Recent advances in manufacturing have actually made the term "carpet" somewhat inaccurate. A better description would be "carpeting system," because there are actually several integrated components involved. These include pile yarns , the carpet itself, backings and adhesives.

The pile yarn is the most important component as it reflects the performance and aesthetic value of the carpet, as well as being the prime cost consideration. Another component material is the backing. The primary backing serves as a carrier fabric for the pile yarn, while the secondary backing promotes tuft bind and helps the carpet retain its size and shape. This is often referred to as dimensional stability. An additional component is the adhesives, which are used to lock the pile fibers into the carpet and to adhere the secondary backing system to the main body of the carpet.

Other material components that are sometimes used include various topical treatments, which impart specific benefits such as soil and stain resistance , static control , or anti-microbial protection.

The final component of every carpet system is the underlayment. Choosing the proper underlayment is often overlooked by carpet specifiers and in many instances, the decision to use or not use an underlayment is based solely on budget. This can be a costly mistake as it may reduce the useable life of the carpet. The end use application should always be considered because certain installations truly demand an underlayment and others do not.

Each of these material components is an important and integral part of the carpet system, although the type of components used varies with the carpet manufacturing system. Considering each of these components will assist the specifier in making an informed decision based on matching the total carpet system with the project's requirements.