Manu aspects go into choosing the correct area rug for home rooms in DFW, Texas. Not only are there so many styles to choose from, but there are also tons of colors, patterns, sizes, and piles. You also must base your decisions on your lifestyle and how much maintenance you are willing to put in. read on to learn more about choosing the correct area rug for home rooms in DFW, Texas.
Area Rugs
A little Rug Terminology
Warp: The vertical yarn attached to the upper and bottom beam. The warp is the foundation of the rug.
Weft: The horizontal yarn passed through the rug. These are the building blocks to the rugs structure.
Pile: Is the thickness of the rug from the base.
Different Types of Rugs Construction
Acrylic Rugs
Bamboo Rugs
In fact, there are also bamboo silk variations that can possibly rival the softness of real silk rugs.
A major downside to bamboo rugs, however, is they can be quite delicate and are not, in any way, moisture resistant. Even something as basic as a water spill could completely alter their look, leaving a permanent stain on them.
This can also affect their durability. Moreover, professional cleaning and maintenance may be required because of their delicate nature.
Advantages:
- There are many advantages when you use bamboo rugs in your home, such as they are fire resistant. Bamboo rugs are known to be fire retardant due to their natural structure and oils. Of course, it still could catch fire, but it will take a long time to spread.
- Bamboo rugs are insect resistant since they contain an antimicrobial agent that gives bamboos a natural resistance to pests and fungi.
- Bamboo rugs are allergen resistant because of their smooth and easy to clean surfaces.
- They are naturally antistatic, so they don’t conduct electron charges.
- You can use bamboo rugs in any area of your home, like your living room or kitchen. They also look good as entrance mats.
- They have a wide array of sizes, colors, and patterns! Plus, they can be stained or painted to fit your home’s style.
Disadvantages:
- Since they are made of bamboo, they can be louder than other rugs. Our advice is to avoid using it in high traffic areas.
- They will bleach in direct sunlight, so never place it in direct sunlight.
Braided Rugs
When early settlers lacking looms and wool would make them from straw or scraps of clothing. Today, they are still popular in “country” style homes for their rustic look, but they have also made their way into more “bohemian” style décor as well. More recently, braided chindi rugs have become popular. Chindi rugs are typically made from scraps of cotton, offering a bit more comfort and brighter colors than their natural fiber counterparts. In either case, materials will be braided into a long strand. That strand will then be wound in a spiral pattern into the desired shape.
Due to the nature of construction, which occurs in a circular manner, braided rugs often feature colorful patterns that are unique, however, it is possible to have a braided rug come in a single or solid color.
Cotton Rugs
Cotton rugs are also a practical option if you’re looking for low-maintenance and easy-to-clean carpeting. All they need is regular vacuuming, and they are machine washable, too, so stains are a cinch to remove. Depending on how well you take care of it, you can expect your cotton rug to last for a few years; however, it will show wear and tear much sooner than a rug made with a more resilient material such as wool.
As one of the most affordable rug types to buy, they make it easy for you to instantly change the appearance of any room without breaking the bank.
Advantages:
- Cotton rugs are washable, which makes them a popular choice for people with kids and pets! Unlike bamboo rugs, they are great for high traffic areas since they can lessen the noise. Throw your cotton rugs at least once a week in the washing machine and they’ll look good as new.
- Placing cotton rugs in your home can be a great addition since they are inexpensive. It’s the top choice for people who are on a budget, yet still want their space to look trendy. Most cotton rugs are less than $100, but if you want a quality cotton rug, you need to pay a higher price.
Disadvantages:
- Cotton rugs aren’t stained resistant. However, since they are washable, it’s still the best option compared to animal skin rug.
- Cotton rugs slide, so it’s best to use a thick rug pad to avoid any accidents.
- Cotton rugs don’t lie completely flat since they are such lightweight rugs. The solution is to use a heavy-duty rug pad under your cotton rug.
Flat Weave Rugs
About Dhurrie rugs, this is not it. Unlike pile carpets, flatweave rugs are reversible. The design patterns on both sides of the carpet are the same in most cases. They are reversible, which means that you can use either side of the flat-weave rugs as and when needed.
Most flat weave or kilim rugs follow a geometrical and diagonal design pattern. These cost low and affordable rugs. They very much preferred for flooring from bathrooms to kitchens.
Wool is the most essential and the primary material used to make a flat weave rug. Most flatweaves use wool for the warps and wefts, or both. Wool is the necessary weft material used with cotton warps. The other materials used instead of wool is the art silk.
Since flat woven area rugs are skinny, it’s essential to put a rug pad at the bottom. Placing a rug pad will help restrict the carpet from moving from its original place.
Difference between Flatweave, Kilim and Dhurrie Rugs
The fundamental difference between a flatweave, kilim, or dhurrie rugs is only the difference in their names. Some rug importers call it kilim, the word coming from the tribal side. Some call it Dhurrie, as Indians know it well by this name. In modern times, the west calls it Flatweave.
