Sidematch is a perceived difference in shade or hue between joined panels.  While the human eye is registering a difference it may not be an actual color variation.  Carpet is a manmade product that goes through many processes from the time the fiber is manufactured into carpet, up through its installation.  During the manufacturing process the pile may take on a slight variation within part of a roll and this variation may translate into an appearance difference.  During installation the construction or placement of a seam may also result in a sidematch appearance difference.

As a dealer or sales person you likely sell a lot of carpet that you never see installed.  It is not a bad idea to call on a consumer following an installation to make sure that everything is to their satisfaction.  Making the call can lead to extra sales for additional floor covering, draperies or some other product you sell.  When you make the call, I would not advise you to point out visual problems that they have not complained of.  Visual problems do not affect carpet performance.  Visual problems are often a characteristic and what is a problem to one is not to the other.  You may see a sidematch variation and once you point it out that is all they see.  Sidematch variations are common, visit model homes, particularly those that have large rooms and pay close attention to the seam areas.  You will probably be surprised at the number of installations that have the appearance of a sidematch variation.

The Blame Game

When a sidematch difference is observed, the end user, installer and dealer may all have different ideas as to why it is there.  In fact a perceived difference may have multiple contributing causes.

• The pile may have been reversed during manufacturing or installation.

• More light or shadow is being cast on one side of the seam.

• The seam may be excessively peaked.

• Multiple dye lots may have been used.

• The carpets texture may differ from one part of the roll to another.

• The pile may have a side-to-side or end-to-end color variation.

• The pile may be crushed on one side of the seam.

• The consumer’s expectations may be too great.

Sidematch is a controversial claim.  All the consumer sees is a defective product or installation.  The cause of these variations can be difficult to identify.  Both money and reputation are at stake so care must be taken in determining the cause.

Who’s Fault is it?

A sidematch appearance difference that takes place within the roll is often not detectable until the carpet has been cut and placed side by side and therefore it is routinely not found until the time of installation.

• Seam peaking occurs during installation due to the flexing of the thermal plastic tape. Seam peaking is installation characteristic it is not an installation defect unless it is excessive and caused by improper installation.

• When a carpet is stretched properly tight the peak may be higher.

• When a seam runs across a major light source the peak will be more visible.

• When a seam runs into a major light source the peak will be less visible.

• When a room is large and sparsely furnished the peak may be more visible.

• Pile Reversal occasionally occurs during manufacturing.

If the pile reverses midway along the panel and has been there since installation, this will normally be a manufacturer related pile reversal.

Sometimes you find that in the lengthwise direction the sweep is the same and in the widthwise direction it reverses.  This condition is unusual and is easiest to identify when all of the arrows on both sides of both panels run in the same direction but you find a side-to-side sweep that is different.

• Pile reversal more commonly occurs during installation. Pile direction testing and printing on the back of the carpet can usually determine when it occurred

• Lighting is a site-related condition that plays a big roll when it comes to seam visibility. Some rooms have low windows, others high, wall to wall, or floor to ceiling. Some structures are designed with most of the artificial light at one end or one side of the room. Light may be overhead in one area and tabletop lighting in another. Some layouts are such that the seams cannot be ran into the major light source to reduce seam visibility. Under many of these lighting conditions no matter what you do a sidematch difference is going to be seen.

• Proper planning for installation can play a big part in seam visibility. Taking fill pieces from the same side of the roll and in sequence to its joining panel will reduce variations.

• When multiple rolls of carpet are cut in dyelot series sidematch problems are usually reduced.

• Hue or shade difference within the roll can occur during manufacturing. Many manufacturers as measured by the AATCC Gray Scale consider a 3.5 to 5 percent variation normal. When a carpet is manufactured with nylon pile a shade or hue sidematch condition can often be corrected by a dye process called feather blending. This process is permanent and does not affect the performance of a carpet.

CRI 105 – 2002 states on page 14, Section 5.1, Seams “Seams shall be kept to a minimum and positioned as recommended when possible. •Seams run the length of the area. • Main traffic runs parallel to, rather than across, the seam. • Natural light does not strike across the seam. •Seams are away from areas subject to pivoting traffic. •Seams are not perpendicular to doorway openings”

The Weinheimer Group corrects many side match variations by use of a feather blending process. This process saves the expense and inconvenience of replacement. Most manufacturers retain the right to correct a carpet by feather blending. This correction will last as long as the original manufacturing dye process and does not effect the warranty. Contact us for further information.

Additional Information

• Carpet and Flooring Onsite Testing & Inspection
• Carpet Side Match Color Variations Cause and Correction