Resources for Carpets and Rugs

Whether you're selling, cleaning or laying carpets and rugs, you'll find you can attract more customers if it appears you know exactly what you're talking about. To that end, it'll be important to learn many carpet and rug key terms. From carpet features including pile, binding, serging and yarn ply to installation terms such as padding, underlay and tack strip, you will satisfy your customers when you can explain and discuss carpet terminology.

Pile

Pile refers to the fiber height on the walking surface of a carpet or rug. Carpet pile is available in three categories arranged by texture, density and patterns: cut, loop and cut and loop.

Padding or underlay

Carpet padding, sometimes referred to as underlay, is a rubber mat used under carpets to both protect against wear and increase the softness of the carpet. Carpet padding usually comes in either flat or waffle styles.

Binding and serging

Binding refers to a carpet edge that's been sewn or stitched for decorative or protective reasons. Serging refers to a method of binding using heavy yarn and a certain type of stitching.

Ply or yarn ply

Carpet or rug surface areas are made up of yarn. How many individual yarns are twisted together to produce the surface of a carpet or rug is referred to as ply, or yarn ply.

Tackless or tack strip

Called both tackless or tack strip, this is a thin strip of wood with tacks pointing up from it. These strips are nailed along the edges of the floor to hold the carpet in place.

Pile crush

Pile crush refers to a flattening or crushing of the pile yarn of a rug or carpet. This usually occurs in areas where the rug or carpet gets the most traffic.