CC1A - GLOSSARY
CC1A Carpet Glossary
CC1B Carpet Cushion Glossary
CC1C Rugs Glossary
CC1D Tools Glossary
CC1B Carpet Cushion Glossary
CC1C Rugs Glossary
CC1D Tools Glossary
CC1A - CARPET
A
Above grade
Refer to "grade".
Abrasion resistance
This is the resistance of the carpet to wear and generally depends on the toughness of the fibre and type of construction.
Abraded yarns
Continuous filament yarns in which filaments have been cut and abraded at intervals and given an additional twist to produce a certain degree of hairiness, so as to simulate the character of yarns spun from staple.Abraded yarns are usually plied or twisted with other yarns before using.
Abrasive wear
Measurable damage / fibre loss to carpet under normal usage due to foot traffic and the scratching effects of abrasive substances such as dirt, grit, sand, etc.
Acclimation
Adaptation of carpet, cushion, and installation materials to their installed temperature and humidity environment (i.e., not work site environment which may be different). Such materials should be unpacked and allowed enough time (generally 48 hours) to equalize to these requirements.
Acoustical properties
Absorbance, reflection, or transmission of sound waves. This term is usually used in regard to the sound transmission rating of carpeted flooring assemblies.
Acid dyeable
Nylon polymer that has been chemically modified to make fibres more receptive to acid based dyes. Acid dyeable yarns are available in different dye levels, i.e., light, medium, and deep.
Acrylic fibre
A synthetic thermoplastic fibre made by polymerization of acrylonitrile, usually with other monomers. Refer also to Part C04C - Carpet Material Guide for additional information.
Adhesion
This is the property that causes one material to stick to another. Adhesion is affected by the condition of the surface to be coated and by the closeness of contact, as well as by the molecular forces of the unlike substances. The surface of the substrate and carpet or cushion backing should be clean and dry and not too smooth or non-porous to allow a certain amount of penetration of the adhesive for good adhesion.
Adhesive
A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. Adhesives may be applied to the substrate and/or cushion by using a trowel, airless spray, roller, or other means acceptable to the adhesive manufacturer. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide as well as Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for additional information.
Adhesive bleeding
This is the undesired migration of materials in the adhesive through the backing to the surface of the carpet or between carpet tile joints.
Adhesive transfer
The amount of adhesive actually transferred into glued down cushion and/or carpet backing including recesses, that will provide adhesive contact with the substrate. 100% adhesive transfer is complete contact of the adhesive to flooring.
Aesthetics
Properties perceived by touch and sight, such as the hand, colour, lustre and texture of carpet.
Affinity
The tendency for two elements or substances to combine chemically. An example is the affinity of acid dyes for nylon fibre.
Air bubbles
These are caused by air trapped under the flooring and can be small or large in size. These may occur shortly after installation and are caused by placing the carpet flooring into the adhesive too soon or rolling improperly.
Air-entangled
Also known as air-interlaced, commingled, or heathered. A method of producing yarn in which BCF fibres are "locked" together by air jets at intervals. The resulting yarn is characterized by a heather appearance. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Alkali
Alkalis are also referred to as bases. They are a soluble substance having a pH of more than 7 when dissolved in water.
Alkaline salts
These occur in concrete, and may be left as a residue on substrate surfaces when the water carrying alkaline salts evaporates during the concrete curing process. The presence of alkaline salt will cause adhesive bonding and/ or flooring material failures.
Alkalinity test
A test using litmus paper or other means to determine the alkalinity (pH) of a concrete substrate before deciding on the feasibility of gluing a floor covering material directly to it.
Antimicrobial treatment
A chemical treatment topically applied to carpet after production or one that is introduced at the fibre production stage so that it is inherent in or an integral part of the carpet fibre to inhibit or minimize the growth of common bacteria, fungi, yeast, mould and mildew. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Anti-static treatment
A chemical treatment topically applied to carpet after production or one that is introduced into the carpet at time of production so that it becomes an inherent or integral part of the carpet construction to control an electrostatic charge before it reaches the threshold of human sensitivity (approximately 3.0 kilovolts (kv). Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Appearance retention
The ability of a carpet to maintain its initial visual appearance (aesthetics and colour) and construction integrity. Many carpet appearance retention problems are mistakenly referred to as wear.
Ashlar
A term used to describe the layout pattern of carpet tiles (or substrate or underlayment panels) in relation to every other row such as half-staggered or brick pattern design.
Attached cushion
Cushion material, such as foam, rubber, urethane, PVC, etc. permanently bonded / adhered to the back side of a carpet by the carpet manufacturer.
Autoclave
An apparatus used to heat set yarn under pressure in a super heated steam atmosphere. Autoclave heat-setting is a batch, not a continuous, method.
Average pile density
Refer to "density".
Average yarn weight
Mass per unit area of the yarn including buried portions of the yarn, expressed in grams per square metre and/or ounces per square yard.
Axminster (carpet)
A woven carpet. Refer to "Texture".
B
Back coating
An adhesive compound applied for the purpose of locking pile yarn tufts into a carpet backing, bonding a secondary backing to a primary backing, increasing the fabric body or stiffness, and increasing dimensional stability.
Back seams
All carpet seams are located in the back of a carpet. The seams made while the carpet is face down are known as back seams, while those made with the carpet face up are termed face seams.
Backing
Material that forms the back or underside of the carpet (as opposed to the pile or face), regardless of type of construction, and which holds the pile in place, or provides additional dimensional stability.
Various systems are used in carpet construction. These are:
A condition that occurs during application of adhesive when it "balls up" under the trowel. This is usually due to a dusty or dirty substrate or may also occur when the adhesive has been frozen.
Base or baseboard
Separate or integral carpet base (complete with capping), flat or shaped, extruded or moulded vinyl or rubber, or wood board skirting / attached to the wall or counter base surfaces to cover the joint of the wall and the adjoining floor.
Base or baseboard
Separate flat or shaped, extruded or moulded vinyl or rubber, or wood board skirting or integral resilient flooring attached to the lower wall or counter base surfaces to cover the joint of the wall and the adjoining floor.
BCF
An abbreviation for Bulked Continuous Filament referring to synthetic fibres in a continuous form.
Beam
Large horizontal cylinders or spools. Warp yarns are wound on beams.
Bearding
Long fibre fuzz or loops caused by the fibre snagging or by inadequate tuft bind or improper bundle encapsulation.
Beck dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Below grade
Refer to "grade".
Berber carpet
Refer to "texture".
Bias
Refer to "pattern (skew)".
Binder bar
Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Binding
A strip or band sewn over a carpet edge to protect and strengthen the carpet from wear and unravelling and sometimes used to decorate the edge.
Binding yarn
Synthetic or natural yarn running lengthwise in woven fabric that is used to "bind" the pile tufts firmly. Often called crimp warp or binder warp.
Bird cage
Common term used to describe the end of a stair rail where the banisters are curved in a spiral to form a newel post.
Bleeding
Loss of colour (transfer of fibre dye) caused by water or other fluids / solvents (spills, floods, cleaning, etc.) resulting in staining of adjacent floor coverings. This loss can be attributable to the result of improper dyeing, use of poor quality dyes or the permanency of the dyeing method or process itself.
Blend
A fabric containing a mixture of two or more fibres or yarns, or a combination of two or more fibres spun into yarns.
Blending
The mixing of staple fibres before they are carded, drafted, and spun into yarn. Blending is done for consistency in the final yarn and is a critical step to avoid "streaks" in a carpet.
Body
The compact, solid, firm or full feel of a fabric. Refer to "hand".
Bond
The adherence of one material to another.
Bond test
A 72-hour test to determine if carpet flooring can be adhered to the substrate with the recommended adhesive. The test determines whether the adhesive is compatible with the substrate and can also detect the presence of moisture. Bond testing determines the compatibility of adhesive with sealers, curing agents and other foreign matter and determines the necessity of their removal.
Border
A perimeter band usually of the same type of carpet but of a different colour used to frame the field colour and customize a carpet flooring installation.
Bowing
The curvature of a textile floor covering with respect to, or across, the direction of manufacture. In the context of carpet installation, bowing occurs when seams or patterns are stretched out of alignment, curving away from and back toward a seam or centring point. During manufacture bowing can occur during latexing when there may be more tension on the centre of the carpet than on the edges.
Bowed pattern
Visible curved lines in the width or length of either pattern or plain goods.
Bowing / skewing
A carpet condition resulting from distortion forming one or more arcs across the width of the carpet. Refer to "pattern (bow) or (skew)".
Branded fibres and yarn
First quality fibre backed by the fibre manufacturer. See also and yarns "unbranded fibres and yarns".
Broadloom
An obsolete term that referred to machine manufactured carpet wider than 1800 mm (72"). It is now simply a designation of width and does not indicate any particular quality, construction or style of carpet.
Brocade
Refer to "texture".
Buckling
A condition of wrinkling, bubbling or ridging of carpet following installation. In stretch-in installation, it may be due to improper stretching. In a glue-down installation, it may be caused by insufficient or improper adhesive. Changes in humidity and temperature sometimes affect severity. Buckling can also be a manufacturing defect, such as delamination. Refer also to "peaking".
Bulked continuous filament (BCF)
Continuous strands of synthetic fibre formed into yarn bundles of a given number of filaments and texturized to increase bulk and cover. Texturizing changes the straight filaments into kinked or curled configurations.
Bulk dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Bulking
Refer to "crimping".
Bullnose
Common term used for a stair tread nosing or step return.
Burling
The process of removing knots and loose ends and inserting missing tufts in new carpet by hand during carpet manufacturing or after carpet installation. Also refers to a mending operation on worn or damaged carpet.
Butt seam
Refer to "cross seam".
C
Cabled yarn
A yarn formed by twisting two or more plied yarns together.
Capping
Material used to finish the vertical top edge of a carpet base.
Carding
The step after blending in the spinning process which combs out the raw loose staple fibres and opens, cleans, separates and arranges them in orderly strands called sliver. Sliver is then drawn and blended, then twisted and further drawn into yarns.
Carpet
Soft floor covering made of fabric(s), used to cover a floor and usually fastened wall to wall.
Carpet cushion
Refer to "cushion".
Carpet tile
Refer to "modular carpet".
Carpet gripper
Tackless strip. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Carrier
A product added to a dye bath to promote the dyeing of hydrophobic man-made fibres and characterized by affinity for and ability to swell the fibre.
Carved
Sculptured design made in carpet.
Cationic dyeable
Nylon polymer that has been modified chemically to make the fibre receptive to cationic (basic) dye. Cationic dyeable yarns are used in conjunction with acid dyeable yarns to create multi-colour graphic patterns in piece dyeing.
Chain
In weaving, the binder warp yarn that runs over and under the filling yarns. On an Axminster loom it refers to the endless chain that carries the tube frames. On a dobby loom it refers to the endless chain of pattern selector bars.
Chain binders
Yarns running warpwise (lengthwise) in the back of a woven or woven-interlock carpet, binding construction yarns.
Colour change
This is a visual change in the colour of the carpet caused by exposure to light or some chemical reaction. Refer also to "fading".
Colour fastness
Resistance to fading, i.e., the property of a dye to retain its colour when the dyed (or printed) textile material is exposed to conditions or agents such as light, atmospheric contaminates, or washing that can remove or destroy the colour. A dye may be reasonably fast to one agent and only moderately fast to another. The degree of colour fastness is tested by standard procedures.
Colour matching
The proper co-ordination of colour hues and shade depth. Critical to colour matching are the light under which colours are compared; the surface texture of the object being matched (cut pile appears darker than loop pile), and the surface lustre of the object being matched (high lustre looks lighter than low lustre).
Combination
A term that refers to yarn composed of two or more yarns having the same or different fibres or twists; e.g., one yarn may have a high twist and the other little or no twist.
Commercial carpet
This is carpet flooring designed for installation in commercial settings such as offices, public buildings, and institutions. Such carpet may also be referred to as contract flooring. Refer also to "residential carpet".
Construction
The carpet manufacturing method (usually tufted, woven or bonded). The term can also refer to the specification details of a particular carpet such as fibre type, yarn twist level, total density, method of dyeing, etc. Refer also to "texture".
Continuous dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Continuous filament
An unbroken / continuous strand of a synthetic fibre (nylon, olefin, etc.) resulting from extruding the molten polymer through a spinneret.
Cotton count
The cotton count (cc), like "worsted count (wc)" expresses the number of hanks required to make a pound of yarn. A yarn numbering system based on the length and weight originally used for cotton yarns and now employed for most staple yarns. It is based on a unit of length of 840 yards (256 m), and the count of yarn is equal to the number of 840 yard long skeins required to weigh one pound. Under this system, the higher the number, the finer the yarn. A typical carpet yarn might be a three cotton count two plied yarn, that is written as 3.0/2c.c. Refer also to "hank" and "worsted count" as well as Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Count
A number identifying yarn size or weight per unit of length or length per unit of weight depending on the spinning system used.
Cove base (resilient)
This type of base is made of vinyl or rubber and is available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours and conforms to requirements of ASTM F1861. Refer also to base.
Coverage
The degree to which underlying structure is concealed by the surface material, as in carpets, the degree to which pile covers backing. Also the ability of a dye to conceal defects in fabric.
Crab
A hand device usually used for stretching carpet in a small area where a power stretcher or knee kicker cannot be used.
Creasing
The formation of folds, wrinkles or ridges prior to installation of a carpet.
Creel
The rack behind the tufting machine that holds pile yarn and supplies the yarn smoothly and evenly without tangling to the needles of the tufting machine.
Crimp
Refers to the waves or bends that occur along the length of a fibre. Fibre crimp increases cohesiveness, resiliency, and gives increased bulk to the carpet. A fibre may have one of three kinds of crimp: mechanical, natural or inherent crimp, and latent or chemical crimp.
Crimping
Method of texturizing yarn to produce irregular alignment of fibres and increase bulk and covering power.
Crocking
Condition where a colour rubs off a material because of improper penetration or fixation of the dyestuff.
Cross dyeing (differential dyeing)
Refer to "dyeing"
Cross seams
The joining together of the ends of two pieces of carpet to form a continuous length of carpet.
Cross sectional shape (fibre)
The shape of an individual filament when cut at right angles to it's axis. Fibre shape ranges from round, tri-lobial or multi-lobial, delta, and square or rectangular hollow filament. The shape has an impact on its lustre, hand (fine or coarse feel), and on soil trapping, hiding, and release capabilities.
Cross weave carpet
A type of woven carpet produced by a "patented" weaving process whereby the pile yarns are woven through the back. Refer also to "crossloc" and "karaloc" carpet and to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Crossloc carpet
A proprietary "cross weave" carpet. Refer to "karaloc" and "cross weave" carpet.
Crush bands
Widthwise marks in a roll of carpet due to flattening of the pile from compression.
Crush recovery
A carpet pile's ability to return to its original thickness after being crushed either due to traffic or compression from furnishings. Refer also to "resilience".
Crushing
Refer to "pile crushing".
Cushion
Any kind of resilient material placed under or attached to carpet to provide softness, noise absorption, and adequate support when it is walked upon. Also referred to as underpad, padding, or underfelt, carpet cushion provides a softer feel underfoot, added acoustical and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. Refer to Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-adhesive
An adhesive specifically used for adhering carpet cushion to substrates. Refer also to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings and Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-back carpet
A carpet having a cushion or padding as an integral part of its backing.
Custom carpet
A carpet or rug manufactured in a special size, shape, colour, design, or width by a tufted or woven manufacturing process, other than a "standard" production run carpet.
Cut
A length of carpet cut from a full roll to fill an order.
Cut pile
refer to "texture".
Cut and loop pile
refer to "texture".
D
Dead yarn
The pile yarn in a Wilton carpet that remains hidden in the backing structure when not forming a pile tuft.
Decitex
One tenth of a tex or the weight in grams of 10,000 meters of a yarn, filament, fibre or other textile strand
Deep dye fibres
Modified synthetic fibres with increased dye affinity relative to regular dye fibres. By combing deep dye fibres with regular dye fibres, a two-colour or two-toned effect can be achieved within one dye bath.
Deflected needle
A needle in the tufting machine that is pushed aside by a warp end in the backing cloth, causing a streak or "grinning" running lengthwise because of off-standard tuft spacing across the width. The real mechanism of most so-called needle deflection is the pushing aside of backing fabric warp yarns by tufting needles during tuft insertion. When the needles withdraw, warp yarns move back to their original positions, thus pushing tuft rows off gauge and creating wide gaps between them.
Delamination
Separation of the secondary backing or attached cushion from the primary backing of a carpet.
Delustered
Subduing or dulling natural fibre lustre by design usually by altering physical / cross section shape or by chemical means usually by incorporation of a polymer additive or fraction of a percent of white pigment such as titanium dioxide. Fibre producers' designations for delustered fibre include dull, semi-dull, and semi-bright. Bright fibres are not delustered.
Denier (yarn weight)
A unit measurement based on the weight in grams of fibre filament or yarn in9000 metres. Denier is a direct yarn numbering system; the higher the denier, the larger the yarn. Fine yarn for example has a low denier rating while coarse (larger / heavier) yarn has a high denier rating. Thus if 9000 m of yarn weighs 1300 grams it is know as 1300 denier yarn. The common yarn denier range for commercial carpet is from 1200d to 5000d.
Denier per filament (dpf)
The weight in grams of 9000 metres of individual fibre filament. It can be calculated by taking the yarn denier and dividing it by the number of filaments in the yarn bundle. The common dpf range for commercial carpet is 15 to 28 dpf.
Density (Canada)
The amount of pile in a given area of carpet. Expressed as kilotex per cm², it reflects the percent of surface covered with fibres and closeness of the pile tufts.
Density (USA)
The weight of pile yarn in a unit volume of carpet, expressed in ounces per cubic yard. Average pile density factors for commercial carpets range from 4200 to 8000. Density (D) is determined by multiplying the pile yarn weight (W) in ounces per square yard by 36 and dividing the total by the pile height (H) or thickness (T) in inches, as expressed in the formula: D = W x 36 H or T
Differential dyeing (cross dyeing)
Refer to "dyeing".
Dimensional stability
The ability of the carpet to retain its original size and shape.
Direct glue-down
An installation method whereby the carpet is adhered to the floor.
Double back
Woven or nonwoven fabric laminated to the back of carpet with latex or other adhesive. Double-backed carpet has enhanced dimensional stability and strength. Refer also to "backing".
Double glue-down
An installation method whereby the carpet cushion is first adhered to the floor with an adhesive, and the carpet is then glued to the cushion.
Drawing
The third stage of yarn production. It is the process of stretching synthetic fibres after they are extruded / hardened in order to align their molecular structure resulting in greater tensile strength.
Drop match
Refer to "matching".
Dry extraction
A carpet cleaning preparation consisting of absorbent and non-adsorbent particles blended in a solution of water, detergents, and other cleaners. The dry cleaner is applied to the carpet, worked into the pile with a brush, left to absorb soil for a time, and then removed with the absorbed soil by vacuuming cleaning.
Dry foam
A detergent solution containing only a small amount of water. It is mechanically worked into the surface of carpet, and the loose soil is removed by a vacuum.
Dry rot
A condition caused by micro-organisms attacking carpet fibre and/or backing which reduces carpet strength and integrity permitting it to break and tear easily. Natural materials, such as jute, are susceptible, whereas polypropylene and most synthetics are resistant.
Dusting
Appearance of a powdery material on the surface of newly hardened concrete. Sometimes caused by allowing the surface to dry too rapidly without curing. This condition must be corrected before installing carpet or cushion.
Dutchman
An installer's term for a narrow strip seamed onto standard-width carpet to fit oddly dimensioned areas. Proper planning will minimize the need for this practice.
Dye or dye stuff
The substance that adds colour to textiles by absorption into the fibre.
Dye beck
A large vat into which rolls of carpet are submerged for piece dyeing.
Dye lot
A quantity of carpet dyed at one time or made from yarn dyed at one time.
Dyeing
The process of colouring materials: impregnating fabric with dyestuff. There are various dyeing methods.
E
Edge trim
Metal or vinyl moulded or extruded edging material designed for installation at exposed edges of carpet floor covering to protect edges from damage.
Elongation
Refer to pattern "run-off".
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) carpet
A type of carpet that is specially constructed to meet the requirements for an ESD controlled environment.
Embossed
Carpet designs that actually stand out from the background, as if engraved.
End
An individual strand of yarn or a roll end, a short length of carpet or a remnant.
Expansion joint
These are separations between adjoining parts of floor construction (usually in a concrete slab) that allow separate movement of the parts. They are usually filled with an elastomeric type of material and should never be filled with a cementitious underlayment product because any movement of the separate parts may cause the underlayment to break up and be pushed out of the joint. Carpet flooring should not be installed over this type of joint as cracking and buckling may occur. Expansion joint covers should be used instead.
Extended length
The length of pile yarn in one running inch of one tuft row in tufted carpet. Sometimes called take-up. external corner On-site installed wrapped or mitred base corner.
Extrusion
The second stage of synthetic fibre production where molten material is forced through a spinnerette (similar to a showerhead). Once exposed to air-cooling, the fibre strands harden. It is at the extrusion stage that many fibre engineering improvements in cross section design, shape, size and uniformity to give better soil hiding, soil releasing, and strength have taken place.
F
Face seams
Sewn or cemented seams made without turning the carpet over or face down. They are used during installations when back seaming is impossible
Face yarn
Refer to "pile" and "nap".
Face weight
The total weight of the face (above the backing) yarns in the carpet.
Fadeometer
A laboratory device that uses a light source approximating the spectrum of sunlight to determine the effects of light on yarn, fibre, fabric, carpet, plastic, and other material properties. The fade resistance of carpet colours are measured and rated according to the number of units of exposure required to produce a visible loss of colour.
Fading
Loss of colour caused by sunlight, artificial light, atmospheric gases or certain chemicals (e.g. household cleaning, swimming pool chlorine, etc.). Installations in areas where such exposures may occur require extreme care in the selection of an appropriate colourfast carpet.
Fastness
The resistance to fading or change in colour. Also referred to as colourfastness. For carpeting, the important types of fastness include lightfastness, crocking, chemical fastness, and ozone fastness.
Feathering
A sub-floor preparation procedure for tapering patching materials.
Felting
A nonwoven fabric formation process comprising entanglement of fibres by mechanical or other means. The end product is called felt. Felts made by needle entanglement of solution dyed fibres, such as polypropylene, are used as outdoor carpet. Unlike weaving and tufting, felting does not employ yarns, but converts fibre directly into fabric.
Fibre
Natural (e.g. wool) or man-made / synthetic (e.g. nylon, olefin, etc.) units having sufficient elasticity / flexibility, tensile strength, fineness, uniformity, durability, soil resistance, lustre and denier to enable them to be spun into a yarn or felting and processed into textile by weaving, tufting, knitting or fusion bonding.
Fibre cushion
A term used to describe a carpet cushion made from entangled natural fibres (animal hair, jute, and/or felt) or needle-punched virgin and recycled synthetic fibres (including nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylics). Some fibre cushion may have one or two rubber faces or the fibres themselves may be rubberized (encapsulated).
Fibre manufacturers
Both natural and synthetic fibres are manufactured either by the manufacturer of the "raw" product (i.e. at source) or by a carpet manufacturer (mill) after receiving the raw product (e.g. in pellet form for synthetic carpet) and fabricating / extruding it themselves. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for details.
In regard to synthetic fibres, these can be classified by their source manufacturer as follows:
Refer to "cross section".
Field
The area of carpet flooring that is contained within walls or border limits.
Filament
A single strand of natural or synthetic fibre.
Filler (carpet)
A low-cost material used for extending rubber, plastic or other polymers. Fillers are generally powders of very small particle size. Carpet latex laminating compounds and foams contain large amounts of fillers. The most common filler in carpet latex is finely powdered calcium carbonate, often called "whiting," produced by grinding limestone.
Filler (substrate)
Material used to level substrate surfaces. Refer also to Part A13 - Patching and Filling.
Filling yarn
See "weft"
Finishing
A general term referring to processing of carpet after tufting (weaving) and dyeing. This includes such things as the application of secondary backing, attached foam cushion, soil resistant treatment, shearing and brushing.
Flame resistant
A term used to describe a material that burns slowly or is self-extinguishing after removal of an external source of ignition. A fabric or yarn can be flame resistant because of the innate properties of the fibre, the twist level of the yarn, the fabric construction, or the presence of flame retardants, or because of a combination of all of these factors.
Flame retardant
A chemical compound that can be incorporated into a textile fibre during manufacture or applied to a fibre, fabric, or other textile item during processing to reduce its flammability.
Flammability
The ability of a carpet to burn with a flame under specified test conditions.
Flammability tests
Procedures that have been developed for assessing the flame resistance of carpets (Refer also to Part A08A - Flammability Issues for additional information.) The most commonly accepted are:
A manufacturing process where very short, chopped fibres or flock is adhered, usually by an electrostatic process, to a prefabricated backing, resulting in a short pile material with a velvety texture. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Floor protectors
Screw-on attachments or individual pads for the bottom of chair and table legs to distribute the weight of furniture evenly to reduce indentations in carpet floors.
Fluffing
Appearance on carpet surface of loose fibre fragments left during manufacture; not a defect, but a characteristic that disappears after carpet use and vacuuming. Sometimes called "shedding."
Foot traffic
A carpet life wear-rating system based on pedestrian foot traffic across a measured section of carpet. "One traffic" is the passage of one person across the test piece of carpet. The classifications are as follows:
Racks at back of the Wilton loom holding spools from which yarns are fed into the loom. Each frame holds a separate colour; thus, a 3-frame Wilton has three colours in the design.
Frieze
Refer to "texture".
Full roll
A length of carpet; roll goods usually approximately 100 feet long; also called a shipping roll by carpet manufacturers. Shipping roll standards vary and may be as short as 30 feet, depending upon carpet thickness and manufacturers' quality criteria. In North America almost all roll goods are 12 or 15 feet wide, with 12 foot predominant.
Funnel area
An area where foot traffic is concentrated, such as doorways, stairwells, in front of drinking fountains, etc.
Fusion bonded
Refer to "backing".
Fuzzing
A hairy effect on the carpet surface caused by poor latex penetration, poor yarn spinning (slack yarn twist), poor twisting and heat setting, improper bundle encapsulation or improper maintenance. Not to be confused by initial "fluffing" or "shedding", a normal phenomenon associated with spun cut pile construction.
G
Gauge
This term applies to tufted and knitted carpet and refers to the number of ends of surface yarn per running inch across the width of a carpet expressed in fractions of an inch or needles per 10 cm. The higher the number the coarser the carpet tufting. 1/10 gauge = 10 needles per inch (42 / 10 cm), 1/8 gauge = 8 needles per inch (32 / 10 cm).
Glue-down
A method of installation whereby the carpet is adhered to a substrate with an adhesive.
Grab
The property that enables an adhesive film to hold in place an adherent that is trying to pull away. This is usually applied to a partially set film.
Grade
A degree of quality.
or
Grade
The relationship of a substrate to the exterior ground or grade level. There are three categories:
Refers to the International Gray Scale:
Carpet in an undyed / unfinished state.
Grinning
Describes the condition of the carpet's primary backing showing between the pile tufts.
Ground colour
A term used to designate the colour used for the background in patterned carpet.
Gully
The distance between the tackless strip and the wall. It should always be slightly less than the thickness of the carpet.
H
Hand
A commonly used term to describe how the quality of a particular carpet feels when held in one's hand, i.e., tactile aesthetic qualities.
Hank
This term refers to a skein of yarn, a standard length of slubbing, roving, or yarn (the length specified by the yarn numbering system in use), or a term applied to slubbing or roving that indicates the yarn number.. Refer to "cotton count" and "worsted count".
Heat set
A process that sets the yarn shape (twist) using heat or superheated steam under pressure, enabling the yarn to hold its twist over time. This is important in cut pile carpet. Most nylon, olefin and polyester cut pile carpets are heat-set.
A subtle multi-coloured effect resulting from commingling yarns or spinning blended fibres of different colours together.
Hexapod drum
A rotating drum instrument into which carpet samples are placed and then subjected to simulated trafficking with a metal ball having attached polyurethane cleats or studs. This accelerated test, primarily used in Canada, provides a specific rating of the ability of a carpet to withstand crushing and matting.
High-low
Refers to a carpet surface with more than one pile height.
Hollow filament fibre
Refers to extruded filaments with interior voids. These hollow cores improve the soil-hiding ability of the filament by diffusing any light passing through them. Such filaments should be at least 85% solid so that the interior voids do not weaken or distort the fibre under traffic and cause it to fray under heavy wear.
Hot-melt adhesive
Thermoplastic adhesive material sometimes used for laminating secondary backing to tufted carpet. Hot-melt adhesives are compounded from thermoplastic polymers and plastics. They may be melted and solidified repeatedly by application of heat.
Hot melt seaming
Seaming method by heating a tape, specially prepared with thermoplastic adhesive.
Hot melt seaming tape
Tape precoated with a thermoplastic adhesive used for joining or seaming two sections of carpet.
Humidity
The amount of water vapour in the air. See Relative Humidity.
Hydrostatic pressure
Rising ground water forced under pressure through a concrete slab which may cause problems with floor installation.
I
Indoor air quality
The quality of air (and environment) within a building that is dependent on good building design, implementation of effective building systems, operations and maintenance programs, and the appropriate selection of low VOC and odour emitting interior products such as carpet, cushion and related adhesives. Refer to Part A09 – Environmental Issues for additional information.
