When you are buying a rug, you hear a long list of vocabulary that is not part of your everyday language. We would like to share a few facts and terms to help you become an educated consumer.
Rug Construction
Hand-knotted – The term “Oriental Rug” typically refers to a traditional design, hand-knotted area rug. Hand knotted rugs are produced on a loom with base threads running vertically (warp) and horizontally (weft). At each point where the threads cross each other, colored yarn is knotted by hand to form a design. The ends of the warp threads make the fringe on a fine hand-knotted rug and the pattern of the rug is seen clearly on the back of the rug as there is no glue or backing applied. Higher quality rugs will usually have more knots per square inch and more intricate designs than lower quality styles. The density of the knots, fiber content, and complexity of the pattern are factors in both the
quality and price for a hand-knotted rug. A fine hand-knotted rug will be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom, while a less complex hand-knotted rug may be purchased at a lower price point for day-to-day use.
Tufted or Hand-tufted – Hand-tufted rugs are similar in appearance to hand-knotted rugs, but are made with a tufting tool which pushes the yarn through the canvas, and a fabric backing is glued or sewn onto the rug. Hand-tufted rugs and other styles may have fringe sewn or glued on to give the appearance of a hand-knotted rug. This method cuts down on the production time and creates an attractive price alternative to a hand-knotted rug.
Hand-loomed – Hand-loomed rugs are produced on a wooden loom in a process which is less time-consuming than hand-knotting and more durable than hand-tufting.
Power-loomed (machine-made) – Power loomed (or machine made) rugs offer
production time is minimal and design changes are easily implemented. However, power-loomed rugs beautiful rugs at an affordable price. These rugs are loomed either of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polypropylene, or of varying grades and qualities of wool. The development of technological advances has revolutionized the
entire area rug industry, making modern designs and colors available to everyone. Computer-driven, the have a shorter lifespan, and will need to be replaced more frequently
Hooked or Hand-hooked– Hooked rugs are made by pulling loops of yarn or fabric through a stiff woven base such as burlap, linen, or rug warp which has been stretched over a frame. The design is printed on the base fabric, and the loops of yarn are pushed through the fabric (similar to the process for hand-tufting). The three most common types of hooked rugs are: standard hook – ½ inch loops; petit-pointe hook – ¼ inch loops; and micro-hook – 1/8 inch loops. Each construction has unique advantages.
Braided or Flat-weave – Braided and flat-woven rugs generally do not have a base material, and the pile itself (material or fiber used to make the rug) is braided or woven on a loom to create the structure of the rug. Braided rugs may be made of braided yarn or fabric. Flat-weave rugs (including dhurries and kilims) may be made of wool or other natural fiber such as sisal, jute, hemp, or cotton.
Hand-woven – Not all hand-woven rugs are flat and some hand-woven rugs are produced with longer strands of yarn or pile woven together to produce a textured surface.
Hand-Stitched or Hand-sewn– In the hand-sewn or hand-stitched rug, sections of fabric or animal hide are hand-stitched together similar to the process of making a quilt. A backing may be applied for stability if needed.
FIBER CONTENT:
Acrylic – Acrylic yarn is one of many synthetic or man-made yarns available for rug weaving. Acrylic yarn is easy to work with and moderately priced compared with other yarns. Acrylic yarn is durable and has good elasticity. In addition, acrylics will not be eaten by moths or suffer from mildew damage. However, acrylic is not as strong as other synthetics such as nylon and polyester. Yarn manufacturers often blend
acrylic fiber with natural fibers or other synthetic fibers.
Bamboo silk – Bamboo yarn (or bamboo silk) is made from the natural bamboo plant, and is similar to silk in shine and softness. Yarns made from pure bamboo tend to have a soft, silky texture, a subtle shine, and a good amount of drape. For the environmentally conscious consumer, bamboo silk is an alternative to viscose
Cable yarn – Cable yarn is made up of two or more, smaller plied yarns twisted together with a cable twist resulting in a strong, regular yarn. Cable twist is a twist construction with each successive twist in the direction opposite of the preceding.
