Carpet HANDBOOK - Spacewell Interiorsspacewellinteriors.com/.../2017/06/EGE_CATALOGUE.pdf · The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with the fundamen-tals of how carpets are

CarpetHANDBOOK

Purpose

Introduction

As a skilled designer, architect, specifier, facility manager or end-user, it is important to make informed decisions when specifying carpets for a project in order to create a visually pleasing and long-lasting interior environment.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with the fundamen-tals of how carpets are made, specified, installed and maintained. In addition, aspects such as indoor climate benefits and issues related to environmental management are presented – all the basic information needed to make informed carpet decisions.

We wish you a pleasant read.

CARPET HANDBOOK OUTLINE

Introduction

Index

1. What to know when specifying a carpet? . . . . . . . . . 1-1

2. Introducing ege carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12.1 Development through insight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-22.2 A mission to create well-being . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

3. Why choose carpets? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 – Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 – Quality means security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 – Indoor climate benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2 – Hygiene and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2 – Acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 – Static electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 – Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 – Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

4. Tufted and woven carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14.1 Carpet fabric construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

– Tufting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 – Weaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4 – Needle punching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5

4.2 Carpet construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6 – The face yarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 – The primary backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12 – Bonding compound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12 – The secondary backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13 – Why is specifying carpet backing important? .4-13 – Carpet backing options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14

5. Product concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15.1. Contract collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

– Highline Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4 – Designer collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8 – Highline Specials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12 – Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14 – epoca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15 – Casa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-18 – Modular Carpet Tiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-19

6. Product specification – test and classifications . . . . . . . 6-16.1 EN 1307 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-26.2 EN fire classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-46.3 Test symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-66.4 Suitability with heated floors, ISO 8302 . . . . . . . .6-86.5 Castor chair suitability, EN 985 . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-96.6 Static electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-106.7 Changes in appearance, ISO 10361 . . . . . . . .6-11

7. Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17.1 What is quality management? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-2

8. Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18.1 Definitions of sustainable development . . . . . . . .8-28.2 Dedicated to sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-38.3 Environmental policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-4

– Greenhouse gas account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5 – Working environment policy . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5

8.4 Systematic environmental management . . . . . . . . .8-68.5 Environmental management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-7

– ISO 14001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-7 – EMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8 – DS/OHSAS 18001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

8.6 Environmental certificates and registration . . . . .8-11 – CE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11 – BRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11 – LEED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12 – BASTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-13 – Danish Indoor Climate Labelling . . . . . . . . . .8-13 – INSTA 800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-14

9. General technical conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1 – Construction data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1 – Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1 – Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2 – Colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3 – Shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3 – Pile reversal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3

10. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1 – Installation methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-1

10.1 Method description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-310.2 General installation conditions . . . . . . . . . . . .10-4

– General conditions for installation of patterned carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-6 – A perfectly looking carpet result . . . . . . . . . .10-6

10.3 Cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-810.4 Recommended tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-12

10.5 Fitting carpets with latex backing – “DL”domestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-14 – Installation methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-14

10.6 Fitting carpets with contract latex backing “CL” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-17 – Installation methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-17

10.7 Fitting carpets with woven textile backing “WT”/“IP” . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-20 – Installation methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-20

10.8 Fitting carpets with Acousti Back “AB” . . . . . .10-24 – Installation methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-24

10.9 Fitting carpets with Comfort backing “CF300” .10-26 – Installation methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-26

10.10 Fitting of standard modular carpet tiles . . . . .10-29 10.11 Fitting area rugs and runners

with woven textile (WT) backing . . . . . . . .10-32 – Installation method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-32

10.12 Recommended adhesives . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-34

11. Maintenance instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-111.1 Preparing a maintenance plan . . . . . . . . . . . .11-2

– Preventive maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-2 – Daily maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3 – Periodic maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3 – CAUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-5

Glossery

Bibliography

Index 1

Index

AA1fl 6-4

A2fl 6-4

AB backing 4-17, 10-10

Acoustics 1-1, 3-1, 3-3, 4-13, 4-15, 4-16, 5-7, 5-21, 5-22

Adhesive 3-5, 4-6, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 10-11, 10-14, 10-15, 10-17, 10-18, 10-21, 10-24, 10-25, 10-26, 10-27, 10-28, 10-29, 10-30, 10-31, 10-32, 10-33, 10-34, 10-35

Adjustable carpet cutter 10-13

Allergens 3-2

Anti-bacterial 5-3

Antistatic 3-3, 3-4, 5-17, 6-6, 6-10

Antron Legacy 5-17, 5-21

Appearance 1-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-8, 4-10, 4-13, 4-18, 5-4, 5-14, 5-17, 5-19, 6-1, 6-2, 6-9, 6-11, 7-1, 10-4, 10-7, 11-1, 11-2

Appearance retention 3-2, 4-18, 5-4, 5-14, 5-17, 5-19, 6-2, 6-9

ATH 4-12

BBacking 3-5, 4-1, 4-3, 4-4, 4-6, 4-11, 4-12, 4-13, 4-14, 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, 5-19, 6-2, 6-8, 9-1, 10-1, 10-3, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10, 10-11, 10-12, 10-13, 10-14, 10-16, 10-17, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-27, 10-28, 10-32, 11-4

Barcode Econyl 70 modular 5-19, 5-21, 5-22

BASTA 8-13

Index 2 Index 3

Class 21 6-3

Class 22 6-3

Class 22+ 6-3

Class 23 6-3

Class 31 6-3

Class 32 6-3

Class 33 6-3

Classification 1-1, 3-2, 4-12, 4-18, 5-4, 5-19, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-6, 6-7, 6-11

CL backing 4-15, 10-8, 10-10, 10-17

Cleaning 3-1, 3-2, 5-17, 8-14, 10-28, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5

Cleaning equipment 11-3

CO2 8-5

Collection 5-2, 5-4, 5-6, 5-7, 5-10, 5-11, 5-14, 5-18, 5-21, 5-22, 5-23, 5-24

Colour fastness 4-8, 4-9, 6-2, 6-7

Combi carpet cutter 10-13

Comfort 2-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 4-13, 4-14, 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-7, 5-21, 5-22, 8-12, 8-14, 10-1, 10-10, 10-26, 10-28

Conductive fibres 3-4, 6-10

Conran & Partners 5-8, 5-10

Construction data 9-1

Contract classes 6-3

Contract collections 5-3

Contract qualities 5-4, 5-19, 8-14

BCF 4-9

Bespoke 5-12

Bfl 6-4

Bitumen 4-14, 4-17, 4-18, 5-19

Black carpet cutter 10-8, 10-12, 10-19, 10-22

Bleach resistance 5-14

Bonding compound 4-6, 4-11, 4-12, 4-13

Boucle 4-5

BRE 8-11, 8-12

Broadloom 1-1, 2-1, 5-11, 5-18, 5-21, 5-22, 10-10, 10-30

Bureau Veritas Certification 8-8

CCarpet 1-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, 4-9, 4-10, 4-11, 4-12, 4-13, 4-14, 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-8, 5-11, 5-12, 5-14, 5-17, 5-18, 5-19, 5-21, 5-22, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8, 6-9, 6-10, 6-11, 7-1, 7-2, 8-11, 8-14, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 10-1, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10, 10-11, 10-12, 10-13, 10-14, 10-15, 10-16, 10-17, 10-18, 10-19, 10-20, 10-21, 10-22, 10-23, 10-24, 10-25, 10-26, 10-27, 10-28, 10-29, 10-30, 10-32, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5

Carré modular 5-19, 5-24

Casa 5-3, 5-18

CE marked 8-11

CEN/TS 14159 9-2

CF300 backing 4-17, 10-27

Cfl 6-4

CITYSCAPES 5-19, 5-23

Index 4 Index 5

EEasy release system 4-14, 4-16, 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-15, 10-17, 10-18, 10-20, 10-21, 10-24, 10-25, 10-26, 10-27, 10-29, 10-30

Efl 6-4

ege certificate 7-2

ege design bank 5-4

ege laboratory 6-2

EMAS 2-2, 8-7, 8-8, 8-9

Emissions 3-2, 3-4, 8-4, 8-5

EN 985 6-9

EN 1307 3-2, 4-18, 5-4, 5-19, 6-2, 6-3, 6-11, 9-1

EN 1815 6-10

EN 9239-1 6-4

EN 11925-2 6-4

EN 14041 8-11

Energy 3-1, 3-4, 8-7, 8-11, 8-12

EN fire classification 6-4

Environmental impact 2-2, 3-1, 4-14, 4-18, 6-1, 7-1, 8-3, 8-4, 8-7, 8-11, 8-12, 8-13

Environmental management systems 2-2, 8-3, 8-8

Environmental policy 8-2, 8-4, 8-7

epoca 4-17, 5-3, 5-7, 5-15, 5-17, 5-19, 5-21, 8-14, 10-9, 10-16, 10-18, 10-22, 10-23

epoca accent 5-15

epoca checkers 5-15

Contra modular 5-19, 5-22

Contra stripe modular 5-19, 5-22

Cosmopolitan 5-4, 5-6

Creating well-being 2-3

Cut pile 4-5, 4-6, 4-8, 4-10, 4-11, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10, 10-12

Cutting 3-1, 10-5, 10-6, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10, 10-11, 10-12, 10-13, 10-15, 10-16, 10-18, 10-19, 10-23, 10-28

DDaily maintenance 4-18, 11-3

Danish Indoor Climate Labelling 4-18, 5-22, 8-13, 8-14

Designer collections 5-3, 5-8

Design process 5-2

DESIGN SPOT 5-4, 5-7

Design team 2-2, 5-1, 5-12

Dfl 6-4

Diagonal slanting 9-2

Disinfectant 5-14

Dispatch 5-2, 5-14, 5-18

DL backing 4-15, 10-8, 10-10, 10-16

Domestic classes 6-3

Double cutter Duo 10-11, 10-12

Dry fixation 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-15, 10-17, 10-18, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-29

DS/OHSAS 18001 8-9

Dye injection technology 3-1

Index 6 Index 7

Full fixation 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-17, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-34, 10-35

FUNKYGRAPHIC 5-4, 5-6

GGauge 4-4, 4-12

Green carpet cutter 10-12, 10-16, 10-19

Green design 5-21

Green house gas 3-4

HHeavy traffic 4-16, 4-17, 5-21, 11-3

Highline Express 5-3, 5-4, 5-7, 5-23

Highline modular definitions 5-19, 5-23

Highline Specials 5-3, 5-12

Highline twist modular 5-19, 5-22

High traffic 4-14, 4-15, 11-3

HL backing 4-15

Hygiene 3-1, 3-2

IImpervious 4-12, 4-16, 4-17, 5-14, 10-8, 10-9, 10-11

Indoor climate 1-1, 2-4, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 4-17, 4-18, 5-19, 8-6, 8-13, 8-14, 11-3, 11-4

INSTA 800 8-14

Installation methods 4-16, 10-1, 10-2, 10-14, 10-17, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-29

epoca chess 5-15, 8-14, 10-9, 10-22, 10-23

epoca classic 5-15, 5-19, 5-21, 10-18

epoca classic modular 5-19, 5-21

epoca compact 5-15

epoca globe 5-15

epoca nordic modular 5-19, 5-21

epoca pro 5-15, 8-14, 10-22

epoca profile modular 5-19, 5-21

epoca ribs 5-15, 10-22

Erté 5-8, 5-10

FFace yarn 4-6, 4-7

Felt 3-3, 4-14, 4-17, 10-10, 10-20, 10-26

Felt backing 4-17, 10-10, 10-26

Ffl 6-4

Filament 4-8, 4-9, 4-10, 5-17

Fire resistance 4-13, 6-4

Flame retardants 6-4, 6-5

Flat-woven 4-17, 10-26, 10-28

Floor adhesive 10-5, 10-26, 10-27, 10-28

Footstep suppression 4-13, 4-17

Form stability 4-8, 4-9

Freedom of design 2-2, 5-1, 5-12

From the cradle to the grave 2-2

Index 8 Index 9

Maintenance instructions 11-1

Management review 8-7

Marco Piva Rugs 5-8, 5-10, 5-11

Measurements 6-10, 8-14, 9-1

Metropolitan 5-4, 5-6

Mission 2-3

MOD 350 4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 10-1

MOD 750 4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 10-1

Modular 1-1, 2-1, 4-16, 5-3, 5-19, 5-21, 5-22, 5-23, 5-24, 9-2, 10-1, 10-2, 10-29, 10-30, 10-35

Modular express 5-19, 5-23

Monica Ritterband 5-8, 5-11

NNatural fibres 4-7

Nature/Super Nature 5-4, 5-6

Needle punching 4-2, 4-5

Noise absorption 2-2, 4-14

NONO – no noise runners 5-4

PPattern curves 9-2

Pattern displaced 9-2

Pattern fitting 9-2, 10-6

Pattern repeat 2-2, 5-1, 5-23, 9-2, 10-10, 10-11

Patterns 3-1, 4-5, 5-6, 5-23, 8-1, 9-1, 9-2

IP backing 4-17, 10-8, 10-9, 10-11

ISO 105-NO1 5-14

ISO 8302 6-8

ISO 9001 7-1, 7-2

ISO 10361 6-11

ISO 14001 2-2, 8-3, 8-7, 8-8, 8-9

Isolating properties 4-13

ISO standards 7-2

KKnife with a hooked blade 10-13

LLatex backings 4-14, 10-8, 10-10

LEED 5-22, 8-12, 8-13

Life cycle assessment 8-11

Light fastness 6-7

LL backing 4-15, 10-8, 10-10

Loop 4-4, 4-6, 4-8, 4-9, 4-10, 4-11, 5-14, 8-14, 10-8, 10-16, 10-18, 10-19, 10-21, 10-22

Loop pile 4-6, 4-9, 4-10, 4-11, 10-8

Loose laying 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-17, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-29

Low traffic 4-14, 4-15, 10-14

MMaintenance 4-18, 5-14, 8-11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3

Index 10 Index 11

Safety 1-1, 3-1, 3-5, 5-14, 5-17, 6-4, 7-2, 8-5, 8-6, 8-9, 8-10, 8-11

Secondary backing 4-6, 4-13, 10-1

Sense 5-4, 5-7

Shading 9-1, 9-3

Soft Landscapes 5-8, 5-10

Spinning 4-10

Stain protection 5-14

Staple yarn 4-9, 4-10

Static electricity 3-3, 3-4, 6-10

Stitches per inch 4-4

Sustainable development 2-2, 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-8, 8-12

Synthetic fibres 4-7, 4-8, 4-9, 4-10

Synthetic SBR-Latex 4-14

TTackifier 4-16, 10-29, 10-30, 10-31, 10-34, 10-35

Tackifying 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-17, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-29

Tempo modular 5-19, 5-22

Test 3-2, 5-14, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-9, 6-10, 6-11, 9-1, 11-5

Textile backings 4-14, 4-16

Thermal insulation 3-4, 4-15, 8-11

Tile 1-1, 4-17, 4-18, 5-11, 5-22, 5-23

TPI 4-10

Pattern swings 9-2

Performance 2-2, 4-14, 5-3, 5-14, 6-2, 8-12

Perimeter grippers 4-16, 10-3, 10-20

Periodic maintenance 11-2, 11-3

Philosophy 2-1, 2-2, 5-8

Pile reversal 9-1, 9-3

Pile yarn 4-4, 4-6, 4-10, 4-12

Polyurethane (PU) 4-14

Precoat 4-12

Preventive maintenance 11-2

Primary backing 4-3, 4-4, 4-6, 4-11, 4-12, 4-13, 9-1

PVC 4-14, 4-16, 4-17, 4-18, 5-19

QQuality 1-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 4-13, 5-1, 5-2, 5-14, 5-15, 5-17, 5-18, 5-21, 6-1, 7-1, 7-2, 8-3, 8-8, 8-13, 8-14, 10-6, 10-8, 10-12

Quality and environmental department 2-2, 3-2, 8-3

Quality management 7-1, 7-2, 10-6

RRecommended tools 10-12

Ruler and knife 10-12

Ss1 6-4

s2 6-4

Index 12 Chapter 1-1

Tuft height 4-4

Tufting 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-6, 4-11, 4-12

Tufting machine 4-2, 4-3, 4-6, 4-12

Twist 4-10, 4-11, 5-19, 5-22

UUnderfoot comfort 3-4, 4-13, 4-14, 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, 10-10

VVision 2-1, 2-3

Visual Texture 5-8, 5-10

WWarp 4-4, 4-5

Wear resistance 2-2, 4-8, 4-13, 5-14, 5-17

Weaving 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-9

Weft 4-4, 4-5

Wet adhesion 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-15, 10-17, 10-18, 10-20, 10-21, 10-24, 10-25, 10-26, 10-27, 10-29, 10-30

Wet fixation 10-2, 10-3, 10-14, 10-15, 10-17, 10-20, 10-24, 10-26, 10-29

WT backing 4-16, 4-17, 10-8, 10-9, 10-11, 10-13, 10-32

XXL backing 4-15, 10-8, 10-10

YYellow edge cutter 10-13

Considerations

1. What to know when specifying a carpet?

Today’s carpet offers you a wide variety of designs, fibres and colours, and whether you are specifying broadloom or tile for a corporate office environment, a hotel or public area or rug for a shop, the task of specifying a carpet automatically involves making a series of important decisions. These decisions influence both the final performance of the carpet and its appearance.

When specifying a carpet, the end purpose of the carpet should be considered. To best match the carpet to its purpose, you should consider:

• Carpet construction • Design and colour • Broadloom and modular carpet options • Quality and performance requirements• Indoor climate properties (insulation, acoustics, safety) • Environmental properties

The interaction between each of these above-mentioned areas contributes to the final appearance and performance of the car-pet. Thus, considering each area is of importance in order to make an informed decision. Therefore, do not focus solely on specifica-tion but also rely on classification. Why? Because, the carpet’s independently verified classification states the result of the interac-tion between the important elements affecting the carpet’s overall performance.

Chapter 2-1

2. Introducing ege carpets

Through determined focus, ege carpets has over the years suc-ceeded in gaining a strong market position as one of the leading European manufacturers of broadloom and modular floorings for the commercial market. In our constant efforts to meet the chang-ing demands of the market, challenging conventions and breaking new ground are pillars in the ege corporate philosophy. With this chapter you gain insight into our philosophy and vision.

Chapter 2-2 Chapter 2-3

Performance requirements

No limitations

Responsibility

Mission

Vision

2.2 A mission to create well-being “We help our clients by providing beautiful and strong carpet solu-tions creating well-being”.

• ’We help our clients’ means that we enter into dialogue with our clients and other influential parties in order to identify what the individual client really needs.

• ‘Beautiful and strong’ means that we have a considered approach to the collections, concepts and products we develop and manufacture – and that we say ‘no’ to any-thing that fails to meet our high standards of design and quality.

• ‘Carpet solutions’ means that we sell more than just a pro-duct. We sell a package that is adapted to the individual client’s needs as a natural part of the building and space.

• ‘Creating well-being’ means that we have the best interests of people and the environment in mind when we develop, design and manufacture carpets.

Since being founded in 1938, ege has been driven by three key words: beauty, strength and well-being. Consideration for the envi-ronment has always been a natural part of our work. We feel that there is more to running a successful business than just achieving positive results at the bottom line. Continuously improving our ethi-cal, social and environmental responsibilities are equally important. We wish to run a responsible business which is beneficial to our employees, our clients, the society and our surroundings. A harmo-nious interaction between responsibility and business is therefore an essential part of our corporate strategy.

A vision to be in front “We wish to be the trendsetting supplier to the most demanding sectors of the market”.

• ‘We wish to be’ means that we still have some way to go.• ’Trendsetting’ means that we aim to be the leading sup-

plier in our field, not only in terms of design and produc-tion, but also in the way we sell, manufacture and supply our products

• ‘Sectors of the market’ means those sectors where we have a real opportunity to become the market leader and it is here that we will concentrate our efforts. This means too, that we opt out of market sectors where the leading position is not accessible to us.

2.1 Development through insight What does ege do differently? We have a strong opinion about the carpets we manufacture, and we constantly seek to develop carpet concepts matching high performance requirements in terms of, among other things, wear resistance, comfort, noise absorp-tion, design and environmental consideration. It is our conviction that we as an organisation need to make a decisive move toward sustainable development. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is in our own long-term interest. In ege’s quality and environmental department, the daily work is therefore centred on finding new ways to improve the environmental impact of pro-duction and products.

Guidance from beginning to end When working with ege, you are guaranteed exceptional guidance from beginning to end. Each single project is an individual chal-lenge, and we take pride in assisting the client through each step in the process; from the first thoughts and ideas to the final installation and further. Our skilled design team is at your disposal to assist you in creating a solution taking your demands and wishes into account. Within only 4 weeks after receipt of order, ege is able to deliver carpet solutions in any design, colour and size.

Total freedom of design Thanks to advanced production technology, ege is able to offer clients total freedom of design. Total freedom of design means that ege has the ability to create design without limitations and without pattern repeat restrictions. In addition, ege offers a multitude of colour possibilities which allows for the creation of unique design solutions for both small and large spaces.

Environmental consideration At ege, we are determined to take active responsibility for our im-pact on the environment surrounding us. Thus, environmental work is an integral part of our corporate philosophy. We continuously implement measures with the purpose of positively diminishing our environmental impact. We have therefore implemented stringent environmental management systems, e.g. ISO 14001 and EMAS, to help ensure low environmental impact of our production and our products; from the cradle to the grave.


Identity

Benefits

Dye injection technology

Appearance

3. Why choose carpets?

With a wide variety of styles, textures and construction types avail-able, carpet is a good choice for almost any interior environment. When properly specified, installed and maintained, a carpet will maintain its beauty and durability for many years. In addition, it adds a number of significant benefits to the indoor climate.

Carpets are comfortable and bring warmth and well-being to the space in which they are installed. When choosing a high quality carpet, you are assured a flooring solution encompassing:

• Style • Quality • Comfort• Hygiene • Cleaning • Indoor climate • Acoustics• Energy • Safety

Carpets not only provide a comfortable underfoot feel, but also make the space a safer and more pleasant environment. This chap-ter elaborates on the above standing factors.

StyleToday’s carpet offers a variety of carpet styles and colours al-lowing you to choose colours and patterns perfectly match-ing your project, whether it be vibrant and expressive colours, heavy patterns or organic patterns in neutral, subdued colours.

Using high velocity dye injection technology is an advanced dye-ing solution which makes sense in today’s demanding commercial market. By working with dye injection technology, you are offered a fast, cost effective, cutting edge and high design solution.

Quality means security Reducing environmental impact and improving overall performance of a product can be achieved in each life cycle stage of a car-pet. Ensuring high quality carpets therefore plays an important role in the efforts to reduce impact on the environment. The longer a carpet maintains its appearance, the less need there is for replace-ment and disposal.

What do we do differently? We have a high opinion of the car-pets we supply. Unconditional quality and the sheer joy of great design drive us.

We create more than carpets. We are always prepared to create stunning floors for spaces that make a difference. Our carpets set the mood, improve indoor climate and provide long lasting atmos-phere and warmth to each single space. Our carpets give the room its identity, its soul. That’s why.


No compromises

Thorough testing

Well-being

Carpets bind dust

Sound absorbing

Permantly antistatic

Independent scientific studies2 show that carpets nearly halve the amount of dust in the air compared to smooth flooring solutions. Carpets bind dust, thus, preventing it from rising up into the air. At the same time, dust can easily be vacuumed from the floor, leaving behind a good and comfortable indoor climate.

Acoustics Today, many companies and organisations choose to implement open space office environments. Knowledge sharing, co-operation and flexibility are but a few of the many advantages to be gained from implementing such office environments. Unfortunately, without consideration for a number of elements in the interior design there may be a downside to the large open spaces.

A study carried out by the Danish National Institute of Occupa-tional Health3 indicates that more than half of all employees work-ing in open-space office environments are negatively affected by noise. Telephone conversations, footsteps and chairs being pulled back and forth are sounds which, when ignored in the interior de-sign, may lead to an uncomfortable working environment having a negative impact on employees’ ability to concentrate and work effectively. This may ultimately lead to increased absence. Noise and poor acoustics should therefore be deadened to create opti-mal conditions for well-being. Carpets provide good acoustical aid in the efforts to reduce noise, by absorbing the majority of sound that strikes them, rather than reflecting it.

Static electricity Problems with static electricity in the indoor climate are often asso-ciated with the charging of a person and the subsequent unpleas-ant discharging which may be felt as sparks or shocks. Static electricity is an inevitable factor. However, by carefully arranging furniture and appropriate choice of materials, it is possible to re-duce static charges to a level that does not cause discomfort.

When is a carpet antistatic? A carpet is antistatic if a person walking on it does not get a shock when touching an earthed object. This means that the charge that

2 T. Behrens,W. Maziak, S.K. Weiland, P. Rzehak, E. Siebert, U. Keil, “Symp-toms of Asthma and the Home Environment. The ISAAC I and III Cross-Sectio-nal Surveys in Münster, Germany”, Int. Arch Allergy Immunol Vol. 137, page 53-61, 2005

3 NFA (previously Arbejdsmiljøinstituttet), ”Støj fra menneskelig aktivitet – et udredningsarbejde”, 2006

Quality means security. It means never compromising on things that matter. To ensure that ege carpets meet international performance standards, all carpets from ege are tested and certified in accor-dance with the European standard for test and classification of textile floorings, EN 1307, which rates products on durability and long term appearance retention.

In ege’s quality and environmental department thorough testing equipment is used in connection with product development ac-tivities and in connection with check-ups of existing products to ensure that all carpets from ege live up to the specifications of the standard at all times.

Indoor climate benefits The vast majority of our time is spent indoors. The indoor environ-ment therefore plays an important role in our general well-being, health and productivity at work and in our spare time.

Some of the major indoor climate problems are related to emis-sions of vapour from building materials and equipment. Studies1 have shown that carpets are better at trapping allergens than hard surfaces, because carpet fibres catch particles and allergens that fall to the floor. When allergens are trapped in the carpet, they can-not circulate in the air. Proper cleaning with an approved vacuum cleaner effectively removes the dirt and dust from the carpet, and keeps it out of the air.

