Multiple conditions tend to get lumped into the term side match. The general term originally meant a color change from one side of the carpet to the other, so when seamed together, a color change was noticeable. Another condition lumped in with side match is end to end match, which is a color change from one end of the roll to the other. A third is texture change. This can be side to side or end to end. Visually they all look similar – a color change from one side of the seam to another.
With changes in dye methods over the years, more carpets are solution dyed or beck dyed now. This reduces the chance of an actual side match. It can still happen, but the chances are far less than previously.
Texture change is when the pile of the carpet changes from one side of the roll to the other (side match) or one end of the roll to the other (end match). This usually results from the yarn having a tighter twist on one side than the other, or if it is a multi-color textured carpet, a darker color is more prevalent on the surface of the pile on one side of the seam than on the other. The carpet yarn is all the same color, but by changing the texture of the carpet, the visual color also changes since it reflects light differently.
A true side match with a color change from one side of the carpet to the other is nearly impossible to correct on site short of color blending. The color change from one end of the roll to the other, either color or texture related, can often be resolved far more easily at the time of the installation. Many large carpet installations involving the same carpet save the last cut to use for all the fills, so cross seams can be eliminated. This will highlight any end to end color or texture change dramatically.
A solution for rooms with multiple cuts needing a fill piece on the end of a room is to make the fill piece smaller, and cut it individually for each room. Make the fill cut off the roll just after the cut that preceded it. This will add cross seams in the room, but the color or texture of the fill piece will be very close to the carpet it is seamed to, which will minimize the chance of a side match claim. Use the last cut and any larger pieces left from the fill cuts to do any stairs. On stairs, since the carpet alternates between vertical and horizontal surfaces, it is more difficult to see any color or texture changes.
Using these suggested techniques may eliminate several claim filings, and the need to replace the carpet. Not having to move furniture and take another day off makes for happier customers and repeated future business. What techniques have you found that are the best to use to avoid side match issues?
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