[D.2] GLOSSARY: FLOOR COVERINGS

Abrash

variation or striation of color in a rug

Antimicrobial

a chemical treatment added to carpet to reduce the growth of common bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, and mildew

Antistatic

a carpet’s ability to dissipate an electrostatic charge before it reaches a level that a person can feel

Bearding

fiber fuzz on level loop pile carpets

Berber

a modern style of carpet, distinguished by a loop pile construction type, and usually contain small flecks of dark color on lighter shades of background colors; typically of plain color mix with no pattern, and are relatively cheap and durable, so popular for areas with relatively heavy use such as offices

Berber Rugs

traditional hand-woven carpets of the Berber people of North Africa, which uses a distinct know that gives a similar appearance to a modern Berber carpet but are brightly colored with designs that are different from oriental rugs

Binding

handmade fabric edge applied to soft floor coverings to prevent fraying

Blooming

opening and untwisting of the pile yarns. Very common and a desired trait with tightly woven wool products

Border Carpet

often narrow width product intended to enhance the aesthetic value of the another carpet, either as an area rug, fitted wall to wall and quite stunning in halls and stairways

3”,6”,9”,13”

What are the common border carpet widths?

Breadth

span across the weft of the carpet and generally used when several sections are seamed together

Carpet Cushion

padding used underneath carpet or area rugs made of felt, polyurethane foam, rubber and other materials to provide comfort and durability

Cross Seams

seam created by joining carpet end-to-end rather than side-by-side

Delamination

the separation of the secondary backing or attached cushion from the primary backing of the carpet

Drop Match

pattern that drops down to create a diagonal repeat

Flattening

pile flattening or pile being repositioned

Heather

multicolor effect provided by blending fibers of different colors prior to spinning carpet yarn

Ingrain Carpet

historic reversible weave that is a double-faced pile-less carpet of colored filling yarns. When reversed, the design and colors are often opposite from the other side. Also called Summer/Winter

Pattern Match

aligning of the pattern across the seams to maintain the consistent rhythm of the pattern as defined by the carpet itself

Pattern Repeat

distance traveled within the materials to arrive at the same location on the next pattern; measured in length and width

Power Stretcher

carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet for installation with tackles strip

Puckering

carpet seam flaw due to poor layout or stretching

Resilience

ability of fibers to spring back to original shape after being crushed

Scalloping

wavy or puckering around the perimeter of a room from improper stretching angles

Seam Slippage

the pulling apart of a sewn seam often a result of improper or inadequate sewing techniques

Set Match

patterns that match straight across

Shading

irregular light or dark patches occurring in the carpet

Sizing

coatings applied to the back of woven products to enhance stiffness and reduce raveling

Soil Retardant

chemical finish applied to fibers or carpet surfaces that inhibits attachment of soil

War Rug

Afghanistan rug which has its origins in the decade of Soviet occupation of Afghanistan from 1979. Incorporates the apparatus of war into their design