Rugs

A quality rug can really make a difference in your home. Once chosen merely for insulating, rugs have become decorative elements in many homes.  Choosing a rug is a matter of aesthetics, comfort and ease of maintenance.

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How To Choose the Best Rug for Your Home

To choose the right rug, first you should have a close look to its fibers and the way it was made. Traditionally, wool is the most used fiber for rugs that are made from natural materials. It is particularly appreciated for its qualities of strength, elasticity, comfort and color stability. Other natural fibers that you can choose from include sisal, cotton, coconut and silk. Obtained from melted and extruded thermoplastic materials, synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyamide or polyester come more often in the composition of modern rugs and represent an economic alternative to natural fibers.

The manufacturing method also influences the quality of the rug. Three main methods are used for making: knotting, weaving and tufting. In the past, rugs were woven or hand knotted. The tufting is a newer method of manufacture.

The knotting of a rug always starts with a wire frame of a warp yarn to create a solid edge. The nodes are formed by attaching a piece of wool or silk warp. To tighten the knot, the manufacturer draws the hair down. If you look at a rug "in the direction of the hair," you will feel that it is flawless. When looking in the in the other direction, you will see it darker.

The units of counting and measuring the nodes vary from one country to another. The majority of rugs have 40 000 to 80 000 nodes per square meter. Beyond 500 000 knots per square meter, means that the rug was created with a particularly fine and delicate knot. This type of rug requires up to 100 days of work.
The technique of weaving is simple: threads of colored fabric are woven into a chain to create the pattern. The result is much less expensive than hand-knotted rugs. Mainly made ​​of wool or cotton, woven rugs often feature geometric patterns and stylized floral or animal motifs. The weaving process can also be done by a machine, both for rugs made of wool or synthetic fibers.

The technique of tufting is very similar to that of tying the knot, but is made ​​using a special instrument. The canvas is stretched and when the tufting is complete, the back of the rug is coated with a layer of latex. After drying, the rug is clean-shaven and chiseled to bring out the show grounds. Finally it is washed, covered with a protective fabric and the fringes are sewn. Rugs can also be machine-tufted. In this case, the machine inserts the bits in the canvas. Often made ​​of wool these rugs often feature traditional Chinese motifs, and modern designs inspired by Nepal. The colors are bright and vivid.

Finally, when choosing your rug, remember that the weight and density are saying much about its quality. As a rule of thumb, a heavy rug with a high density of strands will be more resistant.