Dictionary of Terms. Learn about fibers and wear

Dictionary of Terms

SOME COMMON TERMS:

        Dimension:

Total Square Yards: The total square yards equal the length in feet, multiplied by the width in feet, divided by 9.

        Construction:

BCF – Bulked continuous filament. Continuous strands of synthetic fiber formed into yarn bundles.

Beck dyeing – Tufted carpet (no backing) is run through a large stainless steel tank called a Dye Beck usually at 220º or higher to achieve the best dye process available.

Color:

Berber – Although many people refer to loop style carpets as berbers, the term berber actually refers to flecks of color against a pale background, similar to the flecks of color that would be present naturally in wool. Berbers are also available in cut-piles and friezes.

Styles:

Saxony – Similar to velvets but not quite as smooth. A soft texture is created by twisting fibers tightly, then straightening the yarn with heat. Retains foot and vacuum marks.

Texture – Each fiber is twisted differently. They are less likely to show vacuum marks or footprints than a true Saxony.

Loop – Marked by a continuous uncut surface that resists crushing and matting – used in rooms with lots of traffic and activity.

Cut loop – Cut and loop carpets combine cut and uncut loops to make a pattern. Suited for both formal and contemporary environments.

Frieze – Highly twisted yarns (sometimes kinked) to give a textured and contemporary look. Less likely to show vacuum marks or footprints.

Cable – Fat, nubby yarns which lend a touch of luxury to a casual setting.

Shag – Bolder and more stylish than what you remember, the new shags often combine a variety of yarn thicknesses and textures to make a trendy and bold design statement in your home.

Velvet/Plush – Smooth, soft, and elegant; creates a sheen that shows footprints, etc.

Fiber:

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTES COMPARISON

        NYLON 6,6 ATTRIBUTES VS POLYESTER
        Improved texture retention
        Style type versitality
        Longer appearance retention
        Virgin fiber, not recycled
        Higher performance standards
        Improved static resistance
        Twists retention of yarns

        NYLON 6,6 ATTRIBUTES VS POLYPROPYLENE
        Greater resilience (bounce back)
        Expanded color capacity
        Style variety advantage
        Luxury consumer appeal
        Tough and abrasion resistant
        Available in various luster levels
        Restores easily with vacuuming

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Olefin – Polypropylene is a long-chain synthetic polymer.

PET – The common name for the type of polyester used in plastic soft drink bottles which is spun into carpet.

Polyester – A fiber forming thermoplastic synthetic polymer used in some carpet fiber.

Wool – Imported from New Zealand, Australia and England. Wool is the fibrous growth from sheep. The fibers of wool are made of keratin, and have rough, scaly cuticles, which hook into one another when the fibers are spun into yarn.

Nylon – Nylon is utilized in approximately 65% of the carpet sold in the U.S. It is a very durable fiber with excellent performance characteristics. Its strengths include good resiliency, good yarn memory to hold twist, good carpet cleaning efficacy, good stain resistance with stain treatment applied, good soil hiding ability, and good abrasion resistance.

Nylon is manufactured in both BCF and staple fiber. It is the strongest fiber, making it an excellent choice for the heavy traffic of an active household or commercial facility. It’s also the most durable of the synthetics. It is soil and mildew resistant and resilient, but is prone to static. Most nylon is treated with an anti-static treatment to reduce static. Continuous filament fibers minimize pilling and shedding.

There are two basic types of nylon, higher density molecular structure (HDM), and open molecular structure (OMS). Each provides different performance characteristics. For many years, HDM has been considered to be the premium nylon fiber, but technological advances in dyeing and twisting processes have narrowed the gap between the two. However, HDM remains the premium nylon fiber used today. If you are looking for value goods, type OMS nylon fibers offer a considerable benefit for the money.

Nylon fibers also can be branded or unbranded. For example, DuPont nylon is manufactured by DuPont and is a premium fiber. Many fibers that do not carry a brand name may be extruded by the carpet manufacturer (typically OMS) and can be considered value goods. Branded fibers traditionally cost more than value goods. This can be attributed to a number of factors including the shape of the fiber (soil hiding), topical treatments (stain inhibitors), minimum construction requirements (twist level, pile weight), and consistency of fiber quality

Cushion:

One of the most important decisions for your carpet purchase is the choice of carpet cushion. This is the foundation (think of it like the foundation of your house-you want a solid basis). Weaver Carpets, Inc. has always explained to their customers that an upgraded cushion makes your carpet last 20-30% longer. Quality NEVER costs as much as the money it saves!

Rebond cushion – Carpet cushion made of polyurethane foam scrap. The foam scrap is graded according to density, shredded and then rebonded with urethane adhesive, and then cut to the desired cushion thickness (bonded cushion).

Rubber – Made of foam or sponge. Used exclusively for in-floor heat systems. Better comfort for concrete, and can absorb some moisture from concrete floors.