For some, buying an area rug is strictly based on the pattern/color, size and price of said rug. But what is really important is often left off that list. When you're in the market for a new area rug, remember that educated buyers are smart buyers. Different types of area rugs can look very similar to an untrained eye and some tricky marketing strategies use descriptive adjectives that can be very misleading. So when you are ready to hit those stores to purchase an area rug, or two, or three, go armed with the information that could prevent an expensive mistake and remember to set a budget for yourself. As "they" say, knowledge is power. When you have finished reading this tutorial, you should be able to distinguish between the different types of area rugs....... and maybe even sound like an expert!
***Machine Made -vs- Hand Made... And How To Know What's Right For You!***
- Machine made rugs are, well, made by partial or total help of a machine. These rugs are not knotted. They are ""woven" using machines. Sometimes these rugs will be described as power-loomed. Machine made rugs can be made of wool fibers or man made fibers like Nylon and Olefin. These rugs tend to be less expensive but that doesn't mean their quality is by any means inferior to that of a hand made rug. An added benefit of rugs that are made by machines is that they tend to be strong and durable. Your budget and needs will determine which rug is right for you.
- There are several terms that you will hear while shopping for a rug, like hand tufted, hand knotted and hand woven. Knowing the definitions of these terms is important. But lets start with the basics. Handmade rugs are knotted or woven by hand, without the use of machinery. Each and every single knot is made by hand. It is a very labor intensive process and can take very long periods of time to create. This is why handmade rugs are considered investment pieces. Typically, handmade rugs are made using wool, cotton and silk fibers. Ask the sales representative that is assisting you to show you the fiber component information, and remember this, if the sales staff cannot answer your questions, head for the door.
- There is another type of rug that uses both handmade elements as well as some assistance from machines, in particular a drill gun that has been modified. The tricky part about these types of rugs are the terms used to describe the differences. When you see the term "Hand-Hooked", the rug is made in the following way. The modified drill, that I mentioned before, is used to insert the pile into a cloth base which creates a loop pile which is then described as...... "Hand-Hooked". Sometimes, the loop pile rug is sheared off at the very top which creates a cut pile. These cut pile rugs are called "Hand-Tufted". These rugs have the look of a handmade rug without the price-tag. Remember that machine made rugs can be created quickly, so the price is typically lower. Rug collectors or those consumers that are looking to purchase a rug as an investment piece will usually bypass these rugs. If you have expensive taste but only a small budget, these rugs could be a beautiful fit. These skillfully made and labeled rugs have the look of a handmade rug without the sometimes hefty price-tag of a handmade rug.
***Identify The Type Of Rug With These 3 Factors.......Edges, Fringe & The Back Of The Rug***
- Edges - The way the edge of a rug is finished can be a useful indicator of how the rug was made. The edges of a machine made rug are created through binding or surging. Flip the corner of the rug to reveal the backside of the edge and look for uniform machine stitched "tracks". Handmade rugs or hand knotted rugs are finished on the edges by hand. You will not see those tell-tale machine tracks on the back of the rug and the edges will resemble surging. If you are unsure, ask the salesperson to show you the difference.
- Fringe - If the rug has a fringed edge, it can be very easy to determine whether the rug was handmade or machine made. Machine made rugs will have fringe that has been sewn on after the fact or the fringe will have a sewn line right on top in plain view. The fringe on a handmade rug should look like an extension of the fibers that were used to make the rug. It wont look like it was sewn on after.
- The Back Of The Rug - By far, the back of any rug is the easiest way for me to tell how a rug was made. I enjoy showing my clients this method of detecting the origins of their rugs. Handmade rugs have the distinct marks that any handmade item would have. The knotting on the back of a handmade rug will be a bit uneven. Some knots will be slightly smaller or larger than others. Handmade rugs will have slight imperfections or inconsistencies. That's what makes these rugs so special, it's "flaws" are actually a good thing. Machine made rugs are typically very uniform on the back. You wont see the same inconsistencies. Rugs that are called hand hooked or hand tufted will typically have a cloth backing which will immediately convey they their origin.
So there you have it! I know that it might seem like a lot of information but if you create a budget, you can clearly see what your options are going to be. Before you ever step foot in the store, measure the size of the space or the entire room so that you have an idea of the size, shape and price of the rug you need, or can afford. Think about the amount of foot traffic and the type of activities that will take place in and on your rug. Regardless of how the rug was created, when you do see the rug in person, flip over the corner and examine the back. The more intricate, detailed and pronounced the design, the better the quality. he more knots or weaves per square inch, the more durable the rug.
Last but certainly not least, don't forget to have your cleaned!!!!!
I hope this information is helpful and don't forget to have your rugs cleaned!
Michael Bowerman
