Sound-absorbing article with perforations in backing, surface coverings comprising same, and systems and methods of making and using same

A floor covering comprising:

• at least one article comprising:
• a backing having a thickness;
• and
• face fibers associated with, and extending from, the backing,
• wherein the backing defines a plurality of perforations that fully extend through the thickness of the backing and are patterned to determine an acoustic property of the floor covering,
• wherein, within at least a portion of the backing, sequential perforations of the plurality of perforations are spaced center-to-center by between 5 mm and 100 mm,
• wherein the at least one article comprises a plurality of articles, wherein a first article of the plurality of articles comprises a first plurality of perforations that are arranged in a first pattern, wherein the first plurality of perforations are disposed over a first area, wherein a second article of the plurality of articles comprises a second plurality of perforations that are arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second plurality of perforations are disposed over a second area, wherein the first pattern defines a first percent open area, wherein the second pattern defines a second percent open area, and wherein the first percent open area is greater than the second percent open area.

A method comprising:

• positioning a plurality of flooring articles to define a floor covering, wherein at least one flooring article of the plurality of flooring articles comprises a sound-absorbing article comprising:
• a backing having a thickness;
• and
• face fibers associated with, and extending from, the backing,
• wherein the backing defines a plurality of perforations that fully extend through the thickness of the backing and are patterned to determine an acoustic property of the sound-absorbing article,
• wherein, within at least a portion of the backing, sequential perforations of the plurality of perforations are spaced center-to-center by between 5 mm and 100 mm.