Wool area rugs are known for their beauty, durability and craftsmanship. When purchasing a wool area rug, you should arm yourself with as much information as possible so that you make an informed choice. The last thing you want to do is make an impulse buy on something as important, not to mention expensive, as an area rug. Think of it as an investment that should be chosen only after careful consideration.
Honestly assess your budget before you shop. Manufactured area rugs can be found for as little as $100. Hand crafted works of art that take as long as three years to complete can run into the thousands.
Qualify the durability you need in a rug. Most rugs will hold up for between five and ten years in high traffic areas. If you are in the market for a rug that will last longer than that, a hand knotted rug will last two to three times that amount of time without losing its beauty. Rugs used in bedrooms or formal areas with low traffic can also last dozens of years, include machine made and flat woven rugs.
With the basics out of the way, it is now time to learn the difference between various types of wool area rugs. For instance, cheap rugs that are machine made can still provide you with the decorative aesthetics you desire for your room. You can tell if the rug you are looking at is machine rug by looking at the back of it. If it has perfect stitching and binding, then it is most certainly machine made. The difference as compared to handmade rugs is that they are vastly more detailed and imperfect.
Types of Knotted Rugs
The first thing to note about knotted rugs is that the edges are hand finished. It is common for the design and color to show imperfections and irregularities, a trait that is actually desirable. You will also notice that the fringe on the edge of the rug is an extension of the entire piece, not added later as in machine made rugs.
Symmetrical knotted rugs are usually made by Turkish and Kurdish tribes from Iran and Turkey. These types of rugs are favored by those who lean toward clean line design elements.
Asymmetrical knotted rugs are most often made in Egypt, China and India, although this style can still be found in Turkey and Iran. This particular knotting practice creates a much finer weave than symmetrical knotting.
Types of Woven Rugs
Flat woven rugs are crafted entirely without the use of knots. The rugs are created by passing the horizontal, or weft strands through vertical, or warp strands. This is what gives the rug its flat appearance.
Pile woven rugs are also referred to as rugs with a knotted weave. These are the most common types of rugs found at most area rug dealerships. These rugs, like all woven rugs, are made with a loom. The difference in a pile woven rug is that after each row of knots is complete, one or two strands of yarn are passed through the vertical strands and then beaten with a comb to create this unique look.
Hand tufted rugs comprise most of your wool area rugs. The signature of hand tufted rugs is that they are actually made of three distinct layers with a cotton backing to protect your floors. This process also forgoes the practice
of knotting. The wool yarn is punched through the base or main backing to save the weavers time, which in turn saves the buyer money. This process forms tufts that are held in place with latex glue. This particular rug contains three layers, with the top one being sheered to form the pile.
The next step in buying your wool area rug is to decide what your room actually needs. While it isn’t unheard of to use more than one rug in a single room, the room should be large enough to contain them. Round area rugs work well when using multiple rugs. It isn’t necessary for them to be identical. As the matter of fact, variation in the pattern is preferred, whereas variation in colors is not if you are to maintain the design integrity in your room. Smaller rooms are better suited with a single large area rug. 9×12 area rugs can be found in vast supply at most rug dealerships. The key is to make sure that when setting furniture on a large area rug all of the furniture legs fit on the surface. The last thing you want is to have the back legs of your dining chairs on the floor while the front legs are on the rug.
Once you have chosen your rug there are steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your investment. While it’s true that wool area rugs are known for their durability, the beauty of the rugs is protected with a little maintenance by you. Turn the rug 180 degrees at least every six months so that higher traffic areas don’t create uneven wear spots on it. Insist that family and friends at least cover their feet with socks before walking on the rug. Shoes actually cause less harm than bare feet because of the natural oils that are transferred from the body onto the rug.
Vacuum your rug at least once a week to remove lint and excess fuzz that builds up on the area surface. It is also a good idea to sweep the rug with a broom once a week in order to brush off excess oils and dirt. Invest in a rug beater and use it on the rug every other month. Make sure you hang the rug high enough so that it doesn’t drag the ground during the process.
Deep clean your rug once a year. Never steam clean, since the steam can shrink the fibers in your wool area rug. Instead, use a mild detergent like Woolite to wash your rug. Wet your wool area rug first with a water hose and then add a minimal amount of the detergent to a bucket of cold water. Use a clean sponge mop in a gentle wiping motion over your rug. Roll the rug in dry towels to absorb the excess moisture and then hang to dry in a shady area to prevent fading.