Chenille – Chenille is not actually a fiber, but a yarn produced by placing short lengths of yarn (pile) between two core yarns and then twisting them together. The yarn is commonly manufactured from cotton, but can also be made using acrylic, rayon and olefin. The edges of these piles then stand at right angles from the yarn’s core, giving chenille both its softness and its characteristic look. Chenille will look different in one direction compared to another, as the fibers catch the light differently, and can appear iridescent without actually using iridescent fibers.
Cotton – Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll around the seeds of cotton plants. The fiber most often is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile, which is the most widely used natural-fiber cloth in clothing today. Many rugs use cotton thread for the base (hand-knotted) or cotton backing (tufted).
Cowhide– Cowhide is the natural, unbleached skin and hair of a cow. It retains the original coloring of the animal. Cowhides are a natural product/by-product of the food industry from cattle. Cowhide rugs may retain the shape of the original animal, or pieces of cowhide may be sewn or stitched together in patterns.
Jute – Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. Jute is one of the most affordable natural fibers and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses of vegetable fibers. Jute has many advantages as a home textile, either replacing cotton or blending with it. It is a strong, durable, color and light-fast fiber. Its UV protection, sound and heat insulation, low thermal conduction and anti-static properties make it a wise choice in home decor.
Polyester– Polyester is a synthetic fiber used in fabric, upholstery, carpet, and rugs. Polyester fibers wear well and feel very soft and luxurious, especially when used for rugs with thick piles. Area rugs made from polyester are moisture, stain, and abrasion resistant. Polyester fibers retain color, will not fade, and are easy to clean.
Poly-Acrylic – Poly-acrylic fiber is created when polyester fibers and acrylic fibers are woven together into yarn.
Polypropylene – Polypropylene, a synthetic fiber, absorbs dye well and is durable. Polypropylene is used to make plastic bags, molded to make chairs and bottles, and woven into fiber to make carpet and rugs. A polypropylene rug is easy to maintain and provides bold coloration.
Sea grass (Sisal)– Sea grasses are vegetation that grow underwater in shallow beds. The fibers are tightly woven together to form sea grass rugs. Some sea grass rugs may also have a foam backing to add cushioning and keep them from slipping or scratching the floor.
Silk – Silk is a natural protein fiber and while silks are produced by several other insects, only the silk of moth caterpillars has been used for rugs. The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the fiber, which allows silk to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing different colors. While silk has been used in the manufacture of hand-knotted rugs for
centuries, the cost is prohibitive in mass-production. Silk is used on a limited basis in fine rugs, but more often the appearance of silk is obtained by use of viscose or other synthetic fibers.
Vegetable dye – Natural dyes are dyes or colorants derived from plants, invertebrates, or minerals. The majority of natural dyes are vegetable dyes from plant sources such as roots, berries, bark, leaves, and wood — and other organic sources such as fungi and lichens. Vegetable dye produces the richest color, but may run if not professionally cleaned.
Viscose – Viscose, sometimes called Artificial or Art Silk because of its resemblance to silk, is created from a combination of natural and man-made components. Viscose has a silky appearance and feel, and has made it possible for many people to enjoy a wider array of quality rugs in their homes, without having to pay the high price for natural silk.
Wool – Wool is a natural textile fiber obtained from various animals, but in rug production the term “wool” is usually refers to the fibrous protein derived from sheep. The quality of wool is determined by various factors, but fiber diameter is the single most important wool characteristic determining quality and price. The finer the wool the softer it is, while coarser grades are more durable. Wool is separated into grades
based on the measurement of the wool’s diameter in microns and also its style, and the price point of a rug may be affected by mixing various grades of wool.
New Zealand wools are known as the industry benchmark of excellence, representing the top level of fineness, character, color, and style. Only a few dozen of the millions of bales auctioned every year can be classified and marked as New Zealand wool, and there are various grades of New Zealand wool as well. Loloi offers several collections produced with only the highest quality New Zealand wool. The absorbent qualities of wool produce rich, strong color, but wool rugs tend to have the largest variance in color from one dye lot to another. A wool rug will absorb spilled liquid and may require more frequent cleaning. New wool rugs will shed (create fiber dust), but regular vacuuming will reduce the amount of shed and the shedding does not affect the condition of the rug.
RUG INDUSTRY TERMINOLOGY:
Abrash – The natural and variable change in color that occurs in an Oriental rug over time when different dyes are used. Vegetable dyed rugs have natural abrash and in antique Persian rugs the abrash is more frequent. Abrash is considered part of the intrinsic value and beauty of antique Persian rugs, and new rugs are intentionally made with the appearance of abrash in order to recreate the look of the fine antique pieces.
Dye Lot – Yarn colors are produced by a dying process and as with any textile, one dye lot (yarn dyed at the same time) may vary slightly in color from another dye lot. If you are ordering more than one rug from the same collection and plan to use them in close proximity to each other, please mark the order accordingly so that we choose rugs from the same dye lot when possible. This will allow us to avoid unnecessary returns due to dye lot variance.
IKAT – IKAT is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibers. Bindings, which resist dye penetration, are applied to the threads in the desired patterns and the threads are dyed. Alteration of the bindings and the dyeing of more than one color produce elaborate, multicolored patterns. When all of the dyeing is finished the bindings are removed and the threads are ready to be woven into cloth. The defining characteristic of IKAT is the dyeing of patterns, by means of bindings, into the threads before cloth construction, the weaving of the fabric, takes place.
Indoor/Outdoor–
indoor/outdoor rugs are not intended to be immersed in water, nor to remain saturated for an extended period of time (similar to a water-resistant watch). An indoor/outdoor rug should be dried promptly. The best process for drying these rugs is to lift off the ground to dry thoroughly. They may be cleaned by rinsing with a garden hose or other clear water, and chemicals should not be used. When used indoors, these rugs should have a pad to protect both the rug and the floor, but regular rubber rug pads should not be used outdoors.
Kilim (kelim) – Flat tapestry-woven carpets or rugs produced from the Balkans to Pakistan, kilims can be purely decorative or can function as prayer rugs. Kilims may have geometric patterns or tribal patterns which depict a story.
Peshawar– A style of rug made in Pakistan, Peshawar rugs are sometimes also referred to as Chobi rugs. The Peshawar style is highly characterized by a thinly sheered pile, large print designs, and most predominantly their antique ivory and sometimes golden tones. The general overtone has a “washed-out” or sometimes even faded appearance which is the beauty of this style.
Shedding – There are basically two reasons why area rugs tend to ‘shed’. The more important of the two is the quality of fibers used. This issue is related to both natural fibers, like wool, and synthetic such as viscose. The second aspect that contributes to shedding has to do with how the pile was constructed; i.e. hand-knotted, hand-tufted, etc. Keep in mind that almost every new rug will shed. However, the better the rug, the sooner the shedding problem will stop or, at least, become very minimal. Shedding may be minimized by regular vacuuming.
Sprouting – Natural fiber rugs may experience “sprouting” which is seen as small fibers sticking up from the rug. In certain rugs, sprouting is a normal characteristic and may be expected throughout the life of the rug. Sprouting does not and will not affect the durability or overall life of the rug. Sprouting is common, and requires nothing more than clipping down the fibers that have popped up. Over time, the need for clipping back these fibers will diminish. The process is similar to the initial shedding of a wool or synthetic fiber rug.
Traditional/Transitional/Contemporary – Home-furnishings are categorized by style, and defined as Traditional, Transitional, or Contemporary. For rugs, these categories may be recognized by the following characteristics:
Traditional Rugs – intricate patterns and generally has a field or ground color, and a border of a complementary color to the field. The traditional design is commonly known as an “Oriental Rug”.
Transitional Rugs – Perhaps the fastest growing category in the home decor industry, transitional design and patterns cover the middle ground between traditional and contemporary. Transitional elements often borrow and reinterpret traditional motifs in different scaling and coloration. Paisley designs, exploded or large scale florals, and subtle geometric patterns often fall under the rubric of transitional rugs.
Contemporary Rugs – Breaking away from the traditional completely, contemporary rugs fall under two general categories. First, some contemporary rugs sport a minimalist look in muted colors and clean lines. On the other end of the spectrum, some contemporary rugs can be identified by daring colors and abstract designs.
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