Indoor / outdoor
A type of carpet, regardless of construction, made entirely of components (surface yarns, backing, adhesives or laminating materials) that have been specially designed or treated to withstand moisture, extreme temperatures, ultra-violet rays and other types of exposure. It is a term synonymous for outdoor carpet.
J
Jacquard
Mechanism which controls the pattern of Wilton and Gripper Axminster looms.
Jaspe
The combination of irregular stripes of two hues of the same colour to produce a particular effect on the pile yarn.
Jute
A fibrous plant native to India and Asia that can be shredded and spun into yarn to be used as backing yarn in woven carpets or as a (secondary) backing fabric in tufted carpet. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
K
Karaloc carpet
A proprietary "cross weave" carpet. Refer to "crossloc" and "cross weave" carpet.
Kilotex
A metric measurement that describes the density of a carpet without considering pile height. It considers the size or denier of the yarn at any given twist, the number of ends in the width and the number of stitches in the length.
Knee-kicker
An installation tool designed to position carpet and move it onto the tackless strip. To absorb the pressure shock on the knee, the kicker's "butt pad" is made of sponge rubber. NOTE: With the exception of stair installation, knee-kickers should only be used for positioning and hooking the carpet onto the tackless strip and not for stretching carpet. A power stretcher should always be used for stretching carpet during installation. Refer to "power stretcher".
Knitted carpet
Carpet produced in a fabric formation process comprising interlacing yarns in a series of connected loops by the use of needles. As in weaving, pile and backing are produced simultaneously. Multiple sets of needles interlace pile, backing, and stitching yarns in one operation. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Kraft cord
A natural plant fibre that is tightly twisted and used as backing yarn.
Kuster dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
L
Laminated
Two or more layers of firmly united material.
Latex
A compound, either natural or man-made, used to coat the back of carpet to aid in the locking in of tufts and to adhere the secondary backing. Also used on seams and in repair work.
Latex patching compond
A patching and/or levelling compound consisting of latex (usually SBR rubber), Portland cement, and aggregate that is moisture, mildew, and alkali resistant.
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Refer to Part A09 – Environmental Issues for LEED requirements.
Leno weave
A woven fabric construction in which paired warp yarns twist around one another between fill yarn picks. It is similar to woven gauze bandage construction. Leno construction renders the yarns relatively immobile within the fabric, making possible very open weaves that are relatively stable. Woven polypropylene secondary backings for tufted carpets are generally of leno weave construction.
Level loop
Refer to "texture".
Loft
(or compressional resiliency) The ability of a fibre, yarn or fabric to spring back to its original thickness after being compressed.
Loom
Machine used to weave carpets (woven goods).
Loop pile
Refer to "texture".
Loose-lay installation
An installation (usually residential) of carpet flooring where a carpet or rug is installed without the use of fasteners or adhesive. A non-slip underlay or cushion may be used for added comfort and to reduce carpet or rug movement.
Low rows
A quality defect sometimes found in carpet made up of rows of tufts having pile heights below specification.
Light fastness
The degree of resistance of dyed textile materials against the effects of sunlight (ultraviolet rays) and artificial light. Static or accelerated test methods are used to determine these values (against a standard).
Lustre
Brightness or sheen of fibre, yarn, or carpet. Light reflected from a surface, it differs from shine in that it is more subdued. Synthetic fibres are produced in different lustres such as bright, semi-bright, semi-dull, and dull by using different degrees of additives. The lustre of finished carpet can also depend on the yarn heat-setting, dyeing, and finishing methods used. In high-traffic, commercial areas, duller carpet is often preferred for soil-hiding ability. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
M
Manufacturing defects
This includes all defects or blemishes that are produced in the manufacturing of a carpet.
Markers
Coloured yarns woven into the backs of woven carpets to aid installers in achieving correct pattern match and pile direction.
Matching
A matching of carpet pattern or design in adjacent widths or in successive roll lengths to present an uninterrupted pattern. In side matching the carpet is adjusted up or down (usually one-half the pattern repeat) to align the pattern. Pattern repeat dimensions and match are significant to specifiers and purchasing agents because they influence the amount of excess carpet (over a measured area) needed in multiple width installations. There are two types of matching:
Severe pile crush combined with entanglement of fibres and tufts.
Mending
Hand repair of carpet after tufting and weaving to replace missing tufts, remove knots and loose ends, etc.
Metallic fibre
A synthetic fibre made of metal, metal-coated plastic, or plastic-coated metal sometimes used in small amounts in carpet to dissipate static electricity, thus preventing shock.
Metamerism
An optical illusion where two different coloured carpet samples appear to match under certain lighting or viewing conditions. The two samples are called a metameric pair. Metamerism may occur when the sample and the actual carpet are made from slightly different dye components or are from different dye lots.
Mill end
A short piece of carpet roll goods having a length less than that of a full shipping roll or short roll, but more than a remnant. Quality standards differ among mills, but a mill end length specification of nine to twenty feet is typical.
Mitre joint
A junction of two pieces of carpet (or other material) at an angle. Most mitre joints involve pieces at right angles to one another with their ends cut at 45 degrees to form the joint.
Modular carpet
Also referred to as "carpet tile". A term used to describe carpet usually produced in 460 mm (18") or 915 mm (36") square "tile" form, complete with a structured backing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), amorphous resin, or other polymeric compounds. The backing may also include an integral cushion and may also be moisture impervious. The "hard back" (PVC and amorphous resin) offers dimensional stability and seam and edge integrity for easy pattern matching.
Mono filament
A filament large and strong enough to be used directly as a yarn for making textiles through any established process.
Moresque
Single strands of different colours of yarn twisted or plied together to form one multi-coloured yarn.
Moulding
A wooden or plastic strip, either quarter round or shoe moulding, attached to the bottom of a baseboard or wall to cover the joint between wall and floor. Also metal or vinyl mouldings used to cover raw edges of carpet at doorways or where carpet abuts another type of floor covering. There are two basic types: (1) applied-before, i.e., secured in place before carpet is installed and carpet is fitted to them; commonly called "gripper bar" and (2) applied-after, i.e., installed on top of carpet after it has been installed; commonly called "binder bar".
Multi-filament
Yarns made of many filaments plied or spun together. The finer the filaments spun together, the softer and more luxurious the yarn and textiles made from it.
N
Nap
The pile on the surface of a carpet or rug.
Needle loom
A machine for producing needled felt fabrics, also called needle-punched fabrics, that are sometimes used as outdoor carpet. The needle loom converts fibre directly to fabric by entangling and compressing fibre batts or webs with barbed felting needles. Refer also to needle punch carpet. (NOTE: "Needle Loom" also denotes a certain narrow weaving loom used in tape production having a needle instead of a shuttle as the fill insertion device. This has no application to carpet.)
Needle punched carpet
Carpet produced by mechanically binding with barbed needles a fibre web or fleece. Needle punched carpet is normally made with solution-dyed polypropylene and is often used as an outdoor carpet, although its usage in other applications is quite broad. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Needle punching
Loose fibres that are needled into a core or scrim fabric to form a felted or flat-textured material. A needle punched fabric can be embossed, printed, laminated to a cushion, or otherwise finished.
Nonwoven
A fabric made up of a web of fibres held together by a chemical or fibrous bonding agent.
Nosing
The leading edge of a stair tread that may be finished with carpet or with a protective metal, vinyl or rubber-formed edge material.
Nylon fibre
A synthetic fibre. The name derived as the result of the joint development of nylon in two separate Dupont laboratories, one in New York (ny) and the other in London, England (lon). Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Nylon carpet
A carpet manufactured using nylon fibre. There are two chemical types, nylon 6,6 (a hexamethylene diamin) and nylon 6 (a polycaprolactam) widely used as a carpet face yarn in either BCF or staple yarn form. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
O
Oily wires
A term used to define the wire in carpet manufacturing or a discolouration across the width of woven carpet due to dirty or oily wires.
Oily yarn
Yarn containing excessive oil on its surface, usually from excessive oiling of rings on spinning and twisting machines. Although not visible during carpet production, it may appear as soiled or dark lines of yarn when the carpet is in service.
Olefin fibre
(Polypropylene) Any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of ethylene, propylene or other olefin units.
Olefin carpet
A carpet manufactured using olefin fibre. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
On-grade
Refer to "grade"
Open time
The amount of time between the spreading of adhesive on a substrate and the placement of a floor covering material into the adhesive during which the adhesive will still bond.
Outdoor carpet
Carpet that may be used outdoors without rapid fading or deterioration. The principal requirements are resistance to sunlight and to water. Most outdoor carpet pile yarns are solution dyed polypropylene containing ultraviolet stabilization additives. Coating and backing materials are synthetics that are water and rot resistant.
P
Padding
Refer to "cushion".
Parallel spinning
The method most commonly used in spinning nylon staple fibre into yarn. Staple fibres measuring 150 to 200 mm (6" to 8") are paralleled by combing and drafting until the fibres are in regular even slivers, or strands of combed yarn. Multiple slivers are combined to make up one finely drafted sliver. This sliver can be further blended for consistency. The final sliver is put on a spinning frame and further drawn (or pulled) as twist is applied, turning the fibre into a cohesive singles yarn ready to be plied and heat-set. Refer also to "worsted spinning".
Patching
Process of repairing holes, cracks, breaches, etc. in a floor surface prior to installation of carpet.
Pattern
A decorative design achieved by varying pile heights or by alternately cutting pile loops, by using pre-coloured or pre-dyed yarns (in woven, knitted, or tufted carpet), or by screen printing or injecting the surface of undyed carpet with coloured inks. The process of manufacturing such carpet introduces a variety of installation problems. Slight variations in yarn tensions, yarn feed, etc. can also create changes in pattern configuration. Four conditions may be found on any patterned carpet: Refer to Part CC2E - Pattern Carpet Installation Problems.
Visually apparent streaking in patterned carpet resulting from linear juxtaposition of pattern elements in one direction. It is usually most visible in the length direction. It is not a carpet defect, but is inherent in certain designs. Designers and Owners should view rolls of carpet laid out on a floor to evaluate geometric or other busy patterns for this characteristic that may be objectionable in long corridors and other large areas, but not visible in small rooms.
Peaking
Also known as puckering, pleating or wrinkling. An installation defect in carpet seams, usually occurring during stretch-in installations, in which one carpet seam edge is longer than the adjoining seam edge. The excess carpet gathers into wrinkles or pleats at the seam. Refer also to "buckling".
pH
A value representing the concentration of hydrogen ions in gram equivalents per litre used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a substance on a scale from 0 to 14 with 7 representing neutrality, numbers less than 7 increasing acidity, and numbers greater than 7 increasing alkalinity. Laboratory and field testing for pH must be done with distilled water.
The number of weft yarns shuttled across the warp yarns, indicating closeness of weave lengthwise.
Picks per inch
In woven carpet and fabric, the number of insertions per inch of length.
Piece dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Pigment
Highly coloured, insoluble, powdered substance used to impart colour to other materials. White pigments, e.g., titanium dioxide, are dispersed in fibre-forming polymers to produce delustered (semi-dull and dull) fibres.
Pigmented yarns
Refer to solution dyed fibre.
Pile
The visible and wearing surface of carpet consisting of yarn tufts in loop and/or cut configuration. Sometimes called "face" or "nap".
Pile crush
Loss of pile thickness by compression and blending of tufts caused by foot or wheeled traffic and static loads such as heavy furniture. This may be minimized by using a beater bar vacuum. Also referred to as matting and walking out. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Pile density
Number of tufts both across (needles per 100 mm of gauge for tufted carpet) and lengthwise (stitches per 100 mm) of the carpet
Pile height
The height of the pile yarn measured from the surface of the primary backing to the top (tip) of the exposed pile yarn (does not include the thickness of the backing), expressed in fractions of an inch or decimal fractions of an inch.
Pile reversal
Refer to "shading".
Pile weight
The weight of the pile yarns expressed in grams per square metre (or ounces per square yard).
Pile yarn
The yarn making up the tufts of the carpet.
Pilling
A condition of the carpet face in which fibres from different tufts become entangled with one another, forming hard masses or pills of fibres and tangled tufts. These may occur in heavy traffic and pivot areas. Pills may be cut off with scissors, i.e., they cannot be removed without breaking a fibre.
Pitch
This term applies to woven carpet only and refers to the number of warp threads or pile ends in 685 mm (27") of carpet width, which indicates the closeness of the weave. The higher the pitch the finer the weave.
Plied yarns
Two or more strands, ends or plies either twisted or otherwise cohesively entwined, intermingled or entangled into a heavier yarn.
Plush
Refer to "texture".
Ply
A single-end component in a plied yarn. Also refers to the number of strands of yarn twisted together to form a single yarn, as in "2 ply" or "3 ply" yarn.
Polyester
A synthetic manufactured fibre in which the fibre forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer. The most commonly used one for carpet fibre purposes is polyethylene terephthalate or simply PET. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Polypropylene
The generic name for fibres made from a synthetic linear polymer of ethylene. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Polymer
Large chemical molecules from which synthetic fibres are made. Polymers are complex, chain-like molecules made by uniting simpler molecules called monomers. Synthetic polymers used for commercial carpet fibre include Type 6.6 nylon and Type 6 nylon (polyamides) and polypropylene.
Polymerization
The first stage of nylon production. A chemical reaction where small molecules combine to form much larger molecules.
Pooling
Refer to "pile reversal".
Post dyed
Dye process where the carpet rather than yarn is dyed. Refer to "dyeing".
Post-consumer material
Of or relating to products that have been used and recycled by consumers.
Post-consumer recycled content
A product that contains some percentage of material reclaimed from consumer waste.
Post-dyeing
Method by which the carpet is dyed after it is manufactured. This can be accomplished by piece dyeing, continuous dyeing, differential dyeing and printing.
Post-industrial material
Of or relating to industrial manufacturing waste; also called pre-consumer material.
Post-industrial recycled content
A product that contains some percentage of manufacturing waste material that has been reclaimed from a process generating the same or a similar product. Also called pre-consumer recycle content.
Pot life
(in regard to adhesives) The period of time during which an adhesive once opened remains suitable for use before it "sets". Refer to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for information.
Power stretcher
A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet onto a tackless strip. It consists of a pinned plate that grips the carpet, tubular extensions, a padded end used to brace against an opposing wall or other structure, and a lever system that multiplies applied stretching force. All commercial and residential carpet installed over cushion with a tackless strip, must be power-stretched to prevent wrinkles and ripples.
Pre dyed
Dye process where the filament or yarn rather than carpet is dyed. Refer to "dyeing".
Primary backing
Refer to "backing".
Prime urethane cushion
Separate carpet cushion made from virgin polyurethane foam. The sheet of foam is cut from large "loaves". As opposed to prime cushion, rebonded polyurethane is made from recovered scrap.
Printed carpet (printing)
Carpet that has coloured patterns applied after the finishing process. Methods include computer controlled injection jet printing, flatbed screen printing employing woven fabric screens, rotary screen printing using perforated sheet steel screens, and printing using sponge rubber pattern elements on wooden rollers.
Puckering
Refer to "peaking".
Q
Quarter
A woven carpet term that designates the width of narrow carpet. It is one quarter of a yard, or nine inches. At one time, most woven carpet was made on narrow looms. Widths such as 27 inches and 36 inches were commonly called three-quarter and four-quarter carpet respectively.
Quarter drop match
This type of pattern has four units in every length repeat. Each length repeat drops down one unit or the quarter of the repeat. This gives a diagonal effect to the pattern when all breadths are joined together.
Quarter-round
Wooden or plastic moulding used at joints between walls and floors, or between larger (base) mouldings and floors.
R
Radiant heated floor
A substrate that also serves as a means to heat an area. Generally, heating coils, pipes or ducts are built into the substrate. Most types of cushion and carpet may be installed over radiant-heated flooring but this should be verified with the specific cushion and carpet manufacturer. Refer to Part C04B - Material Guide - Selection for additional information.
Ramp
An inclined plane connecting two different floor levels and used instead of steps. Depending on the slope, the use of a slip resistant flooring material other than carpet may be required.
Random sheared
Refer to "texture".
Rebond
Refer to bonded urethane cushion.
Red 40 stain scale
A standard comparison to rate degrees of Red Dye 40 staining from 10 (no staining) to 1 (severe staining).
Reducer strips / protective edgings
Metal or vinyl mouldings used to cover raw edges of carpet flooring at doorways or where it abuts another type of floor covering (e.g. resilient, hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring). There are two basic types: (1) applied-before, i.e., secured in place before flooring is installed with floor material fitted to them and (2) applied-after, i.e., installed on top of flooring after it has been installed.
Relative humidity
The ratio of the amount of water vapour present in the air to that which the air would hold at saturation at the same temperature. It is usually considered on the basis of the weight of the vapour, but for accuracy should be considered on the basis of vapour pressures.
Remnant
A short piece of carpet roll goods, usually less than nine feet long.
Repeat
The distance from a point in a pattern figure to the same point where it occurs again, measured length-wise and width-wise on the carpet. Carpet may have to be cut in order to achieve a drop (diagonal) match or a set (side) match. There will therefore be some waste in achieving the best possible match. Refer to "drop match" and "set match".
Residential carpet
Carpet flooring specifically designed for installation in residential settings. Refer also to commercial carpet flooring.
Resilience
The ability of a carpet or underpad / cushion to recover (spring back to) its original appearance and thickness after being subjected to compressive forces from foot and rolling traffic and/or by static or moving loads such as furniture.
Resist printing
A dye resist agent is printed on tufted carpet prior to piece dying producing coloured patterns.
Re-stretch
Remedial action to eliminate wrinkles and bubbles or to correct loose fit resulting from improper laying, carpet defects or stretching.
Riser
The vertical or front face of a step between two stair treads.
Rolling
Procedure for removing trapped air, flatten adhesive ridges, and for setting cushion and/or carpet into the adhesive to achieve a uniform bond. When recommended, the cushion or carpet should be rolled in one direction and then in the cross direction immediately after placing it into the adhesive. Rolling should be started at the centre of flooring working outward to move trapped air to the edges.
Rolling loads
These are loads imposed on flooring by moving heavy furniture and other materials or items using dollies, carts, litters, gurneys, etc. As the bearing surface area of some of these wheels and casters is deceptively small it results in higher compressive forces than may be anticipated. This is particularly important to note in regard to newly installed carpet which should not be exposed to such rolling traffic for at least 72 hours after installation to allow the adhesive to set and dry. A minimum 6 mm (1/4") or thicker plywood, hardboard, or other hard underlayment panel may be used to prevent damage from such loads.
Rotary brushing
A carpet cleaning technique in which a detergent solution is worked into the pile by a motor-driven rotating brush. Loosened soil and spent solution is often subsequently removed by vacuum.
Rows / wires
Rows of tufts counted lengthwise in every 100 mm (4") of carpet. In Axminster carpets, these are called rows, in Wilton and Velvet, wires.
Rucking
Refer to "peaking".
Rug
A carpet not fastened to the floor and usually not covering the entire floor (also referred to as an Area Rug). Refer to Part CC1C - Glossary - Rugs.
Runners (carpet)
A continuous piece of carpet used as a surface covering in traffic lanes and on stairs with a margin on each side.
S
Saxony
Refer to "texture".
Sawtooth crimp
Also called zigzag crimp, this is a two-dimensional crimp that gives yarn cohesion, texture and bulk. Refer also to "crimp".
Scribing
An installation term for the method of transferring the exact irregularities of a wall, floor or other surface onto a piece of carpet by a tracing technique. The carpet is then cut to fit exactly.
Scrim-back
Used in tufted carpet construction, it is a secondary backing made of a light coarse fabric or synthetic material added to the regular jute or kraft cord back.
Sculptured
A type of multi-level surface pattern with a specific design.
Seam adhesive
A specifically formulated adhesive for securing cut edges of carpet to be seamed. Specialized adhesive products are necessary for either glue-down, or stretch-in over a cushion installation to help prevent ravelling and delamination at seam edges.
Seams
In a carpet installation, the line formed by joining, without overlaps or gaps, the edge of two pieces of carpet or cushion by the use of various seaming tapes, hand sewing or other techniques.
Seam sealing
Procedure of coating the trimmed edges of two carpet breadths to be joined with a continuous bead of adhesive in order to prevent fraying and ravelling at the seam and to secure one piece to the other.
Seaming tape
Fabric tape used for joining two sections of carpet. "Hot melt" tape is pre-coated with a thermoplastic adhesive. Other tapes have adhesive applied separately.
Secondary backing
Refer to "backing".
Seconds
A term used for off-quality, defective, or substandard carpet that is normally marketed at substantial price discounts as "seconds" or "imperfects" by manufacturers.
Self-tone
A pattern of two or more shades of the same colour. When two shades are used in a pattern or design, it is called "two-tone."
Selvege (selvedge)
The lengthwise edge of a carpet. In woven carpet it is a factory-finished edge to prevent unravelling and does not require binding or hemming. In tufted carpet the edge is trimmed at seam faces.
Serging
A method of finishing edges of carpet by use of heavy, coloured yarn sewn around the edges in a close, overcast stitch. Also known as oversewing. In some cases sides may be serged and the ends fringed.
Set match
Refer to "matching".
Shading
A change in carpet appearance caused by normal wear or due to localized distortions in the orientation of carpet fibre, tufts, or loops either of which is not considered a manufacturing defect. Shading can also be a variation in colour (dye) or hue within a roll length or across the width of a carpet which is considered a difference in light reflection. Both are characteristics of cut pile carpet. Also known as "pile reversal, watermarking, or pooling". See also "temporary pile reversal".
Shag
Refer to "texture".
Shearing
A manufacturing / finishing process analogous to lawn mowing where rotating cutters are used to remove the fuzz, plane the surface, or create patterns. The depth of shearing can be shallow as in defuzzing, tip shearing and random shearing or can be full or deep to create a plush or velvet surface. Refer also to "tip shearing".
Shedding
The appearance of loose fibre fragments on a carpet surface that are left during manufacturing (not a defect, but a characteristic that disappears after carpet use and vacuuming). Wool will shed for it's complete life. As wool fibre ages, the finer filaments become brittle, and break off as wear and tear take place. Synthetic carpets only "appear" to shed as they lose sheared cut fibres that have remained in the carpet after the shearing process at the mill. This usually occurs in the first 6 months to a year after installation. Refer to "fuzzing" or "fluffing".
Shelf life
The period of time that a manufacturer will guarantee that unopened adhesive will be useable. The date of manufacture is normally stamped on the container. In most cases, the adhesive will be usable for a period of time following the shelf life. When the adhesive becomes unusable, the handling characteristics are affected.
Shoe moulding
Wood or plastic strip with one corner edge rounded slightly. It is used to conceal joints between walls and floors or between larger mouldings and floors.
Short roll
A length of carpet that is shorter than a full shipping roll and longer than a remnant. Depending on carpet mill quality standards, it may be from 6000 to 12000 mm (20 to 40 feet) long. Shorts are usually sold by carpet mills at a substantial discount from first quality, full roll prices, but higher than second quality prices.
Shot
The number of weft yarns in relation to each row of tufts crosswise on the loom.
Shuttle
Part of weaving loom that carries fill yarn back and forth across the fabric width. In conventional looms, it contains a spool of fill yarn called a bobbin.
Side seams
Seams running the length of the carpet. Sometimes called length seams.
Singles
One yarn end of either continuous filament yarn or spun yarn. Singles yarn is most often plied (or twisted) with additional singles yarns to create a "two-ply," "three-ply" or "four-ply" yarn bundle.
Sisal
Natural fibre from the sisal plant that is used to manufacture strong course twine used in carpet backing as well as a "ribbed-like" style of carpet. Also an inappropriate definition used for similar styles of carpet manufactured from synthetic fibres such as nylon and polypropylene.
Skein dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Skew
Refer to "pattern".
Sliver
An intermediate stage in the production of spun yarns from staple fibre. It is a large, soft untwisted strand or rope of fibres produced by carding or pin drafting.
Soil hiding
The ability of a yarn to mask the presence of soil or dried liquids.
Soil retardant
(soil resist treatment) Topical chemical treatment applied to carpet pile yarn or fabricated carpet surface to resist soiling and staining. (Can be applied at the mill or after installation). There are several types of retardants that are fluro-carbon, silicone or acid dye resistor based.
solution dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Sound transmission class (STC) rating
This is the rating of airborne sound transmission. Most carpet (particularly if installed over cushion will aid in reducing reverberant or airborne sound. Refer to A08C - Acoustical Issues.
Space dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Spinnerette
The device (similar to a shower head) through which molten polymer is extruded to form strands of filament. The shape of the holes define the cross section shape and size of the filament when it solidifies and cools. This spinning stage also determines the number of filaments in a continuous filament yarn bundle.
Spinning
A term that defines both filament production (Refer to "spinnerette") as well as the conversion of staple fibre by mechanical means into spun yarn. The twisting of separate fibres also increases the bulk and resiliency of a yarn. Refer also to "parallel spinning".
Sponge cushion
Carpet cushion of rubber foam material that is chemically blown to form a cushion product.
Spread rate
The amount of coverage that can be expected from a given amount of adhesive when spread using the recommended trowel.
Sprouting
Protrusion of individual tuft or yarn ends about the pile surface. May be clipped with scissors. Sometimes referred to as "shooting".
Spun-dyed fibre
Refer to solution dyed fibre.
Spun yarn
A yarn consisting of fibres of regular or irregular staple length, usually bound together by twist.
Stain
Soil or other substance that is not removable by standard cleaning methods.
Stain blocking
The filling of unused dye sites on carpet fibres to eliminate staining.
Stain resist treatment
Chemical treatment, primarily for nylon carpet, to minimize stains from food colours. Chemical stain resist treatments are not commonly used for commercial carpet.
Stair nosing
Material used to cover the nose of a stair when stairway is not upholstered. Commonly used to demarcate the edge of a stair in restaurants, theatres, etc.
Staple
Short lengths of fibre that may be converted into spun yarns by textile yarn spinning processes. These spun yarns are also called "staple" yarns. For carpet yarns spun on the common, modified worsted systems, most staple is 150 mm (6") to 200 mm (8") long. Staple fibre may also be converted directly into non-woven fabrics, such as needle punched carpet.
Static
Electricity generated by walking across a carpet or rug.
Static shock
Discharge of electrostatic potential from carpet to person to a conductive ground, e.g., a doorknob. Shoe friction against carpet fibre causes the production of an electrostatic charge. Charges above 3500 volts may produce discomfort.
Stay tacking
A carpet installation term for temporary nailing or tacking carpet to hold the stretch until the entire installation can be stretched over and fastened onto tackless stripping. This is a technique used in large contract installations that are too large to stretch in one step and is also frequently used to ensure pattern match.
Step return
A term for that part of a staircase tread that extends over the riser. Also known as a bullnose or extended nosing.
Stiffness
Resistance of material, such as carpet, to bending.
Stitches
The number of yarn tufts per running inch of a single tuft row running down the length of the carpet in tufted carpet (as opposed to gauge).
Stitch count
This term applies to tufted carpet only and refers to the number of stitches or tufts per inch (spi). Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide - Carpet for additional information.
Stitch length
Total length of yarn from which a tuft is made. It is numerically equal to twice the pile height plus the associated back stitch behind the primary backing.
Stock-dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Stop marks
Widthwise, mechanical pile imperfections in tufted carpet. Usually caused by improper stop and start techniques by the machine operator.
Streak
Any lengthwise narrow visual defect in carpet. Dye streaks may be caused by a single pile end having different dye affinity from the others. Other streaks may be yarn defects such as tight twist, stretched yarn or yarns larger or smaller than the others. A moderate level of streaking is almost always present in Saxony carpet made from plied heat set yarns and should be considered characteristic of this style.
Stretch
A carpet installation term for the amount of elongation of carpet when it is stretched over pad onto tackless strip. Generally one to two (2%) percent.
Stretch-in
Installation procedure for installing carpet usually over separate cushion. The carpet is secured in place under tension to a tackless strip at the perimeter.
Stria or stripped
A striped effect obtained by loosely twisting two strands of one shade of yarn with one strand of lighter or darker shade. The single yarn appears like irregular stripes.
Stuffer
A backing yarn in woven carpet. Stuffers are, normally, large warp yarns (lengthwise yarns) that increase weight, strength, hand, stiffness and stability.
Suessen
Refer to "heat setting".
Superba
Refer to "heat setting".
Subfloor / substrate
The floor surface to which flooring materials are applied/installed. Refer to "underlayment".
Surface contour
Refers to the surface of the fibre along its length.
Suspended floor
A sub- floor constructed over a minimum of 450 mm (18") of cross-ventilated air space.
Swatch
A small carpet sample. Swatches should be retained to verify colour, texture, weight and other quality factors when carpet is delivered.
Synthetic backing
A backing material using mostly polyester or polypropylene.
Synthetic fibre
Man made (not natural) fibre.
T
Tak dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Tackless strip
Wood or metal strips fastened to the floor near the walls of a room and containing either two or three rows of pins angled toward the wall on which the carpet backing is stretched and secured in a stretch-in installation.
Template
A paper or cardboard pattern used by installers as a guide for cutting carpet for areas having complicated or unusual shapes.
Temporary pile reversal
Pile reversal caused primarily by foot traffic and vacuum cleaning. This change in visual appearance is not a manufacturing defect but may be objectionable over a "trackless" style carpet. See also "shading".
Tensile strength
Breaking strain of yarns or fabrics. High tensile strength means strong yarns or fabrics.
Tetrapod drum
An instrument to test pile floor coverings to produce changes in appearance and colour due to changes in surface structure by mechanical action. This accelerated test, primarily used in the US, provides a specific rating of the ability of the carpet to withstand crushing and matting.
Textile floor covering material
General description used for carpet, rugs, etc.
