Carpet • Glue-Down Format
Glue-Down Carpet, Explained
Glue-down carpet is a common broadloom format where the carpet backing is bonded to the substrate using adhesive. This page explains what glue-down means and the specs you’ll commonly see on technical data sheets — reference-only, no product or install advice.
What Is Glue-Down Carpet?
Glue-down is an installation format where broadloom carpet is bonded to the substrate using an adhesive system. Instead of using perimeter tension like stretch-in, the carpet’s backing is held by the adhesive bond across the floor area.
On spec sheets, glue-down carpet is still described primarily by construction details (fiber, pile, backing), but glue-down installations may also reference system-related requirements where the backing and adhesive work together.
Related Pages
How Glue-Down Differs From Stretch-In And Tile
Glue-down broadloom is built around adhesive bonding. Because the carpet is held by a bond rather than perimeter tension, glue-down systems often emphasize backing construction and system compatibility.
Stretch-in systems commonly pair broadloom with a separate pad and tension-based anchoring. Carpet tile is modular and typically uses different backing approaches and installation methods. The core idea is the same: the format changes what parts of the system matter most.
Common Glue-Down Terms You’ll See
- Broadloom (roll carpet format)
- Backing Construction (primary/secondary backing)
- Tuft Bind (how firmly yarn is held by backing, when listed)
- Dimensional Stability (movement under test conditions, when listed)
- Density (tuft packing / structure)
- Face Weight (fiber weight per area)
Glue-Down Carpet Specs Glossary
One-sentence explanations of common spec-sheet items, with links to deeper spec pages.
| Spec | What It Means (1 Sentence) | Where It Appears | Deep Dive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Type | The material used for the carpet yarn (which affects feel, resilience, and maintenance characteristics). | Construction | Fiber Type Explained |
| Face Weight | The weight of yarn on the face of the carpet per square yard (often listed as oz/yd²). | Construction / Performance | Face Weight Explained |
| Density | A measure of how tightly the carpet tufts are packed, which can relate to how the surface holds up under traffic. | Performance / Construction | Density Explained |
| Backing Construction | The layers on the underside of the carpet that help lock yarn in place and support the carpet structure. | Construction | Backing Construction Explained |
| Pile Height | The height of the carpet yarn above the backing (a surface profile spec, not a durability guarantee). | Construction | Pile Height Explained |
| Twist Level | How tightly the carpet yarn is twisted (often listed as TPI), which can affect texture change in many cut piles. | Construction (sometimes) | Twist Level Explained |
FAQ
What Is Glue-Down Carpet? ⌄
Glue-down carpet is broadloom carpet installed by bonding the backing to the substrate with adhesive, rather than stretching it over perimeter anchoring.
Is Glue-Down Carpet The Same As Carpet Tile? ⌄
No. Glue-down broadloom is roll-goods carpet bonded to the floor, while carpet tile is modular and typically uses different backing systems and installation approaches.
How Is Glue-Down Different From Stretch-In Carpet? ⌄
Glue-down relies on adhesive bonding across the floor area, while stretch-in relies on perimeter anchoring and tension, usually over a separate pad.
What Specs Matter Most For Glue-Down Carpet? ⌄
Common specs include fiber type, pile style, face weight, density, and backing construction. Some spec sheets also list tuft bind or dimensional stability depending on the product and category.
Reference-Only Note
This page provides general informational reference about glue-down carpet terminology and specifications. It does not provide installation instructions, professional advice, or product recommendations.