Hooked Rugs
Also, this hooked rug is delicate in nature, has a slightly shorter lifespan than some other rug types, and it lasts up to 10 years.
How do you tell if a rug is hand hooked?
Turn the rug over and look at the back of the rug. You will need to look at the structure of the rug and its weave to determine if your rug is handwoven. In a hand knotted rug, the weaving and the knots will always be slightly uneven and not always exact and uniform. Some knots may be larger, and some may be smaller.
Advantages:
- Soft, supple, stylish — but durable. A hand-hooked rug is the less expensive alternative to other handmade constructions. Essentially, this type of rug has the same makeup as a hand-tufted rug, but it uses a crochet hook rather than a tufting gun to push yarn through its pre-made design.
Knotted Rugs
This knotted rug is generally more expensive as compared to non-knotted counterparts, they are also known for their durability and longevity, such as in some cases it lasts up to 20 years, also it depends upon whether or not you are taking care or maintenance.
Hand-knotting is the slowest and most expensive way to make a rug. It’s one of the oldest methods of making a rug and dates back over 2000 years. Making a rug using this technique can take anything from a few months to a few years. Hand-knotting requires a specially designed machine called a loom.
The production process involves tying vertical threads, or warps, to the loom, then intertwining them with horizontal threads, called wefts. A carpet weaver then takes yarn, threads it around the warp thread, tightens it to create the knot, then cuts off the excess string. The knots make the carpet pile.
Hand-knotting is time-consuming and can sometimes involve weaving intricate designs, which can need as many as 1000 knots per square inch, resulting in well-crafted rugs. Many traditional rugs are made this way with the skill often passing from one generation to the next.
One 8×10 rug can have anywhere between 1 to 6 million knots or 100 to 800 knots per square inch. The average time to make an 8×10 hand knotted rug is over 3000 hours for one person. That is equivalent to 384 working days.
Caring For a Hand-Knotted Rug
Hand-knotted rugs, like every other rug, need to be rotated. Every few months, rotate your rug 90 degrees to increase the longevity of your beautiful heirloom. This will keep the wear on the rug even, especially if one area is receiving more sunlight or traffic than the other corners. Like other rugs, a rug pad is recommended to protect both your rug and your floor. Your hand-knotted rug will be prone to shedding at first, but after the first few weeks, the shedding will decrease and eventually stop completely.
When shopping for a new rug, make sure you choose a hand-knotted rug that is large enough to fit your room. If you choose a rug that is too small, the room will look smaller, and the decor will seem out of place. Make sure to measure your space before ordering a new rug.
Machine Woven Rugs
Machine woven rugs as the name suggests is made by large machines called power looms, this power loom is electrically automated and controlled by computers, also this rug can be made quickly and manufactured with different material such as synthetic fibers, wool, nylon, acrylic silk, art silk, polyester, polypropylene, etc.
Also, machine-woven types of rugs can offer a lower price as compared to hand-knotted rugs because they require less effort, and less time it usually has a long-life span of about 20 years or less, and it completely depends upon the fiber and quality used.
Can you spot the difference between a hand-knotted and a machine-made Oriental rug?
Note the strong visual differences between the machine-made and handmade rugs. In particular, the back of the machine-made rug is very different in appearance from the back of the handmade rug. The design is not nearly as colorful on the back of the machine-made rug as it is on the face. Closer examination of the machine-made rug shows why this is so:
The construction of the machine-made rug is very different from the handmade rug. There is an overstitch pattern across the whole back of the machine-made rug. You cannot easily distinguish individual knots on the back of the machine-made rug because there aren’t any – the overstitch construction is what holds the pile material in place. The fringe is clearly stitched to the end of the machine-made rug after it’s complete, whereas the fringe of the handmade rug is actually made up of the warp strings that come out of the end of the handmade rug.
Natural Fiber Rugs
Rugs made from natural plant fibers like sisal, seagrass and jute have quickly become essential style items. While the browns and tans of these materials provide the perfect neutral backdrop for any style, they are especially at home among earthy, coastal, and bohemian décor. Natural fibers tend to be very strong and relatively low-cost. To achieve a earthy but comfortable look, layer a softer rug over a larger flatweave natural rug. This is an especially great option in large rooms where you want the elegance of a hand-knotted rug but want to avoid the cost of room-sized one. The vibrant colors of a Persian rug against the neutral backdrop of a sisal rug creates a striking and attractive contrast.
One final note: while the earthy texture of natural fibers makes them seem like an obvious choice for a deck or patio, you should be careful when displaying a natural rug outdoors. Natural fibers, especially jute, are extremely absorbent. If it rains, your rug is liable to develop mold, mildew, or harmful bacteria that could lead to discoloration, foul odors, and dry rot. If you do decide to use a natural rug outdoors, make sure it is in a covered area and rolled up and stored when it rains.
Jute
The jute rug is made of fibers from the jute plant, which is found in Asia. This type of fiber is known for being durable, so it’s used in burlap fabric, ropes and rugs of all shapes and sizes. Despite its ability to stand up to years of use, the jute rug is surprisingly soft.
