Installation Instructions

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Seam peaking – The slight elevation of the taped seams which is a (usually renders the
seam more visible) result from power stretching of the carpet. For additional information,
refer to CRI Technical Bulletin “Peaking Seams in Stretch-In Carpet Installations”.
Seam sealing/Edge sealing – Common term used to describe the application of seam
adhesive to secure and protect cut edges of carpet to be seamed from edge raveling and
delamination.
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 – Shapes put in place before carpet is installed and carpet is fitted to them,
commonly called “gripper bar”; 2) Applied after – Shapes put in place on top of installed
carpet commonly called “flat bar.”
Tread – The horizontal part (walking surface) of a stair.
Trowel – Hand implement used for metering and spreading adhesive to the floor or other
substrate.
Trueness of edge/Bow in length – It is generally measured as maximum deviation from
a straight line, over a defined distance, between common pattern points along the machine
direction of the carpet.