Definition
Pile height describes the height of the protruding fibers in pile fabrics. The longer these fibers are, the softer and more plush the fabric feels. Pile height is typically expressed in millimeters.
Use in the textile industry
Pile height is a key quality characteristic in carpets, velour textiles, and plush fabrics, and influences both the hand feel and the durability of the end product. Low pile heights are typically found in heavy-duty floor coverings for commercial applications, while greater pile heights are used primarily in residential settings as well as in apparel fabrics and toy materials. During production, pile height is controlled by the cutting height, weaving parameters, or needle settings, and is a defining characteristic in the product specification.
Learn textile knowledge in context
You have just looked up a single technical term. In textil trainer, you learn how textile materials, processes, and contexts are connected.
The free learning platform teaches textile fundamentals step by step in interactive online courses. Each online course includes its own glossary with the most important terms of the respective topic. Across all courses, more than 600 textile terms with narrated explanations are available.
textil trainer is developed together with the Chair of Textile Technologies at Chemnitz University of Technology, chemmedia AG, and companies and educational institutions from the textile sector.