10 Tips for Understanding Carpet Labels | HowStuffWorks

New carpet is one of the most striking and impressive renovations you can do to a room. You may think you know exactly what you want -- whether that's plush, comfy carpet for a relaxing rec room or tough, sturdy carpet for an office. But when you show up at a carpet showroom, you'll face a myriad of choices beyond what you bargained for. And if you're a smart consumer, you won't necessarily believe everything a salesman tells you. Don't go shopping unprepared.

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If you're decisive enough to settle on a color, you'll have to figure out what kind of fiber material you want. And if you don't get lost in comparing the durability tests of different carpet, you'll want to know the specific twist and density to further predict how it'll stand the test of time. Stain resistance ability will also probably be important to you. Meanwhile, it's smart to consider the matter of harmful chemical additives.

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The good news is that most of the information you need is conveniently included on a carpet label. But in order to understand that label, you'll need to be a little familiar with the jargon and what each detail means for the life of your carpet.

10: Carpet Durability: Twist and Density

Replacing old carpet can be a costly pain in the neck. That's why investing a little more money in durable carpet is usually a smart choice. The longer your carpet lasts, the longer you can wait before replacing it -- and the more money you'll save in the long term.

Durability has a great deal to do with density and twist, two specifications listed on the label. Density simply refers to how close together the strands of fiber are -- fibers per square inch. You can judge density by bending it back and seeing how much backing peeks through. Denser carpet tends to last longer because it withstands impact better. It also protects from dirt and stain by making it more difficult for particles to sink through it, keeping soils on the surface and easier to clean [source: Home Depot].

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However, twist is the number of times a strand of fiber is twisted per inch. Carpet that has a high twist level of 4 or more will also be more durable and less likely to unravel. Carpet doesn't have to be dense to be durable, as long as it has a high twist level (and vice versa).

Don't confuse density and twist with face weight, which is the amount of fiber measured in ounces per square yard (as opposed to total weight, which includes the weight of the carpet backing). Face weight won't tell you a lot about the durability of a carpet without knowing the density and twist, as well.

9: Standardized Durability Tests

We discussed some of the carpet label specifications that can help you determine durability, such as twist and density. However, because these are variables that also depend on the fiber type, comparing different specifications across several different carpet samples can be dizzying.

To make comparison shopping exponentially easier, there are some standardized durability tests. A number on the carpet label could refer to such a test.

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Both the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and Consumer Reports endorse the Home Depot durability rating system, which they call the Performance Appearance Rating (PAR). Home Depot uses a walk test that's supposed to simulate what the carpet will look like after a year of normal traffic by a family of four. When you're inspecting a label, look for a score from 1 to 5. A high score of 4 or 5 will quickly tell you that a carpet has good durability [source: Home Depot]. Other major retailers use similar durability tests. Shaw Floors, for example, uses its own performance rating, which also ranges from 1 to 5.

These ratings systems somewhat oversimplify the issue of durability. How your carpet will look also depends on maintenance and traffic. Though you shouldn't necessarily make your decision based solely on such performance ratings, considering them in conjunction with other specifications like twist and density will help in your decision.

8: Fiber Type

Perhaps the most important aspects of a carpet is what material it's made of. And you have a raft of options when it comes to fiber type. Here's a rundown of the most common materials:

• Nylon. The most popular choice, nylon is moderately priced, durable, easy to clean and has decent stain resistance. Nylon carpet has moderate resistance to fading in the sun, but it'll fade after prolonged exposure.
• Polyester. One of the cheapest options, polyester won't fade in the sunlight and offers good stain resistance. The biggest drawback: It isn't durable. However, the new PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) polyester is stronger than the traditional version.
• Wool. Generally considered to make the best quality carpet for appearance and feel, wool is relatively expensive. It can offer rich colors but will fade in direct sunlight. Wool can also wear down more easily than some synthetics, and has poor resistance to mold and mildew.
• Olefin. Another name for polypropylene, olefin is inexpensive, won't fade (if chemically treated) and has great stain resistance (except for oily stains). It also is comparatively resistant to moisture, mildew and static. It's decently durable, but not as soft or resilient as other fiber choices.
• Acrylic. The advantage of acrylic is that it looks and feels more like wool than any of the other synthetics. However, it's a little more expensive than nylon and can tend to pill and fuzz.

