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Glossary
Renovation terms, explained
Short, plain definitions of the words you'll see on product pages and spec sheets. Each one links to a guide when there's more to know.
A
- AC rating
- The abrasion class of laminate flooring, from AC1 to AC5. Read the guide →
- Air sealing
- Closing gaps that let air bypass insulation. Read the guide →
C
- Change order
- A written change to a contract's scope and price. Read the guide →
E
- Engineered quartz
- A countertop made mostly of crushed quartz bound with resin. Read the guide →
L
- Lien waiver
- A document confirming a contractor or supplier has been paid. Read the guide →
- Low-E
- A thin coating on glass that reflects heat. Read the guide →
R
- R-value
- Resistance to heat flow; higher insulates better. Read the guide →
S
- Sheen
- How much light a paint finish reflects, from flat to gloss. Read the guide →
- SHGC
- Solar heat gain coefficient: how much of the sun's heat a window lets through. Read the guide →
- Silica dust
- Fine crystalline dust from cutting stone and concrete, hazardous to breathe. Read the guide →
- SPC
- Stone-plastic composite, the dense rigid core used in many vinyl plank floors. Read the guide →
- Standing seam
- A metal roof with raised interlocking seams and hidden fasteners. Read the guide →
U
- U-factor
- A window's rate of heat loss; lower is better. Read the guide →
V
- VOC
- Volatile organic compounds released as paint and finishes dry. Read the guide →
W
- Wear layer
- The clear top layer on vinyl flooring, measured in mils, or the wood veneer on engineered hardwood. Read the guide →