Sea Grass
Sea grass (also spelled sea grass, with a space) comes from a tall plant found in wetlands areas. It has grass-like stems and is a durable material for rugs. Sea grass is known for its non-porous surface that gives it a naturally smooth texture. It has a hay-like smell and color, both of which will fade over time.
Sisal
Sisal, extracted from the leaves of the ‘Agave Susiana’ plant, is the most popular of the plant fibers used for rug making. This plant, sometimes called the American Aloe or Century Plant, is native to Central America, but is now grown all over the world, especially in Java, East Africa and Mexico. Even though sisal is only one of the plant-based rug materials, the name has come to be used generically for all plant-based rug materials. Sisal has long, fine fibers that allow it to be made into smooth textured yarn. Sisal rugs are anti-static, sound absorbing, flame retardant and long lasting, all of which make sisal rugs worthy of your consideration.
Shag Rugs
The tape length of the Shag Rug type usually ranges from 20 mm to 50 mm. For this reason, it often feels much looser. That’s why the name “feathered” is used. These carpets/rugs, which were very popular in the 70s, are accepted as cultural symbols. However, nowadays, it has started to become a modern carpet again.
Advantages:
- It is designed to be used for many years.
- It is manufactured with high-quality materials.
- It appeals to the eye with a stylish and aesthetic appearance.
- Its soft and comfortable structure, it ensures that your feet and, therefore you are comfortable.
Types of Shag Rugs
- Flokati Rugs
- Leather Shag Rugby
- Mixed Texture Shag Rug
- Synthetic Shag Rug
- Wool Shag Rugs
Silk Rugs
Lower in density than wool, silk rugs require more knots per square inch and take longer to complete. Silk rugs are known for showcasing intricate patterns, and since the natural fiber holds dye well, its colors fade beautifully as the rug ages.
As beautiful as silk rugs can be, they are also incredibly delicate and can quickly lose their shape if mishandled or poorly stored. If you’re shopping around for a carpet, it will come as no surprise that those made from silk are significant investments with hefty price tags.
They also require specialized professional cleaning and maintenance, which adds to the cost. It’s best to keep a silk rug in your private study or as a statement piece displayed on a wall as it is not suited for areas with high foot traffic.
These silk rugs are luxurious types of rugs, the elegant brilliance of silk makes it ideal for creating works of art and provides a smooth texture.
Manufacturing silk rugs takes a longer time as compared to making wool rugs, also more durable than silk rugs, wool rugs. Also, it requires proper maintenance and professional cleaning.
Advantages:
- Silk rugs can sound intimidating to work with due to their appearance. However, silk rugs are classic. It creates a lux and sophisticated aesthetic in your space.
- Silk rugs are anti-wrinkle. It’s resistant to crushing and rumpling.
- Silk rugs are durable! The individual fibers of silk rugs are incredibly strong, and when properly woven together, they resist warping. They can be stretched and pulled, and it will still look good as new.
Disadvantages:
- Silk rugs aren’t affordable. We mentioned that it gives off a lux and sophisticated look, which means it comes with a price. If you are on a tight budget, we suggest opting for faux silk and silk velvet as alternatives.
- Silk rugs are prone to sun and water damage, so avoid placing them in humid or damp areas, like your bathroom or entryway. It’s also best not to place it in direct sunlight.
Synthetic Rugs
Rugs made from synthetic materials don’t offer the same resilience and durability as those made from natural materials but make up for that in affordability, the breadth of design variations available, and ease of maintenance. They hold their color well, and some are engineered to be resistant to stains, moisture, and insects.
Advantages:
- Synthetic rug materials have several benefits, including being more affordable, simpler to maintain, and more resistant to fading or wear and tear.
- Synthetic rug materials frequently weigh less, which might make them simpler to install and carry.
- Synthetic rugs are ideal for busy families with kids or pets because of their durability in the face of spills and fading over time.
- You can pick a synthetic rug that matches your style because they are available in a variety of hues and patterns.
Wool Rugs
Also, this wool rug may last up to 60 years, and its fibers are remarkably durable and retain their shape when stretched. Overall, the wool rugs decorate a room and open space and have a good floor covering which is soft to walk on and sit on.
Advantages:
- It’s easy to clean! Spot removal or stains are uncomplicated if dealt with immediately.
- They are flame-resistant. Of course, it could still catch fire, but they are pretty resistant to dropped matches, cigarettes, sparks and other sources of fire.
- They have excellent color retention, so expect that wool rugs will sustain their original color over years.
- Wool rugs are durable when properly maintained. It can withstand decades of wear and it’s pretty resilient to crushing or rumpling. Natural wool rugs can bounce back even after you place a heavy object on top.
- Wool rugs are environmentally friendly, which means that they can insulate the floor effectively to reduce heat loss and heating costs. In addition, they can also lessen annoying static shocks common in cold, dry weather.
- Wool rugs can absorb moisture, which makes it an efficient humidifier and dehumