Carpet Installation Glossary DC

The following information was sourced from Carpet Universe Mills, Inc.

Antistatic - The ability of a carpet system to dissipate an electrostatic charge before it reaches the threshold of human sensitivity.

Average Pile Yarn Weight - Mass per unit area of the pile yarn including buried portions of the pile yarn. In the U.S., it is usually expressed as ounces per square yard.

Backing - Fabrics and yarns that make up the back of the carpet as opposed to the carpet pile or face.

Primary backing - A woven or nonwoven fabric in which the yarn is inserted by the tufting needles.

Secondary backing - Fabric laminated to the back of the carpet to reinforce and increase dimensional stability.

Berber - Loop-pile carpet tufted with thick yarn, such as wool, nylon or olefin. Often having random specks of color in contrast to a base hue, this floor covering has a full, comfortable feel, while maintaining an informal, casual look. Currently, this term has expanded to describe many level or multi-level loop carpet styles.

Broadloom - A term used to denote carpet produced in widths wider than 6 feet. Broadloom is usually 12 feet wide, but may also be 13'6" and 15 feet wide.

Bulked continuous filament (BCF) - Continuous strands of synthetic fiber 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. Continuous filament fibers produce less "fuzz" than a staple yarn.

Construction - The manufacturing method (i.e. tufted, woven) and the final arrangement of fiber and backing materials as stated in its specification.

Cushion - Any kind of material placed under carpet to provide softness and adequate support when it is walked upon. Carpet cushion provides a softer feel underfoot and provides added acoustical and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. In some cases, the carpet cushion is attached to the carpet when it is manufactured. Also referred to as "padding" or "underlay," although "cushion" is the preferred term.

Cut Pile - A carpet in which the face is composed of cut ends of pile yarn. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved with factors including the type of fiber, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn.

Plush / Velvet -- Smooth, level surfaces; formal atmosphere, "velvet."

Saxony -- Smooth, level finish, but pile yarns have more twist so that the yarn ends are visible and create a less formal look. Minimizes foot prints.

Density - Refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the tufts. Generally, in cut pile carpets, the denser the pile, the better the performance.