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- Saxony
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A style of plush carpet that is very soft and smooth to the touch. Saxony is comprised of twisted, cut-pile tufts that have a uniform appearance. This type of carpet tends to show footprints and is therefore not recommended for high traffic areas.
- Screen Printing
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A common method used to color carpet; involves applying color through multiple silk screens to carpet to achieve desired look.
- Seam Sealing
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A process that involves joining the seams (where carpet edges are joined) by applying adhesive to the carpet edges. Seam sealing can help prevent your carpet from fraying at the seams.
- Seams
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The cracks where tiles, planks, or strips of flooring come together.
- Secondary Backing
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A second backing that is laminated onto the primary backing of carpet to increase dimensional stability. It could be a pad or cushion.
- Serging
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A method used to finish the trim of area rugs by close-stitching edges with heavy yarn. Colored yarn is commonly used in serging.
- Shading
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A term used to describe what appears to be changes in the color of carpet but is actually different reflections of light due to the orientation of the carpet.
- Shearing
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The process of removing any loose ends or fibers sticking out of the carpet after tufting.
- Shedding (Carpet)
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See Fluffing
- Sisal (Carpet)
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A type of carpet made from natural plant fibers that has a woven rug look.
- Soil Retardant
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A substance applied to carpet that makes it less likely to hold dirt and debris.
- Sprouting
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Small tufts or loops that protrude above the pile surface; can be easily clipped with scissors.
- Staple Fiber
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Small pieces of fiber that can be converted into yarn using a yarn spinning process.
- Stitch
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The act of making a tuft in carpeting.
- Stitch Rate
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A measurement of how many tufts of yarn are in a certain amount of carpet. It is usually measured in tufts per inch. 7-8 tufts per inch is ideal while 3-4 is low quality.
- Stretch-In
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A method of installing carpet that involves stretching it over a tack-less strip which catches and holds the carpet in place.
- Synthetic (Carpet)
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Made of chemical, man–made products instead of natural materials.
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