Carpet Seam Visibility

(Cartoon: Seam Visibility: Copyright 2011 by Troy Johnson)

One issue that has troubled carpet installers and customers alike for many years is the issue of seam visibility.  It is unlikely that a retailer or installer will guarantee invisible seams, though certain carpets lend themselves well to minimal to no visibility when properly constructed.  Seam visibility is most often determined by the skill of the installer, but there are exceptions.  Some carpet seams can be perfectly constructed and be visible due to other factors including natural lighting striking across the seam, and slight variations in the carpet dye from one side of the carpet to the other, normally recognized as "side match" differences in the industry.  

Carpet repairs add a whole new level of complexity to minimizing seam visibility.  Customers who need a carpet area repaired (pet damage, stains, etc), maybe see noticeable differences between the used carpet and the original, unused carpet used to patch the damaged area due to differences in foot traffic on the used carpet, uv exposure, colorfast issues related to cleaning solutions, etc.  

Certain things that are installer related that can make seams more visible in a new carpet installation include the following:

1) Dissimilar carpet fiber characteristics at the seam line include but are not limited to the following:

a) the carpet face fibers being cut through from above or from behind before seam is glued together

b) carpet fibers falling into the carpet glue during the seam, causing "missing" fibers at the seam line or carpet fibers pulling away from the backing after being cut.

c) one carpet edge sitting higher (on the backing) of the other carpet, due to a non-straight cut or one                 carpet edge being forced together too tightly.

d) gaps in the carpet backing due to non-straight cut preparation of the seam, or carpet backing edges not placed closely enough by the installer to recreate the proper seam gauge (spacing between fibers)

e) the gully or space between carpet fibers is not accurately recreated by the installer, leaving the gully space too wide or too narrow, both resulting in more visibility.  

More could be noted on the topic, but this gives you an idea of how seam visibility can be dramatically influenced by the installer.  Quality carpet seams are rarely achieved by the inexperienced and do-it-yourself types.  

Feel free to leave comments on your own insights into what you feel causes seam visibility.  It's an industry hot topic.

Troy Johnson
The Carpet Fix
Carpet Repairs and Installation in the DFW area
214-962-8846

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