Texture
The "surface effect" of a carpet that adds interest beyond its colours or design. Texture is a direct result of carpet construction and is an important factor in its performance. There are many textures types:
A carpet's ability to withstand crushing and matting. Although accelerated test methods do not directly compare with actual floor performance, they do give an indication of a carpet's ability to withstand crushing and matting.
Texturing texturizing
The process of imparting crimp, loops, or other modifications to continuous filament yarns. Textured yarns have increased cover, resiliency, abrasion resistance, and insulation. Refer also to "crimping".
Threshold
The raised material beneath a door, also known as a "door sill" or "saddle".
Tip definition
Visible individual twisted cut yarn ends in a carpet surface. If, under heavy wear and pivoting, the tufts have been splayed open, the carpet is said to have lost its tip definition.
Tip sheared
Shearing or shaving off high loops in tufted carpet to create a cut and uncut texture and pattern. This is done to create a random two or three level appearance.
Tone-on-tone
A carpet pattern made by using two or more shades of the same hue.
Top colours
In printed or woven coloured patterns, top colours are the ones forming the pattern elements, as distinguished from background or ground colours.
Total weight
Weight per square yard of total carpet pile yarn, primary and secondary backings, and coatings.
Tow
Continuous synthetic fibre filaments (without twist) collected in a loose rope-like form and held together by crimp. Tow is the form before fibre is cut into staple.
Tracked-off area
That area of the carpet which collects foot soil tracked in from outdoors or from hard surface floors.
Traffic
The passing back and forth of persons over a given carpet surface area. Refer also to "foot traffic".
Transition strip
Normally a metal, vinyl, or rubber strip which smoothly transitions a higher piece of flooring to a lower piece, such as resilient flooring to carpet.
Tread
The horizontal (walking surface) part of a stair or step.
Trim
These are floor "finishing" materials such as baseboard, transition trims, etc.
Trowel
Hand implement used for metering and spreading adhesive onto a substrate surface. Trowels are generally notched with pattern and notch size to suit carpet backing (and cushion) and adhesive requirements.
Tuft bind (tuft lock)
Force required to pull a tuft from a cut pile carpet or to pull free one leg of a loop from a looped pile carpet.
Tufted carpet
Carpet manufactured by the insertion of tufts of yarn through a carpet's primary backing fabric by rows of eyed needles, creating a pile surface of cut and/or loop ends. Refer also to "tufted backing" under backing.
Tufting
Face, or pile, yarns are inserted into a preconstructed backing. A rapid method of construction, now accounting for more than 90% of all carpet and rug production in the North America. The tufting machine may be used for a wide variety of carpet and rug qualities and styles.
Tufts
The cut or uncut loops forming the face of a tufted or woven carpet.
Turns per inch (TPI)
The number of times two or more yarns have been plied in an inch length. Also known as input ply twist. Refer also to "twist".
Turns per tuft (TPT)
The number of twists in the pile yarn above the primary backing. This is a more accurate way of measuring relative twist level in cut pile carpets. Generally, the greater the turns per tuft, the better the performance.
Tweed
Carpet and other textile materials consisting of two or more colours forming an overall harmony.
Two-tone
A pattern of two shades of the same colour.
Twist
The (twist) direction and shape yarn has been given to produce a particular textured effect. The twist or winding of either singles or plies around their own axis is described in turns per inch or TPI. The twist direction may be either right (Z-twist) or left (S-twist). Most carpets range between 2.5 and 6.0 tpi. A tighter twist provides enhanced durability and performance. The performance of a cut pile carpet is dependent on the twist in the pile yarn. Spun yarns need more twist than filament yarns for good performance. For moderate or heavy commercial use cut pile, it is suggested that continuous filament have a minimum of 4.50 TPI while spun yarns have a minimum ply twist of 4.75 TPI. In all cases it is the manufacturer's responsibility to determine the twist level.
Twist carpet
Carpet having a pile texture created with tightly twisted yarns in which the ply twist is substantially greater than the singles twist, causing the yarn to curl. Most twist styles are cut pile. Unbalanced, hard twist causes a nubby texture. Refer also to "frieze carpet".
Two-ply
Most common yarn ply. Two single yarns are twisted together, then heatset to maintain their twisted configuration. Can be used in either cut or loop pile carpet.
U
Underpad
Refer to "cushion".
Underlayment
A separate hard surface board (e.g. plywood) or other material installed over subflooring or a substrate to provide a smooth level surface acceptable for the installation of carpet. Hard surface underlayment under carpet is not normally required. Refer also to "subfloor / substrate".
Refer to "backing systems".
Unitary carpet
Carpet used for glue down installations that has an application of high-quality backcoating latex to increase tuft bind performance properties without the addition of a secondary backing.
V
Vat dyeing
Dyes formed in fabrics by oxidation and precipitation of the original dye liquor (indigo). Refers to kind of dye rather than method of dyeing. Raw stock or skein dyeing can be performed with vat dyes.
Velvet construction
Refer to "texture".
Velvet finish
Smooth surface of dense cut pile carpet usually produced on a tufting machine or velvet loom.
Vettermann drum
An rotating drum instrument into which carpet samples are placed and then subjected to simulated trafficking to produce changes in appearance and colour by mechanical action. This accelerated test, primarily used in the US, provides a specific rating of the ability of the carpet to withstand crushing and matting.
Vinyl back
A type of solid or cushioned synthetic carpet backing.
Vinyl plasticizer
A substance incorporated into polyvinyl chloride polymer to increase flexibility, workability, or distensibility (capable of being extended).
Viscose
Manufactured fibre from wood pulp both in staple and filament yarn.
VOC
Abbreviation for volatile organic compound.
W
Walk-off mats
Mats located at entryways to collect dampness, dirt and other materials before they are tracked into the building.
Wall base
Trim material attached at the base of a vertical surface. Can be ceramic tile, resilient rubber or vinyl, wood, or carpet.
Warp
In weaving, the threads that run lengthwise (length) on a loom passing alternately over and under the weft yarns. There are three kinds: stuffer warp (for lengthwise strength and stiffness), pile warp (forms the carpet surface tufts) and chain warp (interlaces with fill yarn to lock structure together).
Warp pile
In woven carpet, the pile formed by the warp yarns. Refer to "warp". watermarking Random / irregular shading or apparent colour change that is not considered a defect but an inherent characteristic of cut pile carpet. Also called pile or nap reversal, pooling.
Wear
Refer to "foot traffic".
Weaving
Surface and backing yarns are interlaced or woven together in one operation. Several types of looms are employed.
In weaving, the threads that run crosswise (width) from selvage to selvage and are woven in and out of the warp threads by means of shuttle or bobbin. They are now called filler threads.
Wilton (carpet)
Refer to "texture".
Wire height
In woven carpet, the height of the pile tuft is determined by the wire height. See Wires.
Wires or rows
This term applies to woven carpets only and refers to the number of weft shots or crosswise units per inch measured along the length of a carpet. This literally means the number of pile tufts per cm or inch lengthwise (i.e. along the length) of a carpet, and relates to the closeness of the weave. The higher the number, the more stitches per cm or inch and the closer the pile rows are to each other down the length of the carpet. The number will differ according to the grade of carpet, and will range from 4 in low density Axminster carpet to as high as 13 in densely woven Wilton carpet. Tufted carpets have no crosswise yarns, but it is still possible to measure the number of tufts per inch by merely counting them.
Wires (loom)
A component of a carpet weaving loom consisting of thin metal rods or blades on which the pile tufts are formed. Round wires and cut wires are identical in shape with the round wires used to produce loop pile carpet and flat or cut wires with sharp blades used to produce cut pile (plush) carpet. The cut wire has a small knife blade at the end and, as it is withdrawn, it cuts the yarn looped over it to form cut pile.
Wool
Natural animal fibre or fleece (usually from sheep). For the purposes of weaving wool is separated into combing wool with a staple length of 65 to 180 mm (2 1/2" to 7") and carding or clothing wool with average staple length below 40 mm (1 1/2"). Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Woolen count
Although the term originally denoted a woollen yarn measurement system, it now also includes other yarn that is spun from short fibres that are interlocked as much as possible in the spinning operation and then twisted. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Woolen spinning
Spinning method which produces bulky, hairy yarn, usually used for wool yarns. A series of cards, or large cylinders with comb-like teeth, straighten the fibres into a paralleled fibre webbing. This webbing is blended with other webbing then spun into yarn. Refer also to "worsted spinning".
Working time
When installing sheet flooring, this is the amount of time allowable from the laying in of the flooring until all cutting and fitting must be completed. When installing tile, this is the amount of time from the point when the adhesive is dry to the touch until the tile will no longer bond. Temperature, humidity, and porosity of the subfloor affect working time.
Worsted
Worsted refers to two different processes that are combined to produce a smooth, clean yarn. Originally it referred to woolen yarn manufactured in Worstead, Norfolk, England. It now refers to yarn made of long fibres that are combed, and tightly twisted in spinning.
Worsted count
The worsted count (wc), like "cotton count (cc)" expresses the number of hanks required to make a pound of yarn. A hank of worsted wool is equal to 560 yards. One wc equals 560 yards of cotton, the coarsest worsted yarn. Worsted sizes are the reverse of cotton sizes. A two-ply number 6 worsted yarn would be expressed as 2/6 wc and would yield 1680 yards per pound. A worsted count (wc) can be converted to a cotton count (cc) by multiplying the cc by 1.5, or wc = cc x 1.5. Refer also to "cotton count" and "hank" as well as to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Worsted spinning
Also known as modified worsted spinning or "parallel spinning", this is a system of yarn production designed for medium or longer wools, and other fibres. Suitable fibre lengths vary from 125 to 180 mm (2 1/2" to 7"). The process includes, opening, blending, cleaning, carding, followed by combing, drawing, and spinning. These yarns are compact, smooth and more even and stronger than similar yarns spun using the woolen system. Worsted yarns are markedly parallel as distinct from woollen yarns in which is not (i.e. the yarn is "hairy" with fibres going in all directions).
Worsted yarn
Slender, hard, lustrous yarn spun from long, straight wool or synthetic fibres that are combed to lie parallel and to remove short fibres.
Woven backing
A tufted carpet term for primary or secondary backing manufactured by the weaving process. Secondary backings are usually woven jute or woven polypropylene. Primary backings are usually woven (or nonwoven) polypropylene. Refer also to "backing".
Woven carpet
Carpet produced on a loom, by which the lengthwise (warp) yarns and width wise (weft or filling) yarns are interlaced to form the fabric. Carpet weaves, such as Wilton, Axminster, and velvet, are complex, often involving several sets of warp and filling yarns for the pile and backing. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Wrinkling
Refer to "peaking".
Y
Yarn
Any natural or synthetic fibre used to manufacture carpet.
Yarn count
Refer to "count".
Yarn dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Yarn ply
The number of single yarns twisted together to form a plied yarn.
Yarn size
The weight measure of the total bundle of filaments making up a yarn that also indicates if the yarn is fine or coarse. Continuous filament yarns are sized by the denier or decitex system. Spun yarns are sized by the cotton count system. (See "Denier" or "Cotton count.")
Yarn weight
Total amount of yarn used in the manufacturing of carpet. It is measured in ounces per square yard.
Z
Zippering
A run of tufts pulled out of carpet backing due to snagging of tuft (usually loops). Problem caused by low tuft bind and/or tuft base not securely encapsulated by backing compound.
A
Above grade
Refer to "grade".
Abrasion resistance
This is the resistance of the carpet to wear and generally depends on the toughness of the fibre and type of construction.
Abraded yarns
Continuous filament yarns in which filaments have been cut and abraded at intervals and given an additional twist to produce a certain degree of hairiness, so as to simulate the character of yarns spun from staple.Abraded yarns are usually plied or twisted with other yarns before using.
Abrasive wear
Measurable damage / fibre loss to carpet under normal usage due to foot traffic and the scratching effects of abrasive substances such as dirt, grit, sand, etc.
Acclimation
Adaptation of carpet, cushion, and installation materials to their installed temperature and humidity environment (i.e., not work site environment which may be different). Such materials should be unpacked and allowed enough time (generally 48 hours) to equalize to these requirements.
Acoustical properties
Absorbance, reflection, or transmission of sound waves. This term is usually used in regard to the sound transmission rating of carpeted flooring assemblies.
Acid dyeable
Nylon polymer that has been chemically modified to make fibres more receptive to acid based dyes. Acid dyeable yarns are available in different dye levels, i.e., light, medium, and deep.
Acrylic fibre
A synthetic thermoplastic fibre made by polymerization of acrylonitrile, usually with other monomers. Refer also to Part C04C - Carpet Material Guide for additional information.
Adhesion
This is the property that causes one material to stick to another. Adhesion is affected by the condition of the surface to be coated and by the closeness of contact, as well as by the molecular forces of the unlike substances. The surface of the substrate and carpet or cushion backing should be clean and dry and not too smooth or non-porous to allow a certain amount of penetration of the adhesive for good adhesion.
Adhesive
A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. Adhesives may be applied to the substrate and/or cushion by using a trowel, airless spray, roller, or other means acceptable to the adhesive manufacturer. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide as well as Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for additional information.
Adhesive bleeding
This is the undesired migration of materials in the adhesive through the backing to the surface of the carpet or between carpet tile joints.
Adhesive transfer
The amount of adhesive actually transferred into glued down cushion and/or carpet backing including recesses, that will provide adhesive contact with the substrate. 100% adhesive transfer is complete contact of the adhesive to flooring.
Aesthetics
Properties perceived by touch and sight, such as the hand, colour, lustre and texture of carpet.
Affinity
The tendency for two elements or substances to combine chemically. An example is the affinity of acid dyes for nylon fibre.
Air bubbles
These are caused by air trapped under the flooring and can be small or large in size. These may occur shortly after installation and are caused by placing the carpet flooring into the adhesive too soon or rolling improperly.
Air-entangled
Also known as air-interlaced, commingled, or heathered. A method of producing yarn in which BCF fibres are "locked" together by air jets at intervals. The resulting yarn is characterized by a heather appearance. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Alkali
Alkalis are also referred to as bases. They are a soluble substance having a pH of more than 7 when dissolved in water.
Alkaline salts
These occur in concrete, and may be left as a residue on substrate surfaces when the water carrying alkaline salts evaporates during the concrete curing process. The presence of alkaline salt will cause adhesive bonding and/ or flooring material failures.
Alkalinity test
A test using litmus paper or other means to determine the alkalinity (pH) of a concrete substrate before deciding on the feasibility of gluing a floor covering material directly to it.
Antimicrobial treatment
A chemical treatment topically applied to carpet after production or one that is introduced at the fibre production stage so that it is inherent in or an integral part of the carpet fibre to inhibit or minimize the growth of common bacteria, fungi, yeast, mould and mildew. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Anti-static treatment
A chemical treatment topically applied to carpet after production or one that is introduced into the carpet at time of production so that it becomes an inherent or integral part of the carpet construction to control an electrostatic charge before it reaches the threshold of human sensitivity (approximately 3.0 kilovolts (kv). Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Appearance retention
The ability of a carpet to maintain its initial visual appearance (aesthetics and colour) and construction integrity. Many carpet appearance retention problems are mistakenly referred to as wear.
Ashlar
A term used to describe the layout pattern of carpet tiles (or substrate or underlayment panels) in relation to every other row such as half-staggered or brick pattern design.
Attached cushion
Cushion material, such as foam, rubber, urethane, PVC, etc. permanently bonded / adhered to the back side of a carpet by the carpet manufacturer.
Autoclave
An apparatus used to heat set yarn under pressure in a super heated steam atmosphere. Autoclave heat-setting is a batch, not a continuous, method.
Average pile density
Refer to "density".
Average yarn weight
Mass per unit area of the yarn including buried portions of the yarn, expressed in grams per square metre and/or ounces per square yard.
Axminster (carpet)
A woven carpet. Refer to "Texture".
B
Back coating
An adhesive compound applied for the purpose of locking pile yarn tufts into a carpet backing, bonding a secondary backing to a primary backing, increasing the fabric body or stiffness, and increasing dimensional stability.
Back seams
All carpet seams are located in the back of a carpet. The seams made while the carpet is face down are known as back seams, while those made with the carpet face up are termed face seams.
Backing
Material that forms the back or underside of the carpet (as opposed to the pile or face), regardless of type of construction, and which holds the pile in place, or provides additional dimensional stability.
- fusion bonded backing: a system of layered vinyl or plastic compound with or without scrim reinforcement bonded to carpet back to provide stability.
- woven backing: In woven carpet the backing is the "construction yarns" (chain warp, stuffer warp, and shot or fill) which are interwoven with the face yarn during carpet fabrication.
- tufted backing: There are two (2) types of backing:
- primary backing: a woven or non-woven (construction yarn) synthetic or natural fabric to which surface yarns are attached (inserted by the tufting needles in tufted carpets). It is usually woven or non-woven polypropylene or woven jute but can also be made of kraft cord, cotton, or other synthetics.
- secondary backing: fabric laminated to the primary backing, usually with an adhesive, to reinforce and increase dimensional stability, strength, stretch resistance, and ease of handling. Also referred to as "double backing".
Various systems are used in carpet construction. These are:
- conventional tufted backing: (primary and secondary) latex laminated woven or non-woven fabric backing.
- conventional woven backing: comprised of a warp chain, stuffer warp, and shot or filler yarns, all interwoven with face yarns during manufacturing. Adhesive with sizing (back coat) is usually applied to the back of woven carpet
- resin bond backing: a hot melt resin process that adheres the primary and secondary backing resulting in increased tuft bind, edge ravel resistance, and secondary backing adhesion.
- unitary backing: a primary backing only (i.e., no secondary backing) consisting of a high rubber content latex or hot melt resin compound which provides increased tuft bind, and inhibits zippering. Unitary backing is used primarily with loop pile carpet and for glue-down installations.
- urethane backing: coating applied to carpet back during finishing process which when heated and cured creates an open cell moisture impervious foam cushion that encapsulates the yarn. This type of backing inhibits zippering and provides increased tuft bind.
- PVC backing: a closed cell PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coating with or without scrim reinforcing that provides a stiff, stable moisture resistant backing with little cushioning but increased tuft bind and stability. This backing type is generally used with modular carpet or with 1800 mm (72") wide goods.
- EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) co-polymer backing: an inert material that exhibits similar performance characteristics of PVC backed carpet, providing good tuft bind and dimensional stability.
A condition that occurs during application of adhesive when it "balls up" under the trowel. This is usually due to a dusty or dirty substrate or may also occur when the adhesive has been frozen.
Base or baseboard
Separate or integral carpet base (complete with capping), flat or shaped, extruded or moulded vinyl or rubber, or wood board skirting / attached to the wall or counter base surfaces to cover the joint of the wall and the adjoining floor.
Base or baseboard
Separate flat or shaped, extruded or moulded vinyl or rubber, or wood board skirting or integral resilient flooring attached to the lower wall or counter base surfaces to cover the joint of the wall and the adjoining floor.
BCF
An abbreviation for Bulked Continuous Filament referring to synthetic fibres in a continuous form.
Beam
Large horizontal cylinders or spools. Warp yarns are wound on beams.
Bearding
Long fibre fuzz or loops caused by the fibre snagging or by inadequate tuft bind or improper bundle encapsulation.
Beck dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Below grade
Refer to "grade".
Berber carpet
Refer to "texture".
Bias
Refer to "pattern (skew)".
Binder bar
Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Binding
A strip or band sewn over a carpet edge to protect and strengthen the carpet from wear and unravelling and sometimes used to decorate the edge.
Binding yarn
Synthetic or natural yarn running lengthwise in woven fabric that is used to "bind" the pile tufts firmly. Often called crimp warp or binder warp.
Bird cage
Common term used to describe the end of a stair rail where the banisters are curved in a spiral to form a newel post.
Bleeding
Loss of colour (transfer of fibre dye) caused by water or other fluids / solvents (spills, floods, cleaning, etc.) resulting in staining of adjacent floor coverings. This loss can be attributable to the result of improper dyeing, use of poor quality dyes or the permanency of the dyeing method or process itself.
Blend
A fabric containing a mixture of two or more fibres or yarns, or a combination of two or more fibres spun into yarns.
Blending
The mixing of staple fibres before they are carded, drafted, and spun into yarn. Blending is done for consistency in the final yarn and is a critical step to avoid "streaks" in a carpet.
Body
The compact, solid, firm or full feel of a fabric. Refer to "hand".
Bond
The adherence of one material to another.
Bond test
A 72-hour test to determine if carpet flooring can be adhered to the substrate with the recommended adhesive. The test determines whether the adhesive is compatible with the substrate and can also detect the presence of moisture. Bond testing determines the compatibility of adhesive with sealers, curing agents and other foreign matter and determines the necessity of their removal.
Border
A perimeter band usually of the same type of carpet but of a different colour used to frame the field colour and customize a carpet flooring installation.
Bowing
The curvature of a textile floor covering with respect to, or across, the direction of manufacture. In the context of carpet installation, bowing occurs when seams or patterns are stretched out of alignment, curving away from and back toward a seam or centring point. During manufacture bowing can occur during latexing when there may be more tension on the centre of the carpet than on the edges.
Bowed pattern
Visible curved lines in the width or length of either pattern or plain goods.
Bowing / skewing
A carpet condition resulting from distortion forming one or more arcs across the width of the carpet. Refer to "pattern (bow) or (skew)".
Branded fibres and yarn
First quality fibre backed by the fibre manufacturer. See also and yarns "unbranded fibres and yarns".
Broadloom
An obsolete term that referred to machine manufactured carpet wider than 1800 mm (72"). It is now simply a designation of width and does not indicate any particular quality, construction or style of carpet.
Brocade
Refer to "texture".
Buckling
A condition of wrinkling, bubbling or ridging of carpet following installation. In stretch-in installation, it may be due to improper stretching. In a glue-down installation, it may be caused by insufficient or improper adhesive. Changes in humidity and temperature sometimes affect severity. Buckling can also be a manufacturing defect, such as delamination. Refer also to "peaking".
Bulked continuous filament (BCF)
Continuous strands of synthetic fibre formed into yarn bundles of a given number of filaments and texturized to increase bulk and cover. Texturizing changes the straight filaments into kinked or curled configurations.
Bulk dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Bulking
Refer to "crimping".
Bullnose
Common term used for a stair tread nosing or step return.
Burling
The process of removing knots and loose ends and inserting missing tufts in new carpet by hand during carpet manufacturing or after carpet installation. Also refers to a mending operation on worn or damaged carpet.
Butt seam
Refer to "cross seam".
C
Cabled yarn
A yarn formed by twisting two or more plied yarns together.
Capping
Material used to finish the vertical top edge of a carpet base.
Carding
The step after blending in the spinning process which combs out the raw loose staple fibres and opens, cleans, separates and arranges them in orderly strands called sliver. Sliver is then drawn and blended, then twisted and further drawn into yarns.
Carpet
Soft floor covering made of fabric(s), used to cover a floor and usually fastened wall to wall.
Carpet cushion
Refer to "cushion".
Carpet tile
Refer to "modular carpet".
Carpet gripper
Tackless strip. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Carrier
A product added to a dye bath to promote the dyeing of hydrophobic man-made fibres and characterized by affinity for and ability to swell the fibre.
Carved
Sculptured design made in carpet.
Cationic dyeable
Nylon polymer that has been modified chemically to make the fibre receptive to cationic (basic) dye. Cationic dyeable yarns are used in conjunction with acid dyeable yarns to create multi-colour graphic patterns in piece dyeing.
Chain
In weaving, the binder warp yarn that runs over and under the filling yarns. On an Axminster loom it refers to the endless chain that carries the tube frames. On a dobby loom it refers to the endless chain of pattern selector bars.
Chain binders
Yarns running warpwise (lengthwise) in the back of a woven or woven-interlock carpet, binding construction yarns.
Colour change
This is a visual change in the colour of the carpet caused by exposure to light or some chemical reaction. Refer also to "fading".
Colour fastness
Resistance to fading, i.e., the property of a dye to retain its colour when the dyed (or printed) textile material is exposed to conditions or agents such as light, atmospheric contaminates, or washing that can remove or destroy the colour. A dye may be reasonably fast to one agent and only moderately fast to another. The degree of colour fastness is tested by standard procedures.
Colour matching
The proper co-ordination of colour hues and shade depth. Critical to colour matching are the light under which colours are compared; the surface texture of the object being matched (cut pile appears darker than loop pile), and the surface lustre of the object being matched (high lustre looks lighter than low lustre).
Combination
A term that refers to yarn composed of two or more yarns having the same or different fibres or twists; e.g., one yarn may have a high twist and the other little or no twist.
Commercial carpet
This is carpet flooring designed for installation in commercial settings such as offices, public buildings, and institutions. Such carpet may also be referred to as contract flooring. Refer also to "residential carpet".
Construction
The carpet manufacturing method (usually tufted, woven or bonded). The term can also refer to the specification details of a particular carpet such as fibre type, yarn twist level, total density, method of dyeing, etc. Refer also to "texture".
Continuous dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Continuous filament
An unbroken / continuous strand of a synthetic fibre (nylon, olefin, etc.) resulting from extruding the molten polymer through a spinneret.
Cotton count
The cotton count (cc), like "worsted count (wc)" expresses the number of hanks required to make a pound of yarn. A yarn numbering system based on the length and weight originally used for cotton yarns and now employed for most staple yarns. It is based on a unit of length of 840 yards (256 m), and the count of yarn is equal to the number of 840 yard long skeins required to weigh one pound. Under this system, the higher the number, the finer the yarn. A typical carpet yarn might be a three cotton count two plied yarn, that is written as 3.0/2c.c. Refer also to "hank" and "worsted count" as well as Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Count
A number identifying yarn size or weight per unit of length or length per unit of weight depending on the spinning system used.
Cove base (resilient)
This type of base is made of vinyl or rubber and is available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours and conforms to requirements of ASTM F1861. Refer also to base.
Coverage
The degree to which underlying structure is concealed by the surface material, as in carpets, the degree to which pile covers backing. Also the ability of a dye to conceal defects in fabric.
Crab
A hand device usually used for stretching carpet in a small area where a power stretcher or knee kicker cannot be used.
Creasing
The formation of folds, wrinkles or ridges prior to installation of a carpet.
Creel
The rack behind the tufting machine that holds pile yarn and supplies the yarn smoothly and evenly without tangling to the needles of the tufting machine.
Crimp
Refers to the waves or bends that occur along the length of a fibre. Fibre crimp increases cohesiveness, resiliency, and gives increased bulk to the carpet. A fibre may have one of three kinds of crimp: mechanical, natural or inherent crimp, and latent or chemical crimp.
Crimping
Method of texturizing yarn to produce irregular alignment of fibres and increase bulk and covering power.
Crocking
Condition where a colour rubs off a material because of improper penetration or fixation of the dyestuff.
Cross dyeing (differential dyeing)
Refer to "dyeing"
Cross seams
The joining together of the ends of two pieces of carpet to form a continuous length of carpet.
Cross sectional shape (fibre)
The shape of an individual filament when cut at right angles to it's axis. Fibre shape ranges from round, tri-lobial or multi-lobial, delta, and square or rectangular hollow filament. The shape has an impact on its lustre, hand (fine or coarse feel), and on soil trapping, hiding, and release capabilities.
Cross weave carpet
A type of woven carpet produced by a "patented" weaving process whereby the pile yarns are woven through the back. Refer also to "crossloc" and "karaloc" carpet and to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Crossloc carpet
A proprietary "cross weave" carpet. Refer to "karaloc" and "cross weave" carpet.
Crush bands
Widthwise marks in a roll of carpet due to flattening of the pile from compression.
Crush recovery
A carpet pile's ability to return to its original thickness after being crushed either due to traffic or compression from furnishings. Refer also to "resilience".
Crushing
Refer to "pile crushing".
Cushion
Any kind of resilient material placed under or attached to carpet to provide softness, noise absorption, and adequate support when it is walked upon. Also referred to as underpad, padding, or underfelt, carpet cushion provides a softer feel underfoot, added acoustical and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. Refer to Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-adhesive
An adhesive specifically used for adhering carpet cushion to substrates. Refer also to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings and Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-back carpet
A carpet having a cushion or padding as an integral part of its backing.
Custom carpet
A carpet or rug manufactured in a special size, shape, colour, design, or width by a tufted or woven manufacturing process, other than a "standard" production run carpet.
Cut
A length of carpet cut from a full roll to fill an order.
Cut pile
refer to "texture".
Cut and loop pile
refer to "texture".
D
Dead yarn
The pile yarn in a Wilton carpet that remains hidden in the backing structure when not forming a pile tuft.
Decitex
One tenth of a tex or the weight in grams of 10,000 meters of a yarn, filament, fibre or other textile strand
Deep dye fibres
Modified synthetic fibres with increased dye affinity relative to regular dye fibres. By combing deep dye fibres with regular dye fibres, a two-colour or two-toned effect can be achieved within one dye bath.
Deflected needle
A needle in the tufting machine that is pushed aside by a warp end in the backing cloth, causing a streak or "grinning" running lengthwise because of off-standard tuft spacing across the width. The real mechanism of most so-called needle deflection is the pushing aside of backing fabric warp yarns by tufting needles during tuft insertion. When the needles withdraw, warp yarns move back to their original positions, thus pushing tuft rows off gauge and creating wide gaps between them.
Delamination
Separation of the secondary backing or attached cushion from the primary backing of a carpet.
Delustered
Subduing or dulling natural fibre lustre by design usually by altering physical / cross section shape or by chemical means usually by incorporation of a polymer additive or fraction of a percent of white pigment such as titanium dioxide. Fibre producers' designations for delustered fibre include dull, semi-dull, and semi-bright. Bright fibres are not delustered.