Hygiene and Cleaning We spend many hours indoors every day, whether it be in our homes or at work. To ensure well-being in these indoor environ-ments, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the interior design and to set a number of performance requirements in terms of flooring solution. These should comprise:

• easy cleaning• comfort • low emission

Proper cleaning is a precondition for proper indoor air quality and thereby, a healthy indoor climate. Suspended dust particles in the air may cause a number of symptoms such as eye irritation and air passages, infections and headaches.

1 Mitchell W. Sauerhoff, Ph.D. DABT, “Carpet, Asthma and Allergies – Myth or Reality”, page 8-9, May 19, 2008


Conductive fibres

Thermal insulation

Save money

Better foothold

Safety From an orthopaedic standpoint, carpets are the best of all flooring types. The soft and springy fibres have a cushion like effect and the surface adapts itself according to the movements of the foot and divides the body weight evenly on the joints.

The physiological effect of carpets can be compared with walk-ing on grass or woodland floors. Leading orthopaedic specialists recommend carpets because they prevent back pains and injuries to joints. Due to the orthopaedic advantages it is a sensible choice to choose carpets in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, old people’s homes and schools.

Reduce the risk of fallsAs we reach our later years, we start to feel more vulnerable. Often, this is simply due to us feeling less mobile and thus more at risk of falling. Falls, slips and trips are some of the most common causes of physical injuries to the elderly, but the risk of these injuries occurring can be significantly reduced by taking a number of pre-cautionary measures, for example by installing carpets.6

A great safety precaution Carpets provide a better foothold than smooth flooring solutions, and therefore, the risk of slips and falls is considerably lower in a room with carpet. The surface of the carpet acts as an adhesive friction, which lightly grabs the bottom of your feet. For elderly people and children, a carpet can provide an increased sense of safety. However, if an accident should occur, the combination of soft carpet pile and backing makes a carpet a much softer underlay to fall on than a smooth flooring solution. This makes the consequence of a fall on a carpet less serious.7

6 Cayless, SM, ”Slip, trip and fall accidents: relationship to building features and coroner’s report”, Applied Ergonomics, page 32 (2), 155-62;2001

7 Hayley, France, “Does flooring type affect risk of injury in order in-patients?”, Nursing Times (July), Vol. 90:40-41.

accumulates when the person walks on the carpet remains below the limit of around 2 kV (kilovolt). A carpet which does not exceed the 2 kV threshold value is therefore generally acknowledged to be antistatic.

Carpets from ege are permanently antistatic Carpets are often associated with static electricity, often without reason. Therefore, the reason for the static electricity should be found elsewhere, such as from shoe soles, castor chairs or the plas-tic base of chairs. Tests have shown that getting up from a castor chair with a rayon cover generates up to 15-20 times the voltage from walking on a contract carpet.4

Carpets from ege contain conductive fibres, which make them per-manently antistatic. As a consequence they do not contribute to the charging of static electricity. On the contrary, carpets “divert” some of the charging which normally occurs in places where people live.

Energy Walking on a carpet in bare feet is warm and cosy, even on the coldest day. In comparison with other flooring solutions, thermal comfort is improved significantly by installing a textile flooring solu-tion. Carpets not only offer warmth in the interior, they also provide a measurable contribution to heat retention. Carpets provide ther-mal resistance, as the carpet fibres act as natural thermal insulators due to their low heat conduction. This means that a carpet does not draw warmth from your feet as quickly as a smooth flooring solution, which is why a carpet feels warmer. Additionally, the surface pile of the carpet, with millions of tiny fibres, traps air and further increases thermal insulation.

The thickness of the carpet plays an important role in the degree of thermal insulation. The thicker the carpet is, the greater thermal insu-lation is gained. A carpeted floor feels warmer, provides underfoot comfort and does not require the same heating as a smooth sur-face may. Actually a carpeted floor makes it possible to reduce the room temperature by 2-3° C without the room feeling any colder. This means that you save both energy and money, and contribute positively to reducing green house gas emissions by installing car-pets. Carpets with a quality underlay magnifies these benefits.5

4 Jan Hansen, ”Hverdagens små stød kan skyldes kunstige stolesæder”, Inge-niøren

5 P. Trappl, “Teppishböden auf Fussbodenheizungen”, Textil-Praxis-International, June 1981

Chapter 4-1

4. Tufted and woven carpets

Carpet performance is determined by a number of variables. For example, the construction method should be adjusted to fit the end use purpose and the backing should fit end use requirements. The most common mistake is to rely on only a single factor when determining whether a product meets the required specifications. Therefore, it is of great significance to have sufficient knowledge of carpet construction and carpet properties in order to select a carpet solution matching demands of the project in question.

With this chapter you gain insight into the various layers constituting a commercial carpet, thus, making you well-equipped to make an informed carpet decision.


Fast production time

Key steps

The tufting process

Below, the key steps in the tufting process are indicated:

• Yarn comes from cones on creel racks (or from big spools called beams) into the machine

• The primary backing feeds into the machine• Yarn and primary backing come together in the machine• Yarn is fed through needles on a needle bar of a tufting

machine• Needles repeatedly penetrate or tuft into the primary

backing• Carpet is rolled onto large rolls for the next step (whether

it’s to be dyed or to be backed)

Advantages achieved with tufting

Compared with weaving, tufting offers:

• Fast production time • Short notice design flexibility

4.1 Carpet fabric construction The primary carpet fabric construction methods applied in today’s carpet industry include:

• Tufting• Weaving• Needle punching

Tufting Tufting is a technique invented in America. The first tufting machines were introduced in 1946. Due to the tufting machines’ ability to of-fer fast production time and lower price levels, tufted carpets have conquered the main parts of the carpet market. Thus, the major-ity of all contract carpets produced today are tufted, making this construction method the most prevalent carpet construction method applied.

What is a tufting machine? A tufting machine is not a loom. Instead it can be compared with a giant sewing machine using hundreds of threaded needles placed in a row across the width of the machine.8

8 The Carpet and Rug Institute, “The Carpet Primer”, page 1-9, 2003


Density

Stitches

Hight

Weaving techniques

Blanket-like product

binding of pile. The backs of woven carpets are usually manufac-tured of jute and cotton, polypropylene may also be present. The yarn is usually of 80 % wool and 20 % Polyamide, 100 % wool or any type of synthetic yarn. Woven carpets are made either with cut pile or with boucle and offers great choice in terms of colours and patterns.

Needle punchingSeveral layers of carded fibres are worked together with needles for a blanket-like product. Needle textile floor coverings are avail-able with or without coated back. They have a smooth surface, and can be provided with printed patterns.

In addition, the technique offers a wide range of pattern possibili-ties, using e.g. pre- or post-dyed yarns, varying loop height or using cut or uncut pile.

Common tufting terms:Gauge The density of the carpet is determined by the number of tufts per inch when counting across the width of the carpet. The density or positioning of yarn is defined as the distance between two adja-cent needle points. For example, an 1/8 gauge carpet has eight tuft rows per inch of a width.

Standard gaugeCoarse gauge Fine gauge

1/2 1/83/3 1/10

5/16 1/121/4 5/64

3/16 1/165/32

Figure 1: Overview of gauge

Stitches per inchThe carpet face weight and density are influenced by the number of stitches per inch. The number of yarn tufts per running inch of a single tuft rows in tufted carpet.

Tuft height Tuft height is generally measured from surface of the primary back-ing to the top of tufted yarn. Adjustments in this property can affect the pile yarn weight.

Weaving There are several methods of weaving and several types of looms. Weaving is a method in which two distinct sets of yarn or threads, called the warp and the filling or weft are interlaced with each other to form a fabric or cloth. The warp threads run lengthways of the piece of cloth and the weft run across from side to side.

Woven carpets are available in three different weaving techniques, Axminster, Velvet and Wilton. What distinguish these three types are essentially the ability to weave plain or patterned, and the

Loop

WarpWeft

Needles


Four components

Fibres

Wool and cotton

Man-made means

The face yarn Selection of fibres and yarn affects the end use performance of the carpet. Almost all carpets produced today are produced from one of the following six pile fibres. These can be divided into natural fibres and synthetic fibres as shown below:

Natural carpet fibres• Wool• Cotton

Synthetic carpet fibres• Nylon/Polyamide (PA6, PA66)• Polypropylene (PP)• Acrylic (AC)• Polyester (PET)

Natural carpet fibres Wool and cotton are the predominant natural carpet fibres used in today’s carpet production. Cotton is primarily used for rugs and mats whereas wool is used for both residential and commercial carpets.

Natural fibres Description Advantages Wool Animal fibre Renewable

Durable

Resilient

Heat insulating

Elasticity/flexibility

Anti-soiling

Luxurious feelCotton Vegetable fibre Wear resistant

Fastness to light

Figure 2: Natural carpet fibres9

Synthetic carpet fibres Synthetic fibres are produced by man-made means and are made on the basis of chemical connections. The most important raw ma-terials used in the production of synthetic fibres come from the petrochemical industry which means that important components for the production of synthetic fibres are taken from oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbon connections.

9 Teknologisk Institut, Træ og Textil, ”Tekstil – Brugsegenskaber og vedligehold-else”, page 9-14, 2008

4.2 Carpet construction Understanding how a carpet is constructed assists you in specify-ing elements which will provide the best carpet performance in a particular location. Tufted carpets consist of:

• Face yarn (tuft) • Primary backing fabric• Bonding compound • Secondary backing

The face yarn can be either cut pile, loop pile or a combination of both. In tufting, the primary backing is a woven or non-woven fabric in which the pile yarn is inserted by the needles in the tuft-ing machine. The bonding compound is an adhesive which se-cures the yarn to the primary backing. The secondary backing, or cushion, is added to provide further stability to the carpet structure. Various types of high performance backing systems provide ad-ditional carpet properties such as imperviousness to moisture and resistance to edge fray.

These four components of tufted carpets are presented in the fol-lowing sections.

Cut pile

Primary backing fabric

Bonding compound

Secondary backing


Yarn construction

BCF

Figure 3: Synthetic carpet fibres10 * Nylon Type 6 is developed by DuPont Inc. and is made from one base ingredi-

ent: caprolactam. Compared to Type 6.6 nylon, Type 6 nylon accepts dye at a faster rate. The more open molecular structure of Type 6 nylon allows dye stuffs (and stains) in more readily. Common spills and stains such as coffee, soda, foodstuffs and medicine will stain Type 6 nylon more readily than Type 6.6, whether solution dyed or conventionally dyed.11

Yarns Complex processes are required in order to produce a single strand of yarn. Yarn is characterised as a continuous string of textile fibre applicable for e.g. knitting or weaving. Yarns can be constructed in various ways and may contain different fibres to provide certain end use properties.

Textile fibres can be divided into two main groups:

• BCF – Bulked continuous filament • Staple yarn

BCF BCF is an abbreviated form for bulked continuous filament yarn referring to synthetic fibres in a continuous form. Filament can be used for either cut or loop pile carpet constructions.12

10 The Carpet and Rug Institute, “The Carpet Primer”, page 1-9, 2003 + Tekno-logisk Institut, Træ og Textil, ”Tekstil – Brugsegenskaber og vedligeholdelse”, page 25-34, 2008

11 Antron Carpet Fibre : http://antron.eu/en/content/resources/carpet_glossary/ant06_03_14.shtml


Synthetic fibres Description Advantages

Nylon or

Polyamide (PA)

A petrochemical based fibre invented in 1938. There are two basic types of nylon used for carpet production. Type 6.6 ny-lon and Type 6 nylon.* Nylon is produced in bulked continuous filament for use in loop carpets and cut pile carpets, and staple nylon that is spun into yarn for use in cut pile carpets. Nylon is the dominant fibre choice for commer-cial use due to its wear characteristics.

Durable Resilient Colour fastness Elasticity Form stability Versatile in colour pos-sibilities Excellent colour fast-ness Excellent colour clarity

Polypropylene (PP)

Also known as “olefin fibre”. Made from a by-product of gasoline refining, olefin has one ingredient: propylene. Since pro-pylene is widely available at a compara-tively lower cost than nylon base ingredi-ents, olefin is less expensive than nylon. Olefin is a lightweight fibre and can have good bulk and cover. However, the polymer base creates a soft fibre which has lower resiliency, a lower melting point and lower texture retention as compared to nylon. The carpet fibre is available as bulked continuous filament yarn. Solution dyed.

Fade resistant Stain resistant Favourably priced Good colour fastness due to solution dyed material

Acrylic Acrylic is a manmade substance, similar in appearance and feel to wool. Acrylic became a substitute for wool in a number of carpets after the 1950s. Acrylic has satisfactory wear resistance properties, however, far from the proper-ties offered by nylon and polyester. Sel-domly used in commercial carpets.

Wool-like characteris-tics Less expensive Resistant to mould and mildew Easy to dye in bright colours Fast drying Fairly stain resistant

Synthetic fibres Description Advantages

Polyester (PES) A synthetic fibre usually produced with staple fibre and spun yarns which is used in some carpet fibre.

Strength Colour clarity Durable Anti-soiling Elasticity Form stability Excellent colour clarity Excellent colour fast-ness Noted for “luxurious” hand

Figure 3: Synthetic carpet fibres10 * Nylon Type 6 is developed by DuPont Inc. and is made from one base ingredient: caprolactam. Compared to

Type 6.6 nylon, Type 6 nylon accepts dye at a faster rate. The more open molecular structure of Type 6 nylon allows dye stuffs (and stains) in more readily. Common spills and stains such as coffee, soda, foodstuffs and medicine will stain Type 6 nylon more readily than Type 6.6, whether solution dyed or conventionally dyed.11


Staple yarn

Plush (velour) A plush is lower and denser than a saxony. In a plush, each individual yarn end is less distinguishable than in a saxony.

Saxony Has a smooth and level finish. Pile yarns have more twist so that the yarn ends are visible. The yarns in saxony are thicker and have more tip defini-tion.

Frieze Yarns are extremely twisted forming a rough and “curly” textured surface.

Cut and loop pile A combination of cut and looped yarns provides a variety of surface textures.

Figure 4: Carpet face styles15

Loop and cut pile constructionOn modern tufting machines, the yarn is sewn into the primary backing fabric by means of a long row of closely spaced needles. During tufting, a needle twinges through the primary backing fa-bric forming a loop at the bottom of the structure, which are held in place by small loppers. This is called loop pile structure. For a cut pile construction, the loop is cut using a knife combination.

The backing is subsequently provided applying a bonding com-pound which makes sure that the loops are fixed to the carpet.

15 The Carpet and Rug Institute, “The Carpet Primer”, page 1-10, 2003

Staple yarn Staple yarn are short fibres comprising all natural carpet fibres with the exception of silk and all synthetic fibres cut into shorter fibres.13

Solution dyed yarn Solution dyeing is a yarn coloration process in which pigment is added to the polymer melt before the fibre is extruded into yarn. The colour, therefore, is an inherent part of the yarn itself. However, since colour pigments are added to the polymer before extrusion, colour choices are more limited than with post-dyed fibres.

Yarn spinning and twistYarn spinning is the conversion of staple fibre into spun yarn. The yarn is made up of short lengths of fibre, either synthetic staple or natural fibre.

Twist is a yarn term which describes the number of turns per inch (TPI) and direction of twist of either the singles or plies around their axes. Twist direction is either right or left handed, also called “Z” or “S” twist. Most carpet yarns have 3.5 to 6.0 TPI. The twist in the pile yarn combined with a number of additional factors set the overall performance of a cut pile carpet. Spun yarns need more twist than filament yarns for good performance. For moderate or heavy commercial use cut pile, it is suggested that continuous fila-ment has a minimum of 4.50 TPI while spun yarns have a minimum ply twist of 4.75 TPI14.

Carpet face stylesVarious carpet face styles can be selected. Each style has its own characteristics adding a certain look to the final carpet solution. Below, some of the most commonly used carpet face styles are listed and described.

Carpet face style Description Level loop pile Loops are the same height.

Multi level loop pile Different loop heights resulting in a sculptured appearance or pattern.

Multi level cut pile The rich-looking cut pile is deep and luxurious with a smooth, level surface.

13 Teknologisk Institut, Træ og Textil, ”Tekstil – Brugsegenskaber og vedligehol-delse”, page 38, 2008


Primary backing

Gripper

Needle


Important decision

Properties

Carpet characteristics

Properties

The secondary backing When the carpet is tufted and dyed, and the bonding compound has been applied, it is time to add the carpet backing to the car-pet.

Why is specifying carpet backing important? The carpet backing plays an important part in ensuring high quality carpet properties such as:

• Underfoot comfort • Isolating properties • Wear resistance • Acoustics • Footstep suppression • Fire resistance

Specifying carpet backing should be ranked alongside specifying colour, fibre and pattern of a commercial carpet. Why? Just as steel girders are the foundation of a building, the carpet backing is the foundation of the carpet and thus, holds the ability to add long-term protection to both the carpet’s appearance and overall properties. The carpet backing adds structural stability, shape and protection.

The durability of the carpet is not only determined by the construc-tion of the carpet, but also by the material, thickness and firmness of the backing.

Integrated underlay In addition the carpet backing performs as an integrated underlay, meaning that additional underlay is not needed prior to installa-tion of the carpet. The carpet can therefore be fixed directly to the subfloor.

As illustrated above, the carpet is produced with the primary back-ing facing upwards. The density of the carpet is determined by the density of the needles, also known as gauge.16

What to look for? Selecting which pile yarn to choose is an important decision. First, it is important to take in to account the characteristics of the area in which the carpet is going to be installed. Then, the degree of traffic the carpet is going to be subjected to should be considered. For highly trafficked areas, a wear resistant carpet solution should be selected.

Whatever carpet type you end up buying, it can be advised to look for a number of characteristics. Most importantly, emphasis should be placed on classification rather than on specification. The reason being that classification, and thus performance of the carpet, results from the interaction between carpet properties and not from single elements treated in the specification.

The primary backing The primary backing is a woven or non-woven fabric or both (sandwich) in which the pile yarn is inserted by the needles in the tufting machine. The primary backing can be produced in either polypropylene or polyester. The primary backing ensures:

• Carpet strength• Uniformity of the pile surface• Retention of pile yarn during production• Pattern stability

Bonding compound Bonding compound is a mix of filler and latex used as a precoat that is applied to the back of the carpet to tie the yarn to the pri-mary backing. Furthermore, the precoat adds stability to the carpet and makes it firm to cut. The mix of the precoat determines some of the carpet characteristics, e.g. how stable it is. If the ordinary filler is replaced with filler containing molecules of water to be released during fire, the carpet becomes fire-resistant with a low smoke formation. The flame retardent filler is called ATH (Aluminum TriHydrate). The precoat also controls the electrostatic conductivity characteristics of the carpet and whether it is to be impervious or not.

16 Teknologisk Institut, Træ og Textil, ”Tekstil – Brugsegenskaber og vedligehol-delse”, page 63-64, 2008

Face

Primary backing

Precoat

Secondary backing


High performance requirements

No softner or solvents

CL – Contract LatexThe CL backing is a dense latex backing suited for high traffic con-tract use. The backing offers performance benefits ensuring good underfoot comfort, improved acoustics and enhanced ergonomics. In addition, the CL backing offers castor chair suitability, making the backing highly suited for use in heavily trafficked areas.

The backing is created as an integrated underlay, meaning that no additional underlay is required. The carpet can therefore be fixed directly to the subfloor.

DL – Domestic Latex The DL backing is developed for low traffic areas, such as residen-tial areas, to increase underfoot comfort and sound absorption. The soft carpet backing in combination with the textile carpet sur-face allows for a reduction of room temperature of approximately 2-3° C without the room feeling colder.

The reduction of temperature is made possible due to the carpet’s good insulating properties which, in comparison to other flooring solutions, keep heat in more effectively. The carpet fibres act as natural thermal insulators due to low heat conduction. This means that a carpeted floor does not draw warmth from the feet to the same extent as hard flooring solutions. Additionally, the surface pile of the carpet, containing millions of tiny fibres, traps air which further increases thermal insulation.

HL – High Latex The HL backing is suited for low traffic areas such as guest bed-rooms in hotels. The high latex backing provides high underfoot comfort. The soft and springy fibres add a cushion like effect to the floor surface. The soft construction makes it possible for the surface to adapt itself according to the movements of the foot and thus, divides the body weight evenly on the joints.

XL – Extra LatexThe XL backing is suited for low traffic areas, such as residential areas or guest bedrooms in hotels. The thickness of the backing provides underfoot comfort, acoustical absorption and thermal in-sulation.

LL – Luxury latexThe LL backing is a latex backing, suited to low traffic areas, such as hotel bedrooms. The backing offers performance benefits ensur-ing luxurious underfoot comfort, improved acoustics and enhanced ergonomics. In comparison with CL, LL is less dense and is spe-cially suited for use in guest rooms in hotels.

Carpet backing optionsToday’s carpet market offers a wide range of carpet backing op-tions, such as latex, PVC, polyurethane (PU), bitumen and textile backings such as woven or felt.

ege offers a wide variety of high performance backing alterna-tives, specially developed to match high performance requirements of the demanding contract market. The variety of alternatives makes it possible for clients to find backing solutions matching demands of any project. ege’s carpet backings hold different characteristics which are specified on the basis of end-use requirements such as:

• Performance standard• Underfoot comfort• Noise absorption• Traffic suitability • Low environmental impact

Carpet backings from ege can be divided into two backing types:

• Latex backings • Textile backings

Latex backingsAll ege latex backings consist of water-based Synthetic SBR-Latex (Styrene Butadiene Rubber). The backing contains neither softener nor solvents and the latex is protected with antioxidant to ensure long-lasting properties and is very resistant to break down of the latex during use.

Backing type Use areas Installation method Approx. thickness

Density

CL – Contract Latex

High traffic areas Contract

Direct stick ege easy release system

1.5 mm Dense

DL – Domestic Latex

Low traffic areas Domestic

Loose lay below 25 m² Direct stick above 25 m²

3 mm Soft

HL – High Latex

Low traffic areas Domestic, Hotel rooms


4 mm Soft

XL – XTra High Latex

Low traffic areas Domestic, Hotel rooms


4.5 mm Soft

LL – Luxury Latex

Low traffic areasDomestic, Hotel rooms


6.5 mm Soft

Figure 5: List of latex backings


carpet, increased footstep suppression, high strength and elasticity, resistance to heavy traffic and finally a simple and quick replace-ment of the carpet.

IP – Impervious The IP backing possesses the same product characteristics as the WT backing. The IP backing is highly suited for installation in areas prone to dampness from spills. The backing fulfils industry require-ments by the National Health Specification, NHS, in terms of resist-ance to spills. The unique impervious backing, thus, ensures that no water spillage gets through to the subfloor, preventing expensive floor damage. This makes the IP backing ideal for nursing homes, hospitals and health clubs.

AB – Acousti Back Proper acoustic properties set the foundation of a good and healthy indoor climate. A carpeted floor is a great sound absorber and thus, acts as an acoustical aid in terms of footstep suppression and acoustical absorption. The AB backing is a specially developed felt backing consisting of polyester bringing special attention to the importance of good acoustic properties in the indoor climate. Carpets with AB backing are suited for most living quarters, such as ships, halls, corridors, hotel rooms and conference rooms.

CF300 – Comfort backThe CF300 backing is specially developed for ege’s epoca flatrib concepts. The specially developed backing is produced in 100 % PVC free textile material. The backing offers good underfoot com-fort and acoustical properties in terms of footstep suppression and acoustical absorption. Thus, CF300 is suited to places imposing high demands on the ability of the carpet to resist high use levels, and the special felt backing makes this carpet suited for places in which good acoustic properties are given high priority.

Flat-woven carpets with CF300 backing are ideal for non-residen-tial areas such as offices, corridors, hotels, restaurants, shops and institutions.

MOD 350MOD 350 is an alternative felt backing for carpet tiles, thinner than MOD 750. This means that MOD 350 is harder than MOD 750. Furthermore it is produced in 100 % textile material free of PVC and bitumen. MOD 350 is suited for heavy contract use.

MOD 750 All carpet tiles from ege can be produced with ege’s patented MOD 750 carpet tile backing, produced in a 100 % textile ma-

Textile backingsAll textile backings consist of polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyester (PES), or blends. All are PVC free.

WT – Woven textile Carpets with WT backing are suited for all living quarters, cor-ridors and stairs. However, the WT backing is especially suitable for the contract market, e.g. in business premises where strict de-mands are imposed on the resistance of the carpet from loads such as chairs fitted with castors. This makes it perfect for conference rooms, offices, hotels, restaurants, bars and institutions.

The WT backing is woven in 100 % polypropylene and offers performance benefits, ensuring good underfoot comfort, improved acoustics and enhanced ergonomics. In addition, the WT backing offers castor chair suitability making the backing highly suited for use in heavily trafficked areas.

The WT backing can be fixed directly to the subfloor. When great-er comfort is required, the carpet can be installed on additional underlay either as double stick or stretched on perimeter grippers. Installation on perimeter grippers is a craftsman’s installation tech-nique, which provides a cushion like effect when walking over the

Backing type Use areas Installation methods Approx. thickness

Material

WT – Woven Textile

Heavy trafficContract

Direct stick ege easy release systemDouble stick on underlay Stretched on grippers

1.5 mm PP

IP – Impervious Heavy trafficContract

Direct stick ege easy release system

1.5 mm PP

AB – Acousti Back Heavy trafficContract

Direct stick Wet Fixation

4 mm PA+PES

MOD 750 – modular


Tackifier 6.5 mm PES

MOD 350 – modular


Tackifier 2.6 mm PES

CF300 – Comfort Back


Direct stick & seam sealing ege easy release system & seam sealing

7 mm PES

Figure 6: List of textile backings


Advanced dyeing plants

Total freedom of design

Qualified designers

5. Product conceptsWith an aim of being the trendsetting supplier to the most demand-ing parts of the market, ege is continuously on the lookout for new trends and developments within the business. A strategy which also highly influences the way new carpet concepts are developed.

Technological lead At ege, we have long-standing tradition of applying the latest tech-nology available within carpet production, and we have one of the most advanced dyeing plants for textile floorings at our dis-posal. With great know-how, specially developed fabrics, innova-tive design possibilities and highly effective logistics, we are able to offer each client the possibility of creating individual and unique carpet solutions – even in very small quantities.

