Stitch bonded backings provide considerable advantages in terms of service life, power transfer, versatility and surface quality over standard woven backings. The relative position of the warp and weft yarns (vertically and horizontally running fibers) is the major reason for these advantages. By overlaying the wefts onto the warps by stitching them together, a straighter, stronger material is created. This patented backing design also allows for very low stretch characteristics.