Your Guide to Wool Area Rugs
Wool area rugs are known for their beauty, durability and craftsmanship. When purchasing a wool area rug, you should arm yourself with as much information as possible so that you make an informed choice. The last thing you want to do is make an impulse buy on something as important, not to mention expensive, as an area rug. Think of it as an investment that should be chosen only after careful consideration.
Honestly assess your budget before you shop. Manufactured area rugs can be found for as little as $100. Hand crafted works of art that take as long as three years to complete can run into the thousands.
Qualify the durability you need in a rug. Most rugs will hold up for between five and ten years in high traffic areas. If you are in the market for a rug that will last longer than that, a hand knotted rug will last two to three times that amount of time without losing its beauty. Rugs used in bedrooms or formal areas with low traffic can also last dozens of years, include machine made and flat woven rugs.
With the basics out of the way, it is now time to learn the difference between various types of wool area rugs. For instance, cheap rugs that are machine made can still provide you with the decorative aesthetics you desire for your room. You can tell if the rug you are looking at is machine rug by looking at the back of it. If it has perfect stitching and binding, then it is most certainly machine made. The difference as compared to handmade rugs is that they are vastly more detailed and imperfect.
Types of Knotted Rugs
The first thing to note about knotted rugs is that the edges are hand finished. It is common for the design and color to show imperfections and irregularities, a trait that is actually desirable. You will also notice that the fringe on the edge of the rug is an extension of the entire piece, not added later as in machine made rugs.
Symmetrical knotted rugs are usually made by Turkish and Kurdish tribes from Iran and Turkey. These types of rugs are favored by those who lean toward clean line design elements.
Asymmetrical knotted rugs are most often made in Egypt, China and India, although this style can still be found in Turkey and Iran. This particular knotting practice creates a much finer weave than symmetrical knotting.
Types of Woven Rugs
Flat woven rugs are crafted entirely without the use of knots. The rugs are created by passing the horizontal, or weft strands through vertical, or warp strands. This is what gives the rug its flat appearance.
Pile woven rugs are also referred to as rugs with a knotted weave. These are the most common types of rugs found at most area rug dealerships. These rugs, like all woven rugs, are made with a loom. The difference in a pile woven rug is that after each row of knots is complete, one or two strands of yarn are passed through the vertical strands and then beaten with a comb to create this unique look.
Hand tufted rugs comprise most of your wool area rugs. The signature of hand tufted rugs is that they are actually made of three distinct layers with a cotton backing to protect your floors. This process also forgoes the practice
of knotting. The wool yarn is punched through the base or main backing to save the weavers time, which in turn saves the buyer money. This process forms tufts that are held in place with latex glue. This particular rug contains three layers, with the top one being sheered to form the pile.
The next step in buying your wool area rug is to decide what your room actually needs. While it isn’t unheard of to use more than one rug in a single room, the room should be large enough to contain them. Round area rugs work well when using multiple rugs. It isn’t necessary for them to be identical. As the matter of fact, variation in the pattern is preferred, whereas variation in colors is not if you are to maintain the design integrity in your room. Smaller rooms are better suited with a single large area rug. 9×12 area rugs can be found in vast supply at most rug dealerships. The key is to make sure that when setting furniture on a large area rug all of the furniture legs fit on the surface. The last thing you want is to have the back legs of your dining chairs on the floor while the front legs are on the rug.
Once you have chosen your rug there are steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your investment. While it’s true that wool area rugs are known for their durability, the beauty of the rugs is protected with a little maintenance by you. Turn the rug 180 degrees at least every six months so that higher traffic areas don’t create uneven wear spots on it. Insist that family and friends at least cover their feet with socks before walking on the rug. Shoes actually cause less harm than bare feet because of the natural oils that are transferred from the body onto the rug.
Vacuum your rug at least once a week to remove lint and excess fuzz that builds up on the area surface. It is also a good idea to sweep the rug with a broom once a week in order to brush off excess oils and dirt. Invest in a rug beater and use it on the rug every other month. Make sure you hang the rug high enough so that it doesn’t drag the ground during the process.
Deep clean your rug once a year. Never steam clean, since the steam can shrink the fibers in your wool area rug. Instead, use a mild detergent like Woolite to wash your rug. Wet your wool area rug first with a water hose and then add a minimal amount of the detergent to a bucket of cold water. Use a clean sponge mop in a gentle wiping motion over your rug. Roll the rug in dry towels to absorb the excess moisture and then hang to dry in a shady area to prevent fading.