emissions certifications available, incorporating and then surpassing CA 01350. Gold represents the highest achievable level and is recognized by LEED in their "Low Emitting Materials" credit category.

Rustic appearance with various marks and effects.

Different wood species exhibit varying degrees of color variation, ranging from evenly colored with very little variation in tone to wildly contrasting with extreme variations visible.  Color variation may be evident between the boards or within individual boards themselves.  In terms of color variation, Kentwood floors are classified as low, medium or high.

Many hardwood floors exhibit a pronounced color change after installation, a process called oxidation which occurs when the wood is exposed to air, and which is accelerated by exposure to sunlight.  The change varies by species but is most noticeable in exotic woods like acacia, and in unstained (natural) floors.  Floors that have undergone a Smoking or Alchemic Stain process may also exhibit significant color change after installation.

The California Section 01350 standard limits the emissions of many VOC's.  The green building program LEED utilizes it as their primary standard in their "Low Emitting Materials" credit category.

Boards are given a wire brushing treatment prior to staining and finishing. It opens the grain which adds texture and interest to the surface.
 

Light, uniform surface sculpting