Cornrowing
Cornrowing (Carpet)
Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide
Summary
Cornrowing is an appearance-related condition in which carpet pile develops alternating rows of upright yarn tufts with adjacent rows laying into the pile surface. The condition most commonly occurs in certain cut pile carpet constructions where pile height, density, yarn twist, and fiber resilience allow selective tuft movement under repetitive traffic and directional grooming patterns. Cornrowing typically develops in narrow or confined pathways where traffic movement and maintenance direction remain consistent, causing visible row formation that may appear lighter or darker depending on lighting direction and viewing angle. The condition reflects interaction between carpet construction, traffic, and maintenance behavior rather than manufacturing defect, backing failure, or structural breakdown. See also Shading, Appearance Retention, and Carpet Problems for broader context.
Carpet Problems
Carpet Fiber Identification (Field and Laboratory Methods)
Wool and Wool Carpet Properties
Carpet Beetle Damage
Fiber Properties
Missing Row
Wrinkles in Backing
Unraveling / Runs (Carpet)
Core Crush / Roll-Core Pile Reversal (Carpet)