Denier (yarn weight)
A unit measurement based on the weight in grams of fibre filament or yarn in9000 metres. Denier is a direct yarn numbering system; the higher the denier, the larger the yarn. Fine yarn for example has a low denier rating while coarse (larger / heavier) yarn has a high denier rating. Thus if 9000 m of yarn weighs 1300 grams it is know as 1300 denier yarn. The common yarn denier range for commercial carpet is from 1200d to 5000d.
Denier per filament (dpf)
The weight in grams of 9000 metres of individual fibre filament. It can be calculated by taking the yarn denier and dividing it by the number of filaments in the yarn bundle. The common dpf range for commercial carpet is 15 to 28 dpf.
Density (Canada)
The amount of pile in a given area of carpet. Expressed as kilotex per cm², it reflects the percent of surface covered with fibres and closeness of the pile tufts.
Density (USA)
The weight of pile yarn in a unit volume of carpet, expressed in ounces per cubic yard. Average pile density factors for commercial carpets range from 4200 to 8000. Density (D) is determined by multiplying the pile yarn weight (W) in ounces per square yard by 36 and dividing the total by the pile height (H) or thickness (T) in inches, as expressed in the formula: D = W x 36 H or T
Differential dyeing (cross dyeing)
Refer to "dyeing".
Dimensional stability
The ability of the carpet to retain its original size and shape.
Direct glue-down
An installation method whereby the carpet is adhered to the floor.
Double back
Woven or nonwoven fabric laminated to the back of carpet with latex or other adhesive. Double-backed carpet has enhanced dimensional stability and strength. Refer also to "backing".
Double glue-down
An installation method whereby the carpet cushion is first adhered to the floor with an adhesive, and the carpet is then glued to the cushion.
Drawing
The third stage of yarn production. It is the process of stretching synthetic fibres after they are extruded / hardened in order to align their molecular structure resulting in greater tensile strength.
Drop match
Refer to "matching".
Dry extraction
A carpet cleaning preparation consisting of absorbent and non-adsorbent particles blended in a solution of water, detergents, and other cleaners. The dry cleaner is applied to the carpet, worked into the pile with a brush, left to absorb soil for a time, and then removed with the absorbed soil by vacuuming cleaning.
Dry foam
A detergent solution containing only a small amount of water. It is mechanically worked into the surface of carpet, and the loose soil is removed by a vacuum.
Dry rot
A condition caused by micro-organisms attacking carpet fibre and/or backing which reduces carpet strength and integrity permitting it to break and tear easily. Natural materials, such as jute, are susceptible, whereas polypropylene and most synthetics are resistant.
Dusting
Appearance of a powdery material on the surface of newly hardened concrete. Sometimes caused by allowing the surface to dry too rapidly without curing. This condition must be corrected before installing carpet or cushion.
Dutchman
An installer's term for a narrow strip seamed onto standard-width carpet to fit oddly dimensioned areas. Proper planning will minimize the need for this practice.
Dye or dye stuff
The substance that adds colour to textiles by absorption into the fibre.
Dye beck
A large vat into which rolls of carpet are submerged for piece dyeing.
Dye lot
A quantity of carpet dyed at one time or made from yarn dyed at one time.
Dyeing
The process of colouring materials: impregnating fabric with dyestuff. There are various dyeing methods.
- beck (piece) dyeing: Method whereby a piece of greige carpet is sewn into a loop and hung on a large reel in a dye beck unit and then moved through a dye liquor for a set period of time.
- bulk dyeing: Method whereby yarn is dyed prior to being spun into yarn form.
- continuous dyeing: Method whereby greige (undyed) carpet or yarn is dyed in a continuous production line.
- cross or differential dyeing: Method where fibres are treated or modified in composition so the affinity for dyes changes; i.e., fibres will be reserved (won't dye), or will dye lighter or darker than normal fibres, depending on the particular dyes and methods of application employed.
- injection dying: Method of dyeing finished carpet using computer controlled individual needle-nozzles that inject dye in selected precise patterns.
- piece dyeing: see beck dying.
- print dyeing: Refer to "injection dyeing" and "printed carpet".
- skein (yarn) dyeing: Method whereby undyed or filament yarn is plied and heatset, reeled into skein form, and then dyed in skein dye kettles. This method yields small to middle sized dye lots batches.
- solution dyeing: Method whereby dye is added to the fibre mix (i.e., the molten chemical polymer solution) before it is extruded. The extruded filament is thus impregnated with the pigment and results in a high degree of colour fastness.
- space dyeing: Method whereby two or more different colours are "printed" along the length of yarn strands before they are used.
- stock dyeing: Method whereby staple fibre only is dyed in a vat before bending, carding and spinning into yarn.
- tak dyeing: Method of dyeing over a continuous dyed fabric by a controlled topical technique.
E
Edge trim
Metal or vinyl moulded or extruded edging material designed for installation at exposed edges of carpet floor covering to protect edges from damage.
Elongation
Refer to pattern "run-off".
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) carpet
A type of carpet that is specially constructed to meet the requirements for an ESD controlled environment.
Embossed
Carpet designs that actually stand out from the background, as if engraved.
End
An individual strand of yarn or a roll end, a short length of carpet or a remnant.
Expansion joint
These are separations between adjoining parts of floor construction (usually in a concrete slab) that allow separate movement of the parts. They are usually filled with an elastomeric type of material and should never be filled with a cementitious underlayment product because any movement of the separate parts may cause the underlayment to break up and be pushed out of the joint. Carpet flooring should not be installed over this type of joint as cracking and buckling may occur. Expansion joint covers should be used instead.
Extended length
The length of pile yarn in one running inch of one tuft row in tufted carpet. Sometimes called take-up. external corner On-site installed wrapped or mitred base corner.
Extrusion
The second stage of synthetic fibre production where molten material is forced through a spinnerette (similar to a showerhead). Once exposed to air-cooling, the fibre strands harden. It is at the extrusion stage that many fibre engineering improvements in cross section design, shape, size and uniformity to give better soil hiding, soil releasing, and strength have taken place.
F
Face seams
Sewn or cemented seams made without turning the carpet over or face down. They are used during installations when back seaming is impossible
Face yarn
Refer to "pile" and "nap".
Face weight
The total weight of the face (above the backing) yarns in the carpet.
Fadeometer
A laboratory device that uses a light source approximating the spectrum of sunlight to determine the effects of light on yarn, fibre, fabric, carpet, plastic, and other material properties. The fade resistance of carpet colours are measured and rated according to the number of units of exposure required to produce a visible loss of colour.
Fading
Loss of colour caused by sunlight, artificial light, atmospheric gases or certain chemicals (e.g. household cleaning, swimming pool chlorine, etc.). Installations in areas where such exposures may occur require extreme care in the selection of an appropriate colourfast carpet.
Fastness
The resistance to fading or change in colour. Also referred to as colourfastness. For carpeting, the important types of fastness include lightfastness, crocking, chemical fastness, and ozone fastness.
Feathering
A sub-floor preparation procedure for tapering patching materials.
Felting
A nonwoven fabric formation process comprising entanglement of fibres by mechanical or other means. The end product is called felt. Felts made by needle entanglement of solution dyed fibres, such as polypropylene, are used as outdoor carpet. Unlike weaving and tufting, felting does not employ yarns, but converts fibre directly into fabric.
Fibre
Natural (e.g. wool) or man-made / synthetic (e.g. nylon, olefin, etc.) units having sufficient elasticity / flexibility, tensile strength, fineness, uniformity, durability, soil resistance, lustre and denier to enable them to be spun into a yarn or felting and processed into textile by weaving, tufting, knitting or fusion bonding.
Fibre cushion
A term used to describe a carpet cushion made from entangled natural fibres (animal hair, jute, and/or felt) or needle-punched virgin and recycled synthetic fibres (including nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylics). Some fibre cushion may have one or two rubber faces or the fibres themselves may be rubberized (encapsulated).
Fibre manufacturers
Both natural and synthetic fibres are manufactured either by the manufacturer of the "raw" product (i.e. at source) or by a carpet manufacturer (mill) after receiving the raw product (e.g. in pellet form for synthetic carpet) and fabricating / extruding it themselves. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for details.
In regard to synthetic fibres, these can be classified by their source manufacturer as follows:
- branded or trademarked fibre: "Proprietary" fibre in staple or BCF form manufactured by a material manufacturer (chemical source) that is committed to fibre production. This fibre is purchased by a carpet manufacturer (mill) and fabricated into carpet. If the carpet using this fibre meets the strict performance and construction criteria established by the material manufacturer, the carpet manufacturer will be permitted to use the proprietary fibre's trademark or brand name complete with its fibre / performance warranties.
- unbranded fibre: fibre either produced by a material manufacturer who will not permit the carpet mill to use the fibre "brand" or "trademark" name, or produced by a carpet mill or by plants owned by a carpet mill, usually by intermittent batch process and using materials from a variety of sources.
- private label fibre: fibre manufactured by a carpet mill using known or unknown materials or fibre purchased from a variety of known or unknown sources.
- mill extruded fibre: fibre manufactured from raw synthetic material purchased from one or more material manufacturers by a carpet mill or by plants owned by a carpet mill. Such fibre may be "unbranded" or "private labelled" by the carpet mill.
Refer to "cross section".
Field
The area of carpet flooring that is contained within walls or border limits.
Filament
A single strand of natural or synthetic fibre.
Filler (carpet)
A low-cost material used for extending rubber, plastic or other polymers. Fillers are generally powders of very small particle size. Carpet latex laminating compounds and foams contain large amounts of fillers. The most common filler in carpet latex is finely powdered calcium carbonate, often called "whiting," produced by grinding limestone.
Filler (substrate)
Material used to level substrate surfaces. Refer also to Part A13 - Patching and Filling.
Filling yarn
See "weft"
Finishing
A general term referring to processing of carpet after tufting (weaving) and dyeing. This includes such things as the application of secondary backing, attached foam cushion, soil resistant treatment, shearing and brushing.
Flame resistant
A term used to describe a material that burns slowly or is self-extinguishing after removal of an external source of ignition. A fabric or yarn can be flame resistant because of the innate properties of the fibre, the twist level of the yarn, the fabric construction, or the presence of flame retardants, or because of a combination of all of these factors.
Flame retardant
A chemical compound that can be incorporated into a textile fibre during manufacture or applied to a fibre, fabric, or other textile item during processing to reduce its flammability.
Flammability
The ability of a carpet to burn with a flame under specified test conditions.
Flammability tests
Procedures that have been developed for assessing the flame resistance of carpets (Refer also to Part A08A - Flammability Issues for additional information.) The most commonly accepted are:
- methenamine pill test: A test for the flame resistance of carpets or rugs in which a methenamine tablet is ignited on a test sample under controlled conditions and the size of the burn hole is measured.
- radiant panel test: A test for the flammability of carpets or rugs in which the specimen is mounted on the floor of the test chamber and exposed to intense radiant heat from above. The rate of flame spread is assessed.
- Steiner tunnel test: A test to determine the flame spread and smoke density for many commercial building materials in which a specimen of the materials is mounted on the ceiling of the test chamber and exposed to intense high-energy flame. The flame spread is determined by visual means (through windows) and the smoke developed is optically measured. This method once used for flooring is now discontinued as a floor test method.
A manufacturing process where very short, chopped fibres or flock is adhered, usually by an electrostatic process, to a prefabricated backing, resulting in a short pile material with a velvety texture. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Floor protectors
Screw-on attachments or individual pads for the bottom of chair and table legs to distribute the weight of furniture evenly to reduce indentations in carpet floors.
Fluffing
Appearance on carpet surface of loose fibre fragments left during manufacture; not a defect, but a characteristic that disappears after carpet use and vacuuming. Sometimes called "shedding."
Foot traffic
A carpet life wear-rating system based on pedestrian foot traffic across a measured section of carpet. "One traffic" is the passage of one person across the test piece of carpet. The classifications are as follows:
- light traffic: based on up to 50 traffics per day that also includes some directional traffic but no tracked-in dirt.
- moderate traffic: based on 51 to 500 traffics per day that also includes some directional and non-directional traffic, some pivoting and a little tracked-in dirt.
- heavy traffic: based on 501 to 1,000 traffics per day that also includes some directional, non-directional and rolling traffic, some pivoting, and tracked-in dirt.
- extra-heavy traffic: based on over 1,001 traffics per day that also includes some directional, non-directional and rolling traffic, pivoting, and tracked-in dirt.
Racks at back of the Wilton loom holding spools from which yarns are fed into the loom. Each frame holds a separate colour; thus, a 3-frame Wilton has three colours in the design.
Frieze
Refer to "texture".
Full roll
A length of carpet; roll goods usually approximately 100 feet long; also called a shipping roll by carpet manufacturers. Shipping roll standards vary and may be as short as 30 feet, depending upon carpet thickness and manufacturers' quality criteria. In North America almost all roll goods are 12 or 15 feet wide, with 12 foot predominant.
Funnel area
An area where foot traffic is concentrated, such as doorways, stairwells, in front of drinking fountains, etc.
Fusion bonded
Refer to "backing".
Fuzzing
A hairy effect on the carpet surface caused by poor latex penetration, poor yarn spinning (slack yarn twist), poor twisting and heat setting, improper bundle encapsulation or improper maintenance. Not to be confused by initial "fluffing" or "shedding", a normal phenomenon associated with spun cut pile construction.
G
Gauge
This term applies to tufted and knitted carpet and refers to the number of ends of surface yarn per running inch across the width of a carpet expressed in fractions of an inch or needles per 10 cm. The higher the number the coarser the carpet tufting. 1/10 gauge = 10 needles per inch (42 / 10 cm), 1/8 gauge = 8 needles per inch (32 / 10 cm).
Glue-down
A method of installation whereby the carpet is adhered to a substrate with an adhesive.
Grab
The property that enables an adhesive film to hold in place an adherent that is trying to pull away. This is usually applied to a partially set film.
Grade
A degree of quality.
or
Grade
The relationship of a substrate to the exterior ground or grade level. There are three categories:
- above grade: a substrate with more than 450 mm (18") of well-ventilated space between the lower side of the floor structure and exterior grade level. Where an interior slab-on-grade is more than 200 mm (8") above the exterior grade level it may be considered as above grade.
- on grade: a substrate in direct contact with ground or structural fill, as in a slab-on-grade. This substrate may be located above or below the exterior grade level.
- below grade: a substrate located below exterior grade (as in a basement slab-on-grade) or a substrate with less than 450 mm (18") of well-ventilated space between the lower side of the floor structure (e.g. wood joists and subfloor) and interior grade (as in a crawl space).
Refers to the International Gray Scale:
- for colour change: a standard comparison to rate degrees of colour change from 5 (no change) to 1 (severe change).
- for staining: a standard comparison to rate degrees of staining from 5 (no stain) to 1 (severe stain).
Carpet in an undyed / unfinished state.
Grinning
Describes the condition of the carpet's primary backing showing between the pile tufts.
Ground colour
A term used to designate the colour used for the background in patterned carpet.
Gully
The distance between the tackless strip and the wall. It should always be slightly less than the thickness of the carpet.
H
Hand
A commonly used term to describe how the quality of a particular carpet feels when held in one's hand, i.e., tactile aesthetic qualities.
Hank
This term refers to a skein of yarn, a standard length of slubbing, roving, or yarn (the length specified by the yarn numbering system in use), or a term applied to slubbing or roving that indicates the yarn number.. Refer to "cotton count" and "worsted count".
Heat set
A process that sets the yarn shape (twist) using heat or superheated steam under pressure, enabling the yarn to hold its twist over time. This is important in cut pile carpet. Most nylon, olefin and polyester cut pile carpets are heat-set.
- autoclave process: batch process method utilizing superheated steam under pressure to heat-set skeins of yarn that are in a relaxed state.
- Suessen process: continuous method utilizing a dry-heat expansion chamber to heat-set twisted yarn that has been wrapped around coils.
- Superba process: continuous "autoclave" method utilizing a pressurized steam pre-heat expansion chamber to bulk loosely coiled / twisted yarn and a pressurized heat expansion chamber to heat lock the yarn
A subtle multi-coloured effect resulting from commingling yarns or spinning blended fibres of different colours together.
Hexapod drum
A rotating drum instrument into which carpet samples are placed and then subjected to simulated trafficking with a metal ball having attached polyurethane cleats or studs. This accelerated test, primarily used in Canada, provides a specific rating of the ability of a carpet to withstand crushing and matting.
High-low
Refers to a carpet surface with more than one pile height.
Hollow filament fibre
Refers to extruded filaments with interior voids. These hollow cores improve the soil-hiding ability of the filament by diffusing any light passing through them. Such filaments should be at least 85% solid so that the interior voids do not weaken or distort the fibre under traffic and cause it to fray under heavy wear.
Hot-melt adhesive
Thermoplastic adhesive material sometimes used for laminating secondary backing to tufted carpet. Hot-melt adhesives are compounded from thermoplastic polymers and plastics. They may be melted and solidified repeatedly by application of heat.
Hot melt seaming
Seaming method by heating a tape, specially prepared with thermoplastic adhesive.
Hot melt seaming tape
Tape precoated with a thermoplastic adhesive used for joining or seaming two sections of carpet.
Humidity
The amount of water vapour in the air. See Relative Humidity.
Hydrostatic pressure
Rising ground water forced under pressure through a concrete slab which may cause problems with floor installation.
I
Indoor air quality
The quality of air (and environment) within a building that is dependent on good building design, implementation of effective building systems, operations and maintenance programs, and the appropriate selection of low VOC and odour emitting interior products such as carpet, cushion and related adhesives. Refer to Part A09 – Environmental Issues for additional information.
Indoor / outdoor
A type of carpet, regardless of construction, made entirely of components (surface yarns, backing, adhesives or laminating materials) that have been specially designed or treated to withstand moisture, extreme temperatures, ultra-violet rays and other types of exposure. It is a term synonymous for outdoor carpet.
J
Jacquard
Mechanism which controls the pattern of Wilton and Gripper Axminster looms.
Jaspe
The combination of irregular stripes of two hues of the same colour to produce a particular effect on the pile yarn.
Jute
A fibrous plant native to India and Asia that can be shredded and spun into yarn to be used as backing yarn in woven carpets or as a (secondary) backing fabric in tufted carpet. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
K
Karaloc carpet
A proprietary "cross weave" carpet. Refer to "crossloc" and "cross weave" carpet.
Kilotex
A metric measurement that describes the density of a carpet without considering pile height. It considers the size or denier of the yarn at any given twist, the number of ends in the width and the number of stitches in the length.
Knee-kicker
An installation tool designed to position carpet and move it onto the tackless strip. To absorb the pressure shock on the knee, the kicker's "butt pad" is made of sponge rubber. NOTE: With the exception of stair installation, knee-kickers should only be used for positioning and hooking the carpet onto the tackless strip and not for stretching carpet. A power stretcher should always be used for stretching carpet during installation. Refer to "power stretcher".
Knitted carpet
Carpet produced in a fabric formation process comprising interlacing yarns in a series of connected loops by the use of needles. As in weaving, pile and backing are produced simultaneously. Multiple sets of needles interlace pile, backing, and stitching yarns in one operation. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Kraft cord
A natural plant fibre that is tightly twisted and used as backing yarn.
Kuster dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
L
Laminated
Two or more layers of firmly united material.
Latex
A compound, either natural or man-made, used to coat the back of carpet to aid in the locking in of tufts and to adhere the secondary backing. Also used on seams and in repair work.
Latex patching compond
A patching and/or levelling compound consisting of latex (usually SBR rubber), Portland cement, and aggregate that is moisture, mildew, and alkali resistant.
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Refer to Part A09 – Environmental Issues for LEED requirements.
Leno weave
A woven fabric construction in which paired warp yarns twist around one another between fill yarn picks. It is similar to woven gauze bandage construction. Leno construction renders the yarns relatively immobile within the fabric, making possible very open weaves that are relatively stable. Woven polypropylene secondary backings for tufted carpets are generally of leno weave construction.
Level loop
Refer to "texture".
Loft
(or compressional resiliency) The ability of a fibre, yarn or fabric to spring back to its original thickness after being compressed.
Loom
Machine used to weave carpets (woven goods).
Loop pile
Refer to "texture".
Loose-lay installation
An installation (usually residential) of carpet flooring where a carpet or rug is installed without the use of fasteners or adhesive. A non-slip underlay or cushion may be used for added comfort and to reduce carpet or rug movement.
Low rows
A quality defect sometimes found in carpet made up of rows of tufts having pile heights below specification.
Light fastness
The degree of resistance of dyed textile materials against the effects of sunlight (ultraviolet rays) and artificial light. Static or accelerated test methods are used to determine these values (against a standard).
Lustre
Brightness or sheen of fibre, yarn, or carpet. Light reflected from a surface, it differs from shine in that it is more subdued. Synthetic fibres are produced in different lustres such as bright, semi-bright, semi-dull, and dull by using different degrees of additives. The lustre of finished carpet can also depend on the yarn heat-setting, dyeing, and finishing methods used. In high-traffic, commercial areas, duller carpet is often preferred for soil-hiding ability. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
M
Manufacturing defects
This includes all defects or blemishes that are produced in the manufacturing of a carpet.
Markers
Coloured yarns woven into the backs of woven carpets to aid installers in achieving correct pattern match and pile direction.
Matching
A matching of carpet pattern or design in adjacent widths or in successive roll lengths to present an uninterrupted pattern. In side matching the carpet is adjusted up or down (usually one-half the pattern repeat) to align the pattern. Pattern repeat dimensions and match are significant to specifiers and purchasing agents because they influence the amount of excess carpet (over a measured area) needed in multiple width installations. There are two types of matching:
- drop match: A matching of carpet pattern or design that continues diagonally across or at a 45 degree angle to the (side) edge or seam of the carpet. This can be a half drop match where each pattern repeat unit is transposed to the midpoint of the side of the adjacent unit or a quarter drop match where each pattern repeat is transposed a quarter of the distance.
- set match: A matching of carpet pattern or design that continues straight across the width of the carpet at right angles to the (side) edge or seam.
Severe pile crush combined with entanglement of fibres and tufts.
Mending
Hand repair of carpet after tufting and weaving to replace missing tufts, remove knots and loose ends, etc.
Metallic fibre
A synthetic fibre made of metal, metal-coated plastic, or plastic-coated metal sometimes used in small amounts in carpet to dissipate static electricity, thus preventing shock.
Metamerism
An optical illusion where two different coloured carpet samples appear to match under certain lighting or viewing conditions. The two samples are called a metameric pair. Metamerism may occur when the sample and the actual carpet are made from slightly different dye components or are from different dye lots.
Mill end
A short piece of carpet roll goods having a length less than that of a full shipping roll or short roll, but more than a remnant. Quality standards differ among mills, but a mill end length specification of nine to twenty feet is typical.
Mitre joint
A junction of two pieces of carpet (or other material) at an angle. Most mitre joints involve pieces at right angles to one another with their ends cut at 45 degrees to form the joint.
Modular carpet
Also referred to as "carpet tile". A term used to describe carpet usually produced in 460 mm (18") or 915 mm (36") square "tile" form, complete with a structured backing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), amorphous resin, or other polymeric compounds. The backing may also include an integral cushion and may also be moisture impervious. The "hard back" (PVC and amorphous resin) offers dimensional stability and seam and edge integrity for easy pattern matching.
Mono filament
A filament large and strong enough to be used directly as a yarn for making textiles through any established process.
Moresque
Single strands of different colours of yarn twisted or plied together to form one multi-coloured yarn.
Moulding
A wooden or plastic strip, either quarter round or shoe moulding, attached to the bottom of a baseboard or wall to cover the joint between wall and floor. Also metal or vinyl mouldings used to cover raw edges of carpet at doorways or where carpet abuts another type of floor covering. There are two basic types: (1) applied-before, i.e., secured in place before carpet is installed and carpet is fitted to them; commonly called "gripper bar" and (2) applied-after, i.e., installed on top of carpet after it has been installed; commonly called "binder bar".
Multi-filament
Yarns made of many filaments plied or spun together. The finer the filaments spun together, the softer and more luxurious the yarn and textiles made from it.
N
Nap
The pile on the surface of a carpet or rug.
Needle loom
A machine for producing needled felt fabrics, also called needle-punched fabrics, that are sometimes used as outdoor carpet. The needle loom converts fibre directly to fabric by entangling and compressing fibre batts or webs with barbed felting needles. Refer also to needle punch carpet. (NOTE: "Needle Loom" also denotes a certain narrow weaving loom used in tape production having a needle instead of a shuttle as the fill insertion device. This has no application to carpet.)
Needle punched carpet
Carpet produced by mechanically binding with barbed needles a fibre web or fleece. Needle punched carpet is normally made with solution-dyed polypropylene and is often used as an outdoor carpet, although its usage in other applications is quite broad. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Needle punching
Loose fibres that are needled into a core or scrim fabric to form a felted or flat-textured material. A needle punched fabric can be embossed, printed, laminated to a cushion, or otherwise finished.
Nonwoven
A fabric made up of a web of fibres held together by a chemical or fibrous bonding agent.
Nosing
The leading edge of a stair tread that may be finished with carpet or with a protective metal, vinyl or rubber-formed edge material.
Nylon fibre
A synthetic fibre. The name derived as the result of the joint development of nylon in two separate Dupont laboratories, one in New York (ny) and the other in London, England (lon). Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Nylon carpet
A carpet manufactured using nylon fibre. There are two chemical types, nylon 6,6 (a hexamethylene diamin) and nylon 6 (a polycaprolactam) widely used as a carpet face yarn in either BCF or staple yarn form. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
O
Oily wires
A term used to define the wire in carpet manufacturing or a discolouration across the width of woven carpet due to dirty or oily wires.
Oily yarn
Yarn containing excessive oil on its surface, usually from excessive oiling of rings on spinning and twisting machines. Although not visible during carpet production, it may appear as soiled or dark lines of yarn when the carpet is in service.
Olefin fibre
(Polypropylene) Any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of ethylene, propylene or other olefin units.
Olefin carpet
A carpet manufactured using olefin fibre. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
On-grade
Refer to "grade"
Open time
The amount of time between the spreading of adhesive on a substrate and the placement of a floor covering material into the adhesive during which the adhesive will still bond.
Outdoor carpet
Carpet that may be used outdoors without rapid fading or deterioration. The principal requirements are resistance to sunlight and to water. Most outdoor carpet pile yarns are solution dyed polypropylene containing ultraviolet stabilization additives. Coating and backing materials are synthetics that are water and rot resistant.
P
Padding
Refer to "cushion".
Parallel spinning
The method most commonly used in spinning nylon staple fibre into yarn. Staple fibres measuring 150 to 200 mm (6" to 8") are paralleled by combing and drafting until the fibres are in regular even slivers, or strands of combed yarn. Multiple slivers are combined to make up one finely drafted sliver. This sliver can be further blended for consistency. The final sliver is put on a spinning frame and further drawn (or pulled) as twist is applied, turning the fibre into a cohesive singles yarn ready to be plied and heat-set. Refer also to "worsted spinning".
Patching
Process of repairing holes, cracks, breaches, etc. in a floor surface prior to installation of carpet.
Pattern
A decorative design achieved by varying pile heights or by alternately cutting pile loops, by using pre-coloured or pre-dyed yarns (in woven, knitted, or tufted carpet), or by screen printing or injecting the surface of undyed carpet with coloured inks. The process of manufacturing such carpet introduces a variety of installation problems. Slight variations in yarn tensions, yarn feed, etc. can also create changes in pattern configuration. Four conditions may be found on any patterned carpet: Refer to Part CC2E - Pattern Carpet Installation Problems.
- bow: describes the visible distortion where the pattern lines appear wavy or crooked when viewed across the seams. Refer to Part CC2E, Figs. 1 and 3.
- repeat variation: also referred to as pattern run-off, this visible distortion of mismatched or uncorrected pattern variations across the width or along seam lengths. Refer to Part CC2E, Fig. 5.
- skew: Also referred to as bias, this term describes a visible distortion or lack of squareness where the pattern on one side is ahead of that on the other side. If the diagonal difference (alignment of two opposite points across the pattern width) is the same, the pattern is perfectly square. The degree of inequality or difference between the pattern and a straight line, or skew, results in pattern run-off, where the pattern runs parallel with two opposing walls and runs into or away from the other two walls. Refer to Part CC2E, Figs. 2 and 4.
- trueness of edge: wavy or serpentine pattern lines when looking down the length of the carpet. The amount of variation is the distance from a straight line (true edge) and the pattern line. Refer to Part CC2E, Fig. 3
Visually apparent streaking in patterned carpet resulting from linear juxtaposition of pattern elements in one direction. It is usually most visible in the length direction. It is not a carpet defect, but is inherent in certain designs. Designers and Owners should view rolls of carpet laid out on a floor to evaluate geometric or other busy patterns for this characteristic that may be objectionable in long corridors and other large areas, but not visible in small rooms.
Peaking
Also known as puckering, pleating or wrinkling. An installation defect in carpet seams, usually occurring during stretch-in installations, in which one carpet seam edge is longer than the adjoining seam edge. The excess carpet gathers into wrinkles or pleats at the seam. Refer also to "buckling".
pH
A value representing the concentration of hydrogen ions in gram equivalents per litre used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a substance on a scale from 0 to 14 with 7 representing neutrality, numbers less than 7 increasing acidity, and numbers greater than 7 increasing alkalinity. Laboratory and field testing for pH must be done with distilled water.
- alkali: (or Base) any substance which when dissolved in water yields a pH above 7.
- acid: any substance which when dissolved in water yields a pH below 7.
- buffer: chemical agents that are used to maintain a constant pH level.
The number of weft yarns shuttled across the warp yarns, indicating closeness of weave lengthwise.
Picks per inch
In woven carpet and fabric, the number of insertions per inch of length.
Piece dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Pigment
Highly coloured, insoluble, powdered substance used to impart colour to other materials. White pigments, e.g., titanium dioxide, are dispersed in fibre-forming polymers to produce delustered (semi-dull and dull) fibres.
Pigmented yarns
Refer to solution dyed fibre.
Pile
The visible and wearing surface of carpet consisting of yarn tufts in loop and/or cut configuration. Sometimes called "face" or "nap".
Pile crush
Loss of pile thickness by compression and blending of tufts caused by foot or wheeled traffic and static loads such as heavy furniture. This may be minimized by using a beater bar vacuum. Also referred to as matting and walking out. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Pile density
Number of tufts both across (needles per 100 mm of gauge for tufted carpet) and lengthwise (stitches per 100 mm) of the carpet
Pile height
The height of the pile yarn measured from the surface of the primary backing to the top (tip) of the exposed pile yarn (does not include the thickness of the backing), expressed in fractions of an inch or decimal fractions of an inch.
Pile reversal
Refer to "shading".
Pile weight
The weight of the pile yarns expressed in grams per square metre (or ounces per square yard).
Pile yarn
The yarn making up the tufts of the carpet.
Pilling
A condition of the carpet face in which fibres from different tufts become entangled with one another, forming hard masses or pills of fibres and tangled tufts. These may occur in heavy traffic and pivot areas. Pills may be cut off with scissors, i.e., they cannot be removed without breaking a fibre.
Pitch
This term applies to woven carpet only and refers to the number of warp threads or pile ends in 685 mm (27") of carpet width, which indicates the closeness of the weave. The higher the pitch the finer the weave.
Plied yarns
Two or more strands, ends or plies either twisted or otherwise cohesively entwined, intermingled or entangled into a heavier yarn.
Plush
Refer to "texture".
Ply
A single-end component in a plied yarn. Also refers to the number of strands of yarn twisted together to form a single yarn, as in "2 ply" or "3 ply" yarn.
Polyester
A synthetic manufactured fibre in which the fibre forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer. The most commonly used one for carpet fibre purposes is polyethylene terephthalate or simply PET. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Polypropylene
The generic name for fibres made from a synthetic linear polymer of ethylene. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Polymer
Large chemical molecules from which synthetic fibres are made. Polymers are complex, chain-like molecules made by uniting simpler molecules called monomers. Synthetic polymers used for commercial carpet fibre include Type 6.6 nylon and Type 6 nylon (polyamides) and polypropylene.
Polymerization
The first stage of nylon production. A chemical reaction where small molecules combine to form much larger molecules.
Pooling
Refer to "pile reversal".
Post dyed
Dye process where the carpet rather than yarn is dyed. Refer to "dyeing".
Post-consumer material
Of or relating to products that have been used and recycled by consumers.
Post-consumer recycled content
A product that contains some percentage of material reclaimed from consumer waste.
Post-dyeing
Method by which the carpet is dyed after it is manufactured. This can be accomplished by piece dyeing, continuous dyeing, differential dyeing and printing.
Post-industrial material
Of or relating to industrial manufacturing waste; also called pre-consumer material.
Post-industrial recycled content
A product that contains some percentage of manufacturing waste material that has been reclaimed from a process generating the same or a similar product. Also called pre-consumer recycle content.
Pot life
(in regard to adhesives) The period of time during which an adhesive once opened remains suitable for use before it "sets". Refer to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for information.
Power stretcher
A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet onto a tackless strip. It consists of a pinned plate that grips the carpet, tubular extensions, a padded end used to brace against an opposing wall or other structure, and a lever system that multiplies applied stretching force. All commercial and residential carpet installed over cushion with a tackless strip, must be power-stretched to prevent wrinkles and ripples.
Pre dyed
Dye process where the filament or yarn rather than carpet is dyed. Refer to "dyeing".
Primary backing
Refer to "backing".
Prime urethane cushion
Separate carpet cushion made from virgin polyurethane foam. The sheet of foam is cut from large "loaves". As opposed to prime cushion, rebonded polyurethane is made from recovered scrap.
Printed carpet (printing)
Carpet that has coloured patterns applied after the finishing process. Methods include computer controlled injection jet printing, flatbed screen printing employing woven fabric screens, rotary screen printing using perforated sheet steel screens, and printing using sponge rubber pattern elements on wooden rollers.
Puckering
Refer to "peaking".
Q
Quarter
A woven carpet term that designates the width of narrow carpet. It is one quarter of a yard, or nine inches. At one time, most woven carpet was made on narrow looms. Widths such as 27 inches and 36 inches were commonly called three-quarter and four-quarter carpet respectively.
Quarter drop match
This type of pattern has four units in every length repeat. Each length repeat drops down one unit or the quarter of the repeat. This gives a diagonal effect to the pattern when all breadths are joined together.
Quarter-round
Wooden or plastic moulding used at joints between walls and floors, or between larger (base) mouldings and floors.
R
Radiant heated floor
A substrate that also serves as a means to heat an area. Generally, heating coils, pipes or ducts are built into the substrate. Most types of cushion and carpet may be installed over radiant-heated flooring but this should be verified with the specific cushion and carpet manufacturer. Refer to Part C04B - Material Guide - Selection for additional information.
Ramp
An inclined plane connecting two different floor levels and used instead of steps. Depending on the slope, the use of a slip resistant flooring material other than carpet may be required.
Random sheared
Refer to "texture".
Rebond
Refer to bonded urethane cushion.
Red 40 stain scale
A standard comparison to rate degrees of Red Dye 40 staining from 10 (no staining) to 1 (severe staining).
Reducer strips / protective edgings
Metal or vinyl mouldings used to cover raw edges of carpet flooring at doorways or where it abuts another type of floor covering (e.g. resilient, hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring). There are two basic types: (1) applied-before, i.e., secured in place before flooring is installed with floor material fitted to them and (2) applied-after, i.e., installed on top of flooring after it has been installed.
Relative humidity
The ratio of the amount of water vapour present in the air to that which the air would hold at saturation at the same temperature. It is usually considered on the basis of the weight of the vapour, but for accuracy should be considered on the basis of vapour pressures.
Remnant
A short piece of carpet roll goods, usually less than nine feet long.
Repeat
The distance from a point in a pattern figure to the same point where it occurs again, measured length-wise and width-wise on the carpet. Carpet may have to be cut in order to achieve a drop (diagonal) match or a set (side) match. There will therefore be some waste in achieving the best possible match. Refer to "drop match" and "set match".
Residential carpet
Carpet flooring specifically designed for installation in residential settings. Refer also to commercial carpet flooring.
Resilience
The ability of a carpet or underpad / cushion to recover (spring back to) its original appearance and thickness after being subjected to compressive forces from foot and rolling traffic and/or by static or moving loads such as furniture.
Resist printing
A dye resist agent is printed on tufted carpet prior to piece dying producing coloured patterns.
Re-stretch
Remedial action to eliminate wrinkles and bubbles or to correct loose fit resulting from improper laying, carpet defects or stretching.
Riser
The vertical or front face of a step between two stair treads.
Rolling
Procedure for removing trapped air, flatten adhesive ridges, and for setting cushion and/or carpet into the adhesive to achieve a uniform bond. When recommended, the cushion or carpet should be rolled in one direction and then in the cross direction immediately after placing it into the adhesive. Rolling should be started at the centre of flooring working outward to move trapped air to the edges.
Rolling loads
These are loads imposed on flooring by moving heavy furniture and other materials or items using dollies, carts, litters, gurneys, etc. As the bearing surface area of some of these wheels and casters is deceptively small it results in higher compressive forces than may be anticipated. This is particularly important to note in regard to newly installed carpet which should not be exposed to such rolling traffic for at least 72 hours after installation to allow the adhesive to set and dry. A minimum 6 mm (1/4") or thicker plywood, hardboard, or other hard underlayment panel may be used to prevent damage from such loads.
Rotary brushing
A carpet cleaning technique in which a detergent solution is worked into the pile by a motor-driven rotating brush. Loosened soil and spent solution is often subsequently removed by vacuum.
Rows / wires
Rows of tufts counted lengthwise in every 100 mm (4") of carpet. In Axminster carpets, these are called rows, in Wilton and Velvet, wires.
Rucking
Refer to "peaking".
Rug
A carpet not fastened to the floor and usually not covering the entire floor (also referred to as an Area Rug). Refer to Part CC1C - Glossary - Rugs.
Runners (carpet)
A continuous piece of carpet used as a surface covering in traffic lanes and on stairs with a margin on each side.
S
Saxony
Refer to "texture".
Sawtooth crimp
Also called zigzag crimp, this is a two-dimensional crimp that gives yarn cohesion, texture and bulk. Refer also to "crimp".
Scribing
An installation term for the method of transferring the exact irregularities of a wall, floor or other surface onto a piece of carpet by a tracing technique. The carpet is then cut to fit exactly.
Scrim-back
Used in tufted carpet construction, it is a secondary backing made of a light coarse fabric or synthetic material added to the regular jute or kraft cord back.
Sculptured
A type of multi-level surface pattern with a specific design.
Seam adhesive
A specifically formulated adhesive for securing cut edges of carpet to be seamed. Specialized adhesive products are necessary for either glue-down, or stretch-in over a cushion installation to help prevent ravelling and delamination at seam edges.
Seams
In a carpet installation, the line formed by joining, without overlaps or gaps, the edge of two pieces of carpet or cushion by the use of various seaming tapes, hand sewing or other techniques.
Seam sealing
Procedure of coating the trimmed edges of two carpet breadths to be joined with a continuous bead of adhesive in order to prevent fraying and ravelling at the seam and to secure one piece to the other.
Seaming tape
Fabric tape used for joining two sections of carpet. "Hot melt" tape is pre-coated with a thermoplastic adhesive. Other tapes have adhesive applied separately.
Secondary backing
Refer to "backing".
Seconds
A term used for off-quality, defective, or substandard carpet that is normally marketed at substantial price discounts as "seconds" or "imperfects" by manufacturers.
Self-tone
A pattern of two or more shades of the same colour. When two shades are used in a pattern or design, it is called "two-tone."
Selvege (selvedge)
The lengthwise edge of a carpet. In woven carpet it is a factory-finished edge to prevent unravelling and does not require binding or hemming. In tufted carpet the edge is trimmed at seam faces.
Serging
A method of finishing edges of carpet by use of heavy, coloured yarn sewn around the edges in a close, overcast stitch. Also known as oversewing. In some cases sides may be serged and the ends fringed.
Set match
Refer to "matching".
Shading
A change in carpet appearance caused by normal wear or due to localized distortions in the orientation of carpet fibre, tufts, or loops either of which is not considered a manufacturing defect. Shading can also be a variation in colour (dye) or hue within a roll length or across the width of a carpet which is considered a difference in light reflection. Both are characteristics of cut pile carpet. Also known as "pile reversal, watermarking, or pooling". See also "temporary pile reversal".
Shag
Refer to "texture".
Shearing
A manufacturing / finishing process analogous to lawn mowing where rotating cutters are used to remove the fuzz, plane the surface, or create patterns. The depth of shearing can be shallow as in defuzzing, tip shearing and random shearing or can be full or deep to create a plush or velvet surface. Refer also to "tip shearing".
Shedding
The appearance of loose fibre fragments on a carpet surface that are left during manufacturing (not a defect, but a characteristic that disappears after carpet use and vacuuming). Wool will shed for it's complete life. As wool fibre ages, the finer filaments become brittle, and break off as wear and tear take place. Synthetic carpets only "appear" to shed as they lose sheared cut fibres that have remained in the carpet after the shearing process at the mill. This usually occurs in the first 6 months to a year after installation. Refer to "fuzzing" or "fluffing".
Shelf life
The period of time that a manufacturer will guarantee that unopened adhesive will be useable. The date of manufacture is normally stamped on the container. In most cases, the adhesive will be usable for a period of time following the shelf life. When the adhesive becomes unusable, the handling characteristics are affected.
Shoe moulding
Wood or plastic strip with one corner edge rounded slightly. It is used to conceal joints between walls and floors or between larger mouldings and floors.
Short roll
A length of carpet that is shorter than a full shipping roll and longer than a remnant. Depending on carpet mill quality standards, it may be from 6000 to 12000 mm (20 to 40 feet) long. Shorts are usually sold by carpet mills at a substantial discount from first quality, full roll prices, but higher than second quality prices.
Shot
The number of weft yarns in relation to each row of tufts crosswise on the loom.
Shuttle
Part of weaving loom that carries fill yarn back and forth across the fabric width. In conventional looms, it contains a spool of fill yarn called a bobbin.
Side seams
Seams running the length of the carpet. Sometimes called length seams.
Singles
One yarn end of either continuous filament yarn or spun yarn. Singles yarn is most often plied (or twisted) with additional singles yarns to create a "two-ply," "three-ply" or "four-ply" yarn bundle.
Sisal
Natural fibre from the sisal plant that is used to manufacture strong course twine used in carpet backing as well as a "ribbed-like" style of carpet. Also an inappropriate definition used for similar styles of carpet manufactured from synthetic fibres such as nylon and polypropylene.
Skein dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Skew
Refer to "pattern".
Sliver
An intermediate stage in the production of spun yarns from staple fibre. It is a large, soft untwisted strand or rope of fibres produced by carding or pin drafting.
Soil hiding
The ability of a yarn to mask the presence of soil or dried liquids.
Soil retardant
(soil resist treatment) Topical chemical treatment applied to carpet pile yarn or fabricated carpet surface to resist soiling and staining. (Can be applied at the mill or after installation). There are several types of retardants that are fluro-carbon, silicone or acid dye resistor based.
solution dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Sound transmission class (STC) rating
This is the rating of airborne sound transmission. Most carpet (particularly if installed over cushion will aid in reducing reverberant or airborne sound. Refer to A08C - Acoustical Issues.
Space dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Spinnerette
The device (similar to a shower head) through which molten polymer is extruded to form strands of filament. The shape of the holes define the cross section shape and size of the filament when it solidifies and cools. This spinning stage also determines the number of filaments in a continuous filament yarn bundle.
Spinning
A term that defines both filament production (Refer to "spinnerette") as well as the conversion of staple fibre by mechanical means into spun yarn. The twisting of separate fibres also increases the bulk and resiliency of a yarn. Refer also to "parallel spinning".
Sponge cushion
Carpet cushion of rubber foam material that is chemically blown to form a cushion product.
Spread rate
The amount of coverage that can be expected from a given amount of adhesive when spread using the recommended trowel.
Sprouting
Protrusion of individual tuft or yarn ends about the pile surface. May be clipped with scissors. Sometimes referred to as "shooting".
Spun-dyed fibre
Refer to solution dyed fibre.
Spun yarn
A yarn consisting of fibres of regular or irregular staple length, usually bound together by twist.
Stain
Soil or other substance that is not removable by standard cleaning methods.
Stain blocking
The filling of unused dye sites on carpet fibres to eliminate staining.
Stain resist treatment
Chemical treatment, primarily for nylon carpet, to minimize stains from food colours. Chemical stain resist treatments are not commonly used for commercial carpet.
Stair nosing
Material used to cover the nose of a stair when stairway is not upholstered. Commonly used to demarcate the edge of a stair in restaurants, theatres, etc.
Staple
Short lengths of fibre that may be converted into spun yarns by textile yarn spinning processes. These spun yarns are also called "staple" yarns. For carpet yarns spun on the common, modified worsted systems, most staple is 150 mm (6") to 200 mm (8") long. Staple fibre may also be converted directly into non-woven fabrics, such as needle punched carpet.
Static
Electricity generated by walking across a carpet or rug.
Static shock
Discharge of electrostatic potential from carpet to person to a conductive ground, e.g., a doorknob. Shoe friction against carpet fibre causes the production of an electrostatic charge. Charges above 3500 volts may produce discomfort.
Stay tacking
A carpet installation term for temporary nailing or tacking carpet to hold the stretch until the entire installation can be stretched over and fastened onto tackless stripping. This is a technique used in large contract installations that are too large to stretch in one step and is also frequently used to ensure pattern match.
Step return
A term for that part of a staircase tread that extends over the riser. Also known as a bullnose or extended nosing.
Stiffness
Resistance of material, such as carpet, to bending.
Stitches
The number of yarn tufts per running inch of a single tuft row running down the length of the carpet in tufted carpet (as opposed to gauge).
Stitch count
This term applies to tufted carpet only and refers to the number of stitches or tufts per inch (spi). Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide - Carpet for additional information.
Stitch length
Total length of yarn from which a tuft is made. It is numerically equal to twice the pile height plus the associated back stitch behind the primary backing.
Stock-dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Stop marks
Widthwise, mechanical pile imperfections in tufted carpet. Usually caused by improper stop and start techniques by the machine operator.
Streak
Any lengthwise narrow visual defect in carpet. Dye streaks may be caused by a single pile end having different dye affinity from the others. Other streaks may be yarn defects such as tight twist, stretched yarn or yarns larger or smaller than the others. A moderate level of streaking is almost always present in Saxony carpet made from plied heat set yarns and should be considered characteristic of this style.
Stretch
A carpet installation term for the amount of elongation of carpet when it is stretched over pad onto tackless strip. Generally one to two (2%) percent.
Stretch-in
Installation procedure for installing carpet usually over separate cushion. The carpet is secured in place under tension to a tackless strip at the perimeter.
Stria or stripped
A striped effect obtained by loosely twisting two strands of one shade of yarn with one strand of lighter or darker shade. The single yarn appears like irregular stripes.
Stuffer
A backing yarn in woven carpet. Stuffers are, normally, large warp yarns (lengthwise yarns) that increase weight, strength, hand, stiffness and stability.
Suessen
Refer to "heat setting".
Superba
Refer to "heat setting".
Subfloor / substrate
The floor surface to which flooring materials are applied/installed. Refer to "underlayment".
Surface contour
Refers to the surface of the fibre along its length.
Suspended floor
A sub- floor constructed over a minimum of 450 mm (18") of cross-ventilated air space.
Swatch
A small carpet sample. Swatches should be retained to verify colour, texture, weight and other quality factors when carpet is delivered.
Synthetic backing
A backing material using mostly polyester or polypropylene.
Synthetic fibre
Man made (not natural) fibre.
T
Tak dyeing
Refer to "dyeing".
Tackless strip
Wood or metal strips fastened to the floor near the walls of a room and containing either two or three rows of pins angled toward the wall on which the carpet backing is stretched and secured in a stretch-in installation.
Template
A paper or cardboard pattern used by installers as a guide for cutting carpet for areas having complicated or unusual shapes.
Temporary pile reversal
Pile reversal caused primarily by foot traffic and vacuum cleaning. This change in visual appearance is not a manufacturing defect but may be objectionable over a "trackless" style carpet. See also "shading".
Tensile strength
Breaking strain of yarns or fabrics. High tensile strength means strong yarns or fabrics.
Tetrapod drum
An instrument to test pile floor coverings to produce changes in appearance and colour due to changes in surface structure by mechanical action. This accelerated test, primarily used in the US, provides a specific rating of the ability of the carpet to withstand crushing and matting.
Textile floor covering material
General description used for carpet, rugs, etc.
Texture
The "surface effect" of a carpet that adds interest beyond its colours or design. Texture is a direct result of carpet construction and is an important factor in its performance. There are many textures types:
- Axminster: Carpet woven on an Axminster loom where pile tufts are individually inserted from spools of coloured yarns. This complicated weaving process is used chiefly for complex multi-coloured patterned cut pile carpet and rugs. It is similar to the weaving and hand knotting process used in oriental carpet production. A distinguishing feature of Axminster carpet is a heavily ribbed backing which can be rolled length-wise but not width-wise.
- Berber: A woven loop-pile carpet originally tufted with thick natural coloured, bulky wool yarn and credited to a nomadic North African tribe called the Berbers. Now the term has been inappropriately expanded to describe a multi-level loop carpet style using bulky loop pile nylon, olefin or polypropylene yarn, often having random specks of colour in contrast to a base hue. This floor covering has a full, comfortable feel, while maintaining an informal, casual look.
- brocade: A carpet construction producing a raised pattern and formed by using heavy twisted yarn tufts on a background of straight fibres.
- cut pile: A carpet in which the face is composed of cut ends of pile yarn.
- cut and loop pile: A carpet in which the face is composed of a combination of cut ends of pile yarns and loops.
- frieze: Pronounced "free-zay," (from the French term for curl), the term refers to a tightly twisted yarn that gives a carpet a rough, nubby pile appearance. Frieze carpets are constructed using a mixture of twisted plied yarns and straight yarn which results in a curled carpet texture. This type of carpet is also referred to as "twist carpet". As this type of carpet hides foot prints well it is also often generally referred to as a "trackless" carpet
- level loop: A carpet construction in which the yarn on the face of the carpet forms a loop with both ends anchored into the carpet back. The pile loops are of substantially the same height and uncut, making a smooth, level surface.
- loop pile: Carpet style having a pile surface consisting of looped yarn that has not been sheared or cut. May be woven or tufted. Also called "round wire" in woven carpet terminology.
- plush: Luxuriously smooth-textured (single-level) carpet surface in which individual tufts are only minimally visible and the overall visual effect is that of a single level of yarn ends. This finish is normally achieved only on cut-pile carpet produced from non-heat-set singles spun yarns by brushing and shearing. Sometimes called "velvet-plush." Plush carpet is lower and denser than a Saxony carpet and each yarn end is less distinguishable than in a Saxony.
- random sheared / tip sheared: Textured pattern created by lightly shearing (shaving) off all or some of the level loops or high-low loops to create a cut / uncut texture.
- Saxony: Dense cut-pile finish, usually made of plied (twisted) and generally heat set yarns in a relatively dense, erect configuration, so each tuft end has a distinguished appearance (well defined tuft tips). Yarns are thicker and have more tip definition than a plush carpet.
- shag: A long cut pile yarn, usually 25 mm (1") in length or longer.
- velvet: Carpet woven on a velvet loom; typically cut pile or level loop in solid or tweed colourings, though textured and patterned effects are possible. Also the common term for cut pile "plush" carpet.
- Wilton: Carpet woven on a loom using a Jacquard pattern-making mechanism, which utilizes a series of punched cards to select pile height and yarn colour to produce patterned cut and loop pile carpet. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide - Carpet.
A carpet's ability to withstand crushing and matting. Although accelerated test methods do not directly compare with actual floor performance, they do give an indication of a carpet's ability to withstand crushing and matting.
Texturing texturizing
The process of imparting crimp, loops, or other modifications to continuous filament yarns. Textured yarns have increased cover, resiliency, abrasion resistance, and insulation. Refer also to "crimping".
Threshold
The raised material beneath a door, also known as a "door sill" or "saddle".
Tip definition
Visible individual twisted cut yarn ends in a carpet surface. If, under heavy wear and pivoting, the tufts have been splayed open, the carpet is said to have lost its tip definition.
Tip sheared
Shearing or shaving off high loops in tufted carpet to create a cut and uncut texture and pattern. This is done to create a random two or three level appearance.
Tone-on-tone
A carpet pattern made by using two or more shades of the same hue.
Top colours
In printed or woven coloured patterns, top colours are the ones forming the pattern elements, as distinguished from background or ground colours.
Total weight
Weight per square yard of total carpet pile yarn, primary and secondary backings, and coatings.
Tow
Continuous synthetic fibre filaments (without twist) collected in a loose rope-like form and held together by crimp. Tow is the form before fibre is cut into staple.
Tracked-off area
That area of the carpet which collects foot soil tracked in from outdoors or from hard surface floors.
Traffic
The passing back and forth of persons over a given carpet surface area. Refer also to "foot traffic".
Transition strip
Normally a metal, vinyl, or rubber strip which smoothly transitions a higher piece of flooring to a lower piece, such as resilient flooring to carpet.
Tread
The horizontal (walking surface) part of a stair or step.
Trim
These are floor "finishing" materials such as baseboard, transition trims, etc.
Trowel
Hand implement used for metering and spreading adhesive onto a substrate surface. Trowels are generally notched with pattern and notch size to suit carpet backing (and cushion) and adhesive requirements.
Tuft bind (tuft lock)
Force required to pull a tuft from a cut pile carpet or to pull free one leg of a loop from a looped pile carpet.
Tufted carpet
Carpet manufactured by the insertion of tufts of yarn through a carpet's primary backing fabric by rows of eyed needles, creating a pile surface of cut and/or loop ends. Refer also to "tufted backing" under backing.
Tufting
Face, or pile, yarns are inserted into a preconstructed backing. A rapid method of construction, now accounting for more than 90% of all carpet and rug production in the North America. The tufting machine may be used for a wide variety of carpet and rug qualities and styles.
Tufts
The cut or uncut loops forming the face of a tufted or woven carpet.
Turns per inch (TPI)
The number of times two or more yarns have been plied in an inch length. Also known as input ply twist. Refer also to "twist".
Turns per tuft (TPT)
The number of twists in the pile yarn above the primary backing. This is a more accurate way of measuring relative twist level in cut pile carpets. Generally, the greater the turns per tuft, the better the performance.
Tweed
Carpet and other textile materials consisting of two or more colours forming an overall harmony.
Two-tone
A pattern of two shades of the same colour.
Twist
The (twist) direction and shape yarn has been given to produce a particular textured effect. The twist or winding of either singles or plies around their own axis is described in turns per inch or TPI. The twist direction may be either right (Z-twist) or left (S-twist). Most carpets range between 2.5 and 6.0 tpi. A tighter twist provides enhanced durability and performance. The performance of a cut pile carpet is dependent on the twist in the pile yarn. Spun yarns need more twist than filament yarns for good performance. For moderate or heavy commercial use cut pile, it is suggested that continuous filament have a minimum of 4.50 TPI while spun yarns have a minimum ply twist of 4.75 TPI. In all cases it is the manufacturer's responsibility to determine the twist level.
Twist carpet
Carpet having a pile texture created with tightly twisted yarns in which the ply twist is substantially greater than the singles twist, causing the yarn to curl. Most twist styles are cut pile. Unbalanced, hard twist causes a nubby texture. Refer also to "frieze carpet".
Two-ply
Most common yarn ply. Two single yarns are twisted together, then heatset to maintain their twisted configuration. Can be used in either cut or loop pile carpet.
U
Underpad
Refer to "cushion".
Underlayment
A separate hard surface board (e.g. plywood) or other material installed over subflooring or a substrate to provide a smooth level surface acceptable for the installation of carpet. Hard surface underlayment under carpet is not normally required. Refer also to "subfloor / substrate".
- self-levelling compound: Approved trowel applied or self-levelling compound, used to level, smooth, skim coat or fill substrate irregularities.
- fibre board: a panel board composed of wood dust and resin binders hot pressure bonded together. A medium density (MDF) exterior grade board should be used.
- flake board: a panel board composed of wood chips or flakes randomly arranged and pressure / glue bonded together.
- oriented strand board: a panel board composed of compressed strands of wood that are purposely aligned in layers (usually three to five) oriented at right angles to one another and pressure / glue bonded together. The cross-lamination of strands results in a dimensionally stable panel that is stiffer and stronger in both directions.
- particleboard: A panel board manufactured from wood particles / granules or other ligno-cullulosic material and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder pressure / glued bonded together.
- plywood: a panel board composed of thin layers of peeled veneer or plies with each ply laid with grain in alternating directions (at right angels) to the next layer and then pressure / glue bonded together.
- waferboard: a panel board composed of wood wafer type flakes randomly arranged and pressure / glue bonded together.
- cementitious panel board: asbestos and formaldehyde free, non-combustible composite board of Portland cement, ground sand, cellulose fibre, selected additives and water, or glass fibre reinforced Portland cement board, available in limited thicknesses, 6 mm (1/4"), 10 mm (3/8"), 11 mm (7/16"), suitable for use as underlayment.
Refer to "backing systems".
Unitary carpet
Carpet used for glue down installations that has an application of high-quality backcoating latex to increase tuft bind performance properties without the addition of a secondary backing.
V
Vat dyeing
Dyes formed in fabrics by oxidation and precipitation of the original dye liquor (indigo). Refers to kind of dye rather than method of dyeing. Raw stock or skein dyeing can be performed with vat dyes.
Velvet construction
Refer to "texture".
Velvet finish
Smooth surface of dense cut pile carpet usually produced on a tufting machine or velvet loom.
Vettermann drum
An rotating drum instrument into which carpet samples are placed and then subjected to simulated trafficking to produce changes in appearance and colour by mechanical action. This accelerated test, primarily used in the US, provides a specific rating of the ability of the carpet to withstand crushing and matting.
Vinyl back
A type of solid or cushioned synthetic carpet backing.
Vinyl plasticizer
A substance incorporated into polyvinyl chloride polymer to increase flexibility, workability, or distensibility (capable of being extended).
Viscose
Manufactured fibre from wood pulp both in staple and filament yarn.
VOC
Abbreviation for volatile organic compound.
W
Walk-off mats
Mats located at entryways to collect dampness, dirt and other materials before they are tracked into the building.
Wall base
Trim material attached at the base of a vertical surface. Can be ceramic tile, resilient rubber or vinyl, wood, or carpet.
Warp
In weaving, the threads that run lengthwise (length) on a loom passing alternately over and under the weft yarns. There are three kinds: stuffer warp (for lengthwise strength and stiffness), pile warp (forms the carpet surface tufts) and chain warp (interlaces with fill yarn to lock structure together).