Anything is possible ege has developed a wide range of carpet concepts bringing special attention to the importance of quality and design. Anything is possible. Even standard designs are unique and offered in a wide range of colour shades. When co-operating with ege, you are guaranteed total freedom of design. This means that any idea, no matter how creative and abstract, can become an aesthetically pleasing textile flooring solution, uniting unique individuality with high comfort.

The ege design team Should advice or inspiration be needed for a project, the ege design team is always ready to assist in creating proposals for individual carpet designs.

Together, the designers cover a broad spectrum of qualifications. Some of the designers are professionally trained textile designers while others are technical designers. Thanks to advanced techno-logy, ege designers are capable of developing unique designs and colours which match both budget requirements and the style of the interior.

Advanced technology gives us total freedom of design and colours. Therefore, only the imagination limits what is possible. With ege you achieve:

• Design without limitations • No pattern repeat restrictions • All the colours of the rainbow • The ability to create unique expressions • Design solutions for spaces of any size

terial free of PVC and bitumen. MOD 750 is suited for heavy contract use.

In addition to providing good indoor climate properties, all ege tile concepts are produced with consideration for the external environ-ment. High demands are imposed on the environmental impact during the entire lifecycle of the product: From development, pro-duction and installation to use, maintenance and disposal.

The MOD 750 and MOD 350 backings from ege offers:

Benefits Description Improved installation Lighter and easier to handle with no scuff marks to skirt-

ings and door jambsHigh flexibility Easy to handle, install and replaceLow weight Low transportation costs and easy to handleImproved ergonomics High comfort level due to absorption of foot impactImproved indoor climate Approved in accordance with the Danish Indoor Climate

LabellingImproved sound absorption Improved working environment by reducing the impact of

noiseLong-term appearance retention

Approved in accordance with EN 1307

Anti-soil protection Facilitating daily maintenanceHigh wear performance Suitable for heavy useApproved fire classification Tested and classified in accordance with EN 13501-1

standardDesign flexibility Unique carpet solutions by combining tiles in different

colours

Figure 7: Carpet tile benefits


5.1. Contract collections In a market, where style and expression are constantly changing, being able to offer design solutions matching different needs and purposes is of great significance. To ege, it is a matter of being able to offer unique carpet solutions fulfilling the individual needs of the client and to dare to break with conventions.

For the contract market, ege has developed a wide range of carpet concepts tailored to fit the requirements of a demanding market.

• Highline Express• Designer collections • Highline Specials • Performance • epoca • Casa• Modular

Most carpet concepts from ege can be produced in different quali-ties to match budget and demands in terms of wear-resistance, foot-step noise suppression, comfort, insulating properties, fire- resistance performance and anti-bacterial properties. These demands can all be met without limiting the client’s freedom in terms of colours and design.

The design process

1. I DEA: Your ideas and thoughts are presented and the design process begins.

2. DEVELOPMENT: The carpet solution is created. Designs, colours and qualities are considered.

3. SAMPLES: Carpet samples in the exact carpet quality are made and colours and designs are subsequently adjusted – until the client is satisfied.

4. APPROVAL: The client approves the design, colours and quality.

5. ORDER: The order is placed. 6. PRODUCTION: Less than three weeks from receipt of order,

the final carpet is ready for dispatch. 7. DELIVERY: The carpet is delivered and ready for installation. 8. RESULT: The carpet is installed and identity, comfort and

atmosphere are added to the space.

Now that you have been introduced to the design process the rest of this chapter is dedicated to introduce our different contract concepts and collections.

Each concept is initially introduced by a detailed figure enlisting qualities, features and benefits of the different collections in the present concept. This is followed by a description of each collec-tion in a few words.

IDEA

DEVELOPMENT

SAMPLES

APPROVAL

ORDER

PRODUCTION

DELIVERY

RESULT

Chapter 5-4

Highline Express

With the ege Highline Express concept, it is possible to choose be-tween thousands of designs from the ege design bank and experi-ment with colour keys to create expressions tailored to each project.

The Highline Express designs can be produced in a variety of contract qualities which are compliant to the very latest and most stringent of standards for wear life classification and long term appearance retention – EN 1307. The Highline Express concepts consist of the following collections:

• Cosmopolitan • Metropolitan • Nature/Super Nature• FUNKYGRAPHIC• NONO – no noise runners• Sense • DESIGN SPOT*

* DESIGN SPOT is not included in the figure, since each collection under DESIGN SPOT may differ from each other in qualities, benefits and features.

Highline Express

Sense – RF52751355

Chapter 5-6

The Cosmopolitan collection With more than 253 designs available in 637 colour versions, the Cosmopolitan Collection is a perfect choice for creating variations on a theme. With floral decorations and embroideries, modern ara-besque ornaments, majestic banqueting and multicultural designs, the classic patterns create historical ambiances and remarkable interiors. All with matching borders, runners and corridors, which can be combined in complex buildings without compromising on neither the colour theme nor on the style chosen for the space.

The Metropolitan collection The Metropolitan Collection is a multi-functional collection offering a multitude of trendy design possibilities perfectly suitable for both hospitality and commercial projects. Organic circles, linear expres-sions, strict squares, tartan structures and modern abstracts together form this indispensable design source, which is the ideal choice for creating a supporting, subdued style or a space of vibrant and energetic colours. Metropolitan is available in 142 designs and 697 colour versions.

Nature/Super NatureThe Nature/Super Nature collection is inspired by the nature sur-rounding us, stretching from lifelike photographic images to graphic abstracts of nature. Nature/Super Nature is a unique concept, offering a multitude of design possibilities perfectly suited for a wide range of interior design projects. A contemporary collection composed of 37 designs and 127 colour versions reflecting current trends and making it easy to create innovative interiors.

FUNKYGRAPHIC Reflecting current trends and high fashion impulses, the FUNKY-GRAPHIC collection from ege makes it easy to create innovative interior design concepts.

The collection presents 27 different designs in 185 colour ver-sions, which are created on the basis of a graphical retro style and spiced with oblique angles and new ways of seeing things. FUNKYGRAPHIC is a trendy, hip and all the way through uncon-ventional design collection.

Highline 1400 g/m² 80/20 wool rich


Highline 1100 g/m² 100 % Polyamide




Highline loop E16 100 % Polyamide

Highline loop 100 % Polyamide

Recolour options

No minimum order requirements

Sample service

Dispatch

Cosmopolitan • • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 weekMetropolitan • • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 weekNature/ Super Nature • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 week

FUNKYGRAPHIC • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 weekNONO – no noise runners • • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 week

Sense • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 week

Figure 1: Quality overview, features and benefits – Highline Express

Cosmopolitan Metropolitan Nature/Super Nature FUNKYGRAPHIC NONO – no noise runners Sense

RF52751367RF52754719RF5275082RF52952332RF5295150RF5285064


From Tribal Poetry

NONO noise runners The NONO noise runners concept is an ideal solution for solving problems associated with poor acoustics in rooms with many hard surfaces and where an extensive renovation is either not feasible or wanted. The collection is available in both Highline Express and epoca. Highline Express runners are available in 24 designs, while epoca runners are available in 8 qualities.

Sense Sense is a multifunctional collection offering a multitude of trendy design possibilities ranging from organic and wavy lines to strin-gent and linear designs. The collection offers 54 unique designs in 133 contemporary colour versions. Having used the five sen-ses; hear, sight, taste, smell and touch as source of inspiration, the Sense collection succeeds in capturing the peaceful tranquillity of nature while adding style, comfort and expression to the interior.

DESIGN SPOT DESIGN SPOT can be compared to the product development known from within the fashion industry. As opposed to our addi-tional highline collections, the DESIGN SPOT concept is intended as a collection with a relatively short lifespan, meaning that once or twice a year, a new collection will be developed with the pur-pose of replacing the old. This is to ensure that the DESIGN SPOT concept always features the latest and most trendy design expres-sions. The concept is intended to showcase ege’s ongoing inter-pretation of the seasons’ hottest trends and tendencies and aims to highlight ege’s position as a trendsetting supplier of textile designer floor coverings.

The Cosmopolitan collection With more than 253 designs available in 637 colour versions, the Cosmopolitan Collection is a perfect choice for creating variations on a theme. With floral decorations and embroideries, modern ara-besque ornaments, majestic banqueting and multicultural designs, the classic patterns create historical ambiances and remarkable interiors. All with matching borders, runners and corridors, which can be combined in complex buildings without compromising on neither the colour theme nor on the style chosen for the space.

The Metropolitan collection The Metropolitan Collection is a multi-functional collection offering a multitude of trendy design possibilities perfectly suitable for both hospitality and commercial projects. Organic circles, linear expres-sions, strict squares, tartan structures and modern abstracts together form this indispensable design source, which is the ideal choice for creating a supporting, subdued style or a space of vibrant and energetic colours. Metropolitan is available in 142 designs and 697 colour versions.

Nature/Super NatureThe Nature/Super Nature collection is inspired by the nature sur-rounding us, stretching from lifelike photographic images to graphic abstracts of nature. Nature/Super Nature is a unique concept, offering a multitude of design possibilities perfectly suited for a wide range of interior design projects. A contemporary collection composed of 37 designs and 127 colour versions reflecting current trends and making it easy to create innovative interiors.

FUNKYGRAPHIC Reflecting current trends and high fashion impulses, the FUNKY-GRAPHIC collection from ege makes it easy to create innovative interior design concepts.

The collection presents 27 different designs in 185 colour ver-sions, which are created on the basis of a graphical retro style and spiced with oblique angles and new ways of seeing things. FUNKYGRAPHIC is a trendy, hip and all the way through uncon-ventional design collection.

Chapter 5-8

Designer collections

Co-operating with creative souls such as artists and designers has been part of the corporate philosophy at ege for many years. These partnerships allow us to see and explore new possibilities in terms of carpet designs. Over the years, some of these many col-laborations have resulted in unique designer collections:

• Erté • Visual Texture by Conran & Partners• Soft Landscapes by Marco Piva • Marco Piva Rugs • Monica Ritterband contract

Designer collections

Visual Texture by Conran & Partners – RF52851233

Chapter 5-10

Erté The famous Russian couturier and artist Erté had major influence on the style and design of the 20th Century, and his achievements earned him the title ”Father of Art Deco”. The influence of Erté’s style and the demand for his art live on. The designs in the Erté Collection are inspired by his work and are available with ege exclusively in 36 designs and 387 colour versions.

Visual Texture by Conran & Partners The Visual Texture collection by Conran & Partners is a reflection of the classic Conran design ethos and a showcase of ege’s unique technology. The collaboration between the two companies has allowed for a rare freedom in design of floor covering. Specially formulated dyes from ege allowed for total freedom to design a broad and eclectic range with a multitude of inspirations. The designs can be scaled and customised to suit the size, shape and style of any application. Highlight features, borders, corridor and runner solutions are included as standard for almost all de-signs. The collection consists of 27 design families in 440 colour versions.

Soft Landscapes by Marco PivaOriginal, hand painted designs of the Italian architect Marco Piva have been restyled in the graphic filters of the computer, multiplied and changed into great and complex scenarios – soft landscapes. Here, original textures and colours have taken on new dimensions and intensity. The 15 designs in the collection are available in 4 sizes; S, M, L and some in XL. The designs can easily be recoloured by using colours from one of the four ege standard colour palettes.

Marco Piva RugsFollowing the Soft Landscapes collection, it was a natural step for both Marco Piva and ege to continue a story already begun. This has resulted in a stunning collection of fitted rugs. Designs and colours interact in a harmonious manner even within the most complex interior designs of areas destined for public use. A number of the designs in the collection evoke imaginary spaces. Others derive from the transformation of real images, objects, land-scapes and textures.









Recolour options

No minimum order r equirements

Sample service

Dispatch

Erté • • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 weekVisual Texture by Conran & Part-ners

• • • • • • • • •24 hours 1,5 week

Soft Landscapes by Marco Piva • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 week

Marco Piva Rugs • • • • • • • • • 2,5 weeksMonica Ritter-band contract • • • • • • • • • 24 hours 1,5 week

Figure 2: Quality overview, features and benefits – Designer collections

Erté Visual Texture by Conran & Partners

Soft Landscapes by Marco Piva

Marco Piva Rugs Monica Ritterband contract

RF52751367056254530060605549RF5222100SRF52201002MRF5220124


Impressions from Marco Piva’s many journeys were gathered in paintings and elaborated through computer processes. These have generated an original and artistic scenery, which through the use of unique and dynamic colour schemes represent the emotional route of his journeys. The collection consists of 23 different designs in an exciting selection of trendy colours. Marco Piva Rugs are available in various sizes to match any inte-rior design concept.Rectangular rugs: 250 x 300 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 165 x 235 cm, 140 x 200 cm Square/circular rugs: 400 x 400 cm, 200 x 200 cm

Monica Ritterband contractThe Danish multi artist Monica Ritterband has designed the Dancers collection, available as broadloom, rugs and tiles. With tiles, the client is able to choose not only combination of designs and col-ours but also the size and shape of the rug or carpet.

Tiles can be used as a wall-to-wall solution or combined as a rug on a wood or stone floor. The carpet tile concept provides the opportunity of creating a work of art on the floor – a dynamic work of art which easily can be changed. Tiles can be placed in a rectangle or in an “L” shape and they can easily be removed to change either the shape or colour combination.

With “Dancers”, ege breaks with conventions and sets new stand-ards for the design, size, colour and shape of carpets. The col-lection is an excellent example of ege’s tradition of breaking new ground by collaborating with artists to produce innovative and un-conventional carpet designs.

Erté The famous Russian couturier and artist Erté had major influence on the style and design of the 20th Century, and his achievements earned him the title ”Father of Art Deco”. The influence of Erté’s style and the demand for his art live on. The designs in the Erté Collection are inspired by his work and are available with ege exclusively in 36 designs and 387 colour versions.

Visual Texture by Conran & Partners The Visual Texture collection by Conran & Partners is a reflection of the classic Conran design ethos and a showcase of ege’s unique technology. The collaboration between the two companies has allowed for a rare freedom in design of floor covering. Specially formulated dyes from ege allowed for total freedom to design a broad and eclectic range with a multitude of inspirations. The designs can be scaled and customised to suit the size, shape and style of any application. Highlight features, borders, corridor and runner solutions are included as standard for almost all de-signs. The collection consists of 27 design families in 440 colour versions.

Soft Landscapes by Marco PivaOriginal, hand painted designs of the Italian architect Marco Piva have been restyled in the graphic filters of the computer, multiplied and changed into great and complex scenarios – soft landscapes. Here, original textures and colours have taken on new dimensions and intensity. The 15 designs in the collection are available in 4 sizes; S, M, L and some in XL. The designs can easily be recoloured by using colours from one of the four ege standard colour palettes.

Marco Piva RugsFollowing the Soft Landscapes collection, it was a natural step for both Marco Piva and ege to continue a story already begun. This has resulted in a stunning collection of fitted rugs. Designs and colours interact in a harmonious manner even within the most complex interior designs of areas destined for public use. A number of the designs in the collection evoke imaginary spaces. Others derive from the transformation of real images, objects, land-scapes and textures.

Chapter 5-12

Highline Specialsege’s Highline Specials concept makes it easy to create individu-ally designed carpet solutions and colours.

Total freedom of design – truly bespoke solutions Literally everything is possible with the Highline Specials concept. The ege design team is always prepared to assist the client in find-ing the best carpet solution. This allows for total freedom to create flooring solutions matching any project, no matter the style.

Highline Specials

Automotive Helmond – Netherlands

Chapter 5-14

Performance

Specifying carpet for healthcare facilities and areas exposed to disinfectants requires a carpet which complies with a set of specific requirements, including durability, appearance retention, mainte-nance and safety.

Performance is a unique carpet concept specially developed for areas imposed to high performance requirements. ege Performance twins high protection and great style with outstanding perfor mance benefits, making the collection an ideal choice for hospitals, nursing homes, health clubs and hotel rooms, which all are subjected to high demands in terms of ensuring a visually pleasing, safe and long-lasting flooring solution. Performance is available in 18 de-signs and 492 colour versions.

Choosing ege Performance you are guaranteed a flooring solution offering:

• High wear resistance• Easy maintenance • High stain protection • Bleach resistance (fulfilling test standard of ISO 105-NO1)• Impervious • Antimicrobial properties • A wide range of design options

No mini-mum order requirements

Heavy use Extra heavy use

Sample service

Dispatch

Performance Cut • • 4 days 2,5 weeksPerformance Loop • • 4 days 2,5 weeks

Figure 4: Quality overview, features and benefits – Performance

Performance – 0600216









Highline Specials • • • • • • • •

Figure 3: Quality overview – Highline Specials

Bowlcenter – France

Sublim Eiffel – France


epoca

Scandinavian design is truly unique. It is visionary and built on the beauty of strong, progressive craftsmanship. Like Scandinavian quality design, ege’s epoca concept is well-established throughout the world. Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, the epoca concept is a per-fect choice for modern and elegant office environments, which call for something ‘extra’. The epoca concept consists of 9 different textures, each available in many exhilarating colour shades. The epoca concept consists of:

• epoca classic• epoca pro• epoca compact• epoca globe• epoca accent• epoca chess• epoca checkers• epoca ribs

Performance

Specifying carpet for healthcare facilities and areas exposed to disinfectants requires a carpet which complies with a set of specific requirements, including durability, appearance retention, mainte-nance and safety.

Performance is a unique carpet concept specially developed for areas imposed to high performance requirements. ege Performance twins high protection and great style with outstanding perfor mance benefits, making the collection an ideal choice for hospitals, nursing homes, health clubs and hotel rooms, which all are subjected to high demands in terms of ensuring a visually pleasing, safe and long-lasting flooring solution. Performance is available in 18 de-signs and 492 colour versions.

Choosing ege Performance you are guaranteed a flooring solution offering:

• High wear resistance• Easy maintenance • High stain protection • Bleach resistance (fulfilling test standard of ISO 105-NO1)• Impervious • Antimicrobial properties • A wide range of design options


Heavy use Extra heavy use

Sample service

Dispatch

Performance Cut • • 4 days 2,5 weeksPerformance Loop • • 4 days 2,5 weeks

Figure 4: Quality overview, features and benefits – Performance

epoca compact

Performance – 0600216

Colours Recolour options from 200 m2

Stock qualities CE marking No minimum order requirements

Extra heavy use

Sample service

Dispatch*

epoca classic 30 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca pro 17 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca compact 17 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca globe 17 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca accent 13 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca chess 16 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca checkers 18 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeksepoca ribs 18 • • • • • 24 hours 2,5 weeks

Figure 5: Features and benefits of the different epoca collections * Small orders from stock within 24 hours

epoca checkers

epoca collections

epoca classic

Chapter 5-15

epoca

Scandinavian design is truly unique. It is visionary and built on the beauty of strong, progressive craftsmanship. Like Scandinavian quality design, ege’s epoca concept is well-established throughout the world. Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, the epoca concept is a per-fect choice for modern and elegant office environments, which call for something ‘extra’. The epoca concept consists of 9 different textures, each available in many exhilarating colour shades. The epoca concept consists of:

• epoca classic• epoca pro• epoca compact• epoca globe• epoca accent• epoca chess• epoca checkers• epoca ribs

epoca compact

Chapter 5-17

Carpets with high quality carpet fibresOffices, schools, hotels and public areas – all buildings have a set of unique flooring requirements. How the carpets perform in day-to-day use depends on the fibres used. A selected number of ege’s epoca collections contains Antron Legacy carpet fibres making them highly suited for use in highly trafficked commercial premises. The hollow filament of the carpet fibre ensures optimal light scatter, making dirt less visible, while the smooth structure pre-vents dirt from adhering to the carpet, thus providing a long lasting aesthetic appeal.

Antron Legacy carpet fibre offers:

• Effective noise reduction • Low degree of soiling • Easy cleaning • Durability, wear resistance, resilience • Appearance retention • Antistatic properties • Heat and safety benefits


Modular Carpet TilesModular by ege is a concept of 48 x 48 cm modules offering high flexibility and numerous design options. All concepts, except CITYSCAPES, can also be delivered in 96 x 96 cm modules. The concept offers a wide range of modular stock designs in various textures and colours. The ege modular concept consists of both ground colours and strong effect colours matched to complement each other. In this way, colours can easily be combined to create unique and stunning flooring solutions. Modular by ege contributes to a healthy indoor climate due to the patented 100 % textile modular backing material without PVC, bitumen or glass fibre scrims. The modular collections:

• epoca classic modular• epoca profile modular• epoca nordic modular• Barcode Econyl 70 modular• Contra modular• Contra stripe modular• Highline twist modular• Tempo modular• Modular express• CITYSCAPES• Highline modular definitions• Carré modular

Modular carpet tiles can be produced in a variety of contract qualities which are compliant to the very latest and most stringent standards for wear life classification and long term appearance retention – EN 1307.

The tiles can be moved or removed when required. The tiles allow easy, flexible access to the floor underneath at any time. In this way, the carpets provide access to the cables and leads located in the floor underneath. This makes it easy to undertake repairs or new installations without having to shut down an entire area.

CasaCasa is a broadloom collection aimed at clients who need a car-pet solution more affordable than ege’s regular design products. It is a flat woven broadloom carpet aimed at the contract marked. Casa is a 100 % solution dyed product made of 100 % solution dyed Polyamide.

Casa distinguishes itself by being cheaper than ege’s other pro-ducts and by being less flexible. The reduced flexibility is primarily seen in terms of requirements for special colours where the mini-mum order requirement is 20.000 m².

Casa withstands soiling, frequent spills and stains, exposure to in-tense sunlight, and harsh chemicals. It is available in 5 colours aimed at the commercial marked.

Casa 0653

Colours Recolour options


Extra heavy use

Sample service

Dispatch

Casa • 5 From 20.000 m² • • 24 hours 24 hours*

Figure 6: Quality overview, features and benefits – Casa * New production takes 8 weeks

Highline 1400 g/m²

80/20 wool rich

Highline 1100 g/m²

100% Polyamide

Highline 630 g/m²

100% Polyamide

Highline loop E16

100% Polyamide

Highline loop

100% Polyamide

MOD 750

backing

MOD 350

backing

Colours Stock colours

Colours not in stock from 200 m2

Re-colour options from 200 m2

Special size 96 x 96 cm from 200 m2

Extra heavy use

Sample service for stock qualities

Dispatch for non-stock qualities, min. 200 m2

epoca classic modular* • x 30 15 • • • • 24 hours 3,5 weeks

epoca profile modular* • x 12 5 • • • • 24 hours 4,5 weeks

epoca nordic modular • x 18 8 • • • • 24 hours 3,5 weeks

Barcode Econyl 70 modular

• x 12 4 • • • • 24 hours 3,5 weeks

Contra modular • x 9 5 • • • • 24 hours 3,5 weeks

Contra stripe modular • x 9 5 • • • • 24 hours 3,5 weeks

Highline twist modular* • x 24 8 • • • • 24 hours 3,5 weeks

Tempo modular* • • 5 5 • 24 hours 24 hours**

Modular express • • • • • • • • 48 hours 3,5 weeks

CITYSCAPES • • • • • • x • • 48 hours 3,5 weeksHighline modular definitions

• • • • • • • 48 hours 4,5 weeks

Carré modular • • • • 48 hours 3,5 weeks

Figure 7: Quality overview, features and benefits – Modular collections* = from 200 m2 it also comes in broadloom with WT backing ** = new production takes 8 weeks x = not at standard, but it is an option

epoca modular collections

epoca nordic modular

Chapter 5-19

Modular Carpet TilesModular by ege is a concept of 48 x 48 cm modules offering high flexibility and numerous design options. All concepts, except CITYSCAPES, can also be delivered in 96 x 96 cm modules. The concept offers a wide range of modular stock designs in various textures and colours. The ege modular concept consists of both ground colours and strong effect colours matched to complement each other. In this way, colours can easily be combined to create unique and stunning flooring solutions. Modular by ege contributes to a healthy indoor climate due to the patented 100 % textile modular backing material without PVC, bitumen or glass fibre scrims. The modular collections:

• epoca classic modular• epoca profile modular• epoca nordic modular• Barcode Econyl 70 modular• Contra modular• Contra stripe modular• Highline twist modular• Tempo modular• Modular express• CITYSCAPES• Highline modular definitions• Carré modular

Modular carpet tiles can be produced in a variety of contract qualities which are compliant to the very latest and most stringent standards for wear life classification and long term appearance retention – EN 1307.

The tiles can be moved or removed when required. The tiles allow easy, flexible access to the floor underneath at any time. In this way, the carpets provide access to the cables and leads located in the floor underneath. This makes it easy to undertake repairs or new installations without having to shut down an entire area.

Chapter 5-21

epoca classic modularThis collection is a classic from ege, available in 30 colours and well suited for all areas. epoca classic modular is a collection of exclusive modules in size 48 x 48 cm, aimed at the minimalistic part of the market.

epoca classic satisfies some of the strictest requirements on the market in relation to durability, comfort and acoustics, making the collection an ideal choice for, e.g. open-plan offices and shop interiors.

epoca classic modular is based on 100 % Polyamide Antron Legacy fibres, guaranteeing high-quality carpeting, highly suited for heavy traffic areas. For orders above 200 m², epoca classic is also available in broadloom.

epoca profile modularepoca profile is a collection of exclusive modules in size 48 x 48 cm aimed at the minimalistic part of the market. epoca profile is a flat woven construction in 12 modern colours adapted to present office environments.

epoca profile is based on 100 % Polyamide Antron Legacy fibres, guaranteeing high-quality carpeting, highly suited for heavy traffic areas. For orders above 200 m², epoca profile is also available in broadloom.

epoca nordic modularThe epoca nordic collection is a discrete, striped collection inspired by Scandinavian style. The collection is well suited for offices, pub-lic areas and shop interiors due to high durability and good com-fort. Furthermore, epoca nordic modules satisfy some of the strictest requirements on the market in relation to acoustics. epoca nordic is available in 48 x 48 cm modules in 18 colours.

Barcode Econyl 70 modularWith a guaranteed minimum of 70 % recycled fibre content, Barcode Econyl 70 modular from ege presents a viable option for implementing green design in commercial interiors. Barcode Econyl 70 modular offers a unique range of carpet tiles tailored to meet high environmental performance demands while ensuring an aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting flooring solution.


Modular express Modular express is a flexible concept consisting of 48 x 48 cm modules which offers infinite possibilities in terms of creating indi-vidual and impressive modular flooring solutions.

