Within the past decade, area rugs have climbed back into the home decor scene with a vengeance.
Choosing the right floor covering for your space can be fun. Feeling the different textures and qualities from the different constructions can be a sensory experience. It can also give you a real feel for which one will be right for your space.
The type of yarn and construction is important in choosing a rug for your space. Hand-knotted rugs may not be as comfortable to sit on as a plush shag, and you would not want to use one in a high traffic area as it is more of a piece of art and not as durable as other materials.
Natural Materials
While most rugs today are created in synthetic fibers due to the cost effectiveness, Natural yarns have been used for a long time in creating rugs and mats. They have rich textures and are naturally distinct in their colourations. The best part is natural materials are eco-friendly as they come from renewable resources like plants or animals that naturally grow the fibers. Although they are made from Natural materials, these rugs and mats should not be used outdoors.
Wool
Cotton
Synthetic Materials
Over time, the advancement in production of synthetic rugs has improved and most rugs and mats today are created in synthetic fibers due to the cost effectiveness. The durability of these yarns and the colours and designs available make them an attractive alternative to Natural fiber rugs and one of a kind traditional Persian and Oriental rugs. These rugs are available in many styles and can be used indoor or outdoor depending on the materials used.
Nylon
Polyester
Olefin/Polypropylene
Construction
Tufted
Tufted rugs and mats are often found in the home. Most wall-to-wall broadloom is constructed by tufting. What this means is that needles will push the yarn through a backing to create the pile surface. Backings can differ from PVC on carpet tile backing, gel latex, cushioned backing to action woven backing which is a harder material that holds the yarn in place with adhesive. Commercial carpet like level loop and berber loop constructions are generally tufted products.
Power Loomed
Hand Knot
One-of-a-kind hand-knotted rugs are created using an artist’s passion and creativity. They are beautiful and intricate using classic designs and colors that never go out of style. These rare and unique pieces have a quality that is incomparable to machine-made rugs. They are much more durable and if taken care of properly, can last a lifetime. Intricate designs can tell the story of the artist, passed down for generations and unlike machine-made rugs, each is unique.
They are usually made of silk or wool and are loomed by hand which can take several days of labor to complete. The more time required, the more valuable the rug. They can be folded in either direction and the backing will have the same pattern as the pile surface. If you are looking to purchase a hand-made rug, be sure to know what to look for first!