HAND--The "feel" of a carpet in the hand--determined by such factors as pile height, quality and kind of fibers, type of construction, type of backing, and dimensional stability.
HARD SCREED: A mortar screed that has become firm.
Hardwood -- generally, one of the botanical groups of the deciduous trees that have broad leaves in contrast to the conifers or soft woods. The term has no reference to the actual hardness of the wood.
Header --unit running horizontally over an opening (as in a wall). 
Heart wood -- the wood extending from the pith to the sapwood, the cells of which no longer participate in the life processes of the tree. It is usually darker than sap wood.
HEAT SET -- Heat stabilization of yarns to reduce loss of twist and bulk in service; the process- of heat setting in an autoclave, using super-heated steam under pressure.
HEAVY DUTY TILE: Tile suitable for areas where heavy pedestrian traffic is prevalent. Can be specified to meet higher test values as determined by job requirements.
Heavy streaks -- spots and streaks of sufficient size and density to severely mar the appearance of the wood.
HEDDLE -- Part of a loom consisting of a series of vertical cords or wires each of which has in the middle a loop or eye which receives a warp yarn. The two heddle frames, each carrying a set of chain warp yarns, rise and fall alternately forming the shed through which the weft shuttle passes.
Hematite - silvery, shiny opaque stone. Stone looks like it could be metal. Genuine hematite is heavier than most stones and seems cold when first touched.
HIGH DENSITY FOAM -- A name for a particular type of attached latex foam cushion. The minimum standards are: weight -- 38 ozs./sq.yd.; thickness -- 1/8 in.; density -- 17 lbs./cu.ft.
HIGH LOW -- A multilevel pile, sometimes combining cut and  looped surface yarns.
to smooth (a bore) to exact specifications with a rotating stick (honing stone) containing abrasive material
Honey combing -- checks often not visible at the surface, that occur in the interior of a piece of wood, usually along the wood rays.
HORIZONTAL BROKEN JOINTS: A style of laying tile with each course offset one-half its length.
HOT MELT SEAMING -- Seaming by ironing a tape, specially prepared with thermoplastic adhesive. This method is used for seaming every standard type of carpet with most backings except foam or rubber.
HOT-MOPPED PAN: A type of shower pan made of altering layers of hot asphalt and tar paper.
HYGROSCOPIC -- a substance that can absorb and retain moisture, or lose or throw off moisture, wood and wood products are hygroscopic . They expand with absorption of moisture, and dimensions become smaller when moisture is lost or thrown off.