All About Carpet Dyeing
Hello! Alex here, second generation owner at Roberts Carpet & Fine Floors, answering “frequently asked questions” about flooring.
How does a carpet get its color? I admit – this is not a question I get from homeowners often! Most do not think to ask. Why does it matter? Well, there are several different methods for dyeing carpet, and pros and cons to each method. If you are deciding between a few styles you love equally, the dye method may actually matter, and sway your decision on which carpet to select. Some are more cost efficient while others are more stain resistant. Let’s dive in!
Common Carpet Dyeing Methods
Solution Dye is when the color is added to the fiber when it is still in liquid state, before extrusion. It is important to note this method is used on synthetic fiber only (not wool carpet or jute). In the flooring world, a common analogy we use is “the carrot and the radish.” Opposed to a radish (red on the outside and white inside), the color goes all the way through the yarn, like a carrot.
- Pro: More fade resistant + Consistency between dye lots
- If you have a lot of windows, this is a great method for your home as sunlight will fade your carpet
- If you are doing a large room with seams, the seams are easier to hide. No seam is invisible if you know where to look.
- Con: Limited in color selection
Continuous Dye is, by far, the most common dyeing method, which is applied on a conveyor belt where the dye is sprayed on or dragged/dipped in a bath of dye. The carpet continues on the belt, is dried, and then rolled up at the end of the line. In “the carrot and radish” analogy, this method represents the radish, meaning the color is on the surface.
- Pro: Cost efficient + Variety of colors
- Con: Fades in sunlight and over time
Piece Dye or Beck Dyeing. Becks are essentially similar to big washing machines, and they come in different sizes.
- Pro: Vibrant colors + Less likely to side match
- Con: Time-consuming + Expensive
Additional Carpet Dyeing Considerations
In time, all carpet will fade; they will fade faster if faced with strong direct sunlight for extended periods of time (rooms with floor to ceiling windows). Fiber type also affects carpet fading; Some fiber types, regardless of how they are dyed, fade more readily than others.
*What Is A Side-Match? A side match is a color discrepancy. Sometimes when you seam carpet together, there is a color difference between the two cuts of carpet that can be seen at the seam. There are a number of causes for that in the manufacturing process: If the temperature of the dye varies even slightly, the color will take differently and can only be seen when you seam the carpet farther down the roll with the carpet above it.
Beck dyeing very rarely has that problem as the whole piece is dyed together at the same time in the same situation. Hand-tufted items in particular have problems matching in pattern and texture, in addition to color. Machine-tufted products usually don’t have texture differences, but patterns can certainly run off. A good installer can usually adjust the carpet to make the pattern match by stretching one of the pieces more aggressively.
Other (less common) Carpet Dyeing Methods
Skein Dye is yarn dying but not solution-dyeing and is only for natural (mostly wool) yarn.
Cationic Dye is a way to get multiple colors on the same carpet by using yarns that take the color differently, because those carpets use differentiated yarns that take the dye differently.
Space Dye is used to create flecked items that have a mostly solid color with frequent but random flecks interspersed.
Hope you found this helpful. If you are looking for additional guidance through the process of purchasing quality carpet that will last in your gorgeous home, please feel free to contact us at Roberts Carpet. We are here to help you plan your next home remodeling project with your ideal carpet style!
