Carpet Terminology

Carpet
Carpet is a heavy fabric used to cover floor and made from a variety of fibers.

Crushing
Crushing is irreparable loss of pile height caused by traffic or weight.

Denier
Denier is the amount of yarn per area of carpet.

Density
Density refers to the amount of pile yarn per area of carpet or the closeness of the tufts. Higher density carpet
improves resistance to crushing and matting.

Double-Glued Seams
Double-glued seams attach carpet to bare floor to prevent delamination and edge ravel. Installers should double-glue
seams to prevent fuzzing.

Face Weights
Face weight is the number of ounces of fiber per square yard in the face of the carpet (not including the backing).

The face weight affects performance and durability. Face weight is different from density because it varies with
carpet height.

Fiber
Fiber is the fundamental unit of carpet. Carpet fibers are made from nylon, polyester, cotton, acrylics, wool, and
recycled material.

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Flocked
Flocked carpet is made of tufts of wool or cotton fiber.

Fuzzing
Fuzzing occurs when fluffy particles appear on carpet surfaces. It is caused by fibers that loosen because of weak
twist or snags. Professional carpet cleaners can shear the carpet to remove fuzzing.

Heatsetting
Heatsetting is the process of heating or steaming yarns to hold their twist. Most nylon, olefin, and polyester cut pile
carpets are heatset.

Knitted
Knitted carpet is formed by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops.

Matting
Matting is the usually irreversible adhesion of carpet yarn caused by traffic or dirt.

Memory
Carpet memory refers to texture retention.

Needle Punched
Needle punched carpet is stitched into backing material.

Pile
A pile is a column of carpet fiber.

Pile Reversal
Pile reversal or shading is a feature of cut pile carpet. Traffic bends the carpet fiber in different directions creating an impression of light and
dark areas. Regular vacuuming can create uniform shades.

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Pilling
Pilling occurs when fluffy particles appear on carpet surfaces. It is caused by fibers that loosen because of weak
twist or snags. Usually, you can simply cut the pills with sharp scissors. If the pills are large, however, call in a
professional carpet cleaner, retailer, or installer to resolve the problem.

Rippling
Heat and humidity can cause ruffles or waves in wall-to-wall carpet. A professional carpet retailer or installer can
re-stretch the carpet with a power stretcher. Return to Top

Shading
Shading is the same as pile reversal.

Shedding
New carpet tends to shed for a few weeks after installation. Regular vacuuming can resolve this problem. Shedding
is more common in cut pile carpet and in wool carpet. Synthetic fiber carpet (such as nylon) does not shed as
much.

Snags
Snags can occur when an object tangles in carpet. Usually, you can simply cut the snag with sharp scissors. If the
snag is large, however, call in a professional carpet cleaner, retailer, or installer to resolve the problem.

Soiling
Soiling occurs when dirt particles build up in carpet fibers. Regular vacuuming and cleaning will prevent this
problem.

Sprouting
Sprouting occurs when fluffy particles appear on carpet surfaces. Usually, you can simply cut the sprouts with sharp
scissors. If the sprouts are large, however, call in a professional carpet cleaner, retailer, or installer to resolve the
problem.

Static Electricity
Cold and low humidity often create isolated motionless charges of electricity. Some carpets provide static
resistance. Humidifiers also limit static electricity buildup.

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Texture Retention
Texture retention or carpet memory is the ability of tufts to retain their shape under traffic. Caring for care will help
texture retention.

Tufted
Tufted carpets are pieces of yarn embedded in backing material.

Twist
Twist is the winding of the yarn around itself. More twist improves carpet performance (especially in cut pile).

Courtesy of Carept.org

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