The concept allows the client to create unique flooring solutions by combining different patterns in matching or contrasting colours, or recolour with the Highline Express palettes or even special colours to fit the solution to style and budget requirements.

Modular express makes it possible to adapt each room to the con-tinuous changes a building goes through over time.

CITYSCAPESRandomly zooming in and out on everyday life in the city, from close-ups on surfaces and graphics to aerial views on architecture and street plans, ege has created a unique modular collection: CITYSCAPES. CITYSCAPES is a collection of unique and expres-sive designs and is the first collection within the modular concept MODULAR SHUFFLE by ege.

CITYSCAPE distinguishes itself from other modular collections by having no recurrence in the pattern. Each tile is unique and when mixed together and randomly installed, unprecedented and vary-ing floor designs are created.

CITYSCAPES is available in 11 unique designs and 130 colour versions, of which 27 are special neon colours.

Highline modular definitionsThe Highline modular definitions concept enables the client to choose patterns with clear definition and pattern repeat, such as geometrical designs.

Highline modular definitions is offered for individual patterns ac-cording to the client’s wish. The pattern must never be closer to the edge than 5 cm. This means that the distance between the geometrical elements has to be at least 10 cm. We recommend always using a mottled design in the background.

A trial run of approximately 4 m², which the client has to approve prior to putting the order into production, should always be pro-duced. Highline modular definitions is available in all standard colour keys as well as special colours.

Barcode Econyl 70 modular is approved in accordance with the Danish Indoor Climate Labelling and meets demands of the LEED Green Building Rating System. The collection is available in 12 contemporary colour combinations.

Contra modularContra modular satisfies some of the strictest requirements on the market in relation to durability, comfort and acoustics, making the collection an ideal choice for, e.g. open-plan offices and shop interiors. The collection consists of 9 matching colour shades.

Contra stripe modularContra stripe modular is similar to Contra modular, except from a hint of a stripe in the texture. Contra stripe modular satisfies some of the strictest requirements on the market in relation to durability, comfort and acoustics, making the collection an ideal choice for, e.g. open-plan offices and shop interiors. The collection consists of 9 matching colour shades.

Highline twist modularThe Highline twist modular collection is well suited for all areas, and widely used in shops due to the high durability and good comfort. Highline twist modular is available in 24 colours. For or-ders above 200 m², Highline twist is also available in broadloom.

Tempo modularTempo is a tile collection aimed at clients who need a carpet solu-tion more affordable than ege’s regular design products. Tempo is ege’s first 100 % solution dyed modular product for the contract market, made of 100 % solution dyed Polyamide.

Tempo distinguishes itself by being cheaper than ege’s other pro-ducts and by being less flexible. The reduced flexibility is primarily seen in terms of requirement for special colours where the minimum order requirement is 20.000 m².

Tempo modular withstands soiling, frequent spills and stains, expo-sure to intense sunlight, and harsh chemicals. It comes in 5 colours aimed at the commercial market. For orders above 200 m², Tempo modular is also available in broadloom.

4 x 4 tiles


6. Product specification – test and classifications

Being able to select the right carpet, it is important for the carpet specifier to understand the various elements associated with carpet performance. For example, the construction of the carpet should match requirements of the use and traffic of the area.

It is important not to rely on one single construction factor when determining whether a carpet fulfils the requirements of the project. Instead, interaction between specification elements should be con-sidered.

In each life cycle stage of a carpet it is possible to reduce environ-mental impact and to improve the performance of the product. The longer a carpet maintains its appearance, the less need there is for replacement and disposal. Thus, specifying high quality carpets plays an important role in reducing environmental impact.

With this chapter you gain insight into the different tests and clas-sifications the carpets from ege are certified in accordance with.

Carré modularThe Carré modular collection is a collection of exclusive modules in size 48 x 48 cm offering modern modular designs in 7 colour combinations.

Functionality, durability and expression were key thoughts in creating Carré modular. The diversity of pattern, scale and colour of the collection makes it possible to create expressive flooring solutions that leave lasting impressions. Strong colours with high contrast can be used to make an expressive statement. Shades of greys, neutrals and blues can be used to create a classical and subdued expression.


Perform EN 1307 testing

Basic requirements

Documentation and classification On the basis of the EN 1307 test results, the carpet is categorised according to a domestic and commercial performance area clas-sification.

Domestic classes:

Class 21 Domestic moderate and light usage suited for rooms and bed-rooms.

Class 22 Domestic and medium usage suited for living rooms and rooms.

Class 22+ Domestic normal usage suited for living rooms, entrance halls, hall-ways and offices.

Class 23 Domestic heavy usage suited for living rooms, entrance halls, hall-ways and offices.

Contract classes:

Class 31 Moderate usage suited for storage rooms, stores, hotel rooms, churches, residential facilities, conference and meeting rooms, living rooms, restaurants and function rooms.

Class 32 Normal usage suited for libraries, cinemas, theatres, stores, insti-tutions, cafeterias, canteens, computer rooms, airplanes, offices, financial institutions, nursing homes, restaurants, function rooms, educational institutions, trains and busses.

Class 33 Heavy usage suited for departure halls, air terminals, cinemas, theatres, department stores, institutions, cafeterias, service areas, elevators, airplanes, hotel reception halls, entrance areas, educa-tional institutions, trains and busses.

6.1 EN 1307 The European standard for test and classification of textile floor-ings, EN 1307, is a common European standard rating carpet products on long term appearance retention. Carpets from ege are all tested and subsequently classified in accordance with the EN 1307 standard.

The ege laboratory ege’s laboratory is equipped to perform EN 1307 testing, how-ever, normally test results from independent testing laboratories are applied to ensure carpet classifications and specifications which are based on impartial testing results. The ege laboratory is thus primarily used in connection with product development activities and in product check-ups to ensure that products conform to speci-fications at all times.

In order for a carpet product to be EN 1307 certified, the car-pet must go through an extensive testing programme. EN 1307 test methods are used to determine both identification and perfor-mance characteristics of the carpet.

Identification characteristics To determine identification characteristics, various elements are measured, including total mass, pile mass, pile density, total thick-ness, pile thickness, tuft number and backing thickness.

Performance characteristics Performance characteristics are divided into basic requirements such as long term appearance retention, colour fastness and additional requirements such as castor chair suitability, suitability for use on stairs, electrical properties, thermal resistance and fraying behaviour. Some of these characteristics are presented in the fol-lowing sections.

Additional requirementsAdditional requirements are imposed on carpet tiles. These require-ments include total carpet weight, dimension, variation of size, squareness and straightness of edges, curling, damage at cut edge and dimensional stability.


Fire resistance

Cfl-s1 as minimum

Radiant panel test

Nordic countries have taken the decision to completely ban the use of brominated flame retardants such as Deca-BDE.

Several alternatives to brominated flame retardants exist on the market today, and ege offers such an alternative. Flame retardant fillers in ege carpets prevent flame spread and suppress smoke by releasing water molecules. This ensures a prolonged evacuation time. Due to the release of water molecules, the solution is both a safe and more environmentally friendly alternative than traditional brominated flame retardants.

Fire testingWhen fire testing a carpet, the radiant panel test is often applied. Here, the carpet sample is placed horizontally under a radiant panel in a test cabinet. When the sample has been preheated, a flame is directed to it, after which the degree of flame spread and smoke development can be determined.

6.2 EN fire classification The flammability characteristics of building materials, hereunder carpets, greatly affect the speed of which a fire spreads. If a fire occurs, the chances of survival therefore depend on how quickly and safely one is able to get out of the building. The slower a fire spreads, the greater is the chance therefore of avoiding personal injuries.

The European Commission has published harmonised standards for the fire properties of building materials. These standards have been transformed into a European classification system. Two fire tests and smoke tests are required to achieve classification in the system.

Classification system for textile floorings The classification system for textile floorings contains the following classes:

• A1fl Non combustible floorings• A2fl Limited combustible flooring• Bfl Combustible floorings• Cfl Combustible floorings• Dfl Combustible floorings• Efl Classified without fire test • Ffl Non classified

These classes are based on the results of flame spread tests con-ducted in a radiant panel test according to EN 9239-1 and a test of flammability according to EN 11925-2. In addition to these two tests, a test of the smoke formation is conducted. Here, the A2fl, Bfl, Cfl and Dfl are supplied with either s1 or s2, depending on the degree of smoke formation (s1 = very limited smoke formation, s2 = limited smoke formation).

Authority approval The national authorities set minimum requirements in terms of fire classification, which may vary from country to country. All ege contract carpets are classified as Cfl-s1 as a minimum.

Added safety Flame retardants are added to many products to prevent fire. It is widely known that brominated flame retardants have several ef-fects on both health and environment. As a consequence, several


Colour resistanceColour fastnessColour fastness tests can be divided into three test types; dry rub-bing, wet rubbing and wet spot resistance.

Dry rubbingThe purpose of the dry rubbing test is to test whether the colour of the carpet yarns is changed or whether the colours of the carpet colour the white cotton pieces when rubbed against the carpet.

When testing is completed, any change in colour is assessed to-gether with the degree of smearing by comparing the cotton with a standard grey scale from 1-5, where 5 is the best result.

Wet rubbingThe purpose of the wet rubbing test is to investigate the carpets tendency to leave any traces on wet, white fabric, when this is rubbed against the carpets face.

When testing is completed, any change in colour is assessed to-gether with the degree of smearing by comparing the cotton with a standard grey scale from 1-5, where 5 is the best result.

Wet spot resistanceThe purpose of the wet spot resistance test is to test whether the carpet changes colour visibly when affected by water.

When the carpet has been dried after testing, any colour change is assessed against a standard grey scale from 1-5, where 5 is the best result.

Light fastness In the light fastness test, artificial light is used to simulate exposure to daylight. The samples are compared with 8 special fabrics, each of which has been given colour fastness classification from 1-8, where 8 is the best result. After the test, the change in colour of the sample is compared with the 8 fabrics. The light fastness value is assessed by comparing the change of colour with the 8 fabrics. The result of the light fastness test must minimum be 5.

6.3 Test symbols To determine classification, the carpet goes through a series of tests.

Permanently suitable for castor chairs

Suitable for castor chairs – occasionally

Suitable for stairs

Suitable for stairs – residential

Permanently antistatic

Suitable for heated floors

Fire classification:In most European countries, class Cfl-s1 is required before a carpet can be used in escape routes.


Insulating effect

Carpet and flooring heating

Rotating bench

6.5 Castor chair suitability, EN 985Determination of castor wheel resistance provides information on whether a given textile floor covering is resistant to the impact of chairs on castor wheels.

The test equipment consists of a round bench on which the carpet sample is fixed. During testing, the bench rotates while three castor wheels, mounted on a special holder, touch the sample thus add-ing pressure and movement to the rotating sample. The total weight added to the castor wheels is 90 kg.

The carpet sample is exposed to 5,000 and 25,000 rotations. To achieve castor chair approval, the back of the carpet must not delaminate from the rest of the carpet and the appearance reten-tion value must not be less than 2.4 on a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 is best result.

6.4 Suitability with heated floors, ISO 8302A carpet reduces a floor’s ability to transport heat. In rooms with floor heating, a carpet will have an insulating effect which will hinder room heating. The carpet’s insulating effect, and thus its heat resistance, will depend on the construction of the carpet.

Definition Heat transfer resistance is expressed as: m² x C/W, where m² = square metre, C = temperature in Celsius, and W = Watt.

Example In the example; 0.17 m² x C/W, it takes 0.17 m² of carpet to let 1 Watt through the carpet with a temperature difference of 1° C between the carpet’s top and bottom. In other words, the greater the resistance of the carpet, the larger the carpeted area needs to be to let 1 Watt through.

Criteria for suitability Experience has shown that most carpet types have a heat transfer resistance of between:

0.07 and 0.25 m² x C/W

Carpets can be used in rooms with floor heating if the heat transfer resistance is less than:

0.17 m² x C/W

Most ege carpets are suitable for use with floor heating, except thick wool carpets and carpets with thick foam backing, which insulate too much due to high heat transfer resistance.


6.6 Static electricity To ensure permanently antistatic properties, all ege contract car-pets are made from conductive fibres. As a consequence, ege carpets do not contribute to the charging of static electricity.

Test method The European Norm EN 1815 is used to determine a carpet’s tendency to generate static electricity. The degree of static electri-city is measured using different types of shoe soles. The charge is expressed as a static electrical charge in kV (kilovolt). Charges of 0-30 kV can occur.

When is a carpet antistatic? A carpet is antistatic if a person walking on it does not get a static shock when touching conductive objects. This means that the charge that accumulates in the person walking on the carpet remains below the so-called detection limit of around 2 kV. A car-pet which does not exceed the 2 kV threshold value is therefore generally acknowledged to be antistatic.

The degree of static charges tend to be greater the lower the relative humidity. Therefore, tests of electrostatic properties include measurements of static electricity at low relative humidity of 25 % RH, which is typical in most working environments during winter.

No static shocks

Vettermann Drum test

Evaluation

6.7 Changes in appearance, ISO 10361The Vettermann Drum test is applied for detecting changes in ap-pearance. The test is intended to simulate heavy, focused footfall. Foot traffic tends to be concentrated around doorways or narrow passages between desks. By simulating walkways, the Vettermann Drum test provides an indication of the carpet’s ability to retain its appearance.

The carpet sample for testing is fixed inside a revolving metal drum where a heavy ball of approximately 7.5 kg, covered in hard rub-ber is placed inside the drum and is allowed to bounce around freely in the metal drum. The carpet sample is subjected to two tests, one of 5,000 rotations, and one of 22,000 rotations.

After testing, the carpet is evaluated against a reference scale and a carpet sample which has not been tested. On the basis hereof, the carpet is given a rating for how well it has resisted the effects of the test. The result is given from a scale of 1-5 where 5 is the best result. A result of 2 or more is needed to pass. A result of 2.4 is needed for being approved for intensive use.

5 = No change4 = Insignificant change 3 = Clear change2 = Considerable change 1 = Heavy change

The classes are used for determining classification for change in appearance in accordance with EN 1307.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

-15

-10

-5

-2

0Number of steps

kV

Measurement withstandard polyamide

Measurement with ege's own fibres

Chapter 7-1

ISO 9001

7. Quality High quality assurance plays an important role in a company’s efforts to maintain client satisfaction while aiming to reduce environ-mental impact. In each stage of a product’s life cycle, environmen-tal impact can be reduced by systematically striving at improving the performance of the product. The longer a carpet maintains its appearance, the less the need becomes for replacement.

To ensure carpet products which meet quality requirements of the market and of the client, ege has implemented the international quality management system ISO 9001. This chapter provides help-ful information about quality management.


Constant improvement

7.1 What is quality management? Quality management can be divided into three main compo-nents: Quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement. Quality management therefore not only focuses on product quality, but also on how product quality is achieved.

ISO standards The International Organisation for Standardisation was established in 1947 and is currently an association of approximately 157 members, each of which represents their own country.

ISO 9001The ISO 9000 family addresses quality management. The ISO 9001 standard places great emphasis on bringing quality manage-ment systems closer to the processes of the organisation and on ensuring constant improvement.

ISO 9001 specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organisation:

• needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products which meet customer and statutory and regula-tory requirements, and

• aim to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of quality management, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and statutory and regulatory re-quirements.

ege certificateTo offer the client tangible documentation of ege’s efforts to ensure carpet products produced with optimum care for the environment, safety and quality, the client is offered an ege certificate. The ege certificate holds an overview and brief presentation of:

• Management systems applied by ege• Product specifications• Environmental certificates and registrations• Certified flooring contractors• Certified Service Partner

8. Sustainability The last 20 years have seen a growing realisation of the negative effect consumption patterns are having on the environment and climate. The increasing stress put on resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air are placing an increasing burden on the planet. Sustainable development plays an important role in preventing this.

With this chapter you gain insight into how ege works with sustain-able development and environmental improvements at all times.


Definition

Three parts

8.1 Definitions of sustainable development Sustainable development can be defined in many ways. In the Mid 80s the UN set up a commission for environment and de-velopment which in 1987 published the Brundtland Report, also known as Our Common Future17. The report put sustainability on top of the agenda and alerted the world to the urgency of making progress towards economic development that could be sustained without depleting natural resources or harming the environment. The report provided a key statement on sustainable development, defining it as:

“…development that meets the needs of the present without com-promising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

This definition has become one of the most frequently quoted defi-nitions of sustainable development. The field of sustainable devel-opment can be broken into three parts:

• Profit – economic development• Planet – environmental protection • People – social responsibility

These three areas all form a natural part of ege’s environmental policy. At ege, sustainable development is not a definitive state of harmony but a process of constant development in which utilisa-tion of resources, management of investments and technological development are in agreement with future as well as contemporary needs.

17 UN, The World Commission on Environment and Development, “Our Com-mon Future”, 1987

Systematic work

Meet future demands

8.2 Dedicated to sustainability In ege’s quality and environmental department, the daily work is centred on finding new ways to improve the environmental impact of production and products.

Securing our common future through sustainable development means that we need to work systematically at shaping and adap-ting our production methods and resource consumption with con-sideration for the needs of future generations, the public, nature and ege. To live within our resources means that we need to achieve more with less. This requires us to continuously change the way we design, produce, use and dispose our products and waste.

The environment has always been given high priority at ege and over the years, a wide range of environmental initiatives and im-provements have been implemented.

The ability to document environmental claims sets ege apart from many other manufactures. New objectives of how to relate to the concept of sustainable development are set on a constant basis. ege seeks to meet future demands by constantly being at the fore-front on the market and by having sustainable development as a fixed parameter in the company’s environmental work and environ-mental management systems.

In all phases of ege’s products’ life cycle, policies of how to handle the environmental impact of the product are defined. The environ-mental policies are followed up by procedures and concrete initia-tives in our environmental management system ISO 14001.

ProfitEconomic

PlanetEnvironmental

PeopleSocial

Sustainable

Eco-efficiencyEquity

Liveability

Sustainable development


Objectives

8.3 Environmental policy Through determined effort and stipulation of environmental objec-tives, ege wants to work to prevent and reduce environmental im-pact caused by production, use and disposal of our products and to continuously improve the effort within the working environment area.

In relation to the following areas, ege wants to: Product development

• Develop products causing a minimum of environmental impact

• Make an environmental evaluation of raw material

Production • Produce with optimal utilisation of all resources • Continuously prevent and reduce environmental impact

and waste production • Ensure appropriate disposal of waste

Staff • Train and motivate staff to perform their tasks in an environ-

mentally appropriate manner• Promote dialogue between management and staff

Product information • Inform users of our products of environmental impact

through product declarations

The public • Promote openness and dialogue between the company

and the public • Meet law and authority requirements and other require-

ments having an impact on the environment and the work-ing environment

• Prepare an environmental report containing environmental objectives and environmental policies

• Prepare a greenhouse gas account with details about ege’s emissions of greenhouse gases

The environmental report is published together with the corporate annual accounts and is communicated to all persons working for or on behalf of the organisation. The greenhouse gas account is published once a year, starting in 2008/09.

Health and safety

A suitable job

Greenhouse gas accountA greenhouse gas account is an account for the company’s to-tal emissions of CO2. ege’s greenhouse gas account, that docu-ments the concerns contribution to global warming, is calculated in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, developed by World Business Council for Sustainable Development and World Resources Institute.

The greenhouse gas account monitors ege’s emissions of CO2, and makes visible where to intervene to reduce the emissions in the future.

Working environment policy The general objective of the working environment policy is to en-sure a healthy and safe working environment through close liaison between company management and staff. ege will strive to be a stimulating and attractive workplace, where responsibility for one-self and for one’s colleagues is given pride of place. This means not only complying with current rules and laws, but also ensuring that a forward looking working environment policy is pursued.

In the efforts made to ensure improvements of the working environ-ment, the working environment policy is targeted in the light of the most important working environment related problems, which have been defined for ege as a workplace. These problems have been defined on the basis of completed workplace assessments according to guidelines outlined by the Danish Working Environ-ment Service.

Health promoting activities The Health and Safety Committee examines and evaluates the need for health promoting activities among the staff. On the basis of medical examinations of the individual employee, such activities may be offers of, for example, “stop smoking” courses, preparation of diet plans and healthy food and fruit in the canteen. Furthermore, ege has alcohol and smoking policies.

A tolerant labour marketege wants to provide opportunities for a tolerant labour market in which employees who, as an example, become ill or worn down are retained in a suitable job or given light duties to the extent pos-sible. Thus, a clarification of the procedure taking place after illness or absence should be made for the employee in question.


Regularly evaluations

Status report

8.4 Systematic environmental managementIn our determination to be a responsible company, systematic en-vironment management is of great importance. As employer, we bear the formal responsibility for the well-being and physical work-ing environment of our staff. We believe that in a healthy and good working environment, the employee is committed and shows sense of responsibility. At the same time, it is important that each employee is acknowledged for his or her qualifications and for the efforts performed on a daily basis.

A good working environment is established through qualified mana gement, a healthy indoor climate and a corporate culture appreciating and respecting safety and ethical values.

The working environment at ege is evaluated regularly on the basis of workplace assessments, safety provisions, accidents, “near to accidents”, and evaluation of the psychological working environ-ment and work related illnesses. The assessments enable us to con-tinuously improve the working environment, making ege a safe and comfortable place to work for current and future employees and to ensure prevention of accidents and physical disabilities.

Implementation of the working environment policyTwice a year, in connection with the management’s evaluation, a status is prepared indicating to which extent the working environ-ment policy has been completed.

The working environment is under continuous development and the working environment policy should, therefore, be revised at least every third year.

Proactive approach

8.5 Environmental management International production companies consume large amounts of wa-ter, energy and resources. In addition, they generate various types of wastes. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both cost savings and environmental performance improvements by increasing efficiency.

Environmental management is a systematic approach to finding practical ways for saving resources and materials and for reducing environmental impact. A proactive and systematic environmental management approach can help an organisation to ensure that the environmental policy is carried out effectively and that both immediate and long-term environmental impact of the company, products and processes are addressed and managed. ege is certi-fied in accordance with ISO 14001 and registered pursuant to The Eco- Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

ISO 14001The ISO 14000 family of standards primarily addresses aspects of environmental management. ISO 14001, which was imple-mented at ege in 1996, specifies requirements for an environmen-tal management system and enables the company to constantly develop and implement policies and objectives which take into account legal requirements and environmental aspects. With ISO 14001, ege is required to take a hard look at all areas where the company’s activities have an environmental impact. ISO 14001 was launched in 1996 and revised in 2004. The standard is one of the most dominating standards within environ-mental management in the world. To receive certification, the com-pany needs to comply with various demands related to the environ-mental management system:

• Environmental policy• Planning• Implementation and operation • Control and corrective actions• Management review

While ISO 14001 and The Eco- Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) share the same objective of providing good environmental management, they are different in a number of ways. For example, ISO 14001 does not, as EMAS, undertake an initial environmental review. EMAS is thus more comprehensive in nature. ege, there-fore, also holds EMAS registration.


Quality label

EMAS

The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, also known as EMAS, is a voluntary market based instrument designed to encourage better environmental performance from all types of organisations. EMAS is compatible with the international standard for environ-mental management systems, ISO 14001, but goes further in its requirements for performance improvement, employee involvement, legal compliance and communication with stakeholders. EMAS recognises and rewards organisations which go beyond minimum legal compliance and continuously improve their environmental performance.

EMAS is a direct response to some of the key principles in the European Union’s Environmental Action Programmes and the chal-lenges to sustainable development.

Why EMAS? EMAS provides ege with a quality label for environmental management and provides the company with a badge of credibi-lity when making claims of the environmental performances. EMAS is a clear and verifiable way of showing commitment to improving environmental performance, as it provides a systematic framework for setting environmental objectives and measuring, monitoring and reporting on our current performance. The system thereby allows for constant improvement.

An ongoing process Implementing EMAS means that ege is demanded to complete a number of activities, which all are naturally connected in an ongo-ing cycle. See next page.

EMAS became open for participation by companies of the manu-facturing sector from April 1995. Already in 1996, ege achieved the EMAS certification.

Independent auditing Internal audits are carried out regularly and every 6 months. The environmental system is audited by the external verifier Bureau Ver-itas Certification. Additionally, ege publishes an environmental re-port on an annual basis documenting the environmental efforts and performances of the organisation.

Working environment

DS/OHSAS 18001In 2006, the working environment management system DS/OH-SAS 18001 (the Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Se-ries) was implemented at ege’s headquarters in Herning with the purpose of improving the working environment at the factory. How-ever, since being ISO 14001 certified and EMAS registered, ege decided to include the working environment in the environmental management system as a separate part.

DS/OHSAS 18001 is an international occupational health and safety management system, intended to help organisations to con-trol and minimise occupational health and safety risks. By formu-lating working environment and safety policies and objectives, ege has taken a preventive approach to the working environment at ege. To receive DS/OHSAS certification the company has de-monstrated that the working environment is both healthy and safe. This means that all considerable problems related to the working environment have been solved and that further improvement is a constant objective.

Setting environmental policy

Setting environmental objectives

Setting environmental programmes for obtaining the objectives

Implementing environ-mental management systems

Making environmental audits

Making environmental verification

Publishing environmental report

Examining current environmental performance


Eliminate risk areasWith current and future employees in mind DS/OHSAS enables ege to control the working environment and safety risks and to improve our performance by continuously identifying and assessing risks in the working environment and de-veloping strategies to eliminate identified risk areas. Furthermore, the system enables the company to make further improvements, making ege a safe and comfortable place for current and future employees.

One year after having received DS/OHSAS certification, ege re-ceived a crown smiley by the Danish Working Environment Autho-rity, indicating that ege has no issues with the Working Environment Authority and that ege holds a recognised health and safety certifi-cate by having made extraordinary efforts to ensure a high level of health and safety at the workplace.

Life cycle assessment

8.6 Environmental certificates and registration

As ege constantly work to reduce environmental impact from our products and production, we have implemented strict measures to ensure that our products and production live up to the strict demands in a number of important environmental certificates and registrations.

CE All carpets from ege are CE marked ensuring that they meet all demands of the European standard concerning properties within key areas such as:

• Fire-safety• Health and environment• Safety in use• Energy saving • Thermal insulation

CE stands for “Conformité Européenne”, meaning “conforms to EC Directives”. CE marking on a product is the manufacturer’s de-claration that the product complies with the essential requirements of relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation. The harmonised standard EN 14041 applies for CE certification of textiles, resilient and laminate floor coverings. To permit the use of a CE mark on a product, proof that the product meets all relevant requirements must be documented.

