Shopping for an area rug is now more than just pointing at something with an appealing color. Due to the wide selection in color, size, shape, texture and design, choosing an area rug is almost like being in a shop full of beautiful but affordable shoes or in a candy store where everything is for free!
Here are different types of materials that are used in making the beautiful throw and area rugs that you see in every modern home:
Synthetic Fibers/Acrylic are highly resistant to sun damage, mildew, and stains. You will more than likely find acrylic fibers in bathroom rugs and mats. Polypropylene/ olefin are the most resistant to stains. These are the most popular synthetic fibers on the market today. This material is water repellent and also repels most stains. This is actually usually cheaper than the other fibers. Another non-natural fiber is nylon. Nylon is quite versatile, easy to maintain, clean, and very durable. This fiber is most capable of withstanding heavy foot traffic.
Area rugs made of natural fibers – Wool is highly recognized as a quality fiber because of its soft texture. Cotton is another natural fiber that may not be as durable as wool but is sought after because of its easy wash and dry quality. Cotton rugs are best for bathroom and kitchen use where with its light material, the susceptibility to wetness and dirt will make it easier to clean. Jute is like cotton in its softness and lightness but can be sensitive to sunlight exposure causing its color to fade and its material to deteriorate fast. Hence, only use a jute rug as an indoor decoration.
Now that you have been familiarized with natural and unnatural fibers here are some words that every rug shopper should be familiar with. Whenever you go to a rug store you will end up feeling more confident about your decisions and will possibly impress the sales person.
Stitches and needle counts – this means the number of loops of yarn. When the rug has a higher needle or stitch count, it becomes thicker and richer in fabric. This is preferred by many because the rug lasts longer as it doesn’t easily succumb to wear and tear compared to a loosely-woven rug, the result of fewer needle and stitch counts.
Line Count – a process used for polypropylene fiber for putting twists into the yarn. This gives the synthetic rug an appearance similar to a natural wool-made rug.
Pile – this is not the stock of rug as the term might seem to imply. Pile means the face of the rug or the surface of the rug. A design or pattern is showcased on the rug’s pile.
Stitches and needle counts are the number of loops of yarn. Whenever the rug has a high needle or stitch count, it’s denser. A higher density rug will last much longer and wear better than even more loosely woven rugs.
Border – this is the designs found around the edges of the rug commonly lined in one direction.
Line count – is a process used in rug making with a Polypropylene fiber. This entails the twisting of the fabric into the yarn. The yarn is heated and after which, gives a wool-like appearance to the rug.
Knowing the basic terminology of rugs will help tremendously when it to navigating a rug shop looking for the perfect rug for your hearth and your home.
If you enjoyed this information about finding rugs, and feel it’s time for new braided wool rugs then we recommend www.HouseOfAreaRugs.com for all your new rugs.
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