Warp pile
In woven carpet, the pile formed by the warp yarns. Refer to "warp". watermarking Random / irregular shading or apparent colour change that is not considered a defect but an inherent characteristic of cut pile carpet. Also called pile or nap reversal, pooling.
Wear
Refer to "foot traffic".
Weaving
Surface and backing yarns are interlaced or woven together in one operation. Several types of looms are employed.
- Axminster loom: refer to "texture".
- Wilton loom: refer to "texture".
- Velvet loom: refer to "texture".
In weaving, the threads that run crosswise (width) from selvage to selvage and are woven in and out of the warp threads by means of shuttle or bobbin. They are now called filler threads.
Wilton (carpet)
Refer to "texture".
Wire height
In woven carpet, the height of the pile tuft is determined by the wire height. See Wires.
Wires or rows
This term applies to woven carpets only and refers to the number of weft shots or crosswise units per inch measured along the length of a carpet. This literally means the number of pile tufts per cm or inch lengthwise (i.e. along the length) of a carpet, and relates to the closeness of the weave. The higher the number, the more stitches per cm or inch and the closer the pile rows are to each other down the length of the carpet. The number will differ according to the grade of carpet, and will range from 4 in low density Axminster carpet to as high as 13 in densely woven Wilton carpet. Tufted carpets have no crosswise yarns, but it is still possible to measure the number of tufts per inch by merely counting them.
Wires (loom)
A component of a carpet weaving loom consisting of thin metal rods or blades on which the pile tufts are formed. Round wires and cut wires are identical in shape with the round wires used to produce loop pile carpet and flat or cut wires with sharp blades used to produce cut pile (plush) carpet. The cut wire has a small knife blade at the end and, as it is withdrawn, it cuts the yarn looped over it to form cut pile.
Wool
Natural animal fibre or fleece (usually from sheep). For the purposes of weaving wool is separated into combing wool with a staple length of 65 to 180 mm (2 1/2" to 7") and carding or clothing wool with average staple length below 40 mm (1 1/2"). Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Woolen count
Although the term originally denoted a woollen yarn measurement system, it now also includes other yarn that is spun from short fibres that are interlocked as much as possible in the spinning operation and then twisted. Refer to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Woolen spinning
Spinning method which produces bulky, hairy yarn, usually used for wool yarns. A series of cards, or large cylinders with comb-like teeth, straighten the fibres into a paralleled fibre webbing. This webbing is blended with other webbing then spun into yarn. Refer also to "worsted spinning".
Working time
When installing sheet flooring, this is the amount of time allowable from the laying in of the flooring until all cutting and fitting must be completed. When installing tile, this is the amount of time from the point when the adhesive is dry to the touch until the tile will no longer bond. Temperature, humidity, and porosity of the subfloor affect working time.
Worsted
Worsted refers to two different processes that are combined to produce a smooth, clean yarn. Originally it referred to woolen yarn manufactured in Worstead, Norfolk, England. It now refers to yarn made of long fibres that are combed, and tightly twisted in spinning.
Worsted count
The worsted count (wc), like "cotton count (cc)" expresses the number of hanks required to make a pound of yarn. A hank of worsted wool is equal to 560 yards. One wc equals 560 yards of cotton, the coarsest worsted yarn. Worsted sizes are the reverse of cotton sizes. A two-ply number 6 worsted yarn would be expressed as 2/6 wc and would yield 1680 yards per pound. A worsted count (wc) can be converted to a cotton count (cc) by multiplying the cc by 1.5, or wc = cc x 1.5. Refer also to "cotton count" and "hank" as well as to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Worsted spinning
Also known as modified worsted spinning or "parallel spinning", this is a system of yarn production designed for medium or longer wools, and other fibres. Suitable fibre lengths vary from 125 to 180 mm (2 1/2" to 7"). The process includes, opening, blending, cleaning, carding, followed by combing, drawing, and spinning. These yarns are compact, smooth and more even and stronger than similar yarns spun using the woolen system. Worsted yarns are markedly parallel as distinct from woollen yarns in which is not (i.e. the yarn is "hairy" with fibres going in all directions).
Worsted yarn
Slender, hard, lustrous yarn spun from long, straight wool or synthetic fibres that are combed to lie parallel and to remove short fibres.
Woven backing
A tufted carpet term for primary or secondary backing manufactured by the weaving process. Secondary backings are usually woven jute or woven polypropylene. Primary backings are usually woven (or nonwoven) polypropylene. Refer also to "backing".
Woven carpet
Carpet produced on a loom, by which the lengthwise (warp) yarns and width wise (weft or filling) yarns are interlaced to form the fabric. Carpet weaves, such as Wilton, Axminster, and velvet, are complex, often involving several sets of warp and filling yarns for the pile and backing. Refer also to Part C03C - Material Guide for additional information.
Wrinkling
Refer to "peaking".
Y
Yarn
Any natural or synthetic fibre used to manufacture carpet.
Yarn count
Refer to "count".
Yarn dyed
Refer to "dyeing".
Yarn ply
The number of single yarns twisted together to form a plied yarn.
Yarn size
The weight measure of the total bundle of filaments making up a yarn that also indicates if the yarn is fine or coarse. Continuous filament yarns are sized by the denier or decitex system. Spun yarns are sized by the cotton count system. (See "Denier" or "Cotton count.")
Yarn weight
Total amount of yarn used in the manufacturing of carpet. It is measured in ounces per square yard.
Z
Zippering
A run of tufts pulled out of carpet backing due to snagging of tuft (usually loops). Problem caused by low tuft bind and/or tuft base not securely encapsulated by backing compound.
CC1B - CARPET CUSHION
A
Adhesive
A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. Adhesives may be applied to the substrate, cushion, and carpet by using a trowel, airless spray, roller, or other means acceptable to the adhesive manufacturer. Refer also to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for additional information.
Adhesive Transfer
The coverage or amount of adhesive actually applied onto the cushion and carpet backing, including recesses, that will provide adhesive contact with the substrate or carpet backing.
Attached Cushion
Cushion material, such as foam, rubber, urethane, PVC, etc. permanently bonded / adhered to the back side of a carpet by the carpet manufacturer.
B
Bonded Polyurethane
Cushion produced using ground flexible polyurethane foam particles or shredded pieces and binding them together with a chemical adhesive.
Bottom Out
Lack of support under full weight load. This characteristic is often found in low-density foam. This term is very subjective, as a foam may bottom out with a heavy person, and be very comfortable to a lighter-weight individual. The problem can be reduced by specifying foam with higher density and/or greater compression modulus value.
C
CFC-free foamFoam that has been made without the use of chlorofluorocarbons as auxiliary blowing agents.
Closed Cell Foam
Foam having intact cell membranes thereby reducing or eliminating passageways for airflow.
Compression Force Deflection (CFD)
Measurement of a cushions load-bearing ability. The result shows the reaction to loading applied over time such as when a person stands on it and can be expressed at 25%, 40%, 50%, and/or 65% compression (in accordance with ASTM D3574). Note: previously called "CLD (Compression Load Deflection)".
Compression Resistance
Measurement of rubber cushion's load-bearing characteristics. This indicates theproduct's response (firmness or softness) to immediate loading such as that experienced when it is stepped upon.
Cushion
Any kind of resilient material placed under or attached to carpet to provide softness, noise absorption, and adequate support when it is walked upon. Also referred to as underpad, padding, or underfelt, carpet cushion provides a softer feel underfoot, added acoustical and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. Refer to Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-Adhesive
An adhesive specifically used for adhering carpet cushion to substrates. Refer also to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings and Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-Back Carpet
A carpet having a cushion or padding as an integral part of its backing.
D
Dead Foam
Foam that has a low resiliency and only slowly regains its original shape after deformation.
Densified
A material that has been made more dense by permanently compressing a unit mass into a smaller volume.
Densified Polyurethane
Flexible polyurethane foam cushion having modified, elongated cells.
Density
A measurement of the mass per unit volume. It is measured and expressed in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3).
Double Glue-Down
A method of installation whereby a carpet cushion is adhered to a substrate and a carpet then glued to the cushion using appropriate adhesives.
Durability
As applied to flexible foams, the term refers to how well a foam retains its load bearing capacity and shape with use. Most measures of durability are done with laboratory-scale tests.
Dynamic Fatigue
A durability test performed in the laboratory using roller-shear or pounding type mechanisms. A roller, longer than the foam width, is rolled back and forth across the foam. The roller is mounted in an offset position to impart a shearing action. (ASTM D3574).
F
Fatigue (Flex Fatigue)
A softening or loss of firmness. Fatigue can be measured in the laboratory by repeatedly compressing a foam sample and measuring the change in IFD.
Fibre Cushion
A term used to describe separate carpet cushion made of needle-felted animal hair, jute, other fibres or fibre blends. Some are rubberized and may have one or two rubber faces.
Flat Rubber
Natural or synthetic rubber cushion with a flat finished appearance on both sides.
Foam
A lightweight cellular material resulting from the introduction of gas bubbles into a reacting polymer.
Formulation
The list of chemicals and their relative amounts to be used in the preparation of a foam.
G
Grade
A degree of quality.
OR
Grade
The relationship of a substrate to the exterior ground or grade level. There are three categories:
Flexible polyurethane foam cushion formulated with added reinforcement for increased load-bearing
H
High Resilience (HR) Foam
Foam with high resilience. Such foam has a less uniform (more random) cell structure that helps add support, comfort, and resilience or bounce. High resilience foams have a high support factor and greater surface resilience than conventional foams and are defined in ASTM D3770.
I
Indoor Air Quality
quality of air (and environment) within a building that is dependent on the appropriate selection of low VOC and odour emitting interior products such as carpet cushion and related adhesives. Refer to Part A09 – Environmental Issues for additional information.
Integral Skin Foam
A moulded foam having a dense, tough outer skin and a relatively lower density core. The product is achieved in a single pour using a combination of chemical and mechanical aids.
M
Mechanically Frothed
Cushion of polyurethane chemicals and reinforcing filler frothed with air into the reacting mixture.
O
Open Cell Foam
Foam having no barrier between cells allowing gases or liquids to pass through the foam. Most cell walls have been ruptured to varying extent.
P
Padding
Refer to "cushion".
Prime Urethane Cushion
Carpet cushion made from virgin polyurethane foam. The sheet of foam is cut from large "loaves". As opposed to prime cushion, rebonded polyurethane is made from recovered scrap.
R
Recovery
The return to original dimension and properties after a deforming force is removed.
Resilience
The ability of a cushion to recover (spring back to) its original thickness after being subjected to compressive forces from foot and rolling traffic and/or by static or moving loads such as furniture. It is measured by dropping a steel ball onto the foam cushion and measuring how high the ball rebounds.
Reinforced Froth
Open-celled rubber cushion reinforced with solid rubber particles (usually from recycled tires).
Rippled Rubber
Natural or synthetic rubber cushion produced to give the appearance of bubbles on the surface and usually containing non-woven or paper scrim on the top side.
Roll Goods
Foam that has been peeled from a foam "log" or slit from a bun and rolled onto a core for handling purposes.
Rubberized Hair
Needle-punched felt of clean, sterilized natural fibre coated with skid-proof resin on top and bottom.
Rubberized Jute
Needle-punched felt of just fibre sealed on both sides with filled latex and embossed.
S
Seam
The splice line formed by two or more separate pieces of flexible polyurethane foam that have been bonded together.
Skin
The higher-density outer surface of a foam usually occurring when the foam surface cools more rapidly than the core.
Surface Firmness
The number of pounds of force necessary to indent a foam sample by 25% of its original height.
Sponge Cushion
Carpet cushion of rubber foam material that is chemically blown to form a cushion product.
Stretch-In
Installation procedure for installing carpet usually over separate cushion. The carpet is secured in place under tension to a tackless strip at the perimeter.
Subfloor / Substrate
The floor surface to which flooring materials are applied/installed. Refer to "underlayment".
Synthetic Fibres
Non-woven needle-punched felt made principally of post industrial scrap synthetic carpet material with no outside additives.
T
Tear Strength
A measure of the force required to continue a tear in a foam after a split or break has been started and expressed in pounds per inch (lbs/in.). This property is important in determining suitability of foam in applications where the material is sewed, stapled, or otherwise anchored to a solid substrate.
Tensile Strength
The pounds per square inch of force required to stretch a material to the breaking point. (Reference ASTM D3574).
Textured Rubber
Natural or synthetic rubber cushion produced with a fine textured appearance on the bottom and non-woven or paper backing on the top.
Tight Foam
Foam with many closed cells, resulting in low air flow measurements.
Trowel
Hand implement used for metering and spreading adhesive to the floor or other substrate. Trowels are generally notched with pattern and notch size to suit carpet backing, cushion, and adhesive requirements.
Adhesive
A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. Adhesives may be applied to the substrate, cushion, and carpet by using a trowel, airless spray, roller, or other means acceptable to the adhesive manufacturer. Refer also to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for additional information.
Adhesive Transfer
The coverage or amount of adhesive actually applied onto the cushion and carpet backing, including recesses, that will provide adhesive contact with the substrate or carpet backing.
Attached Cushion
Cushion material, such as foam, rubber, urethane, PVC, etc. permanently bonded / adhered to the back side of a carpet by the carpet manufacturer.
B
Bonded Polyurethane
Cushion produced using ground flexible polyurethane foam particles or shredded pieces and binding them together with a chemical adhesive.
Bottom Out
Lack of support under full weight load. This characteristic is often found in low-density foam. This term is very subjective, as a foam may bottom out with a heavy person, and be very comfortable to a lighter-weight individual. The problem can be reduced by specifying foam with higher density and/or greater compression modulus value.
C
CFC-free foamFoam that has been made without the use of chlorofluorocarbons as auxiliary blowing agents.
Closed Cell Foam
Foam having intact cell membranes thereby reducing or eliminating passageways for airflow.
Compression Force Deflection (CFD)
Measurement of a cushions load-bearing ability. The result shows the reaction to loading applied over time such as when a person stands on it and can be expressed at 25%, 40%, 50%, and/or 65% compression (in accordance with ASTM D3574). Note: previously called "CLD (Compression Load Deflection)".
Compression Resistance
Measurement of rubber cushion's load-bearing characteristics. This indicates theproduct's response (firmness or softness) to immediate loading such as that experienced when it is stepped upon.
Cushion
Any kind of resilient material placed under or attached to carpet to provide softness, noise absorption, and adequate support when it is walked upon. Also referred to as underpad, padding, or underfelt, carpet cushion provides a softer feel underfoot, added acoustical and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. Refer to Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-Adhesive
An adhesive specifically used for adhering carpet cushion to substrates. Refer also to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings and Part CC1B - Cushion Glossary for additional information.
Cushion-Back Carpet
A carpet having a cushion or padding as an integral part of its backing.
D
Dead Foam
Foam that has a low resiliency and only slowly regains its original shape after deformation.
Densified
A material that has been made more dense by permanently compressing a unit mass into a smaller volume.
Densified Polyurethane
Flexible polyurethane foam cushion having modified, elongated cells.
Density
A measurement of the mass per unit volume. It is measured and expressed in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3).
Double Glue-Down
A method of installation whereby a carpet cushion is adhered to a substrate and a carpet then glued to the cushion using appropriate adhesives.
Durability
As applied to flexible foams, the term refers to how well a foam retains its load bearing capacity and shape with use. Most measures of durability are done with laboratory-scale tests.
Dynamic Fatigue
A durability test performed in the laboratory using roller-shear or pounding type mechanisms. A roller, longer than the foam width, is rolled back and forth across the foam. The roller is mounted in an offset position to impart a shearing action. (ASTM D3574).
F
Fatigue (Flex Fatigue)
A softening or loss of firmness. Fatigue can be measured in the laboratory by repeatedly compressing a foam sample and measuring the change in IFD.
Fibre Cushion
A term used to describe separate carpet cushion made of needle-felted animal hair, jute, other fibres or fibre blends. Some are rubberized and may have one or two rubber faces.
Flat Rubber
Natural or synthetic rubber cushion with a flat finished appearance on both sides.
Foam
A lightweight cellular material resulting from the introduction of gas bubbles into a reacting polymer.
Formulation
The list of chemicals and their relative amounts to be used in the preparation of a foam.
G
Grade
A degree of quality.
OR
Grade
The relationship of a substrate to the exterior ground or grade level. There are three categories:
- AboveGrade: a substrate with more than 450 mm (18") of well ventilated space between the lower side of the floor structure and exterior grade level. Where an interior slab-on-grade is more than 200 mm (8") above the exterior grade level it may be considered as above grade.
- On Grade: a substrate in direct contact with ground or structural fill, as in a slab-on-grade. This substrate may be located above or below the exterior grade level.
- Below Grade:a substrate located below exterior grade (as in a basement slab-on-grade) or a substrate with less than 450 mm (18") of well ventilated space between the lower side of the floor structure (e.g. wood joists and subfloor) and interior grade (as in a crawl space)...
Flexible polyurethane foam cushion formulated with added reinforcement for increased load-bearing
H
High Resilience (HR) Foam
Foam with high resilience. Such foam has a less uniform (more random) cell structure that helps add support, comfort, and resilience or bounce. High resilience foams have a high support factor and greater surface resilience than conventional foams and are defined in ASTM D3770.
I
Indoor Air Quality
quality of air (and environment) within a building that is dependent on the appropriate selection of low VOC and odour emitting interior products such as carpet cushion and related adhesives. Refer to Part A09 – Environmental Issues for additional information.
Integral Skin Foam
A moulded foam having a dense, tough outer skin and a relatively lower density core. The product is achieved in a single pour using a combination of chemical and mechanical aids.
M
Mechanically Frothed
Cushion of polyurethane chemicals and reinforcing filler frothed with air into the reacting mixture.
O
Open Cell Foam
Foam having no barrier between cells allowing gases or liquids to pass through the foam. Most cell walls have been ruptured to varying extent.
P
Padding
Refer to "cushion".
Prime Urethane Cushion
Carpet cushion made from virgin polyurethane foam. The sheet of foam is cut from large "loaves". As opposed to prime cushion, rebonded polyurethane is made from recovered scrap.
R
Recovery
The return to original dimension and properties after a deforming force is removed.
Resilience
The ability of a cushion to recover (spring back to) its original thickness after being subjected to compressive forces from foot and rolling traffic and/or by static or moving loads such as furniture. It is measured by dropping a steel ball onto the foam cushion and measuring how high the ball rebounds.
Reinforced Froth
Open-celled rubber cushion reinforced with solid rubber particles (usually from recycled tires).
Rippled Rubber
Natural or synthetic rubber cushion produced to give the appearance of bubbles on the surface and usually containing non-woven or paper scrim on the top side.
Roll Goods
Foam that has been peeled from a foam "log" or slit from a bun and rolled onto a core for handling purposes.
Rubberized Hair
Needle-punched felt of clean, sterilized natural fibre coated with skid-proof resin on top and bottom.
Rubberized Jute
Needle-punched felt of just fibre sealed on both sides with filled latex and embossed.
S
Seam
The splice line formed by two or more separate pieces of flexible polyurethane foam that have been bonded together.
Skin
The higher-density outer surface of a foam usually occurring when the foam surface cools more rapidly than the core.
Surface Firmness
The number of pounds of force necessary to indent a foam sample by 25% of its original height.
Sponge Cushion
Carpet cushion of rubber foam material that is chemically blown to form a cushion product.
Stretch-In
Installation procedure for installing carpet usually over separate cushion. The carpet is secured in place under tension to a tackless strip at the perimeter.
Subfloor / Substrate
The floor surface to which flooring materials are applied/installed. Refer to "underlayment".
Synthetic Fibres
Non-woven needle-punched felt made principally of post industrial scrap synthetic carpet material with no outside additives.
T
Tear Strength
A measure of the force required to continue a tear in a foam after a split or break has been started and expressed in pounds per inch (lbs/in.). This property is important in determining suitability of foam in applications where the material is sewed, stapled, or otherwise anchored to a solid substrate.
Tensile Strength
The pounds per square inch of force required to stretch a material to the breaking point. (Reference ASTM D3574).
Textured Rubber
Natural or synthetic rubber cushion produced with a fine textured appearance on the bottom and non-woven or paper backing on the top.
Tight Foam
Foam with many closed cells, resulting in low air flow measurements.
Trowel
Hand implement used for metering and spreading adhesive to the floor or other substrate. Trowels are generally notched with pattern and notch size to suit carpet backing, cushion, and adhesive requirements.
CC1C - RUGS GLOSSARY
A
Abrash
The hue or colour change found on many older rugs, particularly those woven by nomad tribes. The variations in colour are usually the result of inconsistent dyeing of the wool using vegetable dyes, or through the introduction of a new wool batch while weaving the carpet. The effect of abrash is subtle shading differences. In older or antique rugs, abrash occurs naturally. In new rugs, both machine made and handmade, abrash is carefully created by changing the colour of the yarns to mimic a vintage look.
Abadeh
A top quality postwar Shiraz style rug named after a town halfway on the main shiraz Isfahan road.
Afshar
A Turkic speaking nomadic and partly settled tribal group in Southern Persia with summer pastures in the mountains south and west of Kerman who are weavers of excellent pile and kilim rugs.
Agra
A hand knotting system used in Agra, India (9/9 agra represents 81 hand knots per square inch). Also an Indian antique decorative rug.
Ahar
Heriz style carpet from northwest Iran and Azerbaijan.
Akstafa
A Caucasian rug type that has a distinctive bird with a tail comb motif.
All-Over
A term used to describe the pattern of a rug whose field has no central medallion.
Anatolian
A generic term applied to rugs from the high plains of Turkey.
Andkhoy
An Afghan turkoman rug type.
Arabesque Motif
An ornate linear motif design of intertwined floral (i.e., vines, flowers, tendrils, and leaves) and geometrical figures with motif probably originating in Islamic Spain.
Ashik motif
A diamond-shaped figure motif with serrated edges found primarily on Turkeman pieces and some Asian pile weaves.
Assadabad
Hamadan area herati designed rugs with small central medallion.
Aubussion
A rug woven in France that uses the kilim or slit-tapestry method. Also refers to the design of such rugs that normally have a floral medallion in pastel shades.
B
Bibibaff
A name for a rug "woven by a respected grannie".
Binding
A strip or band sewn over a rug edge to protect and strengthen the rug from wear and unravelling and sometimes used to decorate the edge.
Boarder
The frame for the field of a rug. It is generally the widest element in the framing located next to the guard bands or stripes.
Border
A design that surrounds the field in a rug.
Boteh Motif
A motif in stylized form representing either a pine cone, a palmetto, or the sacred flame of Zoroaster.
Braided
These are rugs made from heavy strips of new or used yarn or fabric that have been braided into thick ropes and are then sewn side-to-side in spirals, ovals, rounds, and oblongs to create a reversible rug.
Bukhara / Bokhara
For centuries a centre of Muslim learning and spirituality, and the principal trading point for Turkmen tribal carpets. Many Turkoman carpets as a result have erroneously been called "Bukhara". Now the word has become the trade name for inexpensive and uninspired carpets woven in Pakistan with Turkoman designs.
C
Carpet
A soft floor covering that is usually wall-to-wall.
Cartoon
This is a complete picture of the rug design from which weavers construct a rug
Cartouche
An ornamental tablet containing an inscription, or a design that surrounds a woven signature, date or inscription in a rug.
Carved Nap
A process of carving around a design or symbol to enhance the look of the rug. Commonly done in some Chinese and Tibet rugs.
Chain Stitch
A crochet stitch used in rug construction that consists of successive loops to lock the final weft in place at the end of a rug.
Chakesh
An Afghan or Turkoman rug type
Chobash
Blue / red Turkoman carpets.
Classical
A vague term referring to court carpets produced prior to the 19th century.
Cloth-backed Rug
Material normally used on the back of some Indian or Chinese tufted rugs.
Cloud Band Motif
A stylized depiction of a cloud band. The design is usually associated with Chinese rugs but it is also used in a variety of rugs as floral pattern. It also may resemble the Greek letter omega.
D
Daghestan
A north east Caucasus fine bluish rug.
Density
The measure by which the quality of a rug's construction is judged. It is determined by two factors: the number of knots and the height of the pile in a given area.
Dhurrie
A flat woven rug made in India by the warp-sharing or Kilim method.
Doruksh
Jufti knotted Qainat carpets in the floral city style.
Doshemealti
Red and blue postwar good Anatolian commercial rugs popular with tourists.
Dozar
A Persian name used to describe a rug approximately 4 x 6 feet in size.
Dragon Motif
A classic Chinese motif symbolizing good fortune that combines the features and/or characteristics of a variety of beasts. The dragon is often rendered as a geometrical form with only its head realistically portrayed. Also found in stylized form from other rug producing areas other than China.
Drugget
This non-pile type of rug comes from India and the Balkans and is usually made from goat hair, cotton, and jute.
E
Embroidery
The use of a variety of different needle-worked stitches to decorate fabrics.
Endless Knot
A Buddhist emblem symbolizing long duration, often used with other symbols.
Ensi
A rug used in place of a door or curtain in a Turkoman tent.
F
Fabricated (inlaid) Rugs
Tufted broadloom carpet that is cut and inlaid on a patterned form to create a customized rug.
Field
The main section of the rug that is surrounded by the boarder and contains the central medallion or other motifs. The field may also be blank.
Flat Weave
Pile-less rugs made by crosshatch of horizontal and vertical threads that form both the rug's fabric and its pattern/design. There are numerous varieties of flat weaves: kilims, cicim, coumac, and cotton are just a few. Needlepoint is another type of flat weave that is created by weaving of the coloured yarns through a pre-made scrim, or grid-like backing.
Foundation
The combination of warps and wefts in the body of a rug.
Friction Bath
A process of washing the rugs in a big "vat-like" structure using water from natural mountain streams. The streams are intercepted by wide piping where they are placed to fall from a height into the vat to create a "whirlpool" effect. This centuries old method technique is unique to Greece and is used mainly for Flokati Rugs. The water swells the backing and unravels it while the pile blossoms.
Fringe
The excess warp threads extending from the end of the rug, which are treated in several ways to prevent the wefts and knots from unravelling. Today, artificial fringe is added to some tufted and machine-made rugs to make them look authentic.
G
Gabbeh
A Lori word to describe fairly coarse, long-piled rugs made by nomads of the central Zagros Mountains for use in the tent. They are decorated with bold abstract patters or naïve designs and used to be considered too crude to be worth trading but recently their artistic value has been recognized.
Garden Design
Panel designs throughout the field woven with floral motifs, particularly found in a Persian Bahktiari.
Gelim or Gilim
Refer to Kelim.
Genje
Colourful central Caucasian rugs.
Gerus
Bijar design.
Ghiordes Knot
A symmetrical knot (also known as a symmetrical or Turkish knot) used in Turkey, the Caucasus, and Iran by Turkish and Kurdish tribes. It is also used in some European rugs. To form this knot, yarn is passed over two neighbouring warp strands. Each end of the yarn is then wrapped behind one warp and brought back to the surface in the middle of the two warps.
Ground
The interlaced combination of warp and weft that comprises the fabric in pile rugs.The ground is also referred to as the foundation.
Guard
These are decorated bands which surround and enhance the main border.
Guard Stripe
A thin stripe used to highlight guards and to separate them from the beginning of the field.
Gul or Gol Motif
An octagonal motif, usually elongated and divided into four. The word means "rose or flower".
H
Hand-Hooked / Hand Knotted
Designs of different coloured yarns that are hooked one at a time through a heavy cloth backing. The anchored yarns are left intact to form a characteristically knobby "loop" pile. Today an automatic punch gun is used, replacing the hooking needle used before to push and pull the threads of yarn through a pre-woven grid foundation or scrim. There are a variety of actual knot styles; Nepalese, Agra, Jaipur, Persian, and Turkish to name a few.
Hand-Loomed knotted 10/40 Nepalese
This loomed knotting system is similar to the Nepalese because rods are used to wrap the knots but is unique because of the limitation of colours used and the style of the loom (a traditional Indian pit loom).
Hand Spun
Wool or cotton spun into yarn using a hand-spinning technique. This method is used when trying to create unique textured effects.
Hand-Tufted
A rug produced in much the same way as a hand-hooked rug except the colour yarn loop piles are sheared to expose the ends of the threads for a softer and plusher pile and a different pattern.
Hand-Woven
Rugs woven either on a hand loom or on a hand and foot powered cottage loom. The warps are set on the loom frame and the weft is physically woven over the warp using shuttles. To determine if the rug is hand woven, look at the back of the rug near the fringe. If the ridges run parallel, the rug is hand-woven.
Hatchli
A design found in Turkemon rugs.
Herati Motif
This is a design motif feature often found in carpets from Persia. Usually four fish head or leaves are woven around a well-defined diamond. This is also referred to as the "Fish Design".
Herbal Wash
This process of washing (as explained in "washing" below) is achieved by mixing natural herbs in the water. It softens the colours in the rugs and gives them the antique look.
Heriz
Famous decorative and heavy carpets from azerbaijan.
I
Indigo
Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family with odd-pinnate leaves and usually red or purple flowers. A yellow juice from the plant oxidizes to blue when exposed to air. Indigo was chemically synthesized in 1880.
Indo Gabbeh Knots
This style of hand knotting originated in the Tribal Gabbeh region of Persia. This technique has been adapted in India by using thick cotton warps and making larger knots. Designs made from this knotting system are usually tribal.
Islimi Motif
A motif based on arabesque forms (intertwining leaves, stems, vines and blossoms).
J
Jufti Knot
The jufti knot can be seen in rugs of Khorasan, Iran. This knot can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical and is usually tied over four warps instead of the usual two, making the weaving process faster.