BREFrom material extraction, development, production, transportation, installation and use to maintenance and disposal, building pro-ducts have an environmental impact. When specifying materials for new builds, it has, therefore, become increasingly important to document the environmental impact of building materials.

Environmental carpet profiles Claims about the environmental performance of building products, such as carpets, are easy to make, but difficult to substantiate with-out a universal measuring system. Environmental profiles from BRE Certification Ltd. provide ege with such a measuring system, as they provide life cycle assessment information on the environmental impact associated with the extraction, processing, manufacture, installation, maintenance and disposal of products, hereunder car-pets.


Environmental criteria

Green buildings

Performance goals

Documentation of our products’ environmental impact The overall environmental impact for the environmental profiles is measured using Ecopoints. The profiles allow architects, designers and specifiers to make informed decisions about ege carpets, as the profiles provide reliable and comparable environmental infor-mation about the products. ege’s BRE certificate (ENP 368) states the performance of individual products against a set of defined environmental criteria. It awards credit to products incorporating materials with low impact on the environment throughout the pro-duct’s full life cycle.

LEEDTo ensure sustainable development within the construction sector, rating systems which evaluate the environmental performances of building materials against a set of common standards are needed. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System provides such a system.

What is LEED? LEED is a voluntary building certification programme established by the US Green Building Council with the purpose of encouraging and accelerating global adaptation of sustainable green buildings through universally understood and accepted tools and perform-ance criteria. LEED establishes a common standard measurement for what constitutes a high-performance “green building”. The sy-stem provides architects, designers and specifiers with a concrete and practical set of design and performance goals, and provides independent third-party certification that validates their achieve-ments.

The LEED system addresses all types of building projects and all phases in the building lifecycle, from design and construction to renovation.

Why the need for green buildings? Green buildings use resources more efficiently compared to con-ventional buildings, simply built to code. Furthermore, LEED helps to create:

• Healthier working and living environments• Higher productivity and improved employee health and

comfort

Environmental properties

Less dangerous substances

This is done by ensuring building materials with low environmental impact, both to the external environment and to the indoor climate in the building. ege received LEED approval in 2008.

BASTAOver the years, the construction sector has encountered a signifi-cant number of problems resulting from inadequate information about the environmental effects of chemicals used in construction products. Therefore, the need for systems which aim at phasing out hazardous substances in building materials has become in-creasingly important. The Swedish system BASTA provides such a system.

ege carpets are BASTA registered According to a survey made by the Swedish Chemical Agency, over 3,000 chemical substances can be found in construction products. Some of these substances are suspected to cause can-cer. The large volumes of materials and the long life-span of build-ings increase the impact of these products on our health and the environment. At ege, extensive work has been undertaken to im-prove the environmental properties of the company’s carpets, thus qualifying ege carpets for BASTA registration. The BASTA registra-tion means that we can confirm that this construction product is in accordance with the properties criteria agreed upon with respect to health- or environmental properties.

Credibility assured through external auditing The objective of BASTA is to establish an industry standard for maximum levels of very dangerous substances in construction prod-ucts, and to demonstrate a system for phasing out construction products which contain dangerous substances. In the BASTA sy-stem, the Swedish construction sector has agreed on a common definition of the substance properties, which is used for deciding whether a product is accepted or not. The supplier has to confirm that the products meet the set of criteria. To ensure credibility, the system is supplemented by quality assured auditing.

Danish Indoor Climate Labelling The vast majority of our time is spent indoors. The indoor environ-ment therefore plays an important role in our general well-being, health and productivity at work and in our spare time. According to the Danish Technological Institute there is direct relationship be-tween the quality of the indoor climate and performance.


Improve indoor climate

Measuring system

The Danish Indoor Climate Labelling is a voluntary labelling scheme for identification of the impact on the indoor climate of building ma-terials and products. The purpose of the scheme is to improve the indoor climate in buildings by:

• Giving the manufacturers a tool to develop more indoor friendly products

• Giving the users a tool to select more indoor friendly pro-ducts

• Giving everybody a tool for better understanding of the impact of products on the indoor climate

The Danish Indoor Climate Labelling gives builders, architects, de-signers and specifiers the opportunity to specify indoor climate labelled products and to choose the best among the labelled pro-ducts.

All carpets from ege are approved in accordance with the Danish Indoor Climate Labelling, serving as a guarantee that each carpet meets the standards of the voluntary labelling scheme laid down by the Danish Technological Institute to ensure indoor climates which provide optimal conditions for comfort and well-being.

INSTA 800 We spend many hours indoors everyday, whether it be in our homes or at work. To ensure well-being in these indoors environ-ments, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the interior design and to set a number of performance demands in terms of the choice of flooring solution. These demands should comprise easy cleaning, comfort and low emission of vapour and dust.

Assessing cleaning qualityINSTA 800 is a Scandinavian measuring system for assessing the quality of cleaning in a room. The cleaning quality is measured both before and after finished cleaning. INSTA 800 measures among others dust deposits on carpets, before and after vacuum-cleaning. The measurements are converted into a dust index from 1 to 5, where 5 is considered to be the best result possible. The Swedish “Provnings- och Forskningsinstitut” (The Swedish National Testing- and Research Institute) has tested a number of ege contract qualities, vacuumed with equipment from Nilfisk, including epoca, epoca chess, epoca pro, Highline 1100 and Highline loop. All tested carpet qualities received 5. These results guarantee that a daily, dry and chemical free cleaning provides the required clean-ing level.

EN 1307

9. General technical conditionsWhen either specifying or installing carpets, it is important to be aware of a number of technical issues which are crucial in the ef-forts to ensuring a satisfactory, visually pleasing and long-lasting carpet solution. These issues include:

• Construction data • Measurements • Patterns • Colours• Shading• Pile reversal

This chapter elaborates the above standing factors.

Construction data In regard to specified construction data, both test methods and margins are in accordance with the valid European EN 1307 standard for textile floorings. This includes:

• The total weight indicates the total weight of the carpet in g/m². The margin is +/- 15 %.

• The pile weight indicates the yarn weight over the primary backing and is indicated in g/m². The margin is +15/ -10 %.

• The pile height indicates the pile s height from the primary backing. The margin is: +/- 1 mm.

Measurements In terms of carpet measurements, the following standards apply:

LengthStandard lengths are delivered with a margin of +/- 0.5 %. Spe-cial lengths are delivered with a margin of +1/-0 %. In case of total orders there may, in some cases, occur further surplus in a few rolls. Here, we also refer to sales conditions specials.

WidthStandard widths are delivered with a margin of +/- 3 cm for 400 cm and 500 cm roll width.

CutsThe margin for cuts (cut service) is +1/-0 %. If a whole roll length has to be divided into more pieces, the tolerance for the whole roll


width will be +/- 3 cm (e.g. a roll width of 397 cm (400 cm – 3 cm) divided into 4 even pieces to 4 lengths of 99 cm).

Area rugsThe length is delivered with a margin of +/-2 % and the width with a margin of +/-1.25 %.

ModularLengths and widths are delivered with a margin of +/-0.2 % within the same batch.

PatternsTextile floorings are flexible floorings and like all other production processes, certain margins have to be taken into consideration during installation. The following criteria describe the maximum margins within which it should be possible for a professional fitter to complete a satisfactory installation (for more information, check out ege’s Installation guide. The guide can be found on our website www.egecarpet.com). The tolerances are valid trade standards in accordance with CEN/TS 14159 which is a Technical Specification Document prepared by the European Committee for Standardization and thus valid for all members of the EU.

Pattern repeats The given repeat sizes indicate the measures of the dominating pat-tern both in the length and width direction. These are used when calculating additional material in case of possible joins of two or more lengths.

Pattern displaced – Image 1Pattern fitting over full width is not guaranteed. When joining re-peats in the length direction the margin is: +/- 0.5 %.

Pattern curves – Image 2Pattern curves appear where the repeat is on level in both sides but where the pattern is curving across the width of the carpet. The margin is +/-1 %.

Diagonal slanting – Image 3Diagonal slanting appears where the repeat is out of level but stag-gered from one side to another. The margin is +/-1 %.

Pattern swings – Image 4Pattern swings appear if the distance from the pattern to the car-pet edge swings in the length direction. The margin is +/- 1 %.

Pile direction

Changes in limited areas

However, max. 3 cm for 4 and 5 m width. Applies for standard roll length.

ColoursDue to production conditions, certain colour variations are inevita-ble. It is, therefore, possible that a shown sample may show minor difference of colour to the actual material delivered. It is important that rolls which are to be fitted together must be from the same dye batch. It is the responsibility of the carpet fitter to examine the rolls prior to installation. In certain cases there may be minor colour differences from roll to roll. This can be due to minor colour differences in production, different pile direction together with local conditions on the premises.

ShadingShading can be defined as water spot like formations on the pile caused by changes in the original pile direction in velour quali-ties. In areas where the pile of the carpet is moved in different directions, the light reflection of the material is altered. When the pile is moved one way it will appear darker and when moved in the opposite direction it will appear lighter. This is not a defect in manufacture. In consequence, shading is not acceptable as a valid claim.

Pile reversalThis appears when changes in the pile direction occur within a limited area compared to the original pile direction. The change of direction is very different to that of shading. The cause of pile reversal is unknown but it is generally considered not to be caused by any defect in manufacture. In consequence, pile reversal is not acceptable as a valid claim.

Diagonalskævhed: Forekommer, hvor rapporten ikke ligger på højde, men er forskudt fra den eneside til den anden. Tolerancen er +/- 1 % (se fig. 3).

Mønster svinger: Forekommer, hvis afstanden fra mønstret til tæppekanten svinger ilængderetningen. Tolerancen er +/- 1 %. Dog max. 3 cm for 4 og 5 meters bredde. Gælderstandard rulle længde (se fig. 4).

Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4

4 cm. 4 cm. = max. 1%

max. 3 cm.

Mønsterforskydning Mønsterbuer Diagonalskævhed Mønster svinger

FarverNuanceafvigelse: Af produktionsmæssige årsager er visse nuanceafvigelser uundgåelige. Det erderfor muligt, at en fremvist prøve ikke har helt den samme nuance som den leverede produktion.Ruller til installering i samme rum, skal altid bestilles i samme farveparti. Det er pålæggerensansvar at kontrollere ruller for farveparti inden montering. Der kan i visse tilfælde forekommemindre nuanceforskelle fra tæppebane til tæppebane. Dette kan skyldes mindre forskelle gennemtæppeproduktionen eller forskellig luvhældning samt lokale forhold på installationsstedet.

Øvrige forholdShading: Ved begrebet shading forstås vandpletlignende dannelser på luven, som beror på enområdevis ændring af den oprindelige luvhældning i velourvarer. I disse områder reflekteres lysetanderledes og giver lyse og mørke afbildninger, der adskiller sig fra det øvrige tæppe. Det er ikkeen produktionsfejl, og fænomenet er ikke reklamationsberettiget.

Luvvending forekommer, hvor der i meget skarpt afgrænset område opstår ændring i luvretningeni forhold til den oprindelige luvretning. Retningsændringen er mere udtalt end ved shading.Årsagen er ukendt, men det anses ikke for en produktionsfejl og er derfor ikkereklamationsberettiget.

Side 2 af 2 siderDokument F000302dk - 23.01.09

4 cm = max. 1 %




4 cm. 4 cm. = max. 1%

max. 3 cm.






max. 3 cm




4 cm. 4 cm. = max. 1%

max. 3 cm.









4 cm. 4 cm. = max. 1%

max. 3 cm.






4 cm

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Chapter 10-1

Preserves investment

10. Installation When installed and maintained properly, an ege carpet is an in-vestment that is guaranteed to last and perform outstandingly for many years.

To help preserve your investment, helpful information is provided below on installation in terms of backing types and recommended methods. The installation instructions are applicable for the follow-ing products and backings:

• Latex backing (domestic), also known as “DL”; Domestic latex

• Contract backing, also known as “CL”; Contract latex• Woven textile backing, also described as “WT”; Woven

textile or “secondary backing”• Acousti Back, also known as “AB” backing• Comfort backing, also known as “CF300”• Modular – standard backing for ege modular carpet

(pa tented MOD 750 and MOD 350)

Installation methods On the next page, an overview of both recommended and non-recommended fitting methods available for each product and backing type is presented.


NB! When installing cuts of less than 25 m² in areas exposed to extra heavy load e.g. from castor chairs, traffic with trolleys, pallet trucks or in heavy trafficked areas, full fixation should always be applied.

10.1 Method description Various methods can be applied when installing carpets. It is im-portant to always choose the best suited method for each product and backing type to ensure the best fitting result possible. Below, a brief description of each fitting method is provided.

Full fixation Full fixation means that the carpet is fixed across the entire floor sur-face. This is obtained by applying one of the following methods:

• Wet adhesion • Easy release system • Wet fixation • Tackifying • Dry fixation

Wet adhesion The carpet is installed with a wet dispersion adhesive applied by a notched trowel.

Easy release system The carpet is installed with a wet dispersion adhesive applied by a notched trowel on a slip-primed subfloor.

Wet fixationThe carpet is installed with a wet fixation adhesive applied by a roller. Wet fixation should only be used on a fully pre-prepared subfloor.

TackifyingThe carpet is installed with a touch dry adhesive which has been applied by a roller beforehand. Tackifying should only be used on a fully pre-prepared subfloor.

Dry fixationThe carpet is installed on a fully adhered underlay with full surface double sided tape or Velcro.

Loose laying The carpet is loose laid but fixed with tape, adhesive or ege Su-pertack at the ends and/or edges.

Perimeter grippers The carpet is stretched and fastened on perimeter grippers with an underlay.

Figure 1: Overview of installation methods. O = not suitable + = suitable ++ = highly suitable (recommended)

1. Cuts of less than 25 m² should be edge fixated with tape or adhesive Cuts larger than 25 m² should be full fixated

2. Please note that a special fixation adhesive is demanded

Method Full adhesion Loose laying

On perimeter grippersWet

adhesionEasy release system

Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“DL” + ++ ++ o + + 1 o “CL” ++ ++ o o + o o “WT” ++ ++ o o o o + “AB” ++ + o o o o o “CF300” ++ + o o o o o “Modular” + + o ++ 2 o o o


Plan the installation

Important directions

24 hours acclimitation

10.2 General installation conditionsA carefully planned installation is the key to a perfectly looking car-pet solution which retains its appearance for many years to come.

To achieve a satisfactory installation result, the following condi-tions must be complied with before commencing the installation procedure.

The room Make sure that installation is carried out at the room temperature recommended for the adhesive in question, normally 18° C – 25° C.

The floorPaying attention to the floor surface is especially important when installing woven products and carpets with low, flat pile. Failing to follow directions for the floor surface may result in structures of the subfloor being mirrored on the carpet surface.

The following directions should be followed when installing car-pets:

• The floor should be level, solid, firm, without cracks and edges

• The floor should be clean, dry and uniformly absorbent without oil or grease stains

• Heavily absorbent underlay should be preliminary treated with a primer

• Currently installed linoleum and vinyl floors may have been treated with wax which therefore has to be thoroughly cleaned and treated before commencing installation

• The humidity of concrete subfloor must not exceed 75-90 % RH depending on the demands laid down by the manufacturer of the adhesive

• The under floor heating has to be switched off and cooled down prior to installation and should remain switched off 2 days after completion of installation

• To the extent possible, both carpet and subfloor must be protected from direct sunlight during installation and until 2 days after completed installation

MaterialsAcclimatisation To ensure that both the carpet and adhesive are acclimatised pro-perly, place both carpet and materials in the room in question a

Same pile direction and batch

Protect the carpet

minimum of 24 hours prior to initiating the actual installation proce-dure. This is especially important during cold weather conditions due to fluctuating temperatures outdoors and indoors.

Inspection Before cutting, the carpet must be inspected for visible faults. In case any faults are detected, the supplier must be contacted for further agreement before the work is continued.

Directions and recommendations Application of adhesives, tapes or other material must always take place in accordance with directions and recommendations of the manufacturer.

PlacingThe carpet lengths should always be placed in the same pile direc-tion. In addition, carpet material from the same production batch should always be applied in the same room. As a main rule, carpet lengths should be fitted with the joins per-pendicular to the most light-giving window wall.

To the extent possible, joins should be avoided in highly exposed areas, e.g. in doorways, entrances and under chairs fitted with castors. Whenever possible, lengths should be installed outer edge against outer edge in order to reduce the risk of colour differences. When installing with adhesive, the least visible joins are achieved by using carpet clamps.

StairsWhen installing carpets on stairs, the installation should always be protected by adding nosings.

After installationAfter the installation and until the carpet is used, the carpet should be protected against damage and soiling from traffic and subse-quent craftsmen. The extent and type of covering necessarily will depend on the type of load, traffic intensity and on whether a dry or wet load is expected. No furniture, equipment or the like should be placed on the carpet before the floor adhesive is completely dry and tempered. This


Demands

Planning is important

View before you glue

may last up to 24 hours. Failing to follow these directions may result in visible pressure markings on the carpet.

General conditions for installation of patterned carpetsPatterned carpets are immensely popular among many interior de-signers and architects. And with good reason! A patterned carpet offers an ideal solution for creating a sophisticated and expressive style in the interior design of a building.

However, when a patterned carpet is chosen, it is important to no-tice that this particular solution places a number of demands on the contractor’s execution of the installation in order to ensure a perfect installation. These demands encompass areas such as:

• Planning • Subfloor• Carpets• Materials• Cutting • Adhesive • Installation

A perfectly looking carpet result At ege, we supply carpet products which meet some of the most stringent requirements imposed in accordance with industry stan-dards. This is ensured by means of quality management down to the very last detail.

To offer each client the best possible return of investment, it is im-portant that both the production of the carpet as well as its installa-tion is executed professionally.

Planning plays an important role in connection with ensuring the best possible result for the client. A good result is only achieved when and if it is possible to carry out the installation correctly. At the same time, it is important to be familiar with the product and the tools available.

Pattern fitting When working with patterned carpets it is especially important to check for pattern fitting before the actual installation is executed. Working with patterned carpets requires careful attention, and it is important that this is taken into consideration when planning the installation.

Full disposal of the room

Report faults

Ensuring that the areas in which the carpet or carpets are to be installed are at the total disposal of the carpet fitter is an essential part of planning the installation. When the areas are at the dis-posal of the fitter, it becomes possible to assess the room prior to executing the installation and prior to fixating the pre-laid carpet to the floor.

All textile floorings are flexible floorings which have certain margins which have to be taken carefully into consideration during installa-tion. It is our responsibility to deliver carpets which comply with the industry standards in terms of margins. At the same time, the fitter is responsible for fitting the pattern during installation.

As far as possible, joins should be avoided at exposed areas, for example in doorways, entrances and underneath swivel chairs. Prior to cutting and fixation, the carpet rolls are laid out in the room/area and the pattern repeats are assessed. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to have full disposal of the room/area during installation.

A carefully planned installation is the key to a perfectly looking car-pet solution which retains its appearance for many years to come.

Pre installation inspection Inspection of all carpets is carried out with the utmost thoroughness from the part of the manufacturer. However, in rare instances, you might experience faults in the carpet of which you wish to file a complaint. In such cases, the fault should be reported to ege prior to commencing installation of the carpet. Otherwise, the company is NOT able to accept replacement of the carpet.

Therefore, it is important to inspect each carpet for flaws and de-ficiencies as well as to check that the supplied carpets belong to the same colour batch.

Finally, all carpets from ege should be installed in accordance with existing installation instructions.


Procedure tufted loop pile

10.3 Cutting To achieve the correct quality when cutting a carpet, knowledge of carpet backing characteristics and available carpet tools is im-portant. Below, cutting instructions are provided for the following carpet qualities:

• Tufted loop pile • Tufted cut pile• Flat woven

Tufted loop pile Woven textile backingWoven textile backing is a thin, woven and synthetic material avail-able in 2 varieties:

a) Standard Woven Textile named WT backing. b) Impervious named IP backing which, as standard, has

blue threads woven in to the backing to indicate that the carpet fulfils the health sector’s demands in terms of water-resistant properties.

Both types of backing should be cut according to the instructions provided below.

• Cut the carpet with a black carpet cutter from the pile side – notice the position of the blade.

• With light pressure, push the cutter between the rows of pile thus allowing the cutter to run along the production lines between the rows without cutting these.

• It is important not to force the blade. • All lengths should be cut. • The lengths are now ready for installation.

Latex/foam backingLatex backing is a rubber backing available in various thicknesses with varying firmness.

• Standard residential latex named DL backing • Luxury latex named LL backing • Extra Luxury latex backing named XL backing • Contract Latex named CL backing

All latex backings should be cut according to the instructions pro-vided above for woven textile backing on tufted loop pile.

Procedure epoca chess

Special instructions for epoca chess: When dealing with epoca chess, special instructions apply in terms of cutting joins.

• The joins should be cut with the illustrated carpet cutter to ensure that the dark threads are cut through properly. It is important not to cut too close to the dark threads. The cut should leave behind two light threads at the edge of one of the carpet pieces and only one light thread on the other carpet piece. (NB! There are three light yarn rows between each dark yarn row).

• With light pressure, push the cutter between the rows with-out forcing the blade.

Tufted cut pile Woven textile backing: The woven textile backing is a thin, woven and synthetic material available in 2 varieties:


blue threads woven in to the backing to indicate that the carpet fulfils the health sector’s demands in terms of water-resistant properties.



Procedure tufted cut pile

• When joining uni-coloured (plain) lengths, the cutting line should be pre-marked on all lengths with a screwdriver approximately 2-3 cm from the edge.

• When joining patterned lengths, the cutting line should be marked on all lengths with a screwdriver in a distance from the edge which takes into consideration the pattern repeat width of the carpet.

• When the pile has been separated with the screwdriver, the cut can be made between the two pile lines.

• Cut the carpet with a carpet cutter from the pile side – notice the position of the blade.

• With light pressure, push the cutter between the rows of pile allowing the cutter to run along the production lines between the rows without cutting these. It is important not to force the blade.

• The lengths are now ready for installation.

Latex backing: The latex backing is a rubber backing available in various thick-nesses and in varying firmness.

a) Standard residential latex named DL backing, offering good underfoot comfort

b) Luxury latex named LL backing c) Extra Luxury latex named XL backing d) Contract Latex named CL backing

All latex backings should be cut according to the instructions pro-vided above for woven textile backing on tufted cut pile.

Felt backing: The felt backing is a specially developed synthetic felt available in one variety:

a) Felt backing for broadloom named AB backing (Acousti Back).

The felt backing is cut according to the instructions provided above for woven textile backing on tufted cut pile.

Flat woven carpets with woven textile backingWoven Textile backing – Pile with pattern:The woven textile backing is a thin, woven and synthetic material available in 2 varieties:

Procedure with pattern

Procedure without pattern


blue threads woven into the backing to indicate that the carpet fulfils the health sector’s demands in terms of water-resistant properties.


• Place the lengths so that they overlap and the pattern repeat fits.

• Flip the lengths to the side. • Remember to apply a sufficient amount of adhesive –

3 m² per litre.• Cut the lengths with aid from a ruler and a straight blade.• Cut through both layers at once by adding sufficient pres-

sure to the blade. • Remove the carpet pieces which have been cut away (a

sufficient amount of adhesive is left on the floor from the bottom piece).

• Finish by drum-rolling the lengths.

Woven textile backing – Pile without pattern: The woven textile backing is a thin, woven and synthetic material available in 2 varieties:


blue threads woven into the backing to indicate that the carpet fulfils the health sector’s demands in terms of water-resistant properties.

Both types of backing are cut according to the instructions pro-vided below.

• BEFORE cutting, glue the lengths with an overlap of approximately 2-3 cm. This way, the lengths are not dislo-cated when cut, ensuring perfect fitting of the joins.

• Remember to apply a sufficient amount of adhesive – 3 m² per litre.

• Cut with the double cutter Duo, as it ensures that the top carpet follows the fence of the double cutter.

• Add pressure to the blade to make it cut through both layers at once.

• Remove the carpet pieces which have been cut away (a sufficient amount of adhesive is left on the floor from the bottom piece).

• Finish by drum-rolling the lengths.


10.4 Recommended tools Using the correct tools plays an important part in ensuring a proper and professional carpet installation result. Which tools to use de-pends on the carpet quality in question. Below, a number of recom-mended carpet tools are presented for each carpet product quality.

Tufted carpets with textile backing The black carpet cutter:The black carpet cutter is recommended for trimming the edges. The black carpet cutter ensures fast and safe cutting of joins. The pile rows on both cut and loop pile should be separated with a rowfinder/screwdriver prior to cutting from the pile side.

Please note the position of the blade on the black carpet cutter.

Tufted carpets with latex backing The green carpet cutter:The green carpet cutter is recommended for trimming the edges. The green carpet cutter ensures fast and safe cutting of joins.

The pile rows on both cut- and loop pile should be seperated with a rowfinder/screwdriver prior to cutting from the pile side.

Please note the position of the blade on the green carpet cutter.

Flat woven carpets When working with flat woven carpets, either a double cutter Duo or ruler and knife is applied, depending on whether the carpet is uni-coloured or patterned.

Uni-coloured (plain) carpets:The double cutter Duo is recommended when working with uni-coloured, flat rib carpets with textile backing. The tools ensures fast and safe cutting of joins. The cut is made by placing the carpet lengths so that they overlap and then cutting both carpet lengths at once by means of the carpet cutter fence.

Patterned carpets: Ruler and carpet knife is recommended for cutting joins of pat-terned flat rib carpets with textile backing. Apply a straight blade.

Along walls When working along walls, either the yellow edge cutter or the adjustable carpet cutter is recommended for cutting the carpet.

The yellow edge cutter: The yellow edge cutter ensures fast and safe cutting of edges along walls where a close cut is required. The tool is intended for flat rib and tufted products with WT backing (woven textile).

The adjustable cutter:The adjustable edge cutter ensures fast and easy edge cutting along walls where a close cut is required. The angle of the blade can be adjusted to the thickness of the carpet. The tool is applica-ble for woven and tufted products with both latex and WT (woven textile) backing.

Cutting around piping, columns etc. When working around piping, columns etc. a carpet knife with a hooked blade is recommended for cutting the carpet.

