Flooring Materials & Installation Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CFI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Flooring Materials & Installation Techniques flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a crack isolation membrane installed beneath ceramic tile?
Answer: To prevent cracks in the substrate from transferring to the tile
A crack isolation membrane, such as KERDI or similar products, allows slight substrate movement without transmitting the crack through to the tile surface.
Engineered hardwood differs from solid hardwood primarily in that engineered hardwood:
Answer: Has a cross-ply core that improves dimensional stability
Engineered hardwood uses a cross-ply plywood or HDF core that resists expansion and contraction better than solid wood, making it more dimensionally stable.
The 'wet-set' method for installing mosaic tile means:
Answer: Setting tile into a freshly floated mortar bed before it cures
In the wet-set method, tiles are pressed into an uncured mortar bed, allowing them to bond as the mortar hardens around the tile.
What is the recommended expansion gap around the perimeter when installing a floating hardwood floor in a 20×20 ft room?
Answer: 3/4 inch
A 3/4-inch perimeter expansion gap is standard for floating hardwood to allow for seasonal wood movement, hidden by baseboard or quarter round.
Which subfloor panel product is specifically engineered to resist moisture and is preferred as underlayment for ceramic tile in wet areas?
Answer: Cement backer board (CBU)
Cement backer board (CBU) such as HardieBacker or Durock is moisture-resistant and provides a stable, non-organic substrate for tile in wet areas.
When using the fold-and-pull seam technique for sheet vinyl, the adhesive is applied to:
Answer: Half the floor at a time after folding the sheet back
The fold-and-pull method involves folding half the sheet back, spreading adhesive on the exposed subfloor, then laying the sheet into the adhesive before repeating on the other half.
Which type of grout requires no sealing and resists staining without additives?
Answer: Epoxy grout
Epoxy grout is non-porous and inherently stain- and chemical-resistant, so it does not require sealing after installation.