Jute
A natural fibre made from plants. This fibre is frequently used for warps and pile on flat-woven rugs, such as Jute Cotton and Kilims.
K
Kalaleh
Some medallion centrepieces have two small floral extensions on the top and bottom called pendants. Each pendant has two parts. Kalaleh is the Persian name for the part of the pendant further away from the medallion.
Katibeh
Some medallion centre pieces have two small floral extensions on the top and bottom called pendants. Each pendant has two parts. Katibeh is the Persian name for the part of the pendant closer to the medallion.
Kellegi
A Persian word for a runner about 4 to 6 feet wide with a length of about two to three times its width. Kellegi was part of a four-piece set of rugs made in Iran and sold as sets. A complete set can rarely be found now. Many Persian living rooms were covered with these traditional sets, which included one main piece, Mianfarsh or middle carpet, of approximately 6 to 8 feet wide and 16 to 20 feet long. At the head of the room, Kellegi was placed. On each side of the middle rug, two runners, called Kenareh were placed. The elderly and the host would sit on the head piece, and everyone else would sit on the two side rugs.
Kenareh
A very narrow and long runner of between 2.5 to 5 feet wide and anywhere between 5 to 40 feet long that was part of a four-piece set of rugs noted above.
Kelim or Kilim (Gelim or Gilim)
A word of Turkish origin, that denotes a pileless textile (i.e., no knots are used in creating kelims. Simply, the weft strands are woven (passed) through the warp strands i.e., the wefts form the face of the rug). These are the best of flat weaves, usually produced by nomadic tribal weavers using one of several flat weaving techniques that have a common or closely related heritage and are produced in parts of Turkey (Anatolia and Thrace), North Africa, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia and China. There is much artistry, both in the design and colouration. They are easy to carry and durable and were / are used for rugs, tents, blankets, bags to carry household goods or even children, and horse covers.
Knot
Pile-woven or knotted rugs are created by knots. The two predominant types of knots are Asymmetrical and Symmetrical.
Knot Density
Knot density refers to the overall number of knots used in creation of a handmade rug. Knot density is measured in the Imperial System in square inches and in the Metric System in square decimeters. Hand made Chinese rugs are often described in terms of "line." A 65 Line rug would have 65 knots per foot of width, 65 knots per foot of length, and 29 knots per square inch. Knot makes the pile or nap of a carpet and distinguishes it from the machine made and flat weave rugs.
KPSI
Knots per square inch.
Knotted Pile
The type of weaving most associated with oriental rugs in which tufts of wool forming pile are wrapped around one or more (usually two) warps to project at right angles to the plane of the weaving. They are tied individually, one row at a time, and held in place by ground wefts. The process is to be distinguished from the making of hooked rugs in which tufts of wool are poked into pre-existing loosely woven fabric.
Kork
Fine wool taken from the belly of sheep.
Kowdani
A type and quality of Afghan rug.
Kufesque, Kufic
A border design originating from an Arabic script.
L
Lachak
(Turkoman) The four corner elements in a medallion and corner layout.
Lachak-o-toranj
A Turko-persian word meaning medallion-and-corner. Medallion-and-corner refers to a special medallion layout with quartered medallions in four corners of the rug in addition to the full medallion in the centre.
Lattice
A design used in an all-over layout. Lattices consist of ogives (an arch or two connected arches enclosing a space), diamonds, hexagons, octagons, or rectangles with usually some floral motif inside them. In classic Persian rugs, lattices are curvilinear and consist of ogives. The new versions are more geometric and consist of diamonds and hexagons.
Layout
The overall arrangement of motifs or objects woven into a rug.
Lobe
A rounded division frequently found in medallions and in border ornaments.
Loom
Frame or machine used for interlacing two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a rug.
Lotto
A design which appears on rugs in the paintings of Lorenzo Lotto, a sixteenth-century Venetian painter. Rugs with this design were woven from the early sixteenth until the eighteenth century and are usually seen in Ushak rugs from Turkey. Typically, they have a red field with all-over yellow branching lines or arabesque design (intertwining or scrolling branches) and sometimes a Kufi border (some form of Arabic script).
Lozenge
A diamond shaped parallelogram or rhombus.
Lines
A unique method of measuring density of rugs that are hand made in China, and now adapted by a few other countries. By "lines" they mean how many knots or tufts to a linear foot. A good quality tufted rugs contains 80 lines. 160 tufts per linear foot would be an exceptionally high quality hand tufted rug.
M
Machine-Made Orientals
Reproductions of Oriental designs: produced in a variety of fibres, including wool, nylon, olefin, etc... Fabricated using an electrically powered machine that is usually computer controlled.
Madder
A southwest Asian long lasting plant (Rubia tinctorum) with small yellow flowers, spiralled leaves, and a red root. The root of this plant was and in some places still is an important source of red dye for rugs.
Mamluk Rugs
Rugs woven in Egypt possibly beginning in the thirteenth century until the sixteenth century with complex geometric designs and large medallions.
Medallion
Large design found in the centre in some rugs. This centrepiece is the focal point of the design.
Medallion-and-corner
A special medallion layout with quartered medallions in four corners of the rug in addition to the full medallion in the centre.
Mihrab
A prayer rug having a prayer arch derived from the niche or chamber in an Islamic mosque in the rug's field that indicates the direction of Mecca.
Millefleurs
Small flowers make up the pattern throughout the rug's field.
Mina Khani
(Persian) An all-over pattern consisting of two or more flower blossoms connected by a diamond lattice.
Minor Border
Many rug borders consist of one wide band known as the main border or simply the border, and one or many narrower bands on each side of the main border known as the minor border or guard stripes.
Mir-i-boteh
(Persian) Multiple rows of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal small boteh.
Moharramaat, Ghalamdaani
A design consisting of vertical stripes with equal widths. Each stripe contains different or sometimes the same motifs and is a different colour from its neighbouring stripes. This design can be seen in Qum rugs.
Motifs
Single or repeated design or colour that can be found throughout the rug.
N
Nap
The direction which the pile of the rug faces.
Natural Dyes
Until the late nineteenth century only natural dyes were used for colouring weaving yarns. Natural dyes include plant dyes, animal dyes, and mineral dyes.
Needlepoint
A rug making technique using the same method as needle-pointing but with wool yarns worked on canvas.
Nepalese Knot
This is a kind of knotting that originated from the "Tibetan knot". Tibetan rugs are woven by wrapping a continuous length of yarn over a rod laid across the warps stretched on the loom. When the rod has been wrapped for its entire length, a knife is slid along the rod, cutting the wrapped yarn into two rows of pile tufts. In the Indo-Nepal region, where they use this Tibetan technique of knotting (thereby called the "Nepalese knot), rugs are graded using numbers, like "9/25", "7/18" or "8/22". The top number of the "fraction" represents the knots in 9/10 of an inch of the rug's width. The bottom number represents the knots in 4 1/2 inches of the rug's length. 0.9" x 4.5" equals 4.05", almost four square inches, so an easy conversion would be to multiply the two numbers together and divide by 4 (sq. in.) to get the approximate weave in knots per sq. in. For example, with a "9/25" quality rug, 9 x 25 = 225, and 225 / 4 = 56 knots per sq. in.
Nomadic Rugs
Rugs woven by sheepherders who mostly live in tents and migrate from the valleys to the mountain pastures in the summer. These rugs are generally small because the rugs must be finished in time for migration.
Nomads
Tribal people who are mainly sheepherders, live in tents, and migrate from the valleys to the mountain pastures in the summer.
O
Ocher
Any of several earthy mineral oxides of iron occurring in yellow, brown, or red and used as pigments.
One-sided
A rug layout where the design is woven in one direction. Prayer and pictorial rugs fall into this category of layout.
Oriental Rugs
Hand-woven rugs made in the Middle East and Orient. Refer to machine made as well as regional rugs.
Overcast Sides
Technique of over-rounding wool on the non-fringe sides of a rug.
Overtuft
Tufting process done by hand or machine in which an already tufted and dyed carpet has another yarn system tufted through the back of the fabric to develop a pattern on the surface of the carpet.
P
Pardeh
(Persian) A rug size of approximately 5 x 8 ft or 5.5 x 9 ft. The Turkoman name is Enssi. Enssi is a rug used in place of a door or curtain in a Turkoman tent. Pardeh also means curtain in Persian.
Pattern
The way lines are used to form shapes on a rug. In the rug industry, pattern is divided into the three categories of Curvilinear, Geometric, and Pictorial.
Pendants
Small floral extensions at the top and bottom of the medallion (centrepiece) in a medallion layout.
Persian Knot or Senneh Knot
An asymmetrical knot used in Iran, India, Turkey, Egypt and China. To form this knot, a small piece of yarn is passed under and over one warp strand, and then passed under the neighbouring warp strand and brought back to the surface. With this type of knot a finer weave can be created.
Pictorial
A pattern portraying people and animals.
Pile
Refers to the raised tufts formed from the strands of knotted fibre that have been cut at the carpet's surface. The fibre material may be wool, silk, or cotton.
Pile Weave
A term used to refer to the structure of knotted carpets and rugs. Wool, silk, or sometimes cotton is knotted around the warp in a variety of techniques, depending on the traditions of the carpet weaver.
Ply
Two or more yarns spun together.
Power-Loomed
The same as machine-made rugs.
Point
One tuft of pile.
Points
A term frequently used to describe how many actual yarns are used in a square meter of a machine-made rug or power-loomed rug.
Prayer Rug
A small rug used by Moslems to kneel on when saying their daily prayers. The rugs is laid pointing east to Mecca.
Pushti
A Persian term for a scatter rug, normally 2 x 3 feet in size.
Q
Quatrefoil Motif
Round symmetrical ornament motif with four lobes.
Qum
Placeholder Description
R
Reciprocal
A motif in contrasting colours but a consistent pattern.
Re-fringe
Repair fringe of rug using the selvedge or part of the rug.
Regional Rugs
Rugs from a particular geographic areas or by ethnic groups such as Oriental (from China), Persian (from the middle east or areas around Persia / Iran), Afghans, etc., or Tribal rugs made by specific nomadic peoples (e.g. Berbers).
Rollakans
Flat woven rugs of Swedish designs made in Portugal. Meaning "back cover", these rugs were originally used as wall hangings in the old days in Scandinavian cabins to keep the wind from blowing between the logs.
Rosette Motif
A motif resembling an open rose consisting of a circular arrangement of parts around a centre.
Rug
A carpet not fastened to the floor and usually not covering the entire floor area (also referred to as an area rug).
Runner
A long, narrow rug used mostly for hallways and staircases.
S
Saf
A prayer rug containing multiple rows and/or columns of niches.
Savonnerie
A hand-knotted pastel rug made in France with a floral medallion set on an open field with broken borders. This rug is the model for many of today's Indian and Persian rugs.
Selvedge
The area between the edge of a rug and the fringe. The selvedge is the same material used to form the warp and weft. A design can be added to the selvedge to enhance the look of a rug.
Senneh
Fine Kurdish rug.
Senneh Knot
Refer to Persian knot.
Serging
A method of finishing edges of a rug by use of heavy, coloured yarn sewn around the edges in a close, overcast stitch. Also known as oversewing. In some cases sides may be serged and the ends fringed.
Shirazi
A process in which wool or cotton is wrapped around the lateral warp threads to form a firm edge.
Shirvan
East Caucasian fine rugs.
Siding
edging on non-fringed sides of a rug.
Slit Tapestry
A technique commonly used on Kilims where the weft threads turn back at the meeting of different colour areas. It is easily recognizable by the small gaps that appear where there are colour changes.
Soumak
A flat weave rug (no pile) in which the pattern-forming yarns pass over two or four warps and return under one or two warps. The rug is characterized by a clearly defined rectangular pattern
Spandrel
An ornamental treatment located at the corners of the field.
Spanish Knot
An unusual variation of the Turkish knot in which a knot is tied on every other single warp thread with knotted warps alternating on each row.
Spin
The direction of a yarn's twist.
Staple
The average length of fibres in a yarn.
Strapwork
An interlacing design meant to resemble straps.
Swastika
An ancient design shaped by a cross with four equal arms that bend at right angles. This design, which could also be a religious symbol, is used by many cultures, including some North American Indian tribes. In some cultures it represents the sun. Swastikas are frequently used in the field and border of rugs. A version of the swastika became the official symbol of Nazi Germany in 1935.
T
Tapestry
A hand-woven wall hanging with a flat weave, usually characterized by complicated pictorial designs.
Tea Wash
A procedure used to soften the colours of a rug and give it the appearance of age.
Tibetan Knot
A distinctive rug-weaving technique now used in other regions as well as in Tibet. A temporary rod, which establishes the length of pile, is put in front of the warp. A continuous yarn is looped around two warps and then once around the rod. When a row of loops is finished, then the loops are cut to create the pile. This method produces a slightly ridged surface.
Toranj
The Persian name for medallion, the centre piece in a medallion layout.
Tree-of-life
A generally one sided motif consisting of a tree with a trunk, branches and leaves which covers the whole rug. The tree could be very realistic or so abstract that it may not resemble a tree.
Turkoman
Rugs from the Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan areas located in Central Asia, that gained their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The capital of Turkmenistan is Ashgabad and that for Uzbekistan is Tashkent.
Turkish Knot
The pile yarn is looped around two adjacent warp threads and then brought up between the two.
V
Vegetable Dyes
Natural dyes that are primarily produced by using various plants (or other natural minerals like iron) to make some basic colours and then mixing those colours in various proportions to create the rest of the colours. For example the colour blue is made from the Indigo plant, brown is made from Oak bark, etc.
Village or Tribal Rug
A distinctive style of rugs made in villages or by nomads, usually smaller with simpler patterns. The designs are usually created from memory. See also regional rugs.
W
Warp
The foundation threads of a rug, strung from the top to the bottom of the loom, on which the weaver ties the knots. The warp threads also forms the fringes at the ends of the finished rug.
Washing
A process in which a rug (typically a hand knotted or a hand tufted rug) is washed after it is woven to soften its colours and increase its lustre. The water used may be treated with tea, herbs, or a chemical solution to give the rug a distinct effect.
Weave
The technique used in weaving. There are two major weaving techniques: pile weave and flat weave.
Weft
The foundation threads of a rug, strung across the width of the loom. After each row of knots is tied, these threads are passed through alternate warp threads. They secure the knots in place and form part of the rug's sides.
Weft-Faced
A rug where the weft yarns are more closely spaced than the warps.
Worn
A worn rug is a rug that may be discoloured, faded, or has insect or foundation damage. Rugs with no damage and only extensive pile wear are also considered worn. Some worn rugs are even considered valuable antiques.
Worsted Yarn
A wool yarn of long staple with fibres that have been combed prior to spinning. By combing the wool, the yarn is rid of short fibres and the wool yarn obtains a greater lustre.
Y
Yagcibedir
An Anatolian belouch/Turkoman rug type.
Yahyali
A central Anatolian rug type.
Yuntdag
A west Anatolian rug type usually central medallion pendant with triangular.
Z
Zar
An outdated Persian unit of length about 1.04 to 1.12 meters or 41 to 44 inches.
Zar-o-nim
A Persian rug size of about 3 x 5 feet or one and a half Zar in length.
Zell-i Sultan
A south Persian rug design consisting of all-over repeating vases with floral arrangements. An example of this design can be seen in Qum rugs.
Zell-i Sultan
A south Persian rug design consisting of all-over repeating vases with floral arrangements. An example of this design can be seen in Qum rugs.
Abrash
The hue or colour change found on many older rugs, particularly those woven by nomad tribes. The variations in colour are usually the result of inconsistent dyeing of the wool using vegetable dyes, or through the introduction of a new wool batch while weaving the carpet. The effect of abrash is subtle shading differences. In older or antique rugs, abrash occurs naturally. In new rugs, both machine made and handmade, abrash is carefully created by changing the colour of the yarns to mimic a vintage look.
Abadeh
A top quality postwar Shiraz style rug named after a town halfway on the main shiraz Isfahan road.
Afshar
A Turkic speaking nomadic and partly settled tribal group in Southern Persia with summer pastures in the mountains south and west of Kerman who are weavers of excellent pile and kilim rugs.
Agra
A hand knotting system used in Agra, India (9/9 agra represents 81 hand knots per square inch). Also an Indian antique decorative rug.
Ahar
Heriz style carpet from northwest Iran and Azerbaijan.
Akstafa
A Caucasian rug type that has a distinctive bird with a tail comb motif.
All-Over
A term used to describe the pattern of a rug whose field has no central medallion.
Anatolian
A generic term applied to rugs from the high plains of Turkey.
Andkhoy
An Afghan turkoman rug type.
Arabesque Motif
An ornate linear motif design of intertwined floral (i.e., vines, flowers, tendrils, and leaves) and geometrical figures with motif probably originating in Islamic Spain.
Ashik motif
A diamond-shaped figure motif with serrated edges found primarily on Turkeman pieces and some Asian pile weaves.
Assadabad
Hamadan area herati designed rugs with small central medallion.
Aubussion
A rug woven in France that uses the kilim or slit-tapestry method. Also refers to the design of such rugs that normally have a floral medallion in pastel shades.
B
Bibibaff
A name for a rug "woven by a respected grannie".
Binding
A strip or band sewn over a rug edge to protect and strengthen the rug from wear and unravelling and sometimes used to decorate the edge.
Boarder
The frame for the field of a rug. It is generally the widest element in the framing located next to the guard bands or stripes.
Border
A design that surrounds the field in a rug.
Boteh Motif
A motif in stylized form representing either a pine cone, a palmetto, or the sacred flame of Zoroaster.
Braided
These are rugs made from heavy strips of new or used yarn or fabric that have been braided into thick ropes and are then sewn side-to-side in spirals, ovals, rounds, and oblongs to create a reversible rug.
Bukhara / Bokhara
For centuries a centre of Muslim learning and spirituality, and the principal trading point for Turkmen tribal carpets. Many Turkoman carpets as a result have erroneously been called "Bukhara". Now the word has become the trade name for inexpensive and uninspired carpets woven in Pakistan with Turkoman designs.
C
Carpet
A soft floor covering that is usually wall-to-wall.
Cartoon
This is a complete picture of the rug design from which weavers construct a rug
Cartouche
An ornamental tablet containing an inscription, or a design that surrounds a woven signature, date or inscription in a rug.
Carved Nap
A process of carving around a design or symbol to enhance the look of the rug. Commonly done in some Chinese and Tibet rugs.
Chain Stitch
A crochet stitch used in rug construction that consists of successive loops to lock the final weft in place at the end of a rug.
Chakesh
An Afghan or Turkoman rug type
Chobash
Blue / red Turkoman carpets.
Classical
A vague term referring to court carpets produced prior to the 19th century.
Cloth-backed Rug
Material normally used on the back of some Indian or Chinese tufted rugs.
Cloud Band Motif
A stylized depiction of a cloud band. The design is usually associated with Chinese rugs but it is also used in a variety of rugs as floral pattern. It also may resemble the Greek letter omega.
D
Daghestan
A north east Caucasus fine bluish rug.
Density
The measure by which the quality of a rug's construction is judged. It is determined by two factors: the number of knots and the height of the pile in a given area.
Dhurrie
A flat woven rug made in India by the warp-sharing or Kilim method.
Doruksh
Jufti knotted Qainat carpets in the floral city style.
Doshemealti
Red and blue postwar good Anatolian commercial rugs popular with tourists.
Dozar
A Persian name used to describe a rug approximately 4 x 6 feet in size.
Dragon Motif
A classic Chinese motif symbolizing good fortune that combines the features and/or characteristics of a variety of beasts. The dragon is often rendered as a geometrical form with only its head realistically portrayed. Also found in stylized form from other rug producing areas other than China.
Drugget
This non-pile type of rug comes from India and the Balkans and is usually made from goat hair, cotton, and jute.
E
Embroidery
The use of a variety of different needle-worked stitches to decorate fabrics.
Endless Knot
A Buddhist emblem symbolizing long duration, often used with other symbols.
Ensi
A rug used in place of a door or curtain in a Turkoman tent.
F
Fabricated (inlaid) Rugs
Tufted broadloom carpet that is cut and inlaid on a patterned form to create a customized rug.
Field
The main section of the rug that is surrounded by the boarder and contains the central medallion or other motifs. The field may also be blank.
Flat Weave
Pile-less rugs made by crosshatch of horizontal and vertical threads that form both the rug's fabric and its pattern/design. There are numerous varieties of flat weaves: kilims, cicim, coumac, and cotton are just a few. Needlepoint is another type of flat weave that is created by weaving of the coloured yarns through a pre-made scrim, or grid-like backing.
Foundation
The combination of warps and wefts in the body of a rug.
Friction Bath
A process of washing the rugs in a big "vat-like" structure using water from natural mountain streams. The streams are intercepted by wide piping where they are placed to fall from a height into the vat to create a "whirlpool" effect. This centuries old method technique is unique to Greece and is used mainly for Flokati Rugs. The water swells the backing and unravels it while the pile blossoms.
Fringe
The excess warp threads extending from the end of the rug, which are treated in several ways to prevent the wefts and knots from unravelling. Today, artificial fringe is added to some tufted and machine-made rugs to make them look authentic.
G
Gabbeh
A Lori word to describe fairly coarse, long-piled rugs made by nomads of the central Zagros Mountains for use in the tent. They are decorated with bold abstract patters or naïve designs and used to be considered too crude to be worth trading but recently their artistic value has been recognized.
Garden Design
Panel designs throughout the field woven with floral motifs, particularly found in a Persian Bahktiari.
Gelim or Gilim
Refer to Kelim.
Genje
Colourful central Caucasian rugs.
Gerus
Bijar design.
Ghiordes Knot
A symmetrical knot (also known as a symmetrical or Turkish knot) used in Turkey, the Caucasus, and Iran by Turkish and Kurdish tribes. It is also used in some European rugs. To form this knot, yarn is passed over two neighbouring warp strands. Each end of the yarn is then wrapped behind one warp and brought back to the surface in the middle of the two warps.
Ground
The interlaced combination of warp and weft that comprises the fabric in pile rugs.The ground is also referred to as the foundation.
Guard
These are decorated bands which surround and enhance the main border.
Guard Stripe
A thin stripe used to highlight guards and to separate them from the beginning of the field.
Gul or Gol Motif
An octagonal motif, usually elongated and divided into four. The word means "rose or flower".
H
Hand-Hooked / Hand Knotted
Designs of different coloured yarns that are hooked one at a time through a heavy cloth backing. The anchored yarns are left intact to form a characteristically knobby "loop" pile. Today an automatic punch gun is used, replacing the hooking needle used before to push and pull the threads of yarn through a pre-woven grid foundation or scrim. There are a variety of actual knot styles; Nepalese, Agra, Jaipur, Persian, and Turkish to name a few.
Hand-Loomed knotted 10/40 Nepalese
This loomed knotting system is similar to the Nepalese because rods are used to wrap the knots but is unique because of the limitation of colours used and the style of the loom (a traditional Indian pit loom).
Hand Spun
Wool or cotton spun into yarn using a hand-spinning technique. This method is used when trying to create unique textured effects.
Hand-Tufted
A rug produced in much the same way as a hand-hooked rug except the colour yarn loop piles are sheared to expose the ends of the threads for a softer and plusher pile and a different pattern.
Hand-Woven
Rugs woven either on a hand loom or on a hand and foot powered cottage loom. The warps are set on the loom frame and the weft is physically woven over the warp using shuttles. To determine if the rug is hand woven, look at the back of the rug near the fringe. If the ridges run parallel, the rug is hand-woven.
Hatchli
A design found in Turkemon rugs.
Herati Motif
This is a design motif feature often found in carpets from Persia. Usually four fish head or leaves are woven around a well-defined diamond. This is also referred to as the "Fish Design".
Herbal Wash
This process of washing (as explained in "washing" below) is achieved by mixing natural herbs in the water. It softens the colours in the rugs and gives them the antique look.
Heriz
Famous decorative and heavy carpets from azerbaijan.
I
Indigo
Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family with odd-pinnate leaves and usually red or purple flowers. A yellow juice from the plant oxidizes to blue when exposed to air. Indigo was chemically synthesized in 1880.
Indo Gabbeh Knots
This style of hand knotting originated in the Tribal Gabbeh region of Persia. This technique has been adapted in India by using thick cotton warps and making larger knots. Designs made from this knotting system are usually tribal.
Islimi Motif
A motif based on arabesque forms (intertwining leaves, stems, vines and blossoms).
J
Jufti Knot
The jufti knot can be seen in rugs of Khorasan, Iran. This knot can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical and is usually tied over four warps instead of the usual two, making the weaving process faster.
Jute
A natural fibre made from plants. This fibre is frequently used for warps and pile on flat-woven rugs, such as Jute Cotton and Kilims.
K
Kalaleh
Some medallion centrepieces have two small floral extensions on the top and bottom called pendants. Each pendant has two parts. Kalaleh is the Persian name for the part of the pendant further away from the medallion.
Katibeh
Some medallion centre pieces have two small floral extensions on the top and bottom called pendants. Each pendant has two parts. Katibeh is the Persian name for the part of the pendant closer to the medallion.
Kellegi
A Persian word for a runner about 4 to 6 feet wide with a length of about two to three times its width. Kellegi was part of a four-piece set of rugs made in Iran and sold as sets. A complete set can rarely be found now. Many Persian living rooms were covered with these traditional sets, which included one main piece, Mianfarsh or middle carpet, of approximately 6 to 8 feet wide and 16 to 20 feet long. At the head of the room, Kellegi was placed. On each side of the middle rug, two runners, called Kenareh were placed. The elderly and the host would sit on the head piece, and everyone else would sit on the two side rugs.
Kenareh
A very narrow and long runner of between 2.5 to 5 feet wide and anywhere between 5 to 40 feet long that was part of a four-piece set of rugs noted above.
Kelim or Kilim (Gelim or Gilim)
A word of Turkish origin, that denotes a pileless textile (i.e., no knots are used in creating kelims. Simply, the weft strands are woven (passed) through the warp strands i.e., the wefts form the face of the rug). These are the best of flat weaves, usually produced by nomadic tribal weavers using one of several flat weaving techniques that have a common or closely related heritage and are produced in parts of Turkey (Anatolia and Thrace), North Africa, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia and China. There is much artistry, both in the design and colouration. They are easy to carry and durable and were / are used for rugs, tents, blankets, bags to carry household goods or even children, and horse covers.
Knot
Pile-woven or knotted rugs are created by knots. The two predominant types of knots are Asymmetrical and Symmetrical.
Knot Density
Knot density refers to the overall number of knots used in creation of a handmade rug. Knot density is measured in the Imperial System in square inches and in the Metric System in square decimeters. Hand made Chinese rugs are often described in terms of "line." A 65 Line rug would have 65 knots per foot of width, 65 knots per foot of length, and 29 knots per square inch. Knot makes the pile or nap of a carpet and distinguishes it from the machine made and flat weave rugs.
KPSI
Knots per square inch.
Knotted Pile
The type of weaving most associated with oriental rugs in which tufts of wool forming pile are wrapped around one or more (usually two) warps to project at right angles to the plane of the weaving. They are tied individually, one row at a time, and held in place by ground wefts. The process is to be distinguished from the making of hooked rugs in which tufts of wool are poked into pre-existing loosely woven fabric.
Kork
Fine wool taken from the belly of sheep.
Kowdani
A type and quality of Afghan rug.
Kufesque, Kufic
A border design originating from an Arabic script.
L
Lachak
(Turkoman) The four corner elements in a medallion and corner layout.
Lachak-o-toranj
A Turko-persian word meaning medallion-and-corner. Medallion-and-corner refers to a special medallion layout with quartered medallions in four corners of the rug in addition to the full medallion in the centre.
Lattice
A design used in an all-over layout. Lattices consist of ogives (an arch or two connected arches enclosing a space), diamonds, hexagons, octagons, or rectangles with usually some floral motif inside them. In classic Persian rugs, lattices are curvilinear and consist of ogives. The new versions are more geometric and consist of diamonds and hexagons.
Layout
The overall arrangement of motifs or objects woven into a rug.
Lobe
A rounded division frequently found in medallions and in border ornaments.
Loom
Frame or machine used for interlacing two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a rug.
Lotto
A design which appears on rugs in the paintings of Lorenzo Lotto, a sixteenth-century Venetian painter. Rugs with this design were woven from the early sixteenth until the eighteenth century and are usually seen in Ushak rugs from Turkey. Typically, they have a red field with all-over yellow branching lines or arabesque design (intertwining or scrolling branches) and sometimes a Kufi border (some form of Arabic script).
Lozenge
A diamond shaped parallelogram or rhombus.
Lines
A unique method of measuring density of rugs that are hand made in China, and now adapted by a few other countries. By "lines" they mean how many knots or tufts to a linear foot. A good quality tufted rugs contains 80 lines. 160 tufts per linear foot would be an exceptionally high quality hand tufted rug.
M
Machine-Made Orientals
Reproductions of Oriental designs: produced in a variety of fibres, including wool, nylon, olefin, etc... Fabricated using an electrically powered machine that is usually computer controlled.
Madder
A southwest Asian long lasting plant (Rubia tinctorum) with small yellow flowers, spiralled leaves, and a red root. The root of this plant was and in some places still is an important source of red dye for rugs.
Mamluk Rugs
Rugs woven in Egypt possibly beginning in the thirteenth century until the sixteenth century with complex geometric designs and large medallions.
Medallion
Large design found in the centre in some rugs. This centrepiece is the focal point of the design.
Medallion-and-corner
A special medallion layout with quartered medallions in four corners of the rug in addition to the full medallion in the centre.