Combi carpet cutterThe Combi carpet cutter substitutes both the green and black car-pet cutters.


Procedure loose laying (DL)

10.5 Fitting carpets with latex backing – “DL” domestic

Carpets with latex backing are suitable for use in most living-quarters, e.g. bedrooms, rooms, living rooms, entrance halls and corridors. In addition, the latex backing is highly suitable for hotel rooms, conference rooms and rooms with light traffic.

Installation methods

Loose layingLoose laying should only be applied when installing cuts of less than 25 m² and only in areas with low traffic intensity. When ap-plying loose laying, the edges of the carpet is fixated with adhe-sive or tape in a minimum of 5 cm width.

• Adhere 1 strip of double sided adhesive tape on the floor along the end walls. Alternatively, apply adhesion. Make sure that all dust and dirt is removed from the subfloor.

• Roll the carpet out on the floor and cut along the edges. • Remove the cover paper from the tape and press the car-

pet well onto the tape. • In case of joins, double adhesive tape should be applied

in the middle of the joins. Further strengthen the joins with 2 strips of tape.

Full fixationFull fixation should be applied when installing cuts larger than 25 m². Full fixation can be made by applying the following methods:

• Wet adhesion• Easy release system• Wet fixation• Dry fixation

Procedure wet adhension (DL)

Procedure dry fixation (DL)

Wet adhesionThe strongest adhesion method is always wet adhesion. However, the method is often applied as “late” wet adhesion in order to diminish water influence.

• Roll out and cut the carpet roughly to length. Roll approx. half of the carpet, in the length direction, back towards the centre and apply the adhesive to the subfloor with a notched trowel. Subsequently, fit the carpet onto the wet adhesive. The process is repeated for the adjoining length.

• When joining the lengths, trim the edges and establish pattern match. Subsequently, glue approx. 1/3 of the car-pet down on each side of the join and press the edges together. Use carpet clamps at the join. Glue-down the rest of the length.

• Immediately after glue-down, drum roll and cut the carpet along the edges, starting from the middle of the carpet length and then cut towards the edges.

• After 30–40 minutes, drum roll the carpet a second time along the lengths of the carpet.

Easy release systemThe easy release system is applied when a quick and economic replacement of a carpet is needed without damaging the subfloor.

• Firstly, prime the subfloor with a slip primer. • When the primer is dry, apply a dispersion adhesive with

a notched trowel and subsequently follow the procedure described under wet adhesion.

Wet fixationFixation adhesive is applied with a roller and the carpet is installed onto the wet adhesive according to the same procedure applying for wet adhesion.

Dry fixationDry fixation is achieved by covering the entire floor area with double sided adhesive tape of the type Sigaway* in 100 cm width.

• Roll out Sigaway in cuts on the entire floor surface – the covering paper should be left on.

• Lay out the carpet and roughly cut the length.• When joining the cuts, trim the edges and establish pat-

tern match.• The carpet is cut and laid loose onto the floor. Edge cut-

ting must always be made from the middle of the room and towards the corners.

O = not suitable + = suitable ++ = highly suitable (recommended)

1. Cuts of less than 25 m² should be edge fixated with tape or adhesive Cuts larger than 25 m² should be full fixated




Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“DL” + ++ ++ o + + 1 o


Procedure loop products (DL)

• Roll more than half of the carpet length back towards the centre and remove the covering paper from the first two Sigaway-lengths. The carpet is carefully put back into place. Continue with the second half of the carpet and subsequent lengths until completion.

* More detailed installation instructions with tips are found en-closed in the packing of the tape.

Special conditions for loop products with DL backing When joining 2 or more lengths, the edges should be trimmed as described in the list and procedure below:

• The carpet cutter should be held at a slight incline against

the length which is joined. • After edge cutting, the lengths should be aligned so that

the edges meet all the way down the length.• In order to achieve the best possible result, it is important

that the structure of the loops "engages" like a zip, to the extent possible. In case of long lengths, it is unlikely that it is possible to maintain this effect all the way through the length.

Procedure wet adhension (CL)

10.6 Fitting carpets with contract latex backing “CL”

Carpets with contract latex backing (CL) are suitable for use in most living quarters, stairs and corridors. However, the CL backing is ideal for the contract market, e.g. for use in business premises such as offices, corridors, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, discothèques etc., where heavy demands are imposed on the car-pet, e.g. in terms of castor chair suitability and heavy foot traffic.


Full fixationFull fixation should be applied when installing cuts larger than 25 m² and always in rooms where rolling-stock is used, e.g. chairs fitted with castors. Full fixation can be made by applying one of the following methods:

• Wet adhesion• Easy release system • Dry fixation

Wet adhesionThe strongest adhesion method is always wet adhesion. However, “late” wet adhesion is often applied to diminish water influence.



Product name To be cut from the pile side

To be cut from the back side

Use carpet cutter shown in image no.

epoca home • 1

epoca home basic • 1

Image 1Green carpet cutter

Figure 2: Overview of how to trim edges for loop products with DL backing





Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“CL” ++ ++ o o + o o


Procedure dry fixation (CL)






Dry fixationDry fixation is achieved by covering the entire floor area with double sided adhesive tape of the type Sigaway* in 100 cm width.

• Roll out Sigaway in cuts on the entire floor surface – the covering paper should be left on.

• Lay out the carpet and roughly cut the length.• When joining the cuts, trim the edges and establish pat-

tern match.• The carpet is cut and laid loose onto the floor. Edge cut-

ting must always be made from the middle of the room and towards the corners.

• Roll more than half of the carpet length back towards the centre and remove the covering paper from the first two Sigaway-lengths. The carpet is carefully put back into place. Continue with the second half of the carpet and subsequent lengths until completion.

* More detailed installation instructions with tips are found en-closed in the packing of the tape.

Special conditions for loop productsWhen joining 2 or more lengths, the edges should be trimmed as described in the list and procedure below:

Procedure loop products (CL)

• Carpets cut from the back are pre-scratched with a blunt tool, e.g. a screwdriver. This is done by pulling the point of the tool between two yarn lines.

• The cutter should be held at a slight incline against the length which is joined.

• After edge cutting, the carpet lengths should be aligned so that the edges meet all the way down the length.

• In order to achieve the best possible result, it is important that the structure of the loops “engage” like a zip, to the extent possible. In case of long lengths, it is unlikely that it is possible to maintain this effect all through the length.




epoca classic • 1

Highline loop • 2

Image 1Black carpet cutter

Image 2Green carpet cutter

Figure 3: Overview of how to trim edges for loop products


10.7 Fitting carpets with woven textile backing “WT”/“IP”

Carpets with WT/IP-woven textile backing are suitable for all li-ving quarters, corridors and stairs. However, the WT/IP-backing is especially suitable for use within the contract market, e.g. for use in business premises such as conference rooms, offices, corridors, ho-tels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, discotheques etc. where heavy demands are imposed on the carpet, e.g. in terms of the carpet’s ability to resist loads from chairs fitted with castors etc.


Installation on perimeter grippers Installation on perimeter grippers is applied in areas where an extra feel of luxury is added to the carpet by using felt as underlay. Installation on perimeter grippers is a craftsman’s installation tech-nique, providing a cushioning effect when walking over the carpet, increased footstep noise suppression, high strength and elasticity, resistance to intense traffic and finally, allowing a simple and quick replacement of the carpet.

Full fixationFull fixation should be applied when installing cuts larger than 25 m², and always in areas where e.g. chairs fitted with castors are used. Full fixation can be achieved by applying one of the following methods:

• Wet adhesion • Easy release system

Wet adhesionThe strongest fixation is always achieved by applying wet adhe-sion. The adhesion is often applied to as “late” wet adhesion to diminish water influence.

Procedure wet adhension (WT/IP)


• When joining the lengths, trim the edges and establish pattern match. Subsequently, glue approx. 1/3 of the car-pet down on each side of the join and press the edges together. Use carpet clamps at the join. Glue down the rest of the length.



Easy release systemThe easy release system is applied in areas where a quick and economic replacement of a carpet is wanted at a later time, with-out damaging the subfloor.

• Firstly, the subfloor is primed with an easy release primer. • When the primer is dry, a dispersion adhesive is applied

with a notched trowel and the procedure described under wet adhesion is subsequently followed.

Special conditions for loop productsWhen joining 2 or more lengths, the edges are trimmed as de-scribed in the list and procedure on the next page.





Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“WT” ++ ++ o o o o +


Procedure loop products (WT/IP)

• The cutter should be held at a slight incline against the length which has to be joined.

• The carpet lengths should be aligned to ensure that the edges meet all the way down the length after which the carpet is installed.

• In order to achieve the best possible result, it is important that the structure of the loops “engage” like a zip, to the extent possible. In case of long lengths, it is, however, unlikely that it is possible to maintain this effect all through the length.

Special tips for cutting epoca chess When cutting joins of epoca chess products, it is essential that the cuts are made with a hand held cutter and not by overlapping and cutting through the carpet lengths. The cut must be made carefully to ensure that neither two dark lines nor two light lines are drawn together when the carpet is cut.

It is important that only light pressure is added to the cutter to allow it to run along the production lines between the rows instead of cutting through them.




epoca chess, wt • 1

epoca ribs, wt • 1

compact, wt

epoca pro

•

Is cut through 2 layers, using a flexible straight edge.

Is adhered in a thin layer with a long opening time in order that it “catches” during the first laying.

Cross joins are not recommended. How-ever, in cases where they are necessary, it is essential to adhere along the edges.

Use a Stanley carpet knife with a straight blade.

Accent, wt Is adjusted in pattern and cut through the 2 layers by using a ruler.

Use a Stanley carpet knife with a straight blade.

Image 1Black carpet cutter

Figure 4: Overview of how to trim edges for loop products


Procedure wet adhesive (AB)

10.8 Fitting carpets with Acousti Back “AB”Carpets with Acousti Back (AB) are suitable for guest bedrooms and corridors. The backing is also very suitable for use in hotel rooms, conference rooms and areas with light traffic.


Full fixationFull fixation should be applied when installing cuts larger than 25 m², and always in areas where chairs fitted with castors are used. Full fixation can be made by applying the following methods:

• Wet adhesion • Easy release system

Wet adhesionThe strongest fixation is always achieved by applying wet adhe-sion. The adhesion is often applied to as “late” wet adhesion to diminish water influence.





Easy release systemThe easy release system is applied in areas where a quick and economic replacement of a carpet is wanted at a later time, with-out damaging the subfloor.

• Firstly, the subfloor is primed with an easy release primer. • When the primer is dry, a dispersion adhesive is applied

with a notched trowel and the procedure described under wet adhesion is subsequently followed.





Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“AB” ++ + o o o o o


Procedure wet adhesive (CF300)

10.9 Fitting carpets with Comfort backing “CF300”

Flat-woven carpets with comfort backing (CF300) are ideal for use in non-residential areas such as offices, corridors, hotels, re-staurants, shops, banks and other places imposing similar high demands on the carpet’s ability to resist effects of high levels of use, characteristic of such areas.

The special felt backing makes this carpet particularly suited for use in areas where acoustical properties are of high priority.

Flat-woven carpets with comfort backing are installed using a spe-cially recommended floor adhesive, such as standard wet glue.


Full fixationFull fixation should be applied when installing cuts larger than 25 m², and always in areas where chairs fitted with castors are used. Full fixation can be made by applying one of the following methods:

• Wet adhesion• Easy release system

Wet adhesionThe strongest adhesion method is always wet adhesion. However, the method is often applied as “late” wet adhesion in order to diminish water influence.


• When joining the lengths, trim the edges and establish pattern match. Subsequently, glue approx. 1/3 of the car-

pet down on each side of the join and press the edges together. Use carpet clamps at the join. Glue-down the rest of the length.


• After 30-40 minutes, drum roll the carpet a second time along the lengths of the carpet.




Recommended floor adhesive To prevent shrinkage and the joins from opening during use, it is essential that the adhesive used is not a vinyl adhesive, as vinyl adhesives are softer than other types of adhesives. The hardness of the adhesive ensures permanent fixation to the floor, minimising the risk of joins opening as a consequence of varying temperatures, moisture and heavy use. Adhere joins with a seam sealer and subsequently add carpet clamps at the joins.

ege recommends the listed adhesives for installing carpets with CF300 backing, as they ensure correct and problem-free fitting.

SubfloorsThe recommended floor adhesive is suitable for use on both con-crete and wooden floors.

Method Type of adhesive Quantity needed (g/m²) Retailer

Floor adhesive CascoTæppelim 3457

Uzin UZ 57 ökoline

Multi-Coll

Schönox Tex-objekt

Approx.330

Approx.300–550

Approx.480–530

Approx.400–550

Casco

Uzin

Wulff

Schönox


Figure 5: Recommended floor adhesive for CF300 backing




Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“CF300” ++ + o o o o o


The subfloor must be level, firm and smooth without any cracks or edges. This is absolutely essential, as the structure of the sub-floor surface otherwise will be visible when the carpet is installed. Oiled, wooden floors must be thoroughly cleaned before applying adhesive. Absorbent subfloors must be primed first.

Fitting procedure• At joins, trim the edges of the lengths with an overlap of

approximately 3–5 cm. When trimming the edges, use a straight blade and a steel ruler. PLEASE NOTE that whilst the carpet is trimmed and cut to size, wooden floors need to be protected with a cutting rail, a sheet of masonite or equivalent.

• Unroll the carpet and roughly trim the length. Fold over about half of the carpet lengthwise and apply the floor adhesive with a notched trowel and fit the backing of the carpet into the adhesive while still wet. Then, fold over the other half of the carpet on to the half already glued carpet and repeat the process.

• Immediately after having glued the carpet, roll it and trim it to size along the walls. Always start the trimming process from the middle of the carpet sides and cut towards the corners.


Removal of carpetIt is fairly easy to remove flat-woven carpets with comfort backing when the fitting method outlined above has been followed. On wooden subfloors, any residue from the adhesive is easily removed with an appropriate cleaning fluid.

No loose laying

Recommended solution

10.10 Fitting of standard modular carpet tilesege Modular is especially suitable for use in business premises such as offices, corridors, hotels, restaurants, shops, banks etc., where heavy demands are imposed on the carpet e.g. in terms of castor chair suitability. The product is also applicable for use in all living quarters, including in corridors and on stairs.

Installation methodsLoose laying is not suitable for ege Modular products. Instead, either wet adhesion, easy release system or tackifying can be ap-plied allowing easy refitting of the tiles.

Wet adhesionThe strongest fixation is always achieved by applying wet adhe-sion. The adhesion is often applied as “late” wet adhesion to di-minish water influence. By applying this method permanent adher-ing of the modules is achieved.

Easy release system The easy release system can be applied in areas where a quick and economic replacement of the carpet is wanted at a later time, without damaging the subfloor. However, by applying this method, it will not be possible, as with tackifying, to reinstall the modules in the same adhesive.

TackifierTackifier is applied and normally recommended as this offers the advantage to reinstall the modules in the same adhesive in a quick and simple way.

Recommended floor adhesives for standard modular car-pet tiles

If tackifier is used, only the below mentioned approved adhesive types should be applied. Please note that these adhesive types are


1. Please note that a special fixation adhesive is demanded




Wet fixa-tion

Tacki-fying

Dry fixation

“Modular” + + o ++ 1 o o o


Different effects

not to be diluted with water. For further information, view instruc-tions from the supplier of the adhesive/tackifier in question.

When applying wet adhesion or the easy release system, a number of additional, approved adhesion types can be applied. For further information, view ege’s list of “Recommended types of adhesives & materials” in paragraph 10.12.

ProcedureThe pile direction is indicated with an arrow on the back of each module.

If a “broadloom-like” effect is wanted, the tiles can be installed by placing the arrows in the same direction. Alternatively, the tiles can be fitted in checkerboard, placing the pile direction at right angles to each other.

• Vacuum-clean the floor thoroughly and apply primer to ab-sorbent subfloors, if necessary. Decide whether to place the tiles as either broadloom or checkerboard. (See indi-vidual product guidelines for recommended direction of installation)

• Draw a line on the floor, at right angles to the entrance.• Place a number of tiles without adhesive along the line

and out to the walls to find the starting point in the middle of the room. Calculate 2-3 cm for adjustment of slants along the wall.

• On this basis, estimate whether the end result will be sym-metrical.

• To the extent possible, the tiles should be placed in bond.• When applying permanent adhesion, the tiles should be

pressed into the wet adhesive with late opening time. Avoid pressing adhesive into the joins.

• When applying easy release system, begin by priming the subfloor with a slip primer. When this is dry, apply the dis-persion adhesive with a notched trowel and then press the

tiles into the wet adhesive with late opening time. Avoid pressing the adhesive into the joins.

• When applying tackifier, the adhesive should be transpa-rent and touch dry before installing the tiles.

• The installation process is finished by sliding the tiles into position, thus avoiding possible fibres becoming trapped between modules. Remember, they must lay tight without tension between the tiles.

• Finalise by rolling the tiles.

Method Type Consumption DistributorTackifier ege modular tackifier

UZIN U2100

Casco Tæppefix

Approx. 120-150 ml/m²



egetaepper a/s

UZIN

Casco

Figure 6: Recommended floor adhesives for standard modular carpet tiles


Fixation adhesive

10.11 Fitting area rugs and runners with woven textile (WT) backing

When working with area rugs and runners with WT-backing dis-placement or curving may be a problem when installed on a hard subfloor such as wooden floors. This is not due to faults in the product, but merely a result of built-in tensions which are released when influenced by factors such as room temperature, humidity and foot fall traffic.

Installation methodArea rugs and runners can be fixated to hard surfaces by applying a very simple method which neither damages the carpet nor the subfloor on which the carpet is installed.

Instead of adhering the carpets according to traditional methods, simply use a fixation adhesive which is applied on the back of the carpet. When the fixation adhesion is dry after approx. 24 hours, the carpet can be turned and adhered to the floor.

SubfloorThe method can be used on the existing useable floors such as parquet, marble and laminate floors.

The floor has to be completely planed, dry, free of grease and preferably free of remains from polishing agents, soap or other surface treatment agents, e.g. as applied to such as lino and vinyl floors.

MaterialThe following materials are recommended when fixating area rugs or runners with WT backing:

• Casco fixation adhesive or UZIN universal fixation or Ul-trabond Eco Fix

• Mohair roll

Fitting procedure• Turn the carpet with the backing facing up.• Apply the adhesive by using a mohair roll. The adhesive

can be diluted with water in the ratio 4 parts of adhesive and 1 part of water.

• Leave the adhesive to dry for approx. 24 hours.• When the adhesive is dry, turn the rug or runner around.

The rug or runner is now ready for installation.

Back facing up while adhesive is applied Rug ready for installation


10.12 Recommended adhesives The following types of adhesives have been tested and can be applied if indicated under the installation method:

Adhesive types Full fixation Loose laying

Wet adhesion

Easy release

Wet fixation

Tackifier Dry fixation

Edge fixation

CascoCascoProff Solid 3480* ++ o o o o +Taeppelim 3457* ++ o o o o +Sliplim Primer 3443 o ++ o o o oCasco Tæppefix o o o ++ o oCasco Fixeringslim 3455* o o ++ o o oF. BallStyccobond F3 + o o o o +Styccobond F40 + o o o o +Styccobond F41 o o o + o oInterlandaGreentack 3000* ++ o o o o +KieselOkatmos ET 60* ++ o o o o +MapeiUltrabond ECO 200 ++ o o o o oUltrabond ECO 350 ++ o o o o oUltrabond ECO 800 o o o ++ o oSchönoxFloortex* ++ o o o o oEmiclassic* ++ o + o o oCombi Proff* ++ o o o o oMultifix* o o + o o oUzinUZ 52* ++ o o o o oUZ 75* ++ o o o o oUniversalfix* o o ++ o o oUzin U2100 o o + ++ o o

Adhesive types Full fixation Loose laying

Wet adhesion

Easy release

Wet fixation

Tackifier Dry fixation

Edge fixation

egetaepper a/sege modular Tackifier o o + ++ o oege 90RH Adhesive ++ o o o o +WulffWulff AC 11* ++ o o o o +Tapeege Tape 5 cm. width o o o o o ++ Sigan 1 o o o o ++ oSigan 2 o o o o ++ oSigan 3 o o o o ++ o

Figure 7: Recommended adhesiveso = not suitable + = suitable ++ = highly suitable (recommended)

* Meet the European GEV-Emicode EC 1 demands with as little emission to the surround-ings as possible. (GEV =Gemeinsam Emissionskontrollierte Verlegewerkstoffe e.V.)

Chapter 11-1

11. Maintenance instructionsProper, consistent carpet maintenance is critical to extend the life of your carpet and to sustain an optimum performance and appearance level and a healthy indoor environment.

The maintenance instructions presented in this chapter, provide you with detailed information on how to best maintain an ege carpet. The purpose of the instructions is to ensure optimum performance benefit of your investment.


Plan the maintenance

Use mats

Choose appropriate colours

11.1 Preparing a maintenance planBefore installation it is advised to prepare a maintenance plan to ensure that factors such as budget, personnel and areas requiring particular attention are taken carefully into consideration. Mainte-nance personnel are advised to obtain detailed floor plan of facili-ty and identify areas of heavy soiling:

Track-off areas Areas where carpet collects tracked-in soil from the outside or from hard-surfaced floors. Track off regions average 90 square feet (6 x 15 m) at building entrances, 10 square feet (2 x 5 m) at internal doorways, and 40 square feet (5 x 8 m) in corridors which are six feet wide.

Congested ChannelsA concentrated channel of foot traffic, such as doorways, stairwells or drinking fountain areas. A congested channel average 3 feet (0,9 m) around doorways and 10 feet (3 m) around elevators.

Traffic Lanes Areas with the largest concentration of foot traffic.

In addition, a complete and effective programme should include three maintenance categories: preventative, daily and periodic maintenance.

Preventive maintenanceDuring planning, it is important to establish preventive measures to prevent soiling of the carpeting. In addition to maintain the appear-ance and performance of the carpet, effective preventive measures will automatically reduce the costs of additional cleaning.

Entrance/barrier matsPlace mats in entrances and elevators to collect dirt before it reach-es the carpeted area. For optimum effect, make sure that the mats cover a distance of several footsteps.

Colour selectionSelect colours appropriate to traffic areas and potential soiling problems. Medium colours, tweeds and patterned carpets hide soil, whilst lighter colours mask fading. To maintain an acceptable visual appearance and cleaning standard, light and uni-coloured plain carpets must be cleaned on a more frequent basis than dark, patterned carpets.

Schedule vacuum cleaning

HEPA- micro filter

Chem-Dry® method

Daily maintenanceVacuum cleaning is one of the most important and most cost-effective elements of an efficient maintenance programme. Daily vacuum cleaning is able to remove more than 80 % of all dry soil. Vacuum cleaning should be scheduled according to the amount of potential soil build-up of the area in question.

The general recommendations for vacuuming frequency are as fol-lows:

• Heavy traffic areas: Daily• Medium traffic areas: Twice a week• Light traffic areas: Once or twice a week

Vacuum cleaning equipment: Two types of vacuum cleaning equipment are available for daily maintenance of commercial in-stallations. These are:

• Heavy-duty, wide track machine for wide, open areas. Should have effective suction power and an enclosed, high-efficiency particulate filtration bag and be equipped with adjustable cylindrical brushes to whip embedded soil to the surface.

• An industrial version of the domestic upright for tighter areas. Should have the same features as mentioned above and should have hose and wand attachments for hard- to-reach areas. A backpack vacuum with a high airflow and high-efficiency filtration provides increased productivity.

Periodic pile brushing with a pile lifter vacuum pre-conditions the carpet and removes dry, deeply embedded soil from high traffic areas. This can be especially helpful prior to carpet cleaning.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a good and efficient HEPA-micro filter system in order to remove fine dust and maintain a good indoor climate. The HEPA filter system which has been developed in co- operation with the Asthma and Allergy Association extracts 99.997 % of pollen, dust, animal scales and other particles.

Periodic maintenance

CleaningPeriodically scheduled extraction cleaning removes accumulated soil which has not been removed by regular vacuum cleaning and spot removal. Cleaning of transition areas, track-off areas and con-gested channels will be required according to localised use and conditions. ege recommends the Chem-Dry® Method.


Check the carpet

Take immediate action

Follow instructions

The Chem-Dry® methodThe Chem-Dry® method is used as regular cleaning method. A hot (60-75 degrees) ph-neutral, heavy carbon dioxiding aqueous solu-tion is brushed on to the carpet which is subsequently absorbed and dried with a cotton disc.

Advantages:• Extremely efficient cleaning method• Small quantities of water used • No soaking of the backing• No use of chemicals• The dirt is mopped from the carpet pile• Short drying time (typical 1-2 hours)• Method and agent with a minimum load on the indoor

climate• Carpets keep clean longer as no remaining concentrations

of dirt attracting soap or chemicals are left in the carpet. Dry cleaningAlternative systems such as absorbent Compound (Host® Dry Ex-traction) may be used when specified and if no time can be al-lowed for the carpet to dry before it needs to be walked on again.

After cleaningCheck the carpet for possible remaining stains which have not been removed during the cleaning process and treat them accor-dingly. Do not walk on the carpet before it is completely dry. The carpet also has to be quite dry before furniture is put back in place as chair legs and the like may rub off on the wet carpet.

Spot CleaningDamage from spills can be minimised by taking immediate action. As soon as a spill occurs, blot with a clean, white, absorbent towel and repeat until the spill is fully absorbed. ege recommends using a professional spot removal kit, as for example ege Stain Remover or Chem-Dry Spot Remover. Be sure to follow instructions and take proper precautions when using other cleaning agents.

Lightweight portable extractors are available for more efficient re-moval of spills. These portable extractors assist in thoroughly remo-ving spills, rinsing cleaning solutions, and extracting wet spills. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s spot removal instructions to prevent voiding existing warranties. Failure to follow existing instruc-tions could result in damaged carpet fibres.

CAUTIONThe first time a cleaning agent or stain remover is used on a carpet, it must to be examined to determine whether the agent is harmful to the carpet or not. Damages may occur as a consequence of colour bleed, discoloration, bleaching or dissolution. It is recom-mended to test the cleaning agent and the stain remover in an inconspicuous area, e.g. in a corner, under a radiator or the like. The test should be made according to the prescribed dosages and action times.