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7: Stain and Soil Resistance

After you put your blood, sweat and tears into a carpet purchase, you don't want to have to fear literally dripping blood, sweat and tears into that carpet.

Don't let a stain permanently blemish your beautiful, expensive carpet. Though no carpet is perfect, and all spills need prompt attention to keep your carpet clean, you can buy carpet that's stain resistant to assuage your fears. Some materials and carpet constructions are naturally more stain resistant than others. However, companies usually treat carpet with additional chemicals to make it more resistant.

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Teflon and Scotchguard technology cause liquid stains to bead on the fabric surface, allowing quick attention to soak it up. However, StainMaster carpets work by neutralizing the electric charge on the fabric. This is because the dye used in many commercial food and drink products are negatively charged, just as the dye used in coloring carpet. Without neutralizing the charge, the spilled food attaches permanently to the remaining positive charges [source: Hilton].

Luckily, you can often find specific information about the stain resistance on the label. This might include what stain remover products to use and information on proper maintenance. Some stain resistant chemicals wear away after years of use, but you can have the chemicals reapplied.

6: Know Your Hazardous Chemicals

In the late s, a controversy erupted when workers in the EPA office headquarters (of all places) complained that the new carpets were making them sick. Consumers were warned that the culprit was none other than the chemicals applied to carpets in the manufacturing process, including stain resistance, flame retardant and anti-microbial chemicals.

Though you might like that "new carpet smell," the chemical responsible for it (4-phenylcyclohexene) is one of those suspected of causing sickness. In addition to that, critics claim that certain carcinogens are emitted from carpet, like formaldehyde, toluene, xylene and benzene.

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In response to the complaints about flulike symptoms and respiratory problems, the CRI began an initiative to inform consumers about the complaints as well as reduce the levels of the supposedly harmful chemicals. The carpets that met the low-emitting standards set by CRI got a "Green Label." Check the carpet label for this certification, which we'll talk more about on the next page.

Harboring Enemies

Aside from the theory that manufacturing chemicals cause adverse health effects, carpets are likely to capture particles from the air that can make people sick. This can range from dust to cleaning products and toxins dragged in from outside [source: Ashton]. Ventilation and regular cleaning with a heavy-duty vacuum can minimize the effects.

5: Carpet Label Wars

Despite CRI's Green Label initiative and the precautions the consumer can take to reduce the chances of getting sick from carpet, controversy remained. Critics, including New York's Attorney General, Robert Abrams, maintained that the Green Label rating system was not vigorous enough. And some blame a Green Label-certified carpet for emitting chemicals that disabled one family [source: Williams]

However, today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission admits that it doesn't have evidence that carpet chemical emissions cause adverse health effects [source: CPSC]. And, decades after the original incident in their headquarters that sparked the outrage, even the EPA says on its Web site that research hasn't determined whether carpet chemicals could be responsible [source: EPA].

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Nevertheless, in the spirit of better-safe-than-sorry, the EPA recommends some precautions. The organization advises you ask the retailer to air out the carpet for several days before installation and keep your house well-ventilated for at least a few days after. You may even want to ask the retailer to use low-emitting adhesives.

4: Keeping the Heat: Carpet R-Value

One of the things people like about carpets as opposed to hardwood or vinyl floors is that carpet makes a room warmer. This is true both figuratively and literally. Not only does carpet make a room more inviting, but it helps insulate it. Carpet can insulate as much as 10 times more than hardwood [source: Carpet Institute].

A carpet's thermal resistance rating is known as its R-value, and this can sometimes be found on a carpet label. According to studies, the R-value of a carpet doesn't depend on the fiber type so much as its sheer thickness. If you don't see this number on the label, you can determine the approximate R-value of a carpet by multiplying its thickness (in inches) by 2.6. However, to find the total insulating value, you should include the thickness of your carpet pad in the calculation [source: CRI].

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This may seem like a minor detail, but a carpet's insulating abilities could end up saving you a lot of cash. A study of elementary schools found that carpets saved them $2,000 to $8,000 in energy costs. And the Carpet Buyer's Handbook estimates that you can recoup the cost of a carpet in your home in 9 years [source: Cooper].

Hot Colors

We can't talk about carpet without mentioning color, which is the first thing people notice. The specific color is often listed on the label and is largely a personal preference. However, keep in mind that darker colors absorb and radiate more heat than lighter colors. Also, from a design perspective, darker colors make a room look smaller, while lighter colors make a room look bigger.

3: Carpet Construction: Backing and Cut Pile

To understand the jargon included on many carpet labels, it helps to know some general points on how carpet is made in the first place. The process most commonly used for inserting the fiber yarn into a backing is called tufting. After the yarn is inserted into a primary backing, manufacturers put down a layer of adhesive, usually synthetic latex, to attach it to a secondary backing. A carpet also could be woven on looms with continuous fibers without a secondary backing.

Another aspect to consider is the cut pile type. This is often listed on the label, and once you inspect the different kinds, you'll be able to identify them by appearance. Frieze is tightly twisted, very textured and durable. A little more formal, saxony can can vary from smooth to textured appearances. The most formal is plush style, which is level cut and dense.

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Another kind is loop style, which is uncut loops of yarn rather than cut tufts. Loop-pile carpet can be level, multilevel or even a combination of cut and loop. Loop styles are very durable.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit printed carpets.

Additional reading:
Key Differences: BOPP vs. PET Film | PennPac Company

2: Other Carpet Label Details

You should make use of any and all other details the manufacturer chooses to put on the label. Virtually every detail will tell a smart consumer something significant.

Size is one of those important details. Make sure to go carpet shopping equipped with room measurements, and check the available dimensions of the different carpets. Keep in mind that you may need to get more carpet square-footage than the room's actual size. For instance, if the room is 10-by-10 feet, ordering exactly 100 square feet of 12-foot-wide carpet will result in 8.33-by-12 foot carpet. You'll come up short on the width and have to cut off, seeming it with the excess length [source: Hilton].

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Check the label for well-known manufacturer names. These are more likely to be high-quality. It can be difficult at first to recognize differences among carpet manufacturers. However, you can research its reputation of quality and user reviews.

Labels may also list the carpet collection -- a manufacturer's line of similarly styled carpets. If you want matching carpets in various colors for different rooms, you might want to select from the same collection.

1: Read the Fine Print: Carpet Warranties

The warranty is perhaps the most important and revealing information on a carpet label.

However, it's a misleading rule of thumb that the better the warranty is, the better the carpet quality. Although this is generally true, some manufacturers like to take advantage of this belief and fashion a warranty that looks much better than it is. That's why it's always important to read the fine print.

Wear warranties supposedly protect against carpet wear, but conditions may stipulate that a certain percentage of the carpet would have to be worn before the manufacturer will repair it. And even then, they it'll only repair the section with wear [source: Goddard]. Wear warranties alone won't protect against manufacturing defects, so look for a manufacturing warranty that also protects your carpet if it falls apart due to shoddy workmanship.

Another kind is stain warranties, which are good, but are almost always riddled with conditions. Consumers shouldn't expect any carpet to be completely stain-proof no matter what, and manufacturers want to protect themselves. So, pay special attention to the fine print that lists the proper maintenance of the carpet. It might require you to get the carpet professionally cleaned periodically (keep the receipts!). If you don't follow the conditions, the manufacturer won't honor the warranty.