Mihrab
A prayer rug having a prayer arch derived from the niche or chamber in an Islamic mosque in the rug's field that indicates the direction of Mecca.
Millefleurs
Small flowers make up the pattern throughout the rug's field.
Mina Khani
(Persian) An all-over pattern consisting of two or more flower blossoms connected by a diamond lattice.
Minor Border
Many rug borders consist of one wide band known as the main border or simply the border, and one or many narrower bands on each side of the main border known as the minor border or guard stripes.
Mir-i-boteh
(Persian) Multiple rows of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal small boteh.
Moharramaat, Ghalamdaani
A design consisting of vertical stripes with equal widths. Each stripe contains different or sometimes the same motifs and is a different colour from its neighbouring stripes. This design can be seen in Qum rugs.
Motifs
Single or repeated design or colour that can be found throughout the rug.
N
Nap
The direction which the pile of the rug faces.
Natural Dyes
Until the late nineteenth century only natural dyes were used for colouring weaving yarns. Natural dyes include plant dyes, animal dyes, and mineral dyes.
Needlepoint
A rug making technique using the same method as needle-pointing but with wool yarns worked on canvas.
Nepalese Knot
This is a kind of knotting that originated from the "Tibetan knot". Tibetan rugs are woven by wrapping a continuous length of yarn over a rod laid across the warps stretched on the loom. When the rod has been wrapped for its entire length, a knife is slid along the rod, cutting the wrapped yarn into two rows of pile tufts. In the Indo-Nepal region, where they use this Tibetan technique of knotting (thereby called the "Nepalese knot), rugs are graded using numbers, like "9/25", "7/18" or "8/22". The top number of the "fraction" represents the knots in 9/10 of an inch of the rug's width. The bottom number represents the knots in 4 1/2 inches of the rug's length. 0.9" x 4.5" equals 4.05", almost four square inches, so an easy conversion would be to multiply the two numbers together and divide by 4 (sq. in.) to get the approximate weave in knots per sq. in. For example, with a "9/25" quality rug, 9 x 25 = 225, and 225 / 4 = 56 knots per sq. in.
Nomadic Rugs
Rugs woven by sheepherders who mostly live in tents and migrate from the valleys to the mountain pastures in the summer. These rugs are generally small because the rugs must be finished in time for migration.
Nomads
Tribal people who are mainly sheepherders, live in tents, and migrate from the valleys to the mountain pastures in the summer.
O
Ocher
Any of several earthy mineral oxides of iron occurring in yellow, brown, or red and used as pigments.
One-sided
A rug layout where the design is woven in one direction. Prayer and pictorial rugs fall into this category of layout.
Oriental Rugs
Hand-woven rugs made in the Middle East and Orient. Refer to machine made as well as regional rugs.
Overcast Sides
Technique of over-rounding wool on the non-fringe sides of a rug.
Overtuft
Tufting process done by hand or machine in which an already tufted and dyed carpet has another yarn system tufted through the back of the fabric to develop a pattern on the surface of the carpet.
P
Pardeh
(Persian) A rug size of approximately 5 x 8 ft or 5.5 x 9 ft. The Turkoman name is Enssi. Enssi is a rug used in place of a door or curtain in a Turkoman tent. Pardeh also means curtain in Persian.
Pattern
The way lines are used to form shapes on a rug. In the rug industry, pattern is divided into the three categories of Curvilinear, Geometric, and Pictorial.
Pendants
Small floral extensions at the top and bottom of the medallion (centrepiece) in a medallion layout.
Persian Knot or Senneh Knot
An asymmetrical knot used in Iran, India, Turkey, Egypt and China. To form this knot, a small piece of yarn is passed under and over one warp strand, and then passed under the neighbouring warp strand and brought back to the surface. With this type of knot a finer weave can be created.
Pictorial
A pattern portraying people and animals.
Pile
Refers to the raised tufts formed from the strands of knotted fibre that have been cut at the carpet's surface. The fibre material may be wool, silk, or cotton.
Pile Weave
A term used to refer to the structure of knotted carpets and rugs. Wool, silk, or sometimes cotton is knotted around the warp in a variety of techniques, depending on the traditions of the carpet weaver.
Ply
Two or more yarns spun together.
Power-Loomed
The same as machine-made rugs.
Point
One tuft of pile.
Points
A term frequently used to describe how many actual yarns are used in a square meter of a machine-made rug or power-loomed rug.
Prayer Rug
A small rug used by Moslems to kneel on when saying their daily prayers. The rugs is laid pointing east to Mecca.
Pushti
A Persian term for a scatter rug, normally 2 x 3 feet in size.
Q
Quatrefoil Motif
Round symmetrical ornament motif with four lobes.
Qum
Placeholder Description
R
Reciprocal
A motif in contrasting colours but a consistent pattern.
Re-fringe
Repair fringe of rug using the selvedge or part of the rug.
Regional Rugs
Rugs from a particular geographic areas or by ethnic groups such as Oriental (from China), Persian (from the middle east or areas around Persia / Iran), Afghans, etc., or Tribal rugs made by specific nomadic peoples (e.g. Berbers).
Rollakans
Flat woven rugs of Swedish designs made in Portugal. Meaning "back cover", these rugs were originally used as wall hangings in the old days in Scandinavian cabins to keep the wind from blowing between the logs.
Rosette Motif
A motif resembling an open rose consisting of a circular arrangement of parts around a centre.
Rug
A carpet not fastened to the floor and usually not covering the entire floor area (also referred to as an area rug).
Runner
A long, narrow rug used mostly for hallways and staircases.
S
Saf
A prayer rug containing multiple rows and/or columns of niches.
Savonnerie
A hand-knotted pastel rug made in France with a floral medallion set on an open field with broken borders. This rug is the model for many of today's Indian and Persian rugs.
Selvedge
The area between the edge of a rug and the fringe. The selvedge is the same material used to form the warp and weft. A design can be added to the selvedge to enhance the look of a rug.
Senneh
Fine Kurdish rug.
Senneh Knot
Refer to Persian knot.
Serging
A method of finishing edges of a rug by use of heavy, coloured yarn sewn around the edges in a close, overcast stitch. Also known as oversewing. In some cases sides may be serged and the ends fringed.
Shirazi
A process in which wool or cotton is wrapped around the lateral warp threads to form a firm edge.
Shirvan
East Caucasian fine rugs.
Siding
edging on non-fringed sides of a rug.
Slit Tapestry
A technique commonly used on Kilims where the weft threads turn back at the meeting of different colour areas. It is easily recognizable by the small gaps that appear where there are colour changes.
Soumak
A flat weave rug (no pile) in which the pattern-forming yarns pass over two or four warps and return under one or two warps. The rug is characterized by a clearly defined rectangular pattern
Spandrel
An ornamental treatment located at the corners of the field.
Spanish Knot
An unusual variation of the Turkish knot in which a knot is tied on every other single warp thread with knotted warps alternating on each row.
Spin
The direction of a yarn's twist.
Staple
The average length of fibres in a yarn.
Strapwork
An interlacing design meant to resemble straps.
Swastika
An ancient design shaped by a cross with four equal arms that bend at right angles. This design, which could also be a religious symbol, is used by many cultures, including some North American Indian tribes. In some cultures it represents the sun. Swastikas are frequently used in the field and border of rugs. A version of the swastika became the official symbol of Nazi Germany in 1935.
T
Tapestry
A hand-woven wall hanging with a flat weave, usually characterized by complicated pictorial designs.
Tea Wash
A procedure used to soften the colours of a rug and give it the appearance of age.
Tibetan Knot
A distinctive rug-weaving technique now used in other regions as well as in Tibet. A temporary rod, which establishes the length of pile, is put in front of the warp. A continuous yarn is looped around two warps and then once around the rod. When a row of loops is finished, then the loops are cut to create the pile. This method produces a slightly ridged surface.
Toranj
The Persian name for medallion, the centre piece in a medallion layout.
Tree-of-life
A generally one sided motif consisting of a tree with a trunk, branches and leaves which covers the whole rug. The tree could be very realistic or so abstract that it may not resemble a tree.
Turkoman
Rugs from the Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan areas located in Central Asia, that gained their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The capital of Turkmenistan is Ashgabad and that for Uzbekistan is Tashkent.
Turkish Knot
The pile yarn is looped around two adjacent warp threads and then brought up between the two.
V
Vegetable Dyes
Natural dyes that are primarily produced by using various plants (or other natural minerals like iron) to make some basic colours and then mixing those colours in various proportions to create the rest of the colours. For example the colour blue is made from the Indigo plant, brown is made from Oak bark, etc.
Village or Tribal Rug
A distinctive style of rugs made in villages or by nomads, usually smaller with simpler patterns. The designs are usually created from memory. See also regional rugs.
W
Warp
The foundation threads of a rug, strung from the top to the bottom of the loom, on which the weaver ties the knots. The warp threads also forms the fringes at the ends of the finished rug.
Washing
A process in which a rug (typically a hand knotted or a hand tufted rug) is washed after it is woven to soften its colours and increase its lustre. The water used may be treated with tea, herbs, or a chemical solution to give the rug a distinct effect.
Weave
The technique used in weaving. There are two major weaving techniques: pile weave and flat weave.
Weft
The foundation threads of a rug, strung across the width of the loom. After each row of knots is tied, these threads are passed through alternate warp threads. They secure the knots in place and form part of the rug's sides.
Weft-Faced
A rug where the weft yarns are more closely spaced than the warps.
Worn
A worn rug is a rug that may be discoloured, faded, or has insect or foundation damage. Rugs with no damage and only extensive pile wear are also considered worn. Some worn rugs are even considered valuable antiques.
Worsted Yarn
A wool yarn of long staple with fibres that have been combed prior to spinning. By combing the wool, the yarn is rid of short fibres and the wool yarn obtains a greater lustre.
Y
Yagcibedir
An Anatolian belouch/Turkoman rug type.
Yahyali
A central Anatolian rug type.
Yuntdag
A west Anatolian rug type usually central medallion pendant with triangular.
Z
Zar
An outdated Persian unit of length about 1.04 to 1.12 meters or 41 to 44 inches.
Zar-o-nim
A Persian rug size of about 3 x 5 feet or one and a half Zar in length.
Zell-i Sultan
A south Persian rug design consisting of all-over repeating vases with floral arrangements. An example of this design can be seen in Qum rugs.
Zell-i Sultan
A south Persian rug design consisting of all-over repeating vases with floral arrangements. An example of this design can be seen in Qum rugs.
CC1D - TOOLS GLOSSARY
A
Anchorite tool
A small, pencil-shaped, hammer-driven metal tool designed to drive small brads or pins into carpet to conceal fastening to tackless strips, substrates, etc.
Awl
A pointed, stainless steel installation tool used for marking, for making small holes or for penetrating carpet backings at corners for proper disengagement.
B
Beater bar
A rotating cylindrical bar with ridges on an upright vacuum cleaner or power head attachment that agitates or beats carpet pile, vibrating and loosening soil in the process. A beater bar can be used in place of brush agitation and is most effective when used on carpet with a pad or cushion underneath.
Binder machine
This is a portable or table model machine used to sew a long tape on exposed carpet edges using a zig-zag double lock stitch or a lock stitch where the carpet is used as an area rug, runner, door mat or carpet wall base (with uncapped top edge) to prevent the edges from unravelling and fraying. Most binders have single or double pullers. Refer also to "serger machine".
Bone scraper
A flat, 100 to 150 mm (4" to 5") long, blade-shaped tool that is made of bone or plastic and used to remove or loosen encrusted dirt or material from the surface of a carpet.
Bone spatula
A flat, 100 to 150 mm (4" to 5") long, blade-shaped tool with rounded ends, made of bone, plastic, or stainless steel and used in manipulating spotting agents.
C
Cutters
Hand or power devices used to cut carpet materials.
The following are a few examples:
A steel roller unit with long "T" handle, used to remove air pockets and bubbles and to assure contact between carpet and adhesive during direct glue or double glue installations. Unlike heavier resilient floor rollers, the carpet roller only weights from 28 to 45 pounds.
Carpet spreaders
A hand held blade device with smooth or serrated (tooth) edge used while stretching carpet to tackless strip.
Carpet trimmers
A self-contained assembly for snapping a continuous straight line on a substrate surface that is complete with string on a reel and a chalk receptacle providing chalk to the string as it is pulled out.
Cookie cutter
A circular bladed tool used to remove or replace damaged or stained carpet, up to three inches in diameter.
Crab
A hand device usually used for stretching carpet in a small area where a power stretcher (or knee kicker) cannot be used. It may also be used in removing fullness at seams and closing gaps at seams.
D
Dead man
A device (usually a board with strips of tack strip on the bottom side) used as an aid in stretch-in carpet installation.
Driving bar
Also referred to as drive down bar. An off set steel tool that permits installers to install tackless strip under toe kicks (recesses), radiators, etc., without damage.
Dry line
A length of line or cord, which is stretched over carpet as an aid to aligning patterns. Lasers may also be used for this purpose.
E
Eye protection
Recommended safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, face shields, etc., to be used when handling a hazardous material.
F
Fasteners
Nails, screws, or staples used to secure materials to various surfaces.
Fastening Tools
Hand or powered devices used to install / fix fasteners. Common types are:
A tool with two parallel blades that adjust for distance (both width and depth) and cut resilient materials for insertion of feature strip.
Floor machine
Powered machine that spins a circular brush or pad used in floor and carpet care. The machines are referred to as buffers.
Floor sander
A motor driven machine designed for removal of finishes or foreign materials from wood or concrete surfaces.
Floor scraper
A hand or extension pole tool (allowing user to stand upright) with a sharp blade used for removal of adhesives, carpet, rubber, or tile prior to installation of new flooring materials.
G
Glue gun
A tool using glue sticks that is used to apply a bead of glue for adhered materials (carpet, cushion, accessories) where trowel applied adhesive is not possible.
Groomer
A nap setting tool used primarily on cut pile designs for carpet finishing. The process of nap setting using a shag rake, carpet comb, brush, or groomer following cleaning and additive (fabric protector) application.
H
Hack saw
As required for cutting of rigid materials.
Heat gun
Purpose made heavy duty combination flameless electric heater and forced air blower used to force dry adhesives or soften materials when cutting or shaping resilient trims and bases.
Hot melt seaming/Bonding irons
An electric iron with an adjustable thermostat for variable heat settings complete with guides and heat shield and available in various widths to suit requirements.
Hot melt seaming board
A purpose-made board for use under carpet in conjunction with seaming/bonding irons and usually with a slotted guide for seaming tape and a centering strap to allow the board to be pulled through the carpet.
Hygrometer
An instrument used for measuring the degree of relative humidity.
K
Knee kicker
A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet in over pad / tackless strip installations. It consists of a pinned plate that grips the carpet, a short section of metal tubing, and a padded cushion that the installer strikes with his knee to stretch carpet. Knee kickers should be used only in areas that are so small that power stretchers cannot be used. In general, adequate stretching of any carpet installation cannot be achieved with knee kickers.
L
Lifter bar
Also know as moulding and base shoe lifter. A pry bar device used to lift base off floor.
M
Mitre box
A metal box used in cutting rigid materials (e.g. floor trim).
P
Power stretcher
A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet in over pad / tackless strip installations. It consists of a pinned plate that grips carpet, tubular extensions, a padded end that bears against an opposing wall or other structure, and a lever system that multiplies the installer's applied stretching force. All contract installations should be power stretched unless the area is so small that this is impossible. If, and only if, power stretching is impossible, knee kickers may be used.
R
Roller
Used to separate carpet rows to minimize damage to nap and loops and usually complete with a tapered round end for cut pile, a flat end for loop pile carpets, and a knurled handle for a firm gripping area.
S
Seam squeezer
Purpose made powerful squeezing springs that force cushion-back carpet together to provide an improved carpet seam. The gripper pins hold in the nap and maintain an inward squeezing force. The inward pressure can usually be regulated as required.
Seam weights
Purpose made stain proof weights used to exert uniform pressure on seams during seaming complete with perforated base with an air space between the base and weight to allow heat and moisture to quickly dissipate.
Serger machine
This is a portable or table model machine, available in right and left handed models, that is used to cut and overcast exposed carpet edges to prevent them from unravelling and fraying. They are available with or without pullers. Refer also to "binding machine".
Sewing palm and needles
Iron thimble palm and needles for sewing carpet seams.
Spreader
Refer to "trowel".
Squares
A specialty tool that provides a simple means of stretching and forming carpet around stair nosings by hooking the claw on the stair and pulling the handle down. The pulling action of the gripper teeth stretches the carpet across the stair while the bottom side tucks it up under the stair nosing. Recesses in the bottom edge makes for easy stapling.
Stair Tool
Used for tucking carpet into the tackless strip/wall gullies and to drive carpet into a stair crotches.
Straight Edge
Hard edge material used as a guide for cutting flooring materials and available in various lengths up to 3650 mm (144"). There are various types:
A variety of tools that are used for stretch-in carpet installation with each having a specific end use. Some of these include power stretcher, crab, knee kicker, stretcher hook, stair claw, etc. Refer also to "power stretcher".
Stripper machine
A power operated stripping / scraper / grinding machine using a ram shear blade or rotary mounted blades used to remove resilient or glued down carpet, adhesive, mortar, or other dry residue or coatings from substrate surfaces.
T
Tacker
A variety of power to hand operated types exist complete with magazine for fasteners used to fasten carpet and cushion to substrate.
Tape measures
Measuring tapes in both imperial and metric scales used to measure areas and materials.
The following are generally required:
Tool for use in cutting metal, lath, and tackless strips.
Trowel
Hand implement (also referred to as a spreader) with a notched metal plate and a wood, metal, or plastic handle used for metering and spreading adhesive on substrate surfaces. Trowel notch profile and size to suit material backing and adhesive requirements. Refer to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for types.
U
Under-cut saw
For use in undercutting walls, door jambs, under toe-spaces and inside corners.
Other general tools used:
Pliers.
Extension Cord and Adapter.
Plastic Squeeze Bottles.
Material Handling Dolleys and Hand Trucks.
Moisture and Alkalinity Testing Kits (refer to Part A11 - Substrate Testing for details).
Anchorite tool
A small, pencil-shaped, hammer-driven metal tool designed to drive small brads or pins into carpet to conceal fastening to tackless strips, substrates, etc.
Awl
A pointed, stainless steel installation tool used for marking, for making small holes or for penetrating carpet backings at corners for proper disengagement.
B
Beater bar
A rotating cylindrical bar with ridges on an upright vacuum cleaner or power head attachment that agitates or beats carpet pile, vibrating and loosening soil in the process. A beater bar can be used in place of brush agitation and is most effective when used on carpet with a pad or cushion underneath.
Binder machine
This is a portable or table model machine used to sew a long tape on exposed carpet edges using a zig-zag double lock stitch or a lock stitch where the carpet is used as an area rug, runner, door mat or carpet wall base (with uncapped top edge) to prevent the edges from unravelling and fraying. Most binders have single or double pullers. Refer also to "serger machine".
Bone scraper
A flat, 100 to 150 mm (4" to 5") long, blade-shaped tool that is made of bone or plastic and used to remove or loosen encrusted dirt or material from the surface of a carpet.
Bone spatula
A flat, 100 to 150 mm (4" to 5") long, blade-shaped tool with rounded ends, made of bone, plastic, or stainless steel and used in manipulating spotting agents.
C
Cutters
Hand or power devices used to cut carpet materials.
The following are a few examples:
- Carpet knives: A variety of types (rotary, utility, hinged, etc.), with pointed, hooked, or dispensable snap-off razor blades to suit requirements.
- Carpet/Nap shears: Variety of types some with offset handles and duckbill blades for easy and level cutting or straight blades.
- Conventional back cutter: A hand-cutting tool used for cutting secondary backs other than foam or cushion materials. It can be used from the face or back and is normally used with straight edge and chalk line.
- Cushion back cutter: A hand-cutting tool used to cut cushion or foam-backed carpet, working from the face of the carpet using a straight edge or following the rows on a level-loop construction. The blade angle allows the cutter to slice through the foam and not tear adhered backing materials.
- Loop pile cutter: A hand tool usually with an adjustable throat to accommodate various carpet backing thicknesses used for cutting all straight row tufted woven loop fabrics. It is inserted between the rows and pushed straightforward.
- Machine cutter: An electrically driven tool with a circular blade that is used for cutting carpet primarily in warehouses or workrooms.
- Tackless strip cutters: usually with two blades that cut from both top and bottom and with enough leverage to make straight or diagonal cuts easily.
- Sharpening stone: for re-sharpening blades as required.
A steel roller unit with long "T" handle, used to remove air pockets and bubbles and to assure contact between carpet and adhesive during direct glue or double glue installations. Unlike heavier resilient floor rollers, the carpet roller only weights from 28 to 45 pounds.
Carpet spreaders
A hand held blade device with smooth or serrated (tooth) edge used while stretching carpet to tackless strip.
Carpet trimmers
- Conventional trimmer: A hand-operated, dual-blade trimming tool that makes a 13 mm (1/22) over net cut at walls with carpet installed over cushion and tackless strip. Most are adjustable in both height and thickness. If tackless strip is properly spaced from the wall when installed, the blade guide can be used to tuck the carpet into the tackless strip channel gully as well.
- Cushion back trimmer: A hand tool used in making net cuts at the wall with carpet or resilient flooring to be cemented directly to the floor. Most have the adaptability of using different blades for cutting various types of floor covering materials.
- Wall trimmer: A single or double bladed hand tool used to cut excess carpet at the wall.
- Conventional tucker: A wide spring-steel paddle with a wooden handle used for pushing carpet into the gully behind tackless strips.
- Pogo tucker: A flat-bladed (stair tool like) tucker with a weighted steel handle. When the weighted handle is pushed downward, inertia of motion drives the blade into the carpet, and the carpet is forced into the gully. The spring then returns the handle to its original position for the next tuck.
A self-contained assembly for snapping a continuous straight line on a substrate surface that is complete with string on a reel and a chalk receptacle providing chalk to the string as it is pulled out.
Cookie cutter
A circular bladed tool used to remove or replace damaged or stained carpet, up to three inches in diameter.
Crab
A hand device usually used for stretching carpet in a small area where a power stretcher (or knee kicker) cannot be used. It may also be used in removing fullness at seams and closing gaps at seams.
D
Dead man
A device (usually a board with strips of tack strip on the bottom side) used as an aid in stretch-in carpet installation.
Driving bar
Also referred to as drive down bar. An off set steel tool that permits installers to install tackless strip under toe kicks (recesses), radiators, etc., without damage.
Dry line
A length of line or cord, which is stretched over carpet as an aid to aligning patterns. Lasers may also be used for this purpose.
E
Eye protection
Recommended safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, face shields, etc., to be used when handling a hazardous material.
F
Fasteners
Nails, screws, or staples used to secure materials to various surfaces.
Fastening Tools
Hand or powered devices used to install / fix fasteners. Common types are:
- Carpet/tack hammer: specialty hammer with long head and claw.
- Carpenters hammer: conventional framing hammer of weight and size as required.
- Drill: power drill complete with appropriate chuck to suit requirements used to apply or drive-in material fasteners. Also used to mix ingredients (subfloor filler, adhesives, etc...).
- Electric stapler: power driven, with fixed or adjustable height to suit fastener type.
- Nail set: used to set nails flush with substrate surface without marring it.
- Rubber mallet: type as required with weight and size to suit.
- Screwdrivers: Phillips and standard type as required.
- Staple hammer: hand driven generally used to staple carpet cushion.
A tool with two parallel blades that adjust for distance (both width and depth) and cut resilient materials for insertion of feature strip.
Floor machine
Powered machine that spins a circular brush or pad used in floor and carpet care. The machines are referred to as buffers.
Floor sander
A motor driven machine designed for removal of finishes or foreign materials from wood or concrete surfaces.
Floor scraper
A hand or extension pole tool (allowing user to stand upright) with a sharp blade used for removal of adhesives, carpet, rubber, or tile prior to installation of new flooring materials.
G
Glue gun
A tool using glue sticks that is used to apply a bead of glue for adhered materials (carpet, cushion, accessories) where trowel applied adhesive is not possible.
Groomer
A nap setting tool used primarily on cut pile designs for carpet finishing. The process of nap setting using a shag rake, carpet comb, brush, or groomer following cleaning and additive (fabric protector) application.
H
Hack saw
As required for cutting of rigid materials.
Heat gun
Purpose made heavy duty combination flameless electric heater and forced air blower used to force dry adhesives or soften materials when cutting or shaping resilient trims and bases.
Hot melt seaming/Bonding irons
An electric iron with an adjustable thermostat for variable heat settings complete with guides and heat shield and available in various widths to suit requirements.
Hot melt seaming board
A purpose-made board for use under carpet in conjunction with seaming/bonding irons and usually with a slotted guide for seaming tape and a centering strap to allow the board to be pulled through the carpet.
Hygrometer
An instrument used for measuring the degree of relative humidity.
K
Knee kicker
A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet in over pad / tackless strip installations. It consists of a pinned plate that grips the carpet, a short section of metal tubing, and a padded cushion that the installer strikes with his knee to stretch carpet. Knee kickers should be used only in areas that are so small that power stretchers cannot be used. In general, adequate stretching of any carpet installation cannot be achieved with knee kickers.
L
Lifter bar
Also know as moulding and base shoe lifter. A pry bar device used to lift base off floor.
M
Mitre box
A metal box used in cutting rigid materials (e.g. floor trim).
P
Power stretcher
A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet in over pad / tackless strip installations. It consists of a pinned plate that grips carpet, tubular extensions, a padded end that bears against an opposing wall or other structure, and a lever system that multiplies the installer's applied stretching force. All contract installations should be power stretched unless the area is so small that this is impossible. If, and only if, power stretching is impossible, knee kickers may be used.
R
Roller
- Carpet rollers: 14 kilograms (30 lb) and 34 kilogram (75 lb) rollers designed to embed carpet backing into adhesive in glue-down installations.
- Seam rollers: used to apply pressure to carpet backing to help insure a solid bond with hot melt adhesives. May have smooth wheels that do not pull the yarn or leave tractor marks for use with most carpets including plush cut piles and Saxonys. Other types may have spiked wheels that press through the pile to seal the carpet's back to the adhesive. May also have ribbed rollers that will not snag the yarn or untwist the pile fibres for use with fine-denier Saxony, plush and velvet carpets.
- Wall rollers: for use in applying carpet to walls.
Used to separate carpet rows to minimize damage to nap and loops and usually complete with a tapered round end for cut pile, a flat end for loop pile carpets, and a knurled handle for a firm gripping area.
S
Seam squeezer
Purpose made powerful squeezing springs that force cushion-back carpet together to provide an improved carpet seam. The gripper pins hold in the nap and maintain an inward squeezing force. The inward pressure can usually be regulated as required.
Seam weights
Purpose made stain proof weights used to exert uniform pressure on seams during seaming complete with perforated base with an air space between the base and weight to allow heat and moisture to quickly dissipate.
Serger machine
This is a portable or table model machine, available in right and left handed models, that is used to cut and overcast exposed carpet edges to prevent them from unravelling and fraying. They are available with or without pullers. Refer also to "binding machine".
Sewing palm and needles
Iron thimble palm and needles for sewing carpet seams.
Spreader
Refer to "trowel".
Squares
- T-square: graduated aluminum or steel 90 degree square with extended legs for use as both a straight edge and as squaring tool.
- Carpenters square: graduated aluminum or steel 90 degree square for use as both a straight edge and as squaring tool.
A specialty tool that provides a simple means of stretching and forming carpet around stair nosings by hooking the claw on the stair and pulling the handle down. The pulling action of the gripper teeth stretches the carpet across the stair while the bottom side tucks it up under the stair nosing. Recesses in the bottom edge makes for easy stapling.
Stair Tool
Used for tucking carpet into the tackless strip/wall gullies and to drive carpet into a stair crotches.
Straight Edge
Hard edge material used as a guide for cutting flooring materials and available in various lengths up to 3650 mm (144"). There are various types:
- Rigid: usually cold drawn steel or aluminum, accurately ground and guaranteed to be straight to within a very fine tolerance. One end may be cut a 45o angle for mitre cuts.
- Flexible: flexible edge that can be bent to outline a curve or radius.
A variety of tools that are used for stretch-in carpet installation with each having a specific end use. Some of these include power stretcher, crab, knee kicker, stretcher hook, stair claw, etc. Refer also to "power stretcher".
Stripper machine
A power operated stripping / scraper / grinding machine using a ram shear blade or rotary mounted blades used to remove resilient or glued down carpet, adhesive, mortar, or other dry residue or coatings from substrate surfaces.
T
Tacker
A variety of power to hand operated types exist complete with magazine for fasteners used to fasten carpet and cushion to substrate.
Tape measures
Measuring tapes in both imperial and metric scales used to measure areas and materials.
The following are generally required:
- 15000 mm (50 foot) metallic cloth.
- 7500 mm (25 foot) retractable.
- 30000 mm (100 foot) steel.
Tool for use in cutting metal, lath, and tackless strips.
Trowel
Hand implement (also referred to as a spreader) with a notched metal plate and a wood, metal, or plastic handle used for metering and spreading adhesive on substrate surfaces. Trowel notch profile and size to suit material backing and adhesive requirements. Refer to Part A14 - Adhesives and Fastenings for types.
U
Under-cut saw
For use in undercutting walls, door jambs, under toe-spaces and inside corners.
Other general tools used:
Pliers.
Extension Cord and Adapter.
Plastic Squeeze Bottles.
Material Handling Dolleys and Hand Trucks.
Moisture and Alkalinity Testing Kits (refer to Part A11 - Substrate Testing for details).