Glossery 1

Glossery

AAbrasive wear: Wear or texture change to an area of carpet that has been damaged by friction caused by rubbing or foot traffic.

Acid dyeable nylon: Nylon polymer that has been modified chemically to make the fibre receive acid dyes. Acid dyeable yarns are available in different dye levels (light, medium and deep).

Adipic acid: A base ingredient in the production of Type 6.6 nylon. Adipic acid has a chain of six carbon atoms. It is reacted with hexamethylene diamine, which also has six carbon atoms, to polymerize Type 6.6 nylon.

Aesthetics: Properties perceived by touch and sight, colour, luster and texture of carpet.

Affinity: The tendency for two elements or substances to combine chemically. An example is the affinity of acid dyes for nylon fibre.

Air-entangling (also known as intermingling, commingling or heathered): A method of producing yarn by combining two or more BCF fibres together. Fibres are “locked” together via air jets at regular or irregular intervals. The process is used to obtain spe-cial effect yarn (e.g., mixing dye variants to get heather effects upon subsequent dyeing or combining different colours of solution dyed fibre). Various air-entangling processes exist making it pos-sible to produce a wide range of aesthetics in finished yarns, from highly blended, near solid looks to yarns where individual colours are accented and colour separation mimics that of plied yarns.

Amine end groups: The terminating (-NH2) group of a nylon poly-mer chain. Amine end groups provide dye sites for nylon (polya-mide) fibres.

Antimicrobial: An agent that kills microbes.

Antistatic: A carpet’s ability to dissipate an electrostatic charge before it reaches a level that a person can feel.

Antistatic properties: Resisting the tendency to produce annoying static electric shocks in situations where friction of the foot tread builds up static in low-humidity conditions. Some nylon fibres intro-duce a conductive filament in the yarn bundle to conduct or dis-sipate static charges from the human body. Olefin fibre is inherently

Glossery 2 Glossery 3

static-resistant, as it is similar to the surface of most shoe soles (only dissimilar surfaces rub to create a static charge). There are two basic methods for controlling the buildup of static in nylon carpets: 1. Treating the carpet with a topical spray. This is not permanent

and creates a tendency for the carpet surface to soil. 2. Adding a carbon composite nylon filament into the bundle of

yarn to act as a dissipating rod carrying the static charge away from the person generating it.

Atmospheric fading test: A test that indicates a change of shade or hue of dyed fabric caused by a chemical reaction between cer-tain dyes and acid gases. Recommended test methods for carpets (AATCC 129 – Ozone and AATCC 164 – Oxides of Nitrogen) would specify a minimum rating, after two cycles, of no less than International Grey Scale for Colour Change rating of 3.

Attached cushion: Padding, such as foam rubber or polyurethane, that is made as an integral part of the backing.

Autoclave: 1. An oven-like apparatus for use in yarn heatsetting operations.

Under pressure in a superheated steam atmosphere, yarn is given a “memory” of its twist. Autoclave heatsetting is a batch, not a continuous, method.

2. An apparatus for making polymer under heat and pressure.

Average pile density: The weight of pile yarn in a unit volume of carpet. It is expressed in ounces per cubic yard in the formula: Density = pile yarn Weight (in ounces per square yard) times 36 divided by pile Thickness or pile Height (in inches). Average pile density factors for commercial carpets range from 4200 to 8000.

Axminster: A weaving method originating in the eighteenth cen-tury in Axminster, England. In this method, individual pile tufts are inserted from spools of coloured yarns, making possible an almost endless variety of colours and geometric or floral patterns.

BBacking: The fabric and yarns that make up the side of the carpet that lays next to the floor. In tufted carpets there are two types of backing. Primary backing: a woven or nonwoven fabric through which the yarn is inserted by the tufting needles. Secondary backing: Fabric that is laminated to the back of the carpet to reinforce it.

Back coating: An adhesive compound applied for the purpose of locking pile yarn tufts into a carpet backing, bonding a secondary backing to a primary backing, increasing the fabric body or stiff-ness, and increasing dimensional stability.

Backing fabric: A fabric into which a pile yarn is inserted or a reinforcing layer which is adhered to the reverse side of a fabric.

Bale: A container of approximately 650 lbs. of staple fibres, wrapped and ready to be shipped to the yarn spinner or carpet mill with yarn-spinning capacity.

Barber-pole: Two different colours of yarn twisted together to form a two-ply yarn.

BCF yarn: An abbreviation for Bulked Continuous Filament yarn referring to synthetic fibres in a continuous form. BCF yarn can be used in cut or loop-pile construction.

Beam: A large cylinder on which carpet yarns, usually pre-dyed, are wound prior to feeding onto tufting, weaving or fusion bonding equipment.

Beck dye: Dyeing of tufted greige carpet in a large vat of dye liquor. In this process, the carpet roll is sewn into a loop and then is continuously rotated and immersed in the heated vat for several hours. Most commonly used for cut pile carpet, it offers good cus-tom colour flexibility.

Berber: A loop-pile carpet that offers great durability, a full com-fortable texture and a casual, informal look. Often, these carpets incorporate flecks of colour that contrast with the primary hue. The term Berber has expanded to include many level and multi-level loop carpet styles.

Binding: A special stitch, band, or strip sewn over a carpet edge to protect and/or decorate it.

Bleeding: Loss of colour by a fabric or yarn when immersed in water or a solvent, as a result of improper dyeing or the use of dyes of poor quality. Fabrics that bleed will stain white or lightly shaded fabrics that come in contact with them when wet.

Blend: A mixture of two or more fibres or yarns.

Blending: The mixing of staple fibres before they are carded, drafted and spun into yarn. Blending is done for consistency in the final yarn and is a critical step to avoid “streaks” in a carpet.


Boucle: 1. An uneven yarn of three plies, one of which forms loops at intervals. 2. A fabric made of boucle yarns and having a looped or knotted surface.

Bound Carpet: Carpet that is cut and bound (by stitching or ser-ging around all sides) but not attached to the floor.

Branded fibre: Synthetic fibre produced by a fibre manufacturer who also produces the raw ingredients and polymer and who has quality control of the entire process. Branded fibre is warranted by the fibre manufacturer.

Bright: The opposite of dull or matte when describing luster.

Broadloom: Wall-to-wall carpets, up to 4 and 5 meters width.

Bulking: Also known as crimping or texturizing. Bulking imparts texture/fullness to the fibre or yarn during production. Bulking is done to increase the coverage the yarn will have in the carpet face. Bulking also adds to fibre resiliency.

Bulk development: The process of a textured or latent crimp yarn to achieve maximum bulk. Carpet fibres develop maximum bulk during wet processing such as dyeing.

CCable: Carpet with casual cut pile construction featuring chunky tufts and long pile height.

Cabled yarn: A yarn formed by twisting together two or more plied yarns.

Caprolactam: The single basic ingredient in the production of Type 6 nylon. Caprolactam has a chain of six carbon atoms. It is a petrochemical.

Carding: The step after blending in the staple spinning process which combs out the loose fibres and arranges them in orderly strands called sliver. Sliver is drawn and blended, then twisted and further drawn into yarns.

Carpet: Carpet is a heavy fabric used to cover floor and made from a variety of fibres.

Carpet tile: Also called “Modular carpet” or “tile”. Generally 48 x 48, 50 x 50, 60 x 60 or 96 x 96 cm squares cut from broadloom carpet.

Cationic dyeable nylon: Nylon polymer that has been modified chemically to make the fibre receptive to cationic (basic) dyes. Cationic dyeable yarns are used in conjunction with acid dyeable yarns to produce multicolors in piece dye methods.

Cleanability: The ability or degree that a stain is removed from a carpet.

Colour matching: The proper coordination of colour and shade. Critical to colour matching are: 1. The light under which the colours are compared. (The light

source being used in the real conditions of the commercial envi-ronment should be used to match colours.)

2. The surface texture of the object being matched (cut pile carpet can appear darker than loop made of the same yarn).

3. The surface luster of the object being matched (higher yarn luster can look darker than lower luster fibres).

Colour fastness: The ability of a fibre or carpet to retain colour when exposed to 1. ultraviolet light, 2. crocking (wet or dry) and 3. atmospheric conditions (according to manufacturers’ and gov-

ernment test standards).

Commercial matching: Matching of colours within acceptable tolerances or with a colour variation that is barely detectable to the naked eye.

Commingled yarn: See “Air-entangling”

Construction: The carpet manufacturing method usually tufted, wo-ven or bonded. The term also can refer to the specific details of a particular carpet’s specification, including fibre type, yarn twist level, density, method of dyeing, etc.

Continuous dyeing: Dyeing of carpet (greige) while it travels con-tinuously through a dye range. The process is frequently referred to by the name of one of the prime machinery manufacturers, Eduard Kuster (pronounced “Kooster”). Continuous dyeing can produce multicoloured or solid-coloured carpet. Multicoloured carpet is achieved by using yarns of varied dye affinity, or with various ac-cessories that can give a pattern or overprint. Advantages include


large dye lots, relatively low cost and colour flexibility. However, this method is more critical than beck dyeing or yarn dyeing for side-to-side matching consistency (the carpet must be installed in roll sequence).

Continuous filament: Unbroken strand of synthetic fibre, such as filament nylon or olefin. Nylon and olefin are made by extruding molten polymer through a spinnerette (similar to a showerhead). The fibres are cooled, then stretched and textured into bundles re-ferred to as yarn. This yarn can be plied or commingled with other yarn and then tufted.

Continuous heatsetting: The process of applying heat to yarns to “set” or retain bulk, twist and spring introduced by spinning and/or twisting. Continuous heatsetting can be applied to staple or con-tinuous filament yarns. The two primary types of continuous heatset-ting equipment are the Superba, which uses steam and pressure, and the Suessen, which uses dry heat.

Conventional backing: Carpet with a primary and secondary latex-laminated woven or nonwoven fabric.

Converter: An intermediate that usually buys raw fibre, processes it to a carpet manufacturer’s specification, then sells the finished product to the carpet manufacturer.

Cotton count: The yarn numbering system based on length and weight originally used for cotton yarns and now employed for most staple yarns. It is based on a unit length of 840 yards, and the count of the yarn is equal to the number of 840-yard skeins required to weigh one pound. Under this system, the higher the number, the finer the yarn. A typical carpet yarn might be a three cotton count two plied, written as 3.0/2c.c.

CRI (The Carpet and Rug Institute): A national trade association representing the carpet and rug industry.

Crimp: In fibre, a nonlinear configuration, such as a sawtooth, zig-zag or random curl relative to the fibre axis. Most synthetic fibres, both staple and filament, used in carpets are crimped. Fibre crimp increases bulk and cover and facilitates interlocking of staple fibres in spun yarns.

Crock fastness: The resistance of transfer of colorant from the sur-face of a coloured yarn or fabric to another surface, or to an adja-cent area of the same fabric, principally by rubbing.

Crocking: The removal of dye from a fabric by rubbing. Crocking can be caused by insufficient dye penetration or fixation, the use of improper dyes or dyeing methods, or insufficient washing and treatment after the dyeing operation. Crocking can occur under dry or wet conditions.

Cross section: The shape of a fibre when cut perpendicularly to its axis. Man-made fibre cross sections vary to produce a wide variety of physical effects such as soil-hiding characteristics, soil releasing, luster, and fineness or coarseness. Hollow filament fibre shapes are highly engineered and are among the most advanced filament cross sections. The delta is among the most advanced staple cross section.

Crushing: The collapsing of pile yarns, resulting in carpet matting and loss of resilience. This form of carpet failure usually occurs in the areas of heaviest traffic. It is also called “matting” and “walking out.” It can be minimized by the use of more resilient fibres, denser construction, somewhat higher weight and (in cut pile) with higher tuft twist and proper heatsetting.

Curvilinear crimp: The three-dimensional crimp patented by IN-VISTA for its BCF yarn. This texture is added to the yarn by a series of air jets. Curvilinear crimp gives consistency, bulk and spring-back memory that is needed in the manufacture of cut pile filament carpets and streak-free loop carpets.

Cushion: The material placed under a carpet for softness and support. It helps reduce noise, increases insulation benefits, and contributes to a softer feel underfoot. Purchasing an incorrect type of cushion may invalidate your warranty. Also known as padding or underlay.

Cushion-backed carpet: Carpet having a cushion, padding or underlay material as an integral part of its backing.

Cut and loop pile: Carpet hose face shows a pattern, either geo-metric or floral, made up of a combination of loop pile tufts and cut pile tufts. Also called cut/uncut. The carpet can be dyed solid or multicoloured.

Cut pile: A carpet in which the yarn loops are cut to create a textured look and feel. Pattern cut pile: Made from saxony yarn, this carpet features a sophisticated look created by running cut pile and loop pile on a level pile height.


DDecitex: The metric equivalent to denier; equals the total weight in grams of 10,000 meters. Decitex is used in Canada and Europe.

Deep-dyeing fibres: Fibres made from polymers that have been chemically modified to increase their dyeability. Carpets made of deep dye fibres can be dyed more easily to a darker colour depth.

Delamination: A form of deterioration of tufted carpet in which the primary backing and face yarns separate from the secondary backing.

Delustering: Synthetic fibres with polymer additives and/or cross-section design modification that limit its natural brightness or reflec-tivity. Delustering improves soil-hiding characteristics, as it limits the soil magnification that would occur with clear or shiny fibre.

Denier: Denier is the amount of yarn per area of carpet.

Denier per filament (dpf): The size of an individual filament (BCF or staple). Dpf is the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of the indi-vidual filament. It can be calculated by taking the yarn denier and dividing it by the number of filaments in the yarn bundle. Common range of commercial carpet dpfs is 15 dpf to 28 dpf.

Density: Density refers to the amount of pile yarn per area of carpet or the closeness of the tufts. Higher density carpet improves resistance to crushing and matting.

Differential dyeability: Fibres which have different dye affinities combined together to produce multicolour carpet from a single dyeing.

Dimensional stability: The ability of carpet to retain its size and shape once installed. Typically, dimensional stability is obtained in tufted carpet by the application of a secondary backing. In woven carpet, dimensional stability is normally provided by choosing stable backing yarns, especially the stuffer and filling, as well as by application of latex to the completed carpet.

Double-glued seams: Double-glued seams attach carpet to bare floor to prevent delamination and edge ravel. Installers should double-glue seams to prevent fuzzing.

Drawing (Third stage of nylon production): 1. The process of fibre stretching to align molecules after extrusion.

This process gives fibres greater tensile strength. This is done in synthetic fibre production after the molten fibre strands harden.

2. The process of pulling and thinning of sliver (combed staple fibre strands) in the spinning of staple yarn. Multiple ends of sliver are blended by feeding them through rollers at a slower speed than their uptake. This causes the fibres to be pulled or drawn and parallelized. The resultant finished sliver is ready to be spun into yarn.

Drop match: A drop match is a pattern that continues across the carpet diagonally or at a 45-degree angle to the edge of the seam.

DSDN® solution dyed nylon: Carpets of DSDN® nylon provide the right balance of stain resistance, colour fastness and value for budget sensitive installations. It is ideal for tenant improvement (TI) and hospitality (rooms carpet).

Dull: A term applied to manufactured fibres that have been chemi-cally or physically modified to reduce the brightness of the fibre.

Dye lot: A quantity of carpet dyed at one time or made from yarn dyed at one time which is consistent in colour throughout the fabric.

Dye sites: Functional groups within a fibre that provide sites for chemical binding with the dye molecule. Dye sites may be either in the polymer chain or in chemical additives included in the fibre. 1. An individual fibre making up a yarn to be tufted into carpet.2. An individual pile yarn in a tufted carpet or a roll. 3. An end or short length of carpet or remnant.

EExtra heavy traffic: More than 10,000 traffics per day. Could also include some directional, nondirectional, pivoting and rolling traffic, as well as tracked-in dirt. See “Foot traffic units.”

Extrusion (Second stage of nylon production): The process of forcing molten material through a spinnerette (similar to a shower-head). Once exposed to air cooling, the fibre strands harden. It is at the extrusion stage that many of the fibre engineering improve-ments take place: cross section design, shape, size and uniformity to give better soil hiding, soil releasing, and strength. All synthetic carpet fibres are extruded.


FFace weight: Face weight is the number of ounces of fibre per square yard in the face of the carpet (not including the backing). The face weight affects performance and durability. Face weight is different from density because it varies with carpet height.

Fadeometer: A standard laboratory testing machine, which uses gas, light or ozone to conduct fading tests.

Fading: Loss of colour caused by sunlight or artificial light, atmos-pheric gases including ozone, nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, cleaning and bleaching chemicals such as sodium hy-pochlorite, and other household and industrial products. Commer-cial installations in areas where such exposures occur require care in selection of colourfast carpet.

Fading tests: Laboratory tests designed to predict the likelihood of carpet fading under actual use conditions. Fading is usually caused either by ultraviolet light or by exposure to ozone or nitrogen oxide gas. Carpets can be tested in laboratory for results against fading agents. Dye stuff, hue or fibre can affect fading. A specific carpet being considered for a critical installation should be tested prior to final selection.

Fibre: Fibre is the fundamental unit of carpet. Carpet fibres are made from nylon, polyester, cotton, acrylics, wool, and recycled material.

Fibre engineering: Refers to improvements to the fibre including: 1. Polymer characteristics 2. Polymer additives (delusterant or solution dye pigments) 3. Cross section design4. Fibre finishes (low surface energy fluorochemical coatings for

soil release)

Fibre shape: Refers to the cross section and size of individual filaments. Fibre shape impacts soil hiding and soil release (clean-ability).

Fibre size: Refers to the denier per filament (dpf) or thickness of a filament. Fibre size impacts soil-trapping and soil-releasing capa-bilities.Filament: Fibre which has been extruded and is then converted into yarn fibre, staple or tow.

Filament count: The number of individual filaments that make up an extruded yarn fibre, staple or tow.

Finishing: Processing of carpets after tufting (weaving) and dyeing is called finishing. Processes include application of secondary backing, application of attached foam cushion, application of soil-resistant treatment, shearing, brushing, dyeing, printing and others.

Flame-resistant: A term used to describe a material that burns slowly or is self-extinguishing after removal of an external source of ignition. A fabric or yarn can be flame-resistant because of the innate properties of the fibre, the twist level of the yarn, the fabric construction, the presence of flame retardants or a combination of these factors.

Flame resistance tests (also called “flammability tests”): Proce-dures that have been developed for assessing the flame resistance of carpets. The European accepted method is EN 13501-1, Radi-ant panel test: A test for the flammability of carpets in which the specimen is mounted on the floor of the test chamber and exposed to intense radiant heat from above. The rate of flame spread and the smoke emission is assessed.

Flocked: Flocked carpet is made of tufts of wool or cotton fibre.

Fluffing: Loose fibre fragments remaining from the manufacturing process that appear on a carpet surface. This condition is rem-edied by vacuuming and carpet use; also known as “fuzzing” or “shedding”.

Fluorine analysis: A measurement of the amount of soil resistance chemical (fluoro-chemical) applied to the fibre during the carpet manufacturing process. This can be performed for the initial ap-plication of the fluorochemical as well as for the durability of the chemical to remain after hot water extraction cleaning.

Foot traffic units: One foot traffic unit is described as a pedestrian walking across a measured section of carpet, one time. Foot traffic is classified as follows:Light: less than 100/day,Moderate: 100 – 1,000/day, Heavy: 1,000 – 10,000/day, Extra Heavy: more than 10,000/day.

Frames: Racks at back of a Wilton loom that hold spools from which yarns are fed into the loom. Each frame holds separate colours; e.g., a three-frame Wilton has three colours in the design.


Frieze: A yarn that has been very tightly twisted to give a rough or nubby appearance to the finished carpet pile. It is good for hiding footprints. Pronounced free-zay.

Fusion bonding: Fabrication of carpet for a 6" wide or modular tile. It uses a thermoplastic process that implants yarn in a liquid vinyl compound to two backing materials in a sandwich configu-ration. A knife splits the sandwich to create two carpets simulta-neously. Spun yarn is used in this process, and only cut pile carpets are produced.

Fusion bonded carpets: Backing material for fusion-bonded car-pet is a system of layered vinyl or plastic compound and fibreglass scrim for dimensional stability.For Tufted Carpets: 1. Primary backing – In tufting, a woven or nonwoven fabric in

which the pile yarn is inserted by the tufting needles. Usually woven or nonwoven polypropylene for carpet. In the past wo-ven jute was used.

2. Secondary backing – Fabric laminated to the back of carpet to reinforce and increase dimensional stability. Usually woven or nonwoven polypropylene.

For Woven Carpets: Backings of woven carpets are the “construction yarns” comprising chain warp, stuffer warp, and shot or fill, which are interwoven with the face yarn during carpet fabric formation.

Fuzzing: Fuzzing occurs when fluffy particles appear on carpet surfaces. It is caused by fibres that loosen because of weak twist or snags. Professional carpet cleaners can shear the carpet to remove fuzzing.

G

Gauge: The distance between two needle points in knitted or tufted carpet. It is usually expressed in fractions of an inch.

Gauge/pitch: The number of ends of surface yarn counting across the width of carpet. In tufted carpet, gauge is the number of ends of surface yarn per inch counting across the carpet; e.g., 1/8 gauge = 8 ends per inch. In woven carpet, pitch is the number of ends of yarn in 27 inches of width; e.g., 216 pitch divided by 27 = 8 ends per inch. To convert gauge to pitch, multiply ends per inch by 27; e.g., 1/10 gauge is equivalent to 270 pitch, or 10 ends per inch.

Graphics machine: A form of tufting machine capable of pro-ducing patterns, usually by the use of shifting needle bars that may be individually controlled, or by individually controlled needles or a combination of the two. Major refinements using computer technology have been engineered into graphics machines. Each new machine improvement brings tufting patterns nearer to those of woven capability.

Greige goods: Pronounced “gray” goods. Term designating car-pet in an undyed or unfinished state.

HHand: How the carpet feels to the touch. Factors determining how the carpet feels include weight, stiffness, fibre type, dpf, density and backing.

Heatsetting: Heatsetting is the process of heating or steaming yarns to hold their twist. Most nylon, olefin, and polyester cut pile carpets are heatset.

Heavy traffic: 1,000 to 10,000 traffics per day. Could also in-clude some directional, nondirectional and rolling traffic, as well as tracked-in dirt. See “Foot traffic units.”

Heddle: A frame of parallel wires (like needles) through which warp yarns are threaded. The heddle is raised and lowered to interlace face yarns.

Hexamethylene diamine: A chemical compound with a chain of six carbon atoms which is reacted with adipic acid to make Type 6.6 nylon. It is a petrochemical.

Hexapod drum test: An instrument to test pile floor coverings to produce changes in appearance and colour due to changes in surface structure by mechanical action. This accelerated test, pri-marily used in Canada, provides a specific rating of the ability of the carpet to withstand crushing and matting.

Hollow filament fibres: Refers to filaments with one or more interior voids. Hollow core fibres improve the soil-hiding ability of nylon by diffusing light passing through the fibre.

Hybrid carpet: A carpet in which two or more different yarn types are combined in the carpet construction.


IInternational Grey Scale for Colour Change: A standard com-parison to rate degrees of colour change from 5 (no change) to 1 (severe change).

International Grey Scale for Staining: A standard comparison to rate degrees of staining from 5 (no stain) to 1 (severe stain).

ISO (The International Organization for Standardization): A non-governmental, worldwide organization whose work results in international agreements that are published as International Standards.

JJute: A fibrous plant, native to India and Asia, which can be shred-ded and spun into yarn, used for backing in woven carpets, or itself woven into sheets and used as secondary backing on tufted carpet. In many applications, jute is being replaced by fibreglass, polypropylene or other synthetic fibres.

KKnit-de-Knit: See “Space dyed.”

Knitting: A fabrication process comprised of interlacing yarns in a series of connected loops with needles. Some carpet is produced by knitting, but it is generally categorized as woven carpet. In carpet knitting, as in weaving, pile and backing are produced simultaneously. Multiple sets of needles interlace pile, backing and stitching yarns in one operation.

Kuster: A trade name of a manufacturer of continuous dyeing ma-chines which apply dye to tufted carpet.

LLatex: A water emulsion of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or other polymer. In carpet, latex is used for laminating secondary backings to tufted carpet, backcoating carpet and rugs, and for backcoating woven carpets and rugs. Almost all carpet latex con-sists of styrene-butadiene synthetic rubber (SBR) compounded with large quantities of powdered filler.

Level loop: The fibre in the carpet is stitched in uncut loops of the same size. It creates a smooth, level surface.

Light traffic: Less than 100 traffics per day. Could also include some directional traffic, but no tracked-in dirt. See “Foot traffic units.”

Light fastness: The degree of resistance of dyed textile materials to the colour-destroying influence of sunlight. Two methods of testing are in use:1. Exposure to sunlight, either direct or under glass2. Accelerated laboratory testing in which several types of artificial

light sources are used.

Loop pile: A tufted or woven carpet pile surface where the face yarns are comprised of uncut loops. Loop pile can be level, tex-tured or multilevel.

Luster: Brightness or reflectivity of fibres, yarns, carpets or fab-rics. Synthetic fibres are produced in various luster classifications in cluding bright, semi-bright, semi-dull and mid-dull. The luster of fin-ished carpet could also be influenced by yarn heatsetting methods, dyeing and finishing. In high-traffic commercial areas, duller carpet yarns are often preferred for soil-hiding ability.

MMatting: Matting is the usually irreversible adhesion of carpet yarn caused by traffic or dirt.

Melting point: The temperature at which a carpet fibre changes from a solid to a liquid.

Memory: Carpet memory refers to texture retention.

Metameric colour match: A colour match between two materials in which the colours are identical under some lighting conditions but not under others. Metameric colour matches are common when different pigments or dyestuffs are used to colour the two materials.

Methenamine Pill Test: A carpet ammability test described in fe-deral regulations CPSC1-70 and CPSC 2-70. It measures the size of the burn hole produced by an ignited methenamine tablet under controlled conditions. Also used on the back of the carpet.

Mill-extruded fibre: Synthetic fibre that is extruded by a carpet manufacturer using polymer purchased from a fibre producer or


chemical manufacturer. Type 6 nylon and polypropylene (olefin fibre) are commonly mill extruded.

Moderate traffic: 100 to 1,000 traffics per day. Could also in-clude some directional and nondirectional traffic, some pivoting and little tracked-in dirt. See “Foot traffic units.”