Obviously, carpet shopping is a lot more involved than it looks. But even though it requires more attention and care than other flooring choices, carpet offers advantages of comfort, insulation and style that may make it worth it.

Lots More Information

Related Articles

Sources

• Ashton, Karen, et al. "The Toxic Consumer: Living Healthy in a Hazardous World." Kensington Publishing Corp., . (Oct. 8, )http://books.google.com/books?id=_5tlcLRXIxgC
• BobVila.com. "Choosing Carpet: What to Look for Before You Buy." BobVila.com. (Oct. 8, )http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Choosing_Carpet_What_to_Look_For_Before_You_Buy-Carpeting-A.html
• Carpet Institute. "Thermal Insulation Performance of Carpet." Carpet Institute of Australia Limited. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetinstitute.com.au/downloads/pubs/factsh_thermal.pdf
• Consumer Reports. "Wall-to-wall Carpeting." Consumer Reports. November, . (Oct. 8, )http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/bed-bath/home-decoration/wall-to-wall-carpeting/overview/index.htm
• Cooper, Joe. "Carpet Benefits." Carpet Buyer's Handbook. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/buying-carpet/important-buying-info/carpet-benefits.php
• Cooper, Joe. "Carpet Fibers." Carpet Buyer's Handbook. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet-basics/construction-fibers/pile-fibers.php
• CPSC. "Tips for Purchasing and Installing New Carpet." US Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Oct. 8, )http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/454.html
• CRI. "Commercial Customers: Carpet and Rug Construction: Understanding Carpet Construction." Carpet and Rug Institute. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpet-rug.org/commercial-customers/selecting-the-right-carpet/carpet-and-rug-construction.cfm
• CRI. "Understanding Thermal Values (R-Values) of Carpet and Cushion." Carpet and Rug Institute.http://www.carpet-rug.org/pdf_word_docs/UnderstandingRvalues.pdf
• EPA. "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality." Environmental Protection Agency. Last updated Sept. 30, . (Oct. 8, )http://epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html
• Goddard, Jim. "Carpet Guru's Carpet College." CarpetGuru.com. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetguru.com/
• Hilton, Michael. "Construction Basics." The Carpet Buyer's Handbook. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet-basics/construction-fibers/construction-basics.php
• Hilton, Michael. "Carpet Measuring." The Carpet Buyer's Handbook. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/buying-carpet/important-buying-info/carpet-measuring.phplivepage.apple.com
• Hilton, Michael. "Stainmaster Carpet." The Carpet Buyer's Handbook. (Oct. 8, )http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet-basics/topical-treatments/dupont-stainmaster.php
• Home Depot. "Carpet Buying Guide." Home Depot. (Oct. 8, )http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=SV_HS_Carpet_Performance_Durability&langId=-1&storeId=&catalogId=1
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​ Cite This!

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Printed carpet offers unparalleled design flexibility and creative freedom. Designs can be made to match perfectly from tile to tile, and vary hugely in size – from high-resolution half-inch patterns, to patterns as large as your floor plan.

New technology made printed carpet available for the first time, more than 40 years ago. Since then, decades of technical refinement, improvement and development have enhanced design possibilities with printed carpet - but despite that, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding printed carpet.

We've pulled together everything you need to know about printed carpet, to dispel these myths and share the creative possibilities that printed carpet offers.

WHAT IS PRINTED CARPET?

