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Rugs 101

DESIGN
Small design variances are possible in both handmade and machine-woven rugs, but these are not defects. Please be aware that patterns for smaller sizes, like 2' x 3', are often scaled down to match the smaller measurements. As a result, there might be a few minor differences from the larger-sized rug photographs that are often displayed on our website.


COLOR
Handmade rugs are one-of-a-kind items that are created by expert artisans. As a result, they could have three to five percent slight color variations, which are not defect but rather normal when working with natural fibers and dyes. Contrarily, machine-woven carpets have a tendency to be more uniform from rug to rug, yet even in these instances, slight color variations are not seen as flaws. It's crucial to remember that rugs made with various dye lots will not have the exact same hue, tone, or strength.

When a rug is placed in a setting with different lighting from that of product photos, it may appear lighter or darker because some fibers are more reflective than others. For example, a viscose rug has higher gloss and light-reflective qualities than a natural fiber rug, which makes color changes in various settings more obvious.

A rug's colors can also seem different depending on the angle from which they are seen. The flat surface of the threads on one end of the rug will reflect light differently from the opposite side, where the clipped ends of the strands produce a distinct reflection.

Fading
The colors in your rug will naturally fade over time. In contrast to indirect sunlight, direct sunlight causes fading to occur more quickly. We advise rotating your rug every three to six months to reduce the look of fading. This routine will aid in spreading the fading around the rug more evenly.

Jute and Wool fade more quickly than the other materials we provide. The most fade-resistant fabrics, however, are Polypropylene and Olefin since they are solution-dyed. Natural textiles, polyester, acrylic, and nylon also show slower fading tendencies.

It's important to think about your rug's positioning and exposure to sunshine if you want to increase its longevity and vibrant appearance. The color and general appearance of the rug can be preserved for a longer period of time with regular rotation and the use of fade-resistant materials.


SIZE
The rug sizes listed on Rugs A Bound are all approximate. Because each handmade rug is manufactured by hand, size variations of three to five percent are a natural part of the process. These variances add to the individuality of each rug and should not be misunderstood for a defect by the manufacturer. On the other hand, minor size differences of up to two percent in machine-made rugs are occasionally possible but are not defects. These slight variations are a typical part of the production process and have no bearing on the rug's general quality.

 

MATERIALS
Area rugs are made from a variety of fibers. Most of the rugs featured at Rugs A Bound are made from natural fibers. You can "go green" with natural fibers, a feature that is becoming increasingly important to many consumers.

Natural Fibers

  • Cotton: Cotton rugs wear well and have a natural feel. They should not be used in areas with high-traffic since cotton collects dust and dirt.
  • Jute: Jute is a popular rug material that is made from natural fibers. Jute rugs are made from the jute plant, which is also used to make twine and burlap. Jute is not as durable as sisal because it is softer. Its luster determines quality; the more it shines, the better the quality.
  • Sisal: Sisal is derived from agrave plants in Africa. Like Jute, Sisal is used to make many different products, but only the highest quality sisal is used in area rugs. Sisal does not trap dust or build up static. These rugs are not recommended for areas with direct sunlight or high traffic.
  • Wool: Wool is strong, pleasing to touch, abundant and is easily dyed, which makes it a popular rug fabric. Most synthetic fibers attempt to imitate the look and feel of wool. Wool is static and stain resistant, but will shed a bit initially. Most of the rugs featured at Rugs A Bound are wool.

Synthetic Fibers

  • Acrylic: This is a synthetic fiber with a lightweight wool-like feel. It dyes very well and has excellent colorfastness. It is durable, retains its shape, and resists shrinkage and wrinkles.
  • Blends: Wool is often blended with synthetic fibers such as nylon to increase durability. Blended wool yarns are extensively used in production of modern carpet.
  • Polyester: This synthetic fiber has a wool-like appearance and is available in a range of vibrant colors. Polyester rugs are soft, stain-resistant, and affordable, but not as durable as wool.
  • Polypropylene: These rugs wear well, clean easily and are suitable for areas with heavy foot traffic such as offices. Outdoor rugs are usually made from polypropylene since it is mildew and stain resistant.

 


WEAVES

The majority of the rugs at Rugs A Bound are hand made by skilled artisans, while some of the rugs are machine made. In this section about weaves, you'll see the word pile mentioned a few times, it refers to the soft raised surface on a rug which is made by the yarn loops.

Hand Made

  • Hand-Knotted Area Rugs: Hand-knotted rugs are generally made with wool or silk. A hand-knotted rug takes the longest to make, which makes them the most expensive. In the construction of a hand-knotted rug, weavers string cotton threads, called warps, on a frame which is the foundation of the rug. The pile yarns are looped around cotton threads individually. The cotton yarns are woven side to side through the warps. These threads are tied off on the sides which make the decorative fringes that are a part of almost all hand-knotted rugs. These rugs are usually finished with a special wash to add softness and shine.
  • Hand-Tufted Area Rugs: Hand-tufted rugs are made with many different fibers. They are high quality hand made rugs but are generally less expensive than hand-knotted rugs. A cotton canvas is put on a frame to form the foundation of these rugs. A pattern is drawn or stenciled onto the canvas, and then weavers use a hooking tool to push yarns through the canvas to make a loop. These loops are cut to give a plush or cut pile surface. In most cases today, a latex coating is used to hold the piles of yarn in place, which is then covered by a second piece of canvas. A Hi/Lo hand-tufted rug features a combination of cut and loop pile, which makes a 3-D effect.
  • Hand-Hooked Area Rugs: Hand-hooked rugs are made like the hand-tufted rugs with one major difference. Instead of a heavy canvas backing, these rugs have a mesh backing which is light-weight. These rugs usually have a short looped pile instead of a thick cut pile.
  • Flat Weave: Flat weaves are made with cotton warps like hand-knotted rugs. The yarn in these rugs is threaded back and forth covering all of the cotton warps like a blanket or tapestry, which creates a very flat pile.


Machine Made

  • Machine Made: Machine-made area rugs are produced with a power loom and are made by people, machines and computers. These rugs have become increasingly popular due to affordability and availability of sizes, colors and shapes.
  • Woven Jute: Jute rugs are woven with natural plant fibers. These rugs are woven in loop or flat constructions, and are then dyed or have printed designs.

 

Rug Care and Cleaning
Click here for more info about caring for your area rug.


Choosing a Rug Size
Click here for help choosing the perfect rug for your space.