Acrylic:  This is a widely used synthetic fibre with a definite price advantage. Its wool like appearance makes it popular for natural product styles but acrylic does not have the same quality characteristics as wool. Some International Brand Names: Acrilan, Vonnel, Dralon, Courtelle, Dolan, Leacril.

Berber:  A type of carpet which has its origin in North African tribespeople who used handspun yarns made from undyed wool of local sheep. This handspun texturised look has been developed on a commercial basis by carpet manufacturers using wools and synthetics in both natural and fashion colour yarns.

Browning:  The most common causes for browning of carpets are overwetting and the use of incorrect cleaning methods on wool content carpets. In case of the latter the problem is usually caused by alkaline chemicals which cause the natural pigments and dyestuffs to bleed out of the fibre. It is also important to note that when a carpet becomes evenly soiled, it might not even appear dirty. When clean water is spilt on such a carpet, the dirt can bleed out of the carpet, forming a brown edge around the water spill mark. This often causes people to blame the clean water for forming the "brown mark". Depending on the cause, many "browning marks" can be removed with an application of clean water with white vinegar (approx:1¦4 cup vinegar to a litre water). Do not overwet, rather repeat treatments.

Coarse Loop Pile:  Coarse or uneven loops, often created from chunky yarn, for a more textured appearance.

Cut-Loop:  Carpet pile with a sculptured appearance created by cutting some loops while leaving others uncut at the same or different level.

Cut Pile:  Carpet in which the tops of loops are cut, usually to a uniform length.

Fading:  Besides apparent colour change due to light refaction (see shading), there can be real loss of colour in a carpet as well. Even the best quality imported dyestuffs can eventually fade - especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight. It is therefore advisable to protect such carpets by using sunfilters or drawing the curtains when there is strong sunlight.

Fibre Shed:  See Fluffing.

Fluffing:  Carpets are made from either Bulk Continuous Filament yarns (BCF) or yarns spun from staple fibre. This results in two totally different yarn types. In the case of spun yarns the ends of individual fibres are exposed, causing loose fibres to form fluff on the new carpet. This is quite normal and there is no need for concern. With regular vacuuming, excess loose fibres will be removed while others will settle into the base of the pile. It is important to note that this phenomenon is accommodated in tests for eventual quality grading.

Frieze or Hard Twist Pile:  A cut pile carpet where yarns are twisted and heat set to achieve a textured pile surface.

Level Loop Pile:  Carpet with loops of pile yarn uniform in height.

Location Grade:  This is an indication of the recommended use for a particular carpet style. Generally linked to SABS quality testing standards, it is important to note that this is merely one of the guidelines. Colour choice, pile fibre and construction also play a vital role in carpet performance.

Needlefelt:  The needle punching process entangles fibres - usually into a loosely woven carrier fabric. Needlefelt is generally available in polypropylene, making it an extremely affordable floor covering.

Nouwens Brand:  This is your assurance of quality. All Nouwens Carpets are made with pride to enhance the interior. It is vital that you choose well and care correctly for your carpet from day one to enjoy these lasting good looks.

Nouwens Guarantee:  We undertake to make good or replace any A Grade Nouwens carpet within 5 years of installation if, due to proven defect in manufacture, this carpet should fail to give satisfaction in normal use according to the manufacturers recommendation. Should we not be able to replace the particular range, a carpet of similar value may be selected from our current range. All claims will be treated in accordance with CMSA Standard Claims Policy.

Nylon:  Nylon is an extremely hard wearing and good looking carpet fibre. It is by far the most popular man-made fibre, accounting for some 70% of the world synthetic carpet market. Nylon is an extruded polyamide fibre and over the years major improvements have been made to this fibre. This technology obviously has cost millions in research and plant development and this is why popular, internationally -branded fibres are far superior in quality.Some International Brand Names: Anso, Antron, Stainmaster, Timbrelle.

Pile Crush:  This is seen mostly in newly fitted carpets and it is caused by pressure on rolls of material while in storage. With normal usage, maintenance and a bit of time the carpet will recover by itself. Pile fibres with better resilience properties do recover quicker, but sometimes a little help from a professional steam treatment might be needed to help the recovery of "lazier" or very compressed pile. This applies to marks left by lighter furniture as well. However, pressure marks under heavy furniture is severe punishment to any carpet and can sometimes leave permanent depressions. Protective cups under the sharp feet of such furniture will distribute the weight and, in so doing, lessen the effect.

