ODOR - Unpleasant odors may be caused by fungi attacking jute or sulfur compounds in latex back-size, etc.
OFF SQUARE -- Rather than having a square or rectangular shape, the carpet or pattern takes the form of a parallelogram.
OILY WIRES - A gray or black discoloration across the width of the woven carpet due to both dirty and oily wires. If oil is colorless, appearance of defect is delayed until carpet is in service and the difference in soiling rate makes it apparent.
OILY YARN--Soiled yarn running in the warp direction. Not always apparent at time of inspection but is revealed in service by difference in soiling rate. Generally caused by excessive oiling of rings or spinning or twisting equipment.
OLEFINS - Any long chain polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of ethylene, propylene or other olefin units. Yarns made from these polymers may be used in carpet construction.
Onyx: includes Black Onyx, Natural Onyx and White Onyx; see individual listings.
OPEN TIME: The period of time during which the bond coat retains its ability to adhere to the tile and bond the tile to the substrate.
ORGANIC ADHESIVE: A prepared organic material, ready to use with no further addition of liquid or powder, which cures or sets by evaporation.
OUTDOOR CARPET - A term used to describe carpet that has been especially engineered so that all elements of the product will resist the effects of the sun, rain, and snow. Outdoor carpet is generally made of all synthetic material. Special attention has been paid to sun fade degradation of the pile fiber.