There are several common processes used to add color and patterns to commercial carpet:

• Yarn dyeing - this is the process of coloring white yarn, with each fiber dyed a single color before being tufted into carpet. Yarn dyeing typically adds a single color to each fiber, but a process known as space dyeing can be used to add several colors down the length of the fiber. When these yarns are tufted into a backing material, it creates horizontal ‘stripes’ of different colors.
• Solution Dyed Nylon - Solution dyed nylon (SDN) is a process that dyes yarn as it’s extruded, coloring the fiber as it’s made. Carpet created this way can resist bleach solutions of up to 10% concentration – a property which other processes can only achieve with the application of a topical treatment.
• Continuous Dyeing - Continuous dyeing is a 'post-dyeing' process, meaning the dye is applied once the carpet fibers have been constructed. The fabric is passed through a dye ‘waterfall’, and by using multiple applicators and different dyes, it’s possible to create a huge range of different colors and shades of carpet.
• Digital Dye Infusion - This is the technical name for printed carpet. It uses the same dyes and fixing processes as yarn dyeing, but unlike yarn dyeing, the dye is injected after the textile has been constructed, with the dye penetrating directly into the carpet fibers. This makes it possible to create extremely accurate, high-definition patterns and color gradations, in very specific locations on the textile.

Milliken has been using the digital dye infusion process to create printed carpet for over 40 years. Since its inception, the technology and processes have been developed and refined, and this proprietary dyeing process offers the ultimate in design flexibility and freedom, without compromising on durability or quality. 

While the digital dye infusion process is often referred to as 'printing', that description is something of a misnomer. Rather than being printed onto the carpet tiles, dye is chemically bonded into the carpet fiber, meaning the finished product is durable and long-lasting, as well as beautiful.

3 PRINTED CARPET MYTHS

Thanks to the ambiguity of the 'print' description, and a lack of understanding about the technical capabilities of the process, there are still many misconceptions surrounding printed carpet tiles. Let's address the three most common myths about printed carpet:

1) PRINTED CARPET IS LESS DURABLE THAN OTHER CARPET TYPES

One of the most common concerns about printed carpet tiles surrounds walk-off: the idea that over time, foot traffic will wear away your printed designs. However, as the dye is chemically bonded into the carpet fibers, the printed designs can withstand high levels of foot traffic with no walk-off risk. In fact, nearly all Milliken’s printed carpet tiles have received a TARR rating of Severe for appearance retention – top of the scale.

You'll even find carpets printed using digital dye infusion technology installed in airports all over the world - not exactly low-traffic areas!

2) PRINTED CARPET HAS NO TEXTURE

Twenty to thirty years ago, printed carpet tiles were visually very flat, with little texture or depth. However, thanks to improvements in the processes and the quality of print technology, the appearance of printed carpet tiles have also improved.

3) PRINTED CARPET WILL BE DAMAGED BY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Much like the misconception that printed carpet is susceptible to walk-off, it's also wrongly assumed it will be damaged by common cleaning products. This stems from the fact that solution dyed nylon (SDN) is inherently bleach resistant (up to 10% concentration) - a property not shared by printed carpet, or indeed any other carpet type, regardless of dyeing process.

However, it's worth noting that cleaning with bleach will damage all carpet types - even solution dyed nylon. Bleach damages the carpet fibers, but with SDN it will take you longer to notice the damage as the dye will hold its color, whereas with other dye methods the bleach would cause the color to fade, making the damage more obvious.

Thankfully, outside of healthcare environments, bleach is no longer a common component in cleaning products. So if you’re not using bleach in your cleaning products, you don’t need to worry about your printed carpet tiles getting damaged. Alternatively, if bleach is a concern, there are topical treatments that can be applied to printed carpet to provide the same level of bleach resistance (up to 10% concentration) as SDN - making the perceived lack of bleach resistance a complete non-issue.

5 BENEFITS OF PRINTED CARPET

1) IMPROVED DESIGN CONTINUITY

With proper maintenance, commercial carpet can last upwards of 20 years. However, in that time it's likely you'll have to replace sections or tiles that become particularly worn or damaged.

If you're replacing tiles, it's crucial that you can get an exact color and pattern match, or else the new section will stand-out and be even more noticeable than the damaged part you replaced. With printed carpet it's easy to recreate colors and patterns, even several years after the original purchase. However, for other dye technologies it's less certain: suppliers may drop product ranges and dye colors as changing trends impact popularity.

This is a particular problem with SDN products: the manufacturer is required to manage and maintain extensive yarn banks that will change over time. As they change it's not possible to maintain the same color options that were once offered. However, with DDI you have virtually unlimited colors to choose from, and as it's a post-dye process, the same complex yarn banks don't need to be maintained as color and pattern can be applied to any carpet tile.

2) LOWER LEAD TIMES AND ORDER MINIMUMS

Digital dye infusion creates carpet designs onto blank textiles. Manufacturers don't need to keep an inventory of different colors and designs; instead, your chosen patterns and designs can be created quickly and efficiently when you order.

In comparison, carpets that use solution dyed nylon require the manufacturer to hold inventory on popular designs in order to meet short lead times. If you prefer a non-standard color or pattern you may experience extended lead times as the manufacturer looks to acquire the required yarn and works your order into their manufacturing work flow.

3) UNPARALLELED DESIGN AND PATTERN CAPABILITIES

Using the latest print technology, digital dye infusion makes it possible to create large-scale designs across multiple carpet tiles. The combination of digitally-controlled color with precise registration means you can create striking patterning and visual effects. Each tile can be made to repeat, match from tile to tile, or even be completely unique.

4) VARIETY OF COLOR AND TEXTURE

It's not just patterning that printed carpet excels at - the variety of colors available is unrivaled by other carpet dye methods. Digital dye infusion makes it possible to print a huge variety of colors and color gradations onto your chosen carpet.

So if you want carpet in your company colors, or to perfectly complement your chosen palette, printed carpet offers the opportunity to personalize your design choices, thanks to the technological capabilities that can't be replicated with other carpet types.

5) UNBEATABLE DESIGN FREEDOM

In short, thanks to Milliken's proprietary digital dye infusion process, printed carpet offers unbeatable design freedom, combining flexibility with longevity. You can create colors, patterns and even personalized designs that simply cannot be replicated with other carpet dye processes, or other flooring types.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN PRINTED CARPET

When you're looking for printed commercial carpet, it's easy to assume that all carpet is created equal, with little variance from one manufacturer to the next. However, not all manufacturers have the same technical capabilities, or use the same high-quality carpet fibers and tile backings. Here are two tell-tale signs of top-quality printed carpet tiles:

1) OPEN CELL CUSHION BACKING

With carpet tiles, the choice of backing is the most important decision you can make to ensure durability and longevity. There are three common types of carpet tile backing:

• Hardback
• Closed cell cushion backing
• Open cell cushion backing.

With hardback carpet tiles, the fibers directly absorb the full impact of foot traffic, which damages the fibers and causes the appearance of your carpet to deteriorate. Cushion backing helps to absorb some of the impact of foot traffic, reducing fiber wear.

However, closed cell cushion compresses over time, and eventually breaks-down until it can no longer absorb foot pressure. Open cell cushion backing offers the best long-term protection for your carpet. Instead of breaking down over time, open cell cushioning ‘re-inflates’ after compression, protecting the carpet fibers more effectively and for longer than closed cell cushioning.

2) DIGITAL DYE INFUSION PROCESS

This world-leading print dye process is proprietary Milliken technology. It offers cutting-edge design capabilities that can't be matched with other carpet dye processes or technologies. If you want to fully embrace the design opportunities and flexibility offered by printed carpet, you should look for carpet that has been manufactured using the digital dye infusion process.

MAKE THE MOST OF PRINTED CARPET

Think of different carpet dyeing processes as different design tools, to help match your commercial carpet with your organization's practical and aesthetic requirements. Different processes can be used to achieve different looks, and will be suited to different projects. But with so many myths still lingering, it's important to understand the truth about printed carpet, so that you're not discounting the design tool that can offer the best in creativity and flexibility, based on misconceptions that are 40 years out-of-date.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom shaggy carpets for interiors. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.