Rug Basics
Rugs have a rich history dating back to ancient times; however, with new constructions and fibers, modern rugs have undergone a significant evolution. This blog post aims to assist individuals seeking guidance on navigating the options available when purchasing a quality rug.
Six Compelling Reasons to
Use Rugs in your Home:
1. Enhance the Room's Aesthetic:
As “The Dude" would say, a rug really “ties the room together”. It is so foundational, in fact, that interior designers will usually start with the rug selection as the first step in designing out a space. Rugs are a fantastic way to elevate the aesthetic appeal of any room in your home. Whether you prefer a bold statement piece or a subtle touch of elegance, the right rug can add color, texture, and depth to your space. With a wide variety of styles, patterns, and colors to choose from, rugs offer endless possibilities for enhancing the overall look and feel of your living space.
2. Provide Comfort and Warmth to the Floor:
Rugs are not just for aesthetics; they also serve a practical purpose by providing warmth and comfort to your floors. Especially in colder climates or homes with hard flooring surfaces like hardwood or tile, rugs can add a cozy layer that makes walking barefoot a pleasure. Imagine sinking your toes into a plush rug first thing in the morning or lounging on a soft rug while watching TV – it's a simple luxury that can make a big difference in how you experience your home.
3. Safeguard Flooring and Furniture:
Rugs act as a protective barrier for your flooring and furniture. They can help prevent scratches, dents, and stains on hardwood floors or carpets, extending the lifespan of your investments. Placing rugs under heavy furniture or in high-traffic areas can also reduce wear and tear on both the floor and the furniture, saving you time and money on maintenance and repairs in the long run.
4. Reduce Noise Levels:
If you have a noisy household or live in an apartment building, rugs can be a soundproofing solution. The soft, dense fibers of a rug can absorb sound and reduce echoes, making your home a quieter and more peaceful environment. This is especially beneficial in areas with hard surfaces that tend to amplify noise, such as hallways, living rooms, or bedrooms.
5. Conceal Imperfections:
Sometimes, no matter how well-maintained your floors are, they can still show signs of wear and tear. Rugs offer a simple solution to conceal imperfections like scratches, stains, or uneven surfaces, giving your room a fresh and polished look without the need for expensive renovations. Additionally, rugs can cover areas of your floor that you're not fond of, redirecting the focus to the beautiful rug instead.
6. Define Spaces and Create Zones:
In open-concept homes or large rooms, rugs can act as visual dividers that define separate areas and create distinct zones for different activities. By strategically placing rugs under furniture groupings or along pathways, you can establish a sense of purpose and organization within a room, making it feel more cohesive and inviting. This can be particularly useful in multifunctional spaces where versatility and flexibility are key.
Types of Fibers:
Synthetic:
Acrylic:
While durable, it is not as strong as other synthetics and is often blended with fibers like polyester to create a poly-acrylic blend.
Nylon:
Nylon is popular because it is very durable and now with new technology can resist staining. It is also the most affordable.
Polyester:
Known for its durability and soft feel, especially in rugs with a thick pile. It is resistant to moisture, stains, and abrasions, retains color well, and is easy to clean and affordable. Polyester has the disadvantage that it tends to crush or mat down easily.
Polypropylene:
Highly durable, easy to maintain, and cost-effective. It features bold, fade-resistant colors and is commonly used in indoor/outdoor rugs due to its UV, mildew, and stain-resistant properties. Typically does not wear as well as wool or nylon.
Rayon or Viscose:
Semi-synthetic fibers derived from natural cellulose, these shiny fibers are often used as a more affordable alternative to silk. While some rugs are made entirely of rayon or viscose, they are more commonly used as accent fibers.
Natural:
Wool:
The most popular natural fiber in rug production, wool is a versatile & eco-friendly material that is highly durable and naturally stain-resistant. Its inherent elasticity allows it to bounce back into shape when compressed, making it long-lasting. Wool fibers also boast excellent temperature control, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Due to its hypoallergenic properties, wool is the best choice for those with allergies or asthma. These benefits come at a cost, literally. A wool blend can be a great way to get the benefits of wool at a more friendly price point.
Cotton:
Soft and natural, sometimes used as yarn for rug bases. It is easy to clean and maintain.
Jute:
Second only to wool as the most common natural fiber for rugs, jute is made from the jute plant, giving rugs a rustic, organic look. It is often combined with other materials for modern designs.
Linen:
Derived from the flax plant and popular in apparel, linen is soft, durable, and adds texture to rugs.
Sisal:
A natural fiber from the agave plant, sisal minimally attracts dust and is static-free.
Types of Rug Construction:
Hand-Knotted: Price $$$$ | Durability 20+ years
Highest quality of construction that provides great durability and longevity. These are rugs you can pass down for many generations. These rugs are created by a weaver who hand ties individual knots onto the vertical strings seen on the backside of a rug. Due to the painstaking nature of this process, these rugs typically take 4-12 months to complete! True craftsmanship!
Hand-Loomed: Price $$$ | Durability 5-20 years
These rugs are created using a loom, where the weaver manually interlaces the fibers (such as wool, cotton, or jute) to form the rug’s foundation. This process is relatively faster and these rugs are generally smoother and flatter than those that are hand-knotted.
Hand-Tufted: Price $$ | Durability 3-10 years
These rugs are made using a tufting gun: a hand-operated tool that punches strands of fiber into a canvas stretched on a frame. The design of the rug is drawn on the canvas, and the worker fills in the pattern with the appropriately colored fiber. When the rug design is fully piled the rug is removed from the frame and a scrim fabric is glued to the back of the rug. Once the glue is settled the scrim backing helps to hold the fiber pile in place. These rugs are more affordable because they are much less laborious process to manufacture. What you gain in affordability you loose in durability.
Hand-Hooked: Price $$ | Durability 3-10 years
Hooked rugs are made by tufting loops of yarn or fabric through a stiff woven base such as burlap, linen or rug warp which has been stretched over a frame. The design is printed on the base fabric.
Power-Loomed: Price $$ | Durability 3-10 years
Usually the most affordable rug construction because they are made by computer-driven machines that weave fibers (generally synthetic) into a thin mesh backing. New technology utilizes silk-screen printing to adhere to a power-loomed polyester base.
Flat-Weave: Price $$ | Durability 3-10 years
These rugs are made by hand or power-loomed by braiding a fiber onto a loom without a base, resulting a a low pile rug. Common fibers of these rugs are wool, jute and cotton.
*Pricing and durability are estimates and depend on care and maintenance.
