CFI Installer Dictionary

NUM | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

NUMBERS

3-4-5 RULE:

Simple Method used to square area or carpet

3 lbs:

Amount of moisture allowed to emit from concrete substrate per 1000 square feet

A

ACCLIMATE:

Conditioning (relaxing) the carpet prior to installation in a heated, dry space at a minimum temperature of 65 degrees F and a relative humidity between 10% and 65% for at least 48 hours before installation.

Displays a pH below 7

ACRYLIC:

Acrylic and modacrylic (modified acrylic) carpet fibers.  Acrylic fiber contains at least 85% by weight of acrylonitrile units.  Modacrylic fiber contains between 35% and 85% by weight of acrylonitrile.  Fibers available only as staple.  Spun yarns have the closest resemblance to wool of any man-made fiber. (Acrilan, Orlon, etc.)

AFFINITY:

Attractive force between substances or particles causing them to combine chemically.  Example:  the affinity of acid dyes for nylon fiber.

ALKALI:

A soluble substance with basic properties and having a pH or more than 7.

ALKALINITY:

A pH range of 5-9 is satisfactory.  A reading above 9 requires corrective measures. Consult Test adhesive manufacturer for recommended testing and corrective procedures.

Air around us

ANTISTATIC:

Ability of carpet to dissipate electrostatic charge thus preventing buildup of static electricity to human sensitivity.

AXMINSTER:

One of four basic weaves used in making carpets.  The pile tufts in this weave are mechanically inserted and bound to the back in a manner similar to the handknotting of oriental rugs, making possible almost unlimited combinations of colors and patterns.

B

BACKING:

Materials (fabrics or yarns) comprising the back of the carpet.

BACKING
PRIMARY:

In tufting, a woven or non-woven fabric in which the pile yarn is inserted by tufting needles, usually woven or non-woven polypropylene or woven jute.

BACKING
SECONDARY:

Fabric laminated to the back of carpet to reinforce and increase dimensional stability, usually woven or non-woven polypropylene.  The secondary back may be a latex or attached cushion of foam or urethane.

BACKING
WOVEN:

Backings of woven carpets are the “construction yarns” comprising chain warp, stuffer warp and shot or fill, which are interwoven with face yarn during carpet fabric formation.

BCF:

Bulked continuous filament.  Continuous strands of mad-made fiber formed into yarn bundles of a given number of filaments and texturized to increase bulk and cover.  Texturizing comprises changing the straight filaments into crimped, kinked or curled ones.

BEARDING:

Long fibers, fuzz or loops caused by fibers snagging or inadequate latex.

BHT:

Butylated hydroxytoluene or “Yellowing phenomenon.”  BHT is found in almost everything.  It is non-poisonous.  It may occur in isolated spots or throughout the carpet and is not distinctive to any fiber or cause.   BHT is used in products as a protection against oxidation during high temperature production processes. 

Diagonal relating to pattern alignment

BIRDCAGE:

Common term used to describe the end of a stair rail where the banisters are curved in a spiral to form a newel post.

BLEND:

A mixture of two or more fibers or yarns.

72-Hour test to determine if flooring will stay adhered with adhesive to substrate

BONDED:

Two different forms  (1) as cushion prepared in strips prior to its application to the carpet back rubber or, (2) as cushion manufactured and cured in place in seamless widths.  Rubber cushion is either sponge rubber or latex foam.  The quality is estimated by its density higher density, more expensive.

Lengthwise appearance not in a straight line.  May be caused by the position of the roll during the application of the backing or sizing process.  In geometric patterns, pile laying in different directions may give the appearance of wavy lines.

Pattern with visible curved lines in the width of either pattern or plain carpet, usually occurs when carpet is not perfectly straight as it is being processed.

Width of broadloom

Any carpet manufactured wider than 27” or 36”, a designation of width and not a type of weave or carpet.

The same as wrinkling, or other deviation from remaining flat.

