Rugs: A Choice for Every Application
An Expert Guide to Rug Construction and Fibers…
Area Rug Construction Methods
There are a variety of construction methods for area rugs. Each method of construction has its own benefit, look and price point. Depending on the application, we can offer a range of choices to our customers.
Important note:
Regardless of the construction method, a natural characteristic of WOOL rugs is some shedding for the first few months. Shedding is not a defect and will decline after a few months of vacuuming. Higher quality wools such as New Zealand wool found in the Nourisan rugs have minimal shedding, but also command a higher price.
Hand Tufted Rugs
Hand tufted rugs are made by hand when using an electric tufting gun to form a pattern. These rugs can be made with many types of fibers including wool, silk, synthetic or a combination. To construct area rugs that are hand tufted rugs, pile yarns are pushed through a special backing. A stencil is drawn on the canvas so both design and colors can be meticulously placed. The rugs are then finished in a traditional manner creating beautiful hand made area rugs. Hand tufted rugs offer an incredible value due to the price points generally ranging in the middle, above machine made and less expensive than hand knotted rugs.
Machine Made Area Rugs
Machine Made rugs are produced on a variety of machines including power looms, Wilton looms, Axminster looms and others. Rugs are crafted on these automated looms for specific yarn placement and weaving. A computer controls the colors woven into these area rugs thus producing the final design. Area rugs made by machine can often times be less expensive than rugs made by hand, but this is not always the case. There are thousands of beautiful machine made rugs, both wool and synthetic, to best compliment your home.
Hand Knotted Rugs
Hand knotted rugs refers to rugs woven by hand from various origins of the world such as Tibet, India, China, Etc. The fringe of these area rugs is attached to a loom which runs the length and the width of the rugs being woven. This fringe forms the backbone of these area rugs. Hundreds of thousands of “knots” are then tied by hand thus creating the area rugs design. There is no finer construction than a wool rug which is a hand knotted area rug. The precision and clarity of design creates the most beautiful rugs in the world. Hand knotted rug are often referred to as “heirloom qualities”.
Flat Weave Rugs
Similar to hand knotted rugs, flat weave rugs are woven on a foundation made up of cotton warps (rope) strung on a frame called a loom. Instead of looping wool around the warps and creating a thick wool pile, the yarns are threaded back and forth covering all the cotton thread like a blanket or tapestry. This weaving process creates a very flat pile. Because of the manufacturing method, flat weave rugs are usually produced more quickly than hand knotted rugs. The beauty of these area rugs is revealed by the fact that they do not display the thick pile found in hand knotted rugs. Instead, these area rugs show a flat textural look. Flat weave rugs are available in many styles and designs. They are beautiful and frequently used in many applications by home decorators and interior designers alike. The unique style of these rugs makes them highly desirable. Price points range from low to high end, depending upon how densely they are woven and the materials used.
Hand-hooked Rugs
A Hand-hooked rug is made exactly the same way as a hand-tufted rug, except that the hand-hooked rug usually has a short, looped pile instead of a thick, cut pile. Also, the backing of area rugs which are hand-hooked rugs are often a light-weight mesh instead of a heavy canvas backing. Designs range from area rugs which are decribed as country french rugs to traditional rugs. With a moderate price-point, these rugs are both beautiful and offer a great deal of design. Traditional Rugs which are hand hooked add both beauty and fashion to all home dècor
Sisal Area Rugs
The textural look of sisal and jute area rugs is a favorite of interior designers. Sisal is a natural fiber derived from the “Agave Sisalana” cactus plant that grows in the semi arid regions of Brazil and Africa. Area rugs made from sisal come in a wide variety of patterns, styles and colors. These rugs can be made with optional area rug borders including tapestries, jute, cotton, wool and many others. Rugs are also available in sisal wool. This combines the softness of wool with the rougher textural elements prevalent in sisal rugs. Area rugs made of sisal or jute have excellent durability and are easy to clean.
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