Since ancient times, rugs have been part of household decor. Primitive people used leaves, fibers, hair, fur, grasses, hemp, reeds, flax, wool, and silk to create rugs. Over time, people became innovative and more resourceful. They discovered other materials ideal for making rugs. Natural silk, wool, cotton, sisal, jute, artificial silk, mercerized cotton, and rayon are among the materials used in carpet rug making.
Rugs differ in quality, durability, and beauty depending on the material used. By knowing the qualities of each rug material, you will be able to determine which rug works best according to your needs.
Silk is considered as one of the most valuable materials. It is made from strands produced from the cocoon of silk worms. Silk has a light and smooth texture. Its lustrous quality helps the material attain intense and brilliant color when dyed. However, due to its high absorbing capacity, silk rugs are very prone to staining. They need proper attention and care since they are not as heavy-duty as the other types of rug.
Wool is the most common material used in making rugs. Wool used in rug making is usually taken from a sheep’s coat, though goat’s wool is also used occasionally. Wool has a good anti-static quality, is resistant to dirt and stains, and is less likely to deteriorate compared to other natural materials. Special types of wool such as Pashmina and Angora have a more refined and softer texture. They are also more expensive compared to lower quality wool.
Cotton is generally used as the base of the rug instead of using it for the pile. It becomes part of the pile when the pattern requires a bright white color that wool doesn’t produce. Cotton is stronger but less flexible than wool. These characteristics allow this material to have a more stable tensioning during the weaving process than any other rug materials. It is also cheaper and easier to maintain. You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean it or it can be machine washed.
Sisal fibers are derived from a cactus plant named Agave. Sisal rugs have a coarse texture. They are appropriate in high traffic areas because they are highly durable and flexible, and they do not create static even if placed in humid areas. They also don’t show signs of wear and are highly resistant to dirt and stain. The only disadvantage is that they are highly absorbent so you might want to avoid putting it in water prone areas such as your bathroom or kitchen.
Artificial silk or mercerized cotton is commonly used for making rugs in Pakistan, India, and Turkey. When woven, it gives a silk-like appearance and is often misrepresented to tourists as an authentic silk. Merchants use terms such as vegetative silk, wood silk, and ipekli (Turkish name for silk) to identify this kind of rug. However, in actuality, a mercerized cotton or artificial silk is derived from a chemically-treated cotton fiber. Artificial silk rugs contain the luster of real silk but they are sold at a much lower price.
Rayon is the first-ever synthetic fiber. It is made by dissolving pure cellulose obtained from cotton or wood pulp. This procedure creates a thick yellowish substance called viscose. The viscose undergoes another chemical process that results in the production of long filaments that later transforms the material into a viscose rayon thread. Rugs made of rayon resemble authentic silk. However, rayon is easily damaged by high alkaline solutions and humidity. A protective backing like jute or cotton and an effective neutral pH solution will help prevent discoloration and further damage to the fiber.
We’ve added the new Oceans of Time Collection by Abbyson Living at BigRugRack.com. These wool rugs are constructed with hand-knotted Tibetan weaves and are available in a variety of area rug sizes. They are in stock and usually ship in five to ten business days. When you order Abbyson Living rugs on BigRugRack.com, you will get free shipping in the Continental US.
Buying silk rugs or silk carpets is similar to making an investment. This type of rug is generally more expensive than other rugs. The price of a silk rug varies according to origin, design, and the manner it was made. Therefore, it is very helpful to know some facts about silk rugs before finally making a purchase.
If you need an elegant rug to grace your traditional-themed home, the Verona Wool Rug Collection will definitely add the missing piece. The featured rug from the Verona Collection is the 604 series. Its rich burgundy background and magnificent floral design with traces of gold, sand, dusty rose, and green will be an exquisite match to your traditional furniture. The playful colors of this 
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