Common term used to describe the step return.

The process of replacing missing tufts by hand or correcting loose tufts.

C

Device which takes raw staple fibers and opens, cleans and separates the individual fibers and delivers them in sliver form or as a carded web.  The step between blending and drafting in the spinning system and begins to orient and align the fibers.

Carpet squares or tiles, generally 18” x 18” (or larger) with or without attached cushion.  Must be installed with a chalkline on a square 90-degree format, joints snuggly joined together, ALWAYS following manufacturer’s installation guidelines.

Specific dyestuff, usually the third color in cross dyeing.

A carbohydrate of complex molecular structure, which forms basic framework of plants, cells and walls.   Used as a raw material in making rayon.

Pile fabric woven by the insertion of a prepared weft row of surface yarn tufts in a “fur” or “caterpillar” form through very fine, but strong cotton “catcher” warp yarns, and over a heavy woolen backing yarn.

Continuous filament of man-made fiber extruded in fiber form and unbulked.

Soft, white, fibrous substance composed of hairs clothing the seeds of an erect, freely branching tropical plant.  It is extremely absorbent and durable.  It is resistant to chlorine bleaches, but is affected by acids.  It is subject to browning.

(1) A number identifying yarn size or weight per unit length.   Cotton count equals the number of 840 yard lengths in one pound.  (2) Count of fabric is indicated by number of warp ends and filling ends per inch.

The rack located behind a tufting machine, which holds the cones of pile yarn, which supply yarn to the needles of the tufting machine.

Term used to describe excess color rubbing off as the result of improper dye penetration, fixation or selection.

Pad, underlay – not to exceed 3/8-inch for a commercial installation or 7/16-inch for a residential application.  Density is not stated in CRI-104 or CRI-105, but  contributes to the longevity of the installation and life of carpet.

Tool (cutter) used to follow a row in carpet yarns when cutting the carpet. 

Carpet having a cushion or padding as an integral part of the backing.

Carpet fabric, the face of which is composed of cut ends of pile yarn.

D

A section of wood (1” x 12” x 48”) with tackstrip attached, used as a base for a power stretcher to attain a pattern match on seams with carpets constructed within industry tolerances

Secondary backing of tufted carpet peels off, causing loss of stability.  Appears as puckers on installed carpet or may cause seams to open.

Test determines how much pressure it takes to forcibly remove the fabric backing from carpet, usually stated in ounces or pounds.  For jute or polypropylene-backed carpets, the FHA  requirement is 100 ounces of 6-¼  pounds of scrim tear.  Industry-accepted standard is 7 lbs.

A yarn size unit.  The weight in grams of 9000 meters of yarn end.  Denier is a direct yarn numbering system; the higher the DENIER, the LARGER or HEAVIER the yarn.  Denier is associated with BCF yarn systems.

Amount of pile in a given area of carpet which reflects the closeness of the pile yarns.

Temperature at which vapor begins to condense and form water

Scale drawing or blueprint – a requirement to be furnished to the installer for each installation denoting seam placement, transitions, quantity of carpet, dye lot variances, cushion, adhesives and supplies, moldings, over-sized furniture requiring special moving devices, address and requested arrival time, floor type, required floor preparation, dye lot variances, border sizes, type and amount of stair and ledge upholstery, wall base, type of installation (tackstrip, direct-glue, double-glue), pattern matching requirements, type of carpet and backing.

Same as above plus floor number and building location, type of floor, type of installation and carpet for each area, roll length requirements, dye-lots changes, availability and use of elevator, hours to work, carpet pile direction, lifting equipment and all items pertinent to the commercial application.

Ability of fabric to retain size and shape; brought about by chemical treatment or mechanical means.  A secondary backing adds dimensional stability to carpet.

Double-bond, double-stick – method where a separate cushion is generally adhered to floor with pressure-sensitive adhesive and carpet is secured to the cushion with multi-purpose adhesive for a total bonding of the installation.  Substrate preparation is critical.

