Carpet Tape Key Terms

Understand the key terms related to carpet tape products

By Howard Robertson

Whether you want to join carpets at their seams or avoid unraveling carpets, you will need to use carpet tape. In addition, you can use carpet tape for repairing carpets and protecting carpet pieces at the time of painting or similar home repair operations.

While using carpet tape, you will come across various technical terms about types of tapes, adhesives and specifications for adhesives. In this guide, we will cover some key terms related to carpet tape, such as carpet seaming, double-sided carpet tapes, pressure sensitive tapes and backing.

Carpet seaming

Carpet seaming is the process of joining the carpets at their joints using seaming tapes that have adhesives on both sides. Some carpet seaming tapes have a silicone coating to avoid sticking of carpet seaming tapes to the underlying pads.
Try: RLA Polymers, a reputable company in the carpet industry, explains the importance of carpet seaming and its different methods.

Backing

Backing is a layer of soft material that is laid over the floor before installing the carpet. Backing insures proper positioning and dimensional stability for the carpet tape.
Try: You can read through the carpet terms glossary at The Carpet and Rug Institute, an informative website for carpets and rugs.

Curing

Curing (or hardening) is the process of setting of an adhesive in standard climatic conditions. Before buying a carpet tape or adhesive, you must inquire about the curing time for the adhesive applied to the carpet tape.
Try: For information about the term curing, read through the glossary of adhesive terms at Master Bond, a supplier of adhesives and sealants.

Double-sided carpet tapes

Double-sided carpet tape is useful for sticking the carpet to the floor or backing material. One end of the tape is stuck to the floor material and other end is stuck to the lower side of the carpet.
Try: FindTape.com, an online retailer of tape, provides information about double-sided carpet tape, its types and applications.

Masking carpet tapes

A masking carpet tape is useful to protect the carpet when you are painting or repairing your home. These tapes are also useful for protection of switches, glass panels and light fittings.
Try: You can read through information about the uses of masking tapes at 3M. In addition, diyfixit, an informative website by Dragon Web, offers information about masking tapes and their applications.

Pressure sensitive tapes

As the name indicates, a pressure sensitive tape can be fixed by applying pressure on it. These tapes do not require any solvent, heat or water for fixing it to the carpet or backing.
Try: The Adhesive and Sealant Council offers a glossary of terms related to pressure sensitive adhesives and tapes.