Wondering about primary and secondary backing in carpeting? When it comes to carpeting, there are many steps that go into making it that ensures a top quality product. Knowing a little bit about the components of a carpet can help contractors, installers and flooring inspectors better communicate with each other and with their clients. For example, it’s a good idea to know about and be able to explain the difference between the primary and the secondary backing when it comes to carpeting.
The primary backing is generally constructed from woven polypropylene and its purpose is to provide a base to hold the carpet yarn in place. The carpet yarn, or pile, is most likely going to be a synthetic fiber that holds its appearance and is soil and stain resistant and can be tightly woven for years of high performance.
Secondary backing is also generally made of a woven synthetic material like polypropylene and it helps hold the carpet yarns in place. It reinforces the carpet piece and gives it some dimensional stability. Together, the primary and secondary backing helps carpeting stay durable, versatile and beautiful for the lifetime of the product.
[…] someone is in the carpet business, they probably aren’t familiar with secondary backs in carpets. Most customers focus on the top of the carpet for the color and texture of the tufts of fiber. […]