Matching carpet patterns where successive breadths of carpet must be adjusted up or down, usually one-half of the pattern repeat, so pattern will match across the floor.

Chalk line used with no chalk to aid in patterns

E

Environmental Protection Agency of the federal government commissioned to protect the environment and levels of exposure to the public.

F

Retention of color, usually in reference to specific exposures; such as lightfastness and washfastness.  Dyestuff, fiber type and dyeing method all influence the ability of the colored carpets to withstand the effects of color-destroying agents.

A single, continuous strand of man-made fiber.

Cracks 1/8-inch wide or protrusions over 1/32-inch should be filled or leveled with an appropriate and compatible latex or polymer fortified patching compound.  Large, patched areas should be primed.

Phenocyclohexene — Non-harmful odor emitted by materials, such as carpet

Hairy effect on fabric surface caused by wild fibers or slack yarn twist; or by fibers slipping out of yarn or contour in either service or wet cleaning.   Filaments snagging and breaking fuzz carpet of continuous filament yarn.  Fuzzing is corrected by shearing in manufacturing.

G

Measure of distance between rows of tufted carpet.  Number of needles per inch on needle bar of tufting machine.  Common gauge machines are 1/10 gauge, 1/8 gauge and 5/32 gauge.

Pronounced “gray goods”   - unfinished carpet or other textile material.

Visibility of carpet backing through face, often between two adjoining tuft rows; may be caused by too little pile yarn, off-gauge tufting machine parts, tuft row deflection, inadequate blooming of pile yarn or installation over curves, such as stair nosing.

Metal clamp-down molding applied BEFORE carpet is installed  

The distance between the tackstrip and the wall, which is to be slightly less than the thickness of the carpet.

H

Handsewing shall be overcast stitches placed not more than ½-inch apart and not less than ½-inch from the edge of carpet.  Handsewing is recommended for all Wilton and most woven carpet.   Stitches are of many types with a special stitch used in end-seaming Axminster carpets.

Process for stabilization of carpet yarns twist or crimp by exposure to heat. Continuous heat-setting machines employ dry or moist heat.  Principal benefits of heat-setting are twist retention in plied yarns in cut-pile and general stabilization of yarn configuration.

Multi-level pile height, sometimes combining cut and loop surface yarns.

Blend of polymer and filling applied in a heated state as a secondary carpet backing, to lock in surface yarns and for lamination.

J

Named after its inventor, a mechanism which controls pattern of Wilton and Axminster looms, allows as many as 26 different colors and pile heights in woven carpet.

Generally used as backing material.  Comes from between outer bark and core of 8-12 foot high plants of India and Bangladesh.  Rough texture of fiber allows a good latex grip when laminated as backing material.  Very strong when dry.  Loses strength when wet; weakened by mildew and a source of “browning” problems associated with cleaning.

K

Installation tool designed to position the carpet and move it onto the tackstrip.  With the exception of stair installation, kneekickers should not be used for stretching carpet during installation.  A powerstretcher is used for this purpose.

Produced in a fabric formation process comprising interlacing yarns in a series of connected loops by the use of needles.  As in weaving, pile and backing are simultaneously produced.  Multiple sets of needles interface pile, backing and stitching yarns in one operation.

L

Two or more layers of firmly united material.

Water-emulsion of synthetic rubber, natural rubber or other polymer.  Latex is used for laminating secondary backings to tufted carpet, back-coating carpet and rugs and for manufacturing foamed cushion.  Almost all carpet latex consists of styrene-butadiene  synthetic rubber (SBR) compounded with large quantities of powdered fillers, which are often whiting; which is calcium carbonate.

Special weave in which warp yarns arranged in pairs are twisted around one another between picks in a chain-like fashion.  Generally found in woven man-made secondary backing.

Carpet style having all tufts in a loop form and of identical height; woven or tufted.