Polyester:  A synthetic carpet fibre, favourably priced and with superb built-in stain resistance. It is permanently antistatic and the fact that polyester responds well to heat treatments makes it a popular fibre for heatset yarns used in Saxonies. Some International Brand Names: Trevira, Dacron, Diolen, Terylene.

Polypropylene:  This is a fairly extensively used synthetic carpet fibre. The outstanding price of polypropylene makes this fibre ideal for cheaper carpet ranges. It is important to note that most carpets made of lower priced fibres do not compare in performance to carpets made of quality wools or nylons. An International Brand Name: Meraklon.

SABS:  South African Bureau of Standards. All Nouwens A Grade Products are endorsed by the SABS 1375 mark of quality. This is your assurance that these products have been tested by and pass the SABS Basic Quality Standards. This is also a commitment by SABS to entertain any consumer complaints on SABS branded carpets and to deal with the manufacturer on consumers behalf.

Saxony:  A dense and even cut pile carpet where yarns are treated to make each tuft-end distinguishable at the surface.

Shading:  Shading is a phenomenon which sometimes occurs where certain areas of a cut-pile carpet appear lighter or darker in shade as a result of varied light refraction on pile lying in a different direction. Shading is an optical effect which is normally permanent. Its cause is still largely unexplained and can occur with all fibres. Internationally it is not regarded as a manufacturing defect. Another form of "shading" occurs in cut-pile carpets where pile is temporarily distorted by footsteps or brushing. This occurs particularly in Velours and Saxonies and is seen by connoisseurs as a mark of quality and a sought-after effect. Such marks can be lifted by light brushing.

Shag/Semi-shag Pile:  A cut pile carpet with a longer pile and a shaggy appearance.

Soil Resistant Treatments:  "Scotchgard" and similar soil resistant treatments can be used on carpet fibres or finished carpets. All these forms of protection do have a place in the carpet market, but ultimately most household spills and soiling are in the form of natural or synthetic dyestuffs (ie. tea, coffee, food colourants, natural soil pigments etc). By their very nature, carpet fibres will absorb these kinds of dye. Factors such as temperature (e.g. hot beverages) and time delays (e.g. wait until tomorrow or next week before cleaning the spot), adversely affect the degree of staining on treated as well as untreated fibres. Bottom line: By all means go for these protective products but treat it as a bonus and clean up as you would on untreated carpet - then you will enjoy the benefits of soil resistant treatments. As a foot note - Wool, due to the microscopic scaly structure of the fibre, has superb natural soil resistance properties which man has tried to simulate in synthetics for years. There is but one wool and the International Wool Secretorial does not recommend defacing the fibre with soil resistance chemicals.

Tracking:  It is understandable that a carpet will undergo a change in appearance in more frequently used areas. This change in texture will result in an apparent change in colour which is an optical effect due to different light refraction.

Tufted Carpet:  Manufacturing style where a row of needles sew the pile yarn through a primary backing, forming loops or tufts of the required length. An adhesive coating is then applied to the reverse side, anchoring tufts in position and to adhere a secondary backing for extra strength and stability.

Underfelt:  This is not a mere luxury. Underfelt has proven to drastically lengthen the life of a carpet while enhancing the luxury feel of the installation. It also improves the thermal and acoustic insulation. Most synthetic or jute fibre underfelts are suitable provided that they are fairly even in thickness. A lumpy underfelt or screed not only results in a poor fitting job, but also causes uneven wear on the carpet. Foam underfelts are not recommended as they are often unstable and also pose practical problems during fitting which could only become apparent after installation. Select underfelts of at least the same recommended location grade as your carpet.

Velvet:  A uniform velour texture cut pile carpet.

Wilton:  This is the traditional weaving process where a warp and weft construction anchors in the pile yarn. This is a slower and more costly process than modern tufting for example. It is important to note that actual product composition is generally more important than the method of manufacture.

Wool:  This is truly a unique carpet fibre. Mother Nature makes wool with grass, water and sunshine; man makes synthetics from chemicals! Wool is more than a fibre; it is an exceptional experience, thanks to the fact that it has an appeal and appearance retention way beyond that of any other synthetic. Wool is not just a "pretty face!" The fibre is water repellent and naturally antistatic which improves soil resistance and ease of maintenance. Wool is inherently flame resistant and usually scorch marks can simply be brushed away; a property that also contributes to safety. The fibre's superb resilience ensures that pile recovers very well from tread and pressure of furniture and gives unsurpassed comfort. An added bonus is wool's sound and thermal insulation which are often underrated as aspects of comfort.