Carpet Glossary

There are a number of terms that you may hear or read when shopping for or learning about carpet. Here's a list of some of the most common words, and their definitions, that should make the entire process easier for you.

Backing/Primary Backing - The primary backing material of carpeting is usually made of woven polypropylene. The main value of backing is to provide a base cloth to hold the yarn in place while the tufting happens.

Berber - A looped style carpet is often referred to as a berber. Berbers are big bulky yarns with characteristic color flecks that are either produced in a level loop or multi-level loop carpet construction. Although many Berbers are made out of olefin fiber, some are made with nylon, or a blend of various carpet fibers.

Cable - A luxurious style of carpet constructed of thicker, typically longer yarn that is better suited for rooms without a lot of activity. It can matte and crush with heavy foot traffic. It is not recommended for stairs, hallways, and other busy areas in your home.

Carpet Cushion - Often called padding, the carpet cushion is the layer of material that lies between the carpet and floor. It is the carpet cushion (not the carpet itself) that determines how a carpet feels beneath your feet. Cushion also helps preserve the look while providing the carpet with stronger protection against wear and tear.

Carpet Dying (also known as Continuous Dying) - The process of applying color directly to the carpet face by spraying or printing. This process is also used to create multicolor or patterned effects in the carpet.

Cut Pile - Cut pile carpet is created when small loops of yarn are cut. The length of these cut pieces of yarn is referred to as the pile height. Selectively cutting only some of the loops creates a recognizable pattern on the surface of the carpet (called cut and loop).

Density - Density is a measure of how tightly the yarn is stitched into the primary backing. Higher density carpet will typically wear better than lower density carpet.

Face Weight - Measured in ounces, the face weights is determined by the actual amount of fiber per square yard. (A typical carpet has a face weight of 35 to 45.)

Fiber - Fiber is the basic material from which a carpet is made. Over ninety percent of all of the carpet made today is made up of synthetic fiber. The rest is natural fiber, most commonly wool.

Frieze (also known as Cut Berber) - Frieze carpet is a cut pile style that has a very high twist level, meaning each strand of yarn is twisted so tightly that they actually curl over at the end. This process creates a textured surface with a knobby appearance, and a carpet of high durability and very good wear-ability.

Loop Pile - Loop Pile carpet is created when a small hook called a looper grabs the yarn and holds it in place, and the loops are never cut. Because there are no exposed yarn tips, only the sides of the yarn are exposed to wear and stress. Generally speaking, low profile loop carpet stands up well to heavy traffic best.

Matte/Crush - The process or end result of weight or traffic damaging an installed carpet. The result can be areas that look worn out, or dents where furniture has set.

Nap - See Pile Height.

Nylon - Nylon is a synthetic fiber. Nylon is the leader in appearance retention, fade and heat resistance, and soil and stain resistance.

Olefin - See Polypropylene.

Padding - Padding is the layer of material that lies between the carpet and floor. It's the pad (not the carpet itself) that determines how a carpet feels beneath your feet. The pad also helps preserve the look while providing the carpet with stronger protection against wear and tear.

Pile - Pile is the term given to the cut or uncut loops of yarn that create the surface of carpeting.

Pile Height (also known as Nap) - Pile Height is the length of the tuft measured from the primary backing to the yarn tips, normally expressed in a fraction (occasionally as decimals). All other factors being equal, shorter pile heights are more durable than longer pile heights.

Plush - See Saxony.

Polyester - Polyester is a common synthetic material well accepted for its bulkiness, color clarity, and good stain and fade resistance. While not as resilient as nylon, polyester fiber carpet constructed with today's new technologies can be a good performer.

Polypropylene - Polypropylene is a common synthetic material used in carpet manufacturing, sometimes referred to as olefin. While polypropylene is not as resilient or resistant to abrasion as nylon, it is naturally stain and fade resistant. Polypropylene is most often used in loop pile carpet constructions.

Saxony - Saxony carpet has a smooth, soft, velvet plush look and a luxurious feel with a uniform twist and finish. This style of carpet is not a good choice for high traffic areas or rooms with active kids. Also be aware that this style shows footprints and vacuum marks.

Screen Printing - Screen Printing is a common method of carpet coloring, where color is applied through anywhere from one to as many as eight silk-screens.

Shearing - Shearing is one of the last stages in the manufacturing of carpet, during which all of the little loose ends and projecting fibers are removed. Shearing also helps achieve the yarn's tip definition of the finished carpet.

Shedding - Shedding is a natural part of a new carpet. Frequent vacuuming for the first few days should remove any loose fibers from the carpet's surface.

Sprouting - Sprouting refers to small tufts or loops of carpet that become visible after installation. Use a small pair of scissors to carefully trim the loose fibers flush with the surface of the carpet.

Stitch Rate - Stitch Rate is the measure of how close the yarns are together. Stitch rate is measured in penetrations, or tufts, in a given length of carpet, usually an inch. The stitch rate is controlled by how fast the carpet is moved through the tufting machine. (Seven to eight tufts per inch is a good number. Three or four is relatively poor.)

Synthetic - Synthetic carpets are made from man-made fibers. Over ninety percent of all of the carpet is made up of synthetic fiber.

Textured - Textured carpet is a very popular cut pile carpet that has alternating twists of yarn creating a two-tone appearance. This carpet creates a more casual atmosphere in the room and is available in a broad range of prices.

Transition - A Transition is when two different flooring products meet - such as carpeting and a hardwood floor.

Tuft/Tufting - Tufting is the first step in the manufacturing of carpet. Tufting begins with the process of weaving the synthetic or staple fiber into a primary backing material.

Twist - When selecting carpet, you want a tight twist in each yarn, not loose and frayed at the end.

Wool - Wool is made from the coat of sheep. Because wool is a natural fiber, it ranges in color from off-white to black, with many earthen tones between. Although wool does not stand up to abrasion and moisture as well as synthetics, it cleans well and is known to age gracefully. Wool is the most expensive carpet fiber, and represents less than one percent of the U.S. carpet market.

Yarn Dying (also known as Pre-Dying) - One of two dyeing methods used in the manufacturing of carpet. Yarn dyeing is where the color is applied to the yarn prior to tufting. The advantages of all yarn dyeing methods include good side-by-side color consistency, large lot sizes, and uniformity.

Yarn Dying-Beck - A dyeing method used in the manufacturing of carpet that involves applying color to the yarn after the carpet has been tufted.