Method to measure alkalinity or acidity of concrete or water

Machine threaded with yarns on which carpet is woven.

Cutter used to follow row and cut carpet in loop-pile materials when trimming seams.

M

Made from crude oil, refined and put through numerous chemical processes.  They are produced on equipment that runs continuously, creating a face fiber called BFC, Bulk Continuous Filament or Staple Fiber.

Method used to measure water or moisture through substrate taping section of plastic to floor with duct tape

Short, lengthwise sections where yarn appears different in texture usually caused by poor repair of yarn voids during manufacturing. 

Term used to describe carpet tile.

Concrete floors should be tested for moisture emission rate by utilizing an anhydrous calcium chloride moisture test kit.  Moisture emission rate is stated in pounds per 1000 square feet in 24 hours.  General guideline – an emission rate of 3 lbs. or less is acceptable for most carpet.  In the range of 3-5 pounds, carpet with porous backings can usually be successfully installed; but risk of moisture-related problems increase. 

N

Any fabric manufactured by a method other than weaving, but particularly those fabrics composed of fibers held together by chemical, mechanical, adhesive or fusion means.

Polyamide having reoccurring amide groups as an integral part of the polymer chain.  Displays high resilience, good texture retention; good soil resistance; good cleanability; and good variety of colors. Long-wearing; clear colors; good performance even at low weights; resists acid dye stains; strongest of the man-made fibers, most resilient and offers the best combination of aesthetic and performance characteristics; more costly product.

O

Polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene or other Olefin units.  Displays subdued luster; reduced resilience; good soil resistance; Very good cleanability; excellent spot resistance; does not fuzz.  Available only in staple yarn; low static.  Low water absorbency with 0.0 moisture gain; low melting point – softens at 220-230 degrees F.  Heat sensitive; friction can fuse the fibers and cause discoloration; scarring.

Time between the spreading of the adhesive on a substrate and the appropriate placement of a floor covering material into the adhesive for bonding.

Occupational Safety Health Administration, federal agency commissioned to protect the safety of the worker.

P

Patterns that vary in size in length or width from one match to the other match

Bond function is to provide indemnity to the obligee (owner-representative) up to the amount of the bond in the event of default on the part of the principal (Flooring sub-contractor)

Value representing the concentration of hydrogen ions in gram equivalents per liter used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a substance on a scale from 0-14 with 7 representing neutrality, numbers less than 7 increasing acidity and numbers greater than 7 increasing alkalinity.  Laboratory and field testing for pH must be done with distilled water.

Number of weft yarns shuttled across warp yarns indicating closeness of weave lengthwise A high grade Wilton fabric may have 39 picks per inch or 3 shots of weft to each wire.

Highly colored, insoluble powdered substance used to impart color to materials.

The upright warp yarns, whether cut or loop, that form the wearing surface of carpet.

Bending of the pile by constant walking of the pressure of the furniture.

Height of pile measured from the surface of the primary back to the top of the pile.

Sometimes referred to a “tablet test,” is a standard testing method for carpet flammability, using an ignition tablet or methanamine “pill,” under controlled conditions.

Formation on the carpet surface of bunches or balls of tangled fibers which cannot be removed without breaking a fiber.

Number of warp yarns or end yarns per inch across the width of the carpet.  It is usually stated in relation to 27-inch or ¾-yard woven width.

Never to be placed over completed carpet installation as it may trap moisture, retard SHEETING adhesive curing and/or promote mold and mildew growth and create a slip hazard.

Smooth carpet surface texture in which individual tufts are only minimally visible and the overall visual effect is that of a single level of fiber ends.  This finish is normally achieved only on cut-pile carpet produced from spun yards by brushing and shearing.

Single end component in a plied yarn or the number, which tells how many single ends, have been ply-twisted together to form a plied yarn; 2-ply, or 3-ply.

Polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ester of dihydric alcohol and tereph thalic acid.  Lustrous, strong fiber with low resistance to oily-type stains. Sunlight may cause loss of strength.  Melts at 480-550 degrees F.  High static charge; poor resilience and available in staple yarn only.

Also called plastics or resin.  High molecular weight chemical compound formed by repeated linking of smaller chemical units called monomers.  Synthetic polymers used for carpet fibers include Nylon-6,6 and Nylon-6, polyester, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile (acrylics).

Ratio of volume of air within the boundaries of a solid matter. The substrates ability to absorb liquid

Gray floor patch, cement based, containing latex that is chemically dry

Carpet installation tool used to stretch carpet onto tackstrip.  It is made with a pinned plate that grips the carpet, tubular extensions, a padded end used to brace against an opposing wall or other structure, and a lever system that multiplies applied stretching force.

The condition in carpets which accounts for the pattern growing along a seam.  Usually caused by the lack of equal tension across the range while the carpet is being manufactured or while the secondary backing is being applied.   There is no accepted industry standard.  (Check with manufacturer - usually 1-inch in 12-feet)

“Peel and stick,” pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the polyurethane and PVC attached cushion backings during the manufacturing process.  Backings of this type require special floor preparation procedures according to manufacturer.

Component of tufted carpet consisting of woven or non-woven fabric into which pile yarn tufts are inserted by the tufting needles.  It is the carrier fabric for the pile yarn and should not be confused with secondary backing, which is a reinforcing fabric laminated to the back of the tufted carpet subsequent to the tufting process.  Most primary backing is either woven or non-woven polypropylene, although woven jute is used occasionally.  Some synthetic primary backings have nylon fiber attached to their upper surfaces to make them union dyeable with nylon pile yarns.

Carpet having colored patterns applied by methods similar to those used for printing flat textiles and paper.  These include flatbed screen printing employing silk screens, rotary screens and modern computer programmed jet printing.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or latex gel cushion permanently bonded to the carpet back requiring special floor and seam adhesives and installation methods.  

Q

Type of pattern with four units in every length repeat.  Each length repeat drops down one unit or quarter of a repeat.  Gives diagonal effect to pattern when all breadths are joined.

R

Carpet texture created by shearing high-low loop carpet lightly so that only the higher loops are sheared.  The sheared or cut-pile areas are less reflective than the unsheared loops, which appear brighter and lighter in color.  Shearing of high-low loop carpet produces a texture somewhat similar to cut-and-loop.

Distance from a point in a pattern figure to the same point where it occurs again, measuring lengthwise of the fabric.

Ability of carpet pile or cushion to recover original thickness and texture after being subjected to compressive forces or crushing under traffic. 

Process of stretching installed carpet after original installation to remove wrinkles and bubbles or to correct a loose fit.  The restretching procedure is ONLY properly performed when all furniture is removed from the room and a powerstretcher is used.

Tool used to restretch carpet and pull carpets together.

Relative Humidity- moisture in vapor form in the air

The upright part of step between two stair treads.

Method used to assess moisture through concrete. Known as Rubber Manufacturers Association test.

Numbered order of carpet rolls used to keep dye lot sequence

To be used to roll carpet with the lightest roller possible to achieve full, 100% transfer or equal coverage of the adhesive from the floor onto the carpet or cushion backing.

S

Double-back of light, coarse fabric, cemented to a jute of kraftcord back in tufted construction.

Woven or non-woven fabric reinforcement laminated to back of tufted carpet, usually with latex adhesive, to enhance dimensional stability, strength, stretch resistance, lay flat, stiffness and hand.  Most secondary backings are woven jute or woven polypropylene.  The term is used in a broader sense to include attached cushion and other polymeric-back coatings.  Because secondary backing is visible, whereas primary backing is concealed under the pile yarn in finished carpet, the secondary backing is usually referred to simply as “backing.”

Line formed by joining, without overlaps or gaps, the edges of two sections of  carpet by the use of seaming tape, hand sewing or other technique.

Specifically formulated adhesive for securing cut edges of stretch-in carpet over cushion to be seamed to avoid raveling and delamination at the seamed edges. Latex is to be applied ONLY to the base fibers of the primary and secondary backings.

Specifically formulated adhesive for securing cut edges of carpet edges designed to be installed in a direct-glue application. 

Fabric tape used for joining two sections of carpet.  “Hot-melt” tape is precoated with a thermoplastic adhesive or adhesive that may be applied separately.

(selvedge)  Lengthwise, factory-finished edge portion of a carpet to eliminate raveling.

Pattern repeats that are positioned or set side by side on the same level to form a straight line across the width of the carpet.

Apparent change of color in carpet pile – caused when light is reflected in different ways as pile fibers are bent; not a defect, but characteristic, especially of cut-pile carpets.

A deep-pile texture with long, cut surface yarns.

Yarn dyed while in the form of large loosely-wound skeins prior to tufting or weaving.

The condition that exists when the face yarn of a carpet is set on the secondary backing in such a way as that the face yarn is not square to that backing.  There is no general industry tolerance.  (Check with manufacturer - usually 1-inch in 12-feet)

If installing over concrete, slab temperature should not be less than 65 degrees F. This must be maintained for at least 48 hours before, during and 48 hours following installation.

Yarn dyed two or more colors, which alternate along the length of the yarn.

Adhesive is sprayed from a container – recommended that backing of carpet and cushion be sprayed for a “contact” application, achieving equal transfer or coverage from materials to substrate. 

Method of dyeing man-made fiber by dispersing dye pigments in the polymer melt or solution prior to extrusion of the fiber

Yarn consisting of fibers of regular or irregular shape staple length usually 3-8 inches bound together by twist.

Material used to cover the nose of a stair when stairway is not upholstered.  Stair return must be rounded ¾-inch to 1-inch for proper carpet contact.

Short lengths of fiber, may be converted into spun yarns by textile yarn spinning processes, called staple.  Staple may be converted directly into non-woven fabrics, such as needle-punched carpet.  Most carpet yarns spun on the common modified worsted systems are usually 3-8 inches in length.

Test is technically known as the Electrostatic Propensity of floor covering materials.  Conducted by scuffing and stepping a leather neolite shoe across the carpet and measuring the voltage generated.  Test is usually stated in the number equivalent to 1000 volts.  A rating of 3500 volts is considered to be the threshold of human sensitivity.

Colored spun yarn produced from fibers dyed in staple form.  The term does not include yarns spun from solution-dyed staple.

Any lengthwise, narrow, visual defect in carpet.  Dye streaks may be caused by a single pile end having different dye affinity from the others.  Streaks may be yarn defects such as a light twist, stretched yarn or yarns larger or smaller than others.  Moderate levels of streaking are almost always present in saxony made from plied heat-set yarns and should be considered characteristic of this style.

Term used to describe installation method whereby the carpet is placed over a separate cushion and is secured in place, under tension, using tackstrip.

T

Wood or metal strip fastened to the floor near the walls of the room, containing either two or three rows of pins angled toward the walls, on which the carpet is stretched and secured in a stretch-in installation.  Full length sections are to be placed around wall perimeter with pins pointing toward wall.  Gully is to be maintained, regardless of shape of wall.  Standard tackstrip is one-inch wide and ¼-inch thick.

Contains three rows of pins used when room dimension exceeds thirty feet or used with heavy-backed carpets.  Width is generally two-inches.

Term used to describe tackstrip.

The greatest stretching force a yarn, fabric or carpet can bear without breaking.

Carpet pattern made by using two or more shades of the same hue.

Weight per square yard of the total carpet pile, yarn, primary and secondary backings and coatings, usually given in ounces.

The upper horizontal part of a stair upon which we walk.

Measuring device used to spread adhesive onto the substrate.