Modified delta cross section: An advanced fibre cross section engineered by INVISTA. The smooth delta shape hides soil and minimizes soil buildup more than trilobal cross sections. (The trilobal has deep crevices that trap soil particles).

Modular carpet or tile: Also called “carpet tile.” Generally 48 x 48, 50 x 50, 60 x 60 or 96 x 96 cm squares cut from broadloom carpet.

Monofilament: A single filament of a man-made fibre usually of a denier higher than 14. Monofilaments are usually spun individually instead of through a spinnerette.

Moresque: A multi-colour carpet made of (moresque) yarns which are produced by ply-twisting two or more singles yarns of different colours or shades. The moresque aesthetic can be achieved by using long space dyed yarns in a patterned carpet where tonal colours have been used in the space dyed yarns.

Multifilament: Multiple continuous filaments or strands of man-made fibre that are extruded together, usually from multiple holes of a single spinnerette. Multifilament yarns are texturized to increase bulk and cover, and are called “bulked continuous filament” (BCF) yarns.

Multilevel loop pile: A woven or tufted carpet style having tufts of varying pile heights, resulting in a sculptured appearance, pattern or subtle shading. Today most multilevel loop styles are made on tufting machines equipped with servo motor controls. The servos allow for precise patterning and more exact yarn control/usage.

NNeedle punched: Needle punched carpet is stitched into backing material.

Nonwoven: 1. Any carpet manufactured by a method other than weaving, but

particularly those composed of fibres held together by chemical, mechanical, adhesive or fusion means.

2. Any primary backing material manufactured by a method other than weaving.

Nylon: A petrochemical-based fibre invented in 1938. There are two basic types of nylon used in the production of carpet: Type 6.6 nylon and Type 6 nylon. Nylon is produced in bulked con-tinuous filament for use in loop carpets and cut pile carpets, and staple nylon that is spun into yarn for use in cut pile carpets. Nylon is the dominant fibre choice for commercial use due to its wear characteristics.

Nylon – Type 6.6: Made with two base chemical ingredients: adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine. Type 6.6 nylon has a tighter molecular structure, making it more resilient and more re-sistant to stains than Type 6 nylon. In the U.S., where the highest commercial carpet standards are set, more than 60 % of all nylon carpets specified are Type 6.6 nylon.

Nylon – Type 6: Made from one base ingredient: caprolactam. Compared to Type 6.6 nylon, Type 6 nylon accepts dye at a faster rate. The more open molecular structure of Type 6 nylon allows dye stuffs (and stains) in more readily. Common spills and stains such as coffee, soda, foodstuffs and medicine will stain Type 6 nylon more readily than Type 6.6, whether solution dyed or conventionally dyed.

Nylon flake (or chip): Polymer that has been cut into small pieces for storage or for immediate melting in the fibre extrusion process.

OOlefin fibre: Also known as polypropylene. It is used for molded items, sheets, films and fibres. Made from a by-product of gasoline refining, olefin has one ingredient: propylene. Since propylene is widely available at a comparatively lower cost than nylon base ingredients, olefin is less expensive than nylon. Olefin does not ac-cept aqueous-based dyes or stains. Colour is added in the manu-facturing process in the form of pigment. Printable modifications are available but not extensively used. Olefin is a lightweight fibre and can have good bulk and cover. However, the polymer base creates a soft fibre which has poor resiliency, a lower melting point and poor texture retention as compared to nylon. The carpet fibre is available as bulked continuous filament yarn. Only when budget is the main consideration, lower life expectancy is anticipated, and long-term appearance retention is not a priority, olefin can be con-sidered.


Optimum twist: The term used to describe the amount of twist that gives the best texture retention and/or necessary carpet aesthetic.

Ozone fading: The fading of colour from a dyed or pigmented fibre caused by atmospheric contaminants of ozone.

PPackage dyed: This is similar to skein dyeing in as much as un-dyed yarn is wound on perforated tubes and the packages are dyed by passing dye liquor through the packages under pressure.

Pad dyed: A process of dyeing carpet, yarn or fibre stock con-tinuously. The material to be dyed passes through a trough contain-ing the dye liquor and then between heavy rollers that squeeze the dye liquor evenly into the material.

Parallel spinning: Spinning method most commonly used in spin-ning nylon staple fibre into yarn. Staple fibres measuring 4” to 8” are paralleled by combing and drafting until the fibres are in regular even slivers, or strands of combed yarn. Multiple slivers are combined to make up one finely drafted sliver. This sliver can be further blended for extreme consistency. The final sliver is put on a spinning frame and further drawn (or pulled) as twist is applied, turning the fibre into a cohesive singles yarn ready to be plied and heatset. See “Sliver.”

Pattern match: Lining up patterned carpet in such a way that the design element is continued across seams, making the finished installation appear cohesive. Patterns must be matched in the same way as they appear on the carpet itself either in a set match or drop match.

Pattern streaks: Visually apparent streaking in patterned carpet resulting from linear juxtaposition of pattern elements in one direc-tion. It is usually most visible in the length direction. It is not a carpet defect, but is inherent in certain designs. Contract specifiers should view rolls of carpet laid out on a floor to evaluate geometric or other busy patterns for this characteristic which may be objection-able in long corridors and other large areas, but not visible in small rooms.

Patterned loop: A woven or tufted carpet style having all tufts in a loop form in either a defined or random pattern or design.

Picks per inch: In woven carpet and fabric, the number of fill yarns per inch of length. Comparable to stitches per inch in tufting.

Piece dyed: A method in which tufted carpet is dyed, as opposed to yarn dye methods in which colour is added to yarn before tuft-ing.

Pigment: Highly coloured, insoluble substance used to impart colour to other materials. White pigments (e.g., titanium dioxide) are dispersed in fibre polymers to produce delustered (semi-dull and dull) fibres. Coloured pigments are added to polymer to cre-ate producer coloured or solution dyed yarns.

Pile: The visible surface of a carpet, consisting of yarn or fibre tufts in loops that can be either cut or uncut. Also known as the “face” or “nap” of a carpet.

Pile crush: Loss of pile thickness by compression and bending of tufts caused by foot traffic and heavy pressure from stationary furniture. The tufts collapse into the space between them. It may be irreversible if the yarn has inadequate resilience and/or the pile has insufficient density for the traffic load.

Pile height: The length of the tufts measured from the primary back-ing top surface to their tips. Pile tufts should be gently extended but not stretched during accurate measurement.

Pile Reversal: Pile reversal or shading is a feature of cut pile car-pet. Traffic bends the carpet fibre in different directions creating an impression of light and dark areas. Regular vacuuming can create uniform shades.

Pile thickness: The resulting thickness when the thickness of the backing is subtracted from the total thickness of the finished carpet.

Pile weight: The weight in ounces of the fibre in a square yard of carpet.

Pile yarn: The yarn making up the tufts of the carpet.

Pill test: See “Flame resistance tests.”

Pilling: A condition, often caused by heavy use, in which fibres from different tufts of carpet become entangled in one another forming hard fibre masses or “pills.” These pills can be cut off with scissors.

Pin drafter: A mechanism used in parallel spinning to orient the fibres by using combing pins and rollers.


Pitch: See “Gauge/pitch”.

Plush: A cut pile carpet in which the individual carpet fibres appear to be cut the same length. The carpet offers a smooth, luxurious surface.

Ply: A measure of the number of individual yarns twisted together to produce the finished carpet yarn. For example, a two-ply yarn means that each tuft consists of two yarns twisted together. For cut-pile carpets, plied yarns must be heatset to prevent untwisting under traffic.

Polyester fibre: A synthetic fibre, usually produced with staple fibre and spun yarns, that is used in some carpet fibre.

Polymer: Polymers are large chemical molecules from which syn-thetic fibres are made. Polymers are complex, chain-like molecules made by uniting simpler molecules called monomers. Synthetic polymers used for commercial carpet fibre include Type 6.6 nylon and Type 6 nylon (polyamides) and polypropylene.

Polymerization (first stage of nylon production): A chemical re-action where small molecules combine to form much larger mol-ecules.

Polypropylene: See “Olefin fibre”.

Post-dyed: Carpet that has been dyed in its tufted form. Post-dyed means the carpet rather than the yarn has been dyed.

Power Stretcher: A tool used to install residential carpet that pre-vents wrinkles and ripples.

Pre-dyed: Carpet that has been constructed with coloured yarns either by solution dyeing or yarn dyeing.

Primary backing: See “Backing”.

Printed carpet: Carpet having printed coloured patterns. Printing methods include flatbed screen printing, rotary screen printing, and modern computer-programmed jet injection printing.

Private label: A carpet manufacturer brand name given to a fibre that is mill extruded or produced by a fibre manufacturer. At any given time the carpet manufacturer may choose to change the source of fibre which results in varying performance characteristics of the carpet.

Producer-coloured pigment: Colour introduced into nylon fibre at the nylon manufacturing stage.

PVC hard-backed or closed-cell PVC (polyvinyl chloride): Used mostly in carpet tile or 6" wide goods due to its weight and stiff-ness. PVC gives a stiff, stable backing with little cushioning but excellent tuft bind and stability.

RRadiant panel test: A test for the flammability of carpets or rugs in which the specimen is mounted on the floor of the test chamber and exposed to intense radiant heat from above. The rate of flame spread is assessed. (ASTM-E-648 Class I .45 watts/cm; Class II .22 watts/cm.)

Random sheared: A carpet texture created by lightly shearing (shaving off) either level loop or high-low loop so only some of the tufts are sheared. Shearing gives a cut and loop texture.

Red 40 Stain Scale: A standard comparison to rate degrees of Red Dye 40 staining from 10 (no staining) to 1 (severe staining).

Repeat: The distance from a point in a design in a patterned carpet to a point where the identical pattern appears again, measured lengthwise and widthwise in the carpet. In matching the pattern, there will inevitably be some waste of carpet in order to obtain the best possible side match—whether it is a drop or set match pattern.

Resilience: The ability of carpet to spring back to its original texture and thickness after being walked on or compressed by the weight of furniture. Also known as “resiliency.”

Rippling: Heat and humidity can cause ruffles or waves in wall-to-wall carpet. A professional carpet retailer or installer can re-stretch the carpet with a power stretcher.

Rows or wires: In woven carpet, this is the number of pile yarn tufts per running inch lengthwise. Called rows in Axminster and wires in Wilton and Velvet carpet. Analogous to “stitches per inch” in tufted carpet.

SSawtooth crimp: Also called zigzag crimp, this is a two-dimen-sional crimp that gives yarn cohesion, texture and bulk.


Saxony: The carpet fibre loops are cut and twisted to create a relatively dense, consistent look. Saxony carpet presents a smooth, luxurious surface and is generally for formal settings.

Seams: The line formed by joining two pieces of carpet. The pieces can be sewn together, or fastened with various seaming tapes or other adhesives.

Secondary backing: See “Backing”.

Selvage: The edge of the carpet. Most commercial carpets are shipped with the selvage on. Residential carpet is usually trimmed to the face yarn.

Set match: Refers to a pattern in a carpet which continues straight across the installed carpet at right angles to the seams.

Shading: Apparent colour shade difference between areas of the same carpet caused by normal wear and/or random difference in pile lay direction. It is a characteristic of cut pile carpet. It is not a manufacturing defect.

Shearing: Finishing process in cut pile carpet manufacturing to cre-ate a smooth carpet face. The shearing process can also be used to create texture, as in random shearing.

Shedding: New carpet tends to shed for a few weeks after instal-lation. Regular vacuuming can resolve this problem. Shedding is more common in cut pile carpet and in wool carpet. Synthetic fibre carpet (such as nylon) does not shed as much.

Singles yarn: One yarn end of either continuous filament yarn or spun yarn. Singles yarn is most often plied, twisted, or air- entangled with additional singles yarns to create a “two-ply,” “three-ply” or “four-ply” yarn bundle.

Sisal: A type of woven floor covering originally made of vegeta-ble fibres such as grass and jute. Now synthetic alternatives are available that offer a more comfortable feel as well as interesting textures, patterns and prints.

Skein dyed: A method of dyeing yarn. Undyed spun or filament yarns are plied and heatset, then reeled into skein form and dyed in skein dye kettles.

Sliver: An intermediate stage in the production of spun yarns from staple fibre. It is a large, soft, untwisted strand or rope of fibres produced by carding or pin drafting.

Smoke chamber test: Method that assesses smoke generating characteristics of a carpet sample due to pyrolysis and combustion by measuring the attenuation of a light beam by smoke accumu-lating in a closed chamber under controlled conditions.

Snags: Snags can occur when an object tangles in carpet. Usu-ally, you can simply cut the snag with sharp scissors. If the snag is large, however, call in a professional carpet cleaner, retailer, or installer to resolve the problem.

Soiling: Soiling occurs when dirt particles build up in carpet fibres. Regular vacuuming and cleaning will prevent this problem.

Soil hiding: The ability of a fibre to mask the presence of soil.

Soil resistance: The ability of a carpet fibre to resist dry soil and maintain its original appearance after intermittent or restorative cleanings. The amount of soil resistance can be determined by fluorine analysis.

Soil retardant: A chemical finish applied to carpet fibres or sur-faces that inhibits the attachment of soil.

Solution dyed: Pigment is added to the molten polymer from which the filaments are made. The fibre is extruded in coloured form.

Space dyed: A method of dyeing yarn. Space dye refers to yarn with multiple colours printed on each strand. There are three basic processes used to create this effect: the warp system, the knit-de-knit process and the continuous dye process. 1. In the warp system, multiple strands of yarn are continuously

printed at spaced intervals with different colours. These yarns usually have “long” spaces of each colour.

2. In the knit-de-knit process, the yarn is first knitted into a tubular fabric (sock), then dyed to a solid colour and then overprinted with up to seven different colours. These yarns usually have “short” spaces of colour.

3. In the continuous dye process, yarn is dyed as singles or plied yarn and colour is applied either by air jet or dye rolls. This proc-ess allows for yarns to have either long or short spaces of colour.

Spinnerette: The device (similar to a showerhead) which forms strands of filament as molten polymer is pumped through. It is at


this stage that the fibre cross section, fibre size and the number of filaments in a yarn bundle (for continuous filament) are determined.

Spinning: The conversion of staple fibre into spun yarn.

Sprouting: The raising up of an individual tuft or fibre above the level of the pile. These may be cut with scissors. If the sprouts are large, however, call in a professional carpet cleaner, retailer or installer to resolve the problem.

Spun yarn: Yarn that is made up of short lengths of fibre, either synthetic staple or natural fibre.

Stain resistance: The ability of a carpet fibre to resist the absorp-tion of stain and maintain its original appearance. For carpets to resist stains, some manufacturers use a topical stain resist treatment that may be removed after hot water extraction.

Staple fibre: Also called staple. Short lengths of fibre which have been chopped from continuous filament in lengths of 4” to 7,5”. Staple fibre must be further processed (spun) into yarn before it can be tufted/woven into carpet. Nylon and polyester are examples of synthetic fibres available in staple form.

Static control test: A measurement of the amount of static dis-charge that occurs under specified conditions.

Static control: See “Antistatic properties .”

Static electricity: Cold and low humidity often create isolated motionless charges of electricity. Some carpets provide static resi-stance. Humidifiers also limit static electricity buildup.

Static shock: Buildup of electrostatic energy on a carpet and the subsequent discharge to a conductive ground such as a file cabi-net. Various static control conductive systems are used in commer-cial carpet to dissipate static charge before it builds to the human sensitivity threshold, which is 3.5kV.

Stitches: The number of yarn tufts per running inch of a single row in a tufted carpet.

Stitches per inch (SPI): Number of yarn tufts per running inch along the length of the carpet (as opposed to the gauge which is the number of stitches across the width of the carpet).

Stock dyed: Used for staple fibre only. Undyed, loose staple fibres are dyed in a vat. They are then blended, carded and spun into yarn.

Stretch-in: The procedure for installing residential carpet over a separate cushion using a tackless strip with a power-stretcher.

Suessen: A trade name of a German manufacturing company and its continuous heatsetting process. In Suessen setting, dry heat is applied to twisted yarn. The heat builds bulk and locks twist into the thermoplastic fibre’s “memory.”

Superba: A trade name of a French manufacturing company and its continuous heatsetting process. In Superba setting, steam and pressure are applied to twisted yarn. Heat and pressure are ap-plied to build the bulk and lock twist into the thermoplastic fibre’s “memory.”

Surface area: The perimeter of an individual fibre filament or mul-tiple filaments.

Surface energy: Technical measure of the tendency of a surface – in this case, the carpet yarn – to repel molecules of another sub-stance. Low surface energy refers to a repelling action.

Synthetic fibre: Produced by man-made means, not available in nature in the same form.

TTackless trip: Wood or metal strips fastened to the floor near the walls. The strips have two or three rows of pins angled up toward the walls on which carpet backing is fastened during a stretch-in installation.

Tensile strength: The strength along the length of a fibre.

Texture: Visual and tactile surface characteristics of carpet pile, including such aesthetic and structural elements as high-low and cut and loop patterning, yarn twist, pile erectness or layover, harsh-ness or softness to the touch, luster, and yarn dimensions.

Texture Retention: Texture retention or carpet memory is the ability of tufts to retain their shape under traffic. Caring for care will help texture retention.


Textured loop: A woven or tufted carpet style having all tufts in a loop form, usually with two or three pile heights. There is generally less difference between the lowest and highest pile heights than would be found in a multilevel loop carpet.

Texturizing: In synthetic fibre production, crimp or texture can be put into the fibre by different methods. The most common for carpet yarns are:1. Air jet methods for BCF. In this texturizing process, yarn is fed

through the turbulent region of an air jet. In the jet, the yarn struc-ture is modified by heat and air.

2. Stuffer box method for staple. Yarn is fed into a chamber and compressed. The individual filaments are forced to fold or bend at sharp angles.

Thermoplastic: A molten resin process that permanently adheres the primary and secondary backing. This backing system is brand-ed as Unibond® by Lees Carpets.

Tip definition: Visible individual twisted cut yarn ends in a carpet surface. If, under heavy wear and pivoting, the tufts have been splayed open, the carpet is said to have lost its tip definition.

Tip shearing: Shaving off tufted high loops in the finishing process to create a cut and loop texture or pattern.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2): A compound that is used primarily as a delusterant in fibre.

Total weight: Weight (ounces) per square yard of the total carpet pile yarn, primary and secondary backings and coatings.

Tow: Continuous synthetic fibre filaments (without twist) collected in a loose rope-like form and held together by crimp. Tow is the form before fibre is cut into staple.

Tuft bind: The force required to pull a tuft from a carpet.

Tufted: A method of manufacturing carpet. Tufts of fibre are in-serted through a carpet backing to create a pile of cut and/or loop ends.

Turns per tuft (TPT): The number of twists in the pile yarn above the primary backing. A more accurate way of measuring relative twist level in cut pile carpets. Generally, the greater the turns per tuft, the better the performance.

Twist: Winding the fibre around itself to strengthen a fibre’s resi-stance to crushing.

Twist level: Twist level is the number of turns per inch of yarn.

Two-ply: Most common yarn ply. Two single yarns are twisted together, then heatset to maintain their twisted configuration. Can be used in either cut or loop pile carpet.

UUnderlay: The cushion or padding that lays underneath rugs.

Unitary: A single lamination of fabric backing with high rubber content latex or hot-melt resin compound for increased tuft bind. Used primarily with loop pile carpet.

Urethane (polyurethane): A polymeric resin applied by the car-pet mill in the finishing process. In the heat and curing chamber it reacts and creates a foam-like texture. This backing encapsulates the yarn for extra tuft bind with a cushion attached.

VVelvet carpet: Woven carpet made on a loom similar to a Wilton loom but lacking the jacquard mechanism. Velvet carpets are gene-rally level loop, level cut/loop or plush, in solid or tweed colors.

Vettermann drum test: An instrument to test pile floor coverings to produce changes in appearance and colour due to changes in surface structure by mechanical action. This accelerated test, primarily used in the US, provides a specific rating of the ability of the carpet to withstand crushing and matting.

Vinyl: Colloquial term for the synthetic polymer, polyvinyl chloride. Also called PVC. PVC is used as a carpet back-coating for carpet tiles and 6" goods. Vinyl foams have been used as attached cush-ions. Many walk-off mats have solid sheet vinyl backing.

WWarp: A weaving term for yarns in woven fabrics and carpets that run in the machine direction (or lengthwise). Warp yarns are usually delivered to a weaving loom from a beam mounted behind the loom. Woven carpets usually have three sets of warp yarns,


which may be wound on three loom beams. These include stuffer warp for lengthwise strength and stiffness, pile warp which forms the carpet surface tufts, and chain warp which interlaces with fill yarn to lock the structure together.

Waterfall Installation: Stairs are composed of a tread (the up-per horizontal part of a step) and a riser (the upright member between two stair treads). Waterfall installation attaches carpet to two points on each step (one at the back of the tread and one at the bottom of each riser). This type of installation extends the life of carpet on stairs. When the carpet on the treads become worn, they can be taken up, reversed, and reinstalled with the worn areas placed over the risers.

Watermarking: Irregular random shading or pile reversal in cut pile carpet. Although much research has been done in an effort to determine the cause for watermarking, there has never been a single or consistent reason determined.

Weaving: The original method for manufacturing carpet. In the weaving process, backing yarns are woven into a durable fabric while, simultaneously, face yarns are looped over wires and inter-locked in the woven back.

Weft: Yarns which run widthwise in woven carpet interlacing with various warp yarns.

White dyeable fibre: Man-made fibre that is extruded as a white fibre. The fibre can be dyed any colour using a variety of dye methods either before or after the tufting/weaving process.

Wilton: A type of woven carpet and the loom used to manufac-ture it. Wilton looms have jacquard pattern mechanisms which use punched cards/computer programmes to select yarn colour. The carpets are often patterned or have multilevel surfaces.

Wires: Parts of carpet weaving looms composed of thin metal rods or blades on which the pile tufts are formed. Round wires and cut wires are identical in shape. The cut wire has a small knife blade at the end and, as it is withdrawn, it cuts the yarn looped over it to form cut pile.

Wool: The original carpet fibre. Wool is noted for its excellent dyeability, luxurious feel and relatively high cost.

Woolen spinning: Spinning method which produces bulky, hairy yarn, usually used for wool yarns. A series of cards, or large cy-linders with comb-like teeth, straighten the fibres into a paralleled

fibre webbing. This webbing is blended with other webbing, then spun into yarn.

Woven backing: A tufted carpet term for primary or secondary backing manufactured by the weaving process. Secondary back-ings are usually woven jute or woven polypropylene.

Woven carpet: Carpet produced on a loom. Warp pile yarns intertwine with wires and backing yarns called warp yarns. These yarns are locked in with the weft yarns. Warp stuffer yarns are included to provide extra stability. Weaving is a slower, more ex-pensive, labour-intensive fabrication method than tufting. Woven carpet is distinguished by intricate patterns and tailored, controlled textures.

Woven: Carpet that is manufactured on a weaving loom in which the lengthwise yarns and widthwise yarns are interlocked to form a fabric.

Y

Yarn: A continuous strand of fibres used in tufting, weaving and bonding to form carpet and other fabrics. Carpet yarn is often plied and may be either spun staple or continuous filament.

Yarn construction: An indication of the number of singles yarns combined to form a plied or heathered yarn.

Yarn count: A number used to describe the size of the yarn. Denier is used for BCF yarns, and cotton count for spun yarns.

Yarn denier (bundle): The total weight in grams of 9,000 meters of a filament yarn bundle. Common commercial carpet yarn de-niers range from ~1,200d to 5,000d.

Yarn dyeing: Applying colour to yarns which are later used in making carpet. It can be in continuous yarn dyeing methods such as space dyeing or can be in batch methods such as skein dyeing.

Yarn ply: The number of single fibres twisted together to form a plied yarn.

Yarn size: The weight measure of the total bundle of filaments making up a yarn that indicates whether the yarn is fine or coarse. Continuous filament yarns are sized by the denier or decitex sy-stem. Spun yarns are sized by the cotton count system.

Glossery 30 Bibliography 1

Yarn weight: Total amount of yarn used in the manufacturing of carpet. It is measured in ounces per square yard.

ZZippering: A loop pile carpet in which tufts are pulled from the backing resulting in long, lengthwise pulls out of the carpet. Zipper-ing occurs when the tuft base is not securely encapsulated by the backing compound.

Glossary sources:Stainmaster Carpet: http://www.stainmaster.com/global/glossary.jsp

Antron Carpet Fibre: http://antron.net/content/resources/carpet_glossary/ant06_03.shtml

Carpet.org: http://www.carpet.org/glossary.htm

Bibliography

Antron Carpet Fibre: http://antron.net/content/resources/carpet_glossary/ant06_03.shtml

Carpet.org: http://www.carpet.org/glossary.htm

Cayless, SM, ”Slip, trip and fall accidents: relationship to building features and coroner’s report”, Applied Ergonomics, 155-62;2001

UN, The World Commission on Environment and Development, “Our Common Future”, 1987

Hayley, France, “Does flooring type affect risk of injury in order in-patients?”, Nursing Times (July), Vol. 90.

Jan Hansen, ”Hverdagens små stød kan skyldes kunstige stolesæder”, Ingeniøren

Mitchell W. Sauerhoff, Ph.D. DABT, “Carpet, Asthma and Allergies – Myth or Reality”, May 19, 2008

NFA (previously Arbejdsmiljøinstituttet), ”Støj fra menneskelig akti-vitet – et udredningsarbejde”, 2006

Penetron International Newsletter, June 07: http://www.penetron.com/newsletter/english/june07/pdf-June07.pdf

P. Trappl, “Teppishböden auf Fussbodenheizungen”, Textil-Praxis-International, June 1981

Stainmaster Carpet: http://www.stainmaster.com/global/ glossary.jsp

T. Behrens,W. Maziak, S.K. Weiland, P. Rzehak, E. Siebert, U. Keil, “Symptoms of Asthma and the Home Environment. The ISAAC I and III Cross-Sectional Surveys in Münster, Germany”, Int. Arch Allergy Immunol Vol. 137, 2005

The Carpet and Rug Institute, “The Carpet Primer”, 2003

Teknologisk Institut, Træ og Textil, ”Tekstil – Brugsegenskaber og vedligeholdelse”, 2008

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