Area Rug Fibers and materials
Wool fiber is available
in both machine and hand made rugs. Wool is the
traditional fiber used in fine hand made Oriental
rugs. Wool not only wears longer, it also keeps its
good appearance and stays new-looking longer. Wool resists dirt, retains
its appearance, and stays cleaner longer. Its ability to absorb moisture
prevents a build up of static electricity and therefore wool does not
attract lint and dust from the air. Furthermore, the crimp in the wool
fiber and the scales on the outside of the fiber assist in keeping dirt
from penetrating the surface – the same qualities also make it easier
to clean - Each wool fiber is made up of millions of “coiled springs”
that stretch and give rather than break, and so wool is extremely durable.
Wool rugs absorb dyes differently than synthetic rugs giving them a
more authentic look.
Wool:
There are many grades of wool. Long staple
wool from New Zealand is considered to be most
effective for area rugs.
Worsted Wool:
An extra
step in wool processing that combs out shorter
fibers resulting in durable and lustrous yarns.
Synthetic fibers:
Synthetic fibers are used exclusively
in machine made rugs. One of the greatest advantages
of synthetic rugs is a byproduct of the fiber being non-porous.
This means that it is inherently stain proof and resists
soiling and staining from almost any chemical. A very
durable fiber that feels soft and still easy to maintain.
Cotton:
Cotton is a natural fiber of great durability and
strength – This natural fiber is arranged in a way that gives cotton
unique properties of strength, durability, and absorbency. Each fiber
is made up of twenty to thirty layers of cellulose coiled in a neat
series of natural springs. When the cotton boll (seed case) is opened
the fibers dry into flat, twisted, ribbon-like shapes and become kinked
together and interlocked. This interlocked form is ideal for spinning
into a fine yarn.
Polypropylene or Olefin:
Polypropylene or Olefin fibers are petroleum products, derived from propylene
and ethylene gasses. The polypropylene fiber is characterized but its resistance
to moisture. It is strong, abrasion resistant, quick drying, colorfast, mildew
resistant and soil and stain resistant. Its fibers have the lowest density of
all manufactured fibers giving olefin textiles a very lightweight quality.
Heat- Set Polypropylene:
Heat Set Polypropylene is a man-made fiber that is
created by a process called extrusion. Extrusion involves the pre-dyeing
of pellets that are then melted down and extruded into continuous fibers.
As a man-made fiber, polypropylene has several built in features that
make it attractive for use in rugs.
The Heat-set twisted yarns are treated with heat to
retain their "permanent wave" for better performance and appearance
retention.
BCF Bulk Continuous Filament:
BCF: Bulked continuous filament yarns are synthetic
yarns processed by a mechanical means to fluff them out before tufting
or weaving
Nylon:
Nylon is a durable synthetic fiber which also has good dyeing characteristics.
Nylon yarns can be solution dyed, skein dyed and/or space dyed
Rayon:
Rayon is made of cellulose, which is in the walls of all plant cells,
and is the main substance of wood.
Faux silk:
"False silk" is usually a synthetic,
such as polyester fibers such as viscose/rayon. Mercerized cotton is
also used as a silk look-alike. Also called art silk, faux silk is usually
used as small accents or in a short, dense pile construction.
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Area
Rug Construction Methods
There is a variety of area rugs constructed from different
materials and patterns. Your area rug should
perform well in addition to looking great. To find the best area rug
within your budget, consider the right combination of density, twist
and fiber.
Density refers to the tightness of the tufts,
or knots. The denser the weave, the better
the area rug will wear.
Twist refers to the amount of yarn spirals. A yarn twist that
is tighter provides added durability.
Fiber for area rugs may be from a variety of synthetic or
natural materials, which will help determine performance and
appearance. Natural fibers provide soft, low luster colors and
long-term performance. Synthetic fibers provide brilliant colors,
softness, easy maintenance and value.
Area rugs may be machine-made, hand-hooked, hand-tufted, hand-knotted,
a flat weave or braided.
Hand-Made Area Rugs
In addition to traditional hand-made area rugs,
Asia and other countries also produce many
hand-made contemporary area rugs. There are different types
of hand-made area rugs: knotted, tufted, hooked, looped and
flat weave. Rug construction alone does not dictate area rug
quality, factors such as density, material and weave should
also be considered when selecting an area rug.
Hand-Knotted Area Rugs
Hand knotted area rugs are woven by hand;
and depending on size, construction and density, one area
rug could take a year or more to complete. Hand-knotted area
rugs are secured to the foundation by knotting, versus gluing,
producing exceptional density and quality.
Hand-Hooked Area Rugs
Using a pattern and a hooking device, yarn is
punched through a canvas cloth creating a looped pile. The
yarns are then glued in place in lieu of knotting, and a cloth
is attached to the back.
Hand-Tufted Area Rugs
Hand-tufted area rugs are usually created by
punching yarn in a cloth that is attached to a frame, and then
gluing the backs with latex after hooking the yarn. The surface
loop pile is then sheared to produce a flat surface. This process
creates an area rug that is very plush, generally less expensive
and easier to make than hand-knotted area rugs.
Flat Weave Area Rugs
Flat weave area rugs are less expensive, easier
to make and are usually made of wool, cotton, bamboo, or nylon.
Because they are looped, flat weave area rugs do not have a
pile and are reversible. This category also includes Kilims,
Dhurries and Soumaks.
Braided Area Rugs
Braided area rugs are constructed in several
different ways, including tape, tubular,
yarn and flat. In the tradition of early America from which
braided area rugs were created, these area rugs may be woven
with many different materials such as wool, clothing, old blankets,
nylon and blends.
Machine-Made Area Rugs
These area rugs are made on power looms by
hand, machine or computer. The loom is strung
with a cotton or jute warp, and then woven using nylon, polypropylene,
wool or other material. Computer operated machines produce
a number of contemporary designs in various sizes and colors
from a predetermined design. More than 40 shades can be achieved
in a single area rug using a cross-weaving
technique. Machine-made area rugs have become very popular
due to the variety of sizes, colors, designs, lower pricing
and availability. Machine-made area rugs are woven on Wilton,
side-woven Wilton and Gripper Axminster looms.
Wilton Woven
Wilton looms are situated face-to-face and
feature computerized electronic heads. The
loom needles loop the yarns in two synthetic
backings. Loom size and structure vary based on number of color
capacities. Two identical area rugs emerge from the loom once
the weaving process is complete and the rug is cut in half.
Wilton Side Woven
The Wilton side-woven area rugs are woven in
a similar fashion, but at a 90 degree angle to the above area
rugs. On occasion, cotton backing is to give these area rugs
a softer feel.
Axminster
Axminster more commonly refers to a type of
carpet rather than a type of loom, although the Gripper Axminster
loom was created to mass produce carpet in 1927.
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