Carpet Glossary

Question 1

Variation or striation of color in a rug.

Answer 1

Abrash

Question 2

Chemical treatment added to carpets to reduce the growth of common bacteria and fungi.

Answer 2

Antimicrobial

Question 3

A carpet’s ability to dissipate and electrostatic charge.

Answer 3

Antistatic

Question 4

Fiber fuzz on level loop pile carpets.

Answer 4

Bearding

Question 5

A modern style of carpet distinguished by loop pile construction type. They usually contain small flecks of dark color on lighter shades of background colors.

Answer 5

Berber

Question 6

The traditional hand-woven carpets of a town in North Africa which uses a distinct knot that gives a similar appearance to a modern Berber carpet but are brightly colored with designs that are different from Oriental rugs.

Answer 6

Berber Rugs

Question 7

Handmade fabric edge applied to soft floor coverings to prevent fraying.

Answer 7

Binding

Question 8

The opening and untwisting of the pile yarns.

Answer 8

Blooming

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Border Carpet

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Breadth

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Carpet Cushion

Question 12

Seams created by joining carpet end to end rather than side by side.

Answer 12

Cross Seams

Question 13

The separation of the secondary backing from the primary backing of the carpet.

Answer 13

Delamination

Question 14

A pattern that drops down to create a diagonal repeat. Most often half the pattern.

Answer 14

Drop Match

Question 15

Expected on any type of carpet in high traffic areas such as doorways around furniture under desks etc. It is the flattening of pile or the pile being repositioned.

Answer 15

Flattening

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Heather

Question 17

A historic “reversible” carpet weave that is double-faced pile-less carpet of colored filling yarns. When reversed the design colors are often opposite from the other side, commonly referred to as summer/winter.

Answer 17

Ingrain Carpet

Question 18

The aligning of the pattern across the seams.

Answer 18

Pattern Match

Question 19

The distance traveled within the materials to arrive at the same location on the next pattern.

Answer 19

Pattern Repeat

Question 20

A carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet for installation with a tackless strip.

Answer 20

Power Stretcher

Question 21

Carpet seam flaw due to poor layout or stretching.

Answer 21

Puckering

Question 22

Ability of carpet fibers to spring back to its original shape after being crushed.

Answer 22

Resilience

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Scalloping

Question 24

The pulling apart os sewn seam often a result of improper or inadequate sewing techniques.

Answer 24

Seam Slippage

Question 25

Patterns that match straight across.

Answer 25

Set Match

Question 26

The irregular light and dark patches occurring on a carpet which is more obvious than plain dark colors.

Answer 26

Shading

Question 27

A basic term for coating applied to the back of woven products.

Answer 27

Sizing

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Soil Retardant

Question 29

An Afghanistan rug incorporating the weapons or apparatuses used for war as a design of the carpet.

Answer 29

War Rug