What are the different fibers in area rugs?

Wool fiber is available in both power loomed 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 are used exclusively in power loomed 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: BCF or 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 or viscose/rayon on occasion mercerized cotton will be used. Also called art silk, faux silk is usually used as small accents or in a short, dense pile construction.


What is a Tufted Rug?

Hand tufted area rugs resemble more expensive hand knotted rugs in intricacy of design, detail and coloring. A hand tufted rug is constructed by pushing yarns through a heavy canvas backing, then shearing the face of the rug to create a cut pile. These rugs are very heavy and extremely dense in weave. Hand tufted rugs are not recommended for anyone with radiant heat floors.


What is a Hooked Rug?

Rug-making process by which craftsmen insert yarn - which can be any fiber - into a backing with a hand held needle tufting tool. The machine is often called a "gun". The rug's pattern is stenciled on primary backing material. After the tufting is complete, a latex backing is attached to protect and anchor the stitches. The pile of a hand hooked rug is made up of loops. Rugs may also combine cut and loop techniques.


What is a Hand Knotted Rug?

A Hand knotted rug is made by weavers who knot pile yarns around the warp fibers that run the length of the rug. Generally, the more knots per square inch, the more valuable the rug.


What is a Tibetan Hand Knot?

Tibetan Knot is a distinct rug-weaving technique now used in other regions as well as in Tibet. A temporary rod, which establishes the length of pile, is placed in front of the warp. A continuous yarn is looped around two warps and then once around the rod. When a row of loops is finished, then the loops are cut to create the pile. This method produces a slightly ridged surface.


What is a Power Loomed Rug?

A Power loomed rug is constructed on an electrically powered machine, now usually computer controlled.


What is a Needlepoint Rug?

A needlepoint rug making technique, made with wool yarns worked on canvas using the same method as a needlepoint pillow.


What is a Flat Weave Rug?

A Flat weave is weaving in which no knots are used. The weft strands are simply passed through the warp strands. Dhurries are flatwoven rugs that originate in India and are usually made of cotton or wool. Kilims are generally finer, tapestry-like flat weaves.


What is Warp and Weft in an Area Rug?

Warp: Vertical strands of fiber, which stretch from the top to the bottom of the rug. Knots are tied to the warp yarns to create face pile.
Weft: Horizontal strands of fiber that are woven through the warps. The weft anchors and secures the knots.


How long will my area rug last?

Area rug durability is generally determined by the material, construction, and amount of traffic in a space. By carefully considering where the area rug will be placed and how it will be used, you can anticipate its longevity. View our expected longevity chart and remember using a Spartan Area Rug Pad will be a tremendous help in prolonging the life of your area rug.


Do some countries produce better area rugs than others?

Every type of area rug from different countries has the potential for excellent quality as well as problems.


What area rug size do I need for my room?

There are no precise guidelines for selecting an area rug for a room, other than a dining area. A good method to determine the right size is to spread bed linens as a substitute to approximate the size, take measurements, and choose the closest size available. In a dining area, measure the table and provide at least four additional feet to the length and width. In this manner, the chair legs remain on the area rug when pulled away from the table.


Will my area rug fade?

Synthetic dyes last longer than natural dyes. In areas with high sun exposure, some fading may occur, so consider the space in which you will place the area rug. Most area rugs will provide years of vibrant color that do not fade under normal light conditions.


Is an underlay (rug pad) necessary?

We strongly encourage the use of an area rug underlay to protect your area rug from abrasion, impact and cleaning. A quality underlay, such as our Spartan products, can add years to the life of your area rug while providing additional safety and acoustic benefits.


My area rug just arrived, and it appears to be creased. Do I have a problem?

During shipping many area rugs develop creases or the pile gets compressed, which usually disappears within two weeks.