FAQ

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CRI 105 - STANDARD For INSTALLATION of RESIDENTIAL CARPET Copyright © 2015 by The Carpet and Rug Institute, Inc.
Definition of Terms
Term
Definition
Seaming tape
Tape used for joining two sections of carpet. [“Hot melt” tape is pre-
coated with a thermoplastic adhesive. Adhesives may be applied
separately to other types of seaming tapes.]
Secondary
backing
Woven or non-woven fabric reinforcement laminated to the back of
tufted carpet, usually with an adhesive, to enhance dimensional
stability, strength, stretch resistance, and ease of handling.
Selvage
(selvedge)
The lengthwise, factory-finished edge portion of a carpet.
Shoe molding
Wood or plastic strip with one corner edge rounded slightly. Used to
conceal the floor/wall line junction or between larger moldings and
floors.
Stair nose
Leading edge of a stair tread. For carpet installation, it is required
that this edge be rounded.
Stay nailing
A technique of temporarily fastening carpet to the floor using nails to
prevent movement until permanent fastening with tack strips,
adhesives, or other means is possible. This technique is commonly
used to align patterned carpet.
Stretch-in
Installation method whereby carpet is placed over separate carpet
cushion and is secured in place, under tension, using a power stretcher
(mechanical stretching device).
Substrate
A general term that means any surface below another surface, but
which in the floor covering industry, most often refers to the
stabilizing layer of material directly beneath the finish flooring.
Tack strip
Wood strip fastened to the floor near the walls of a 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. (Also
referred to as “tackless strip”)
Telegraphing
The gradual appearance of irregularities, imperfections, or patterns
from a substrate onto the surface of the carpet which can include
seaming tape.
Threshold
The raised material beneath a door. This is also known as a “door sill”
or “saddle.”
Transition
molding
A wooden, metal, vinyl, or plastic strips to cover raw edges of carpet
at doorways or where carpet abuts another type of floor covering.
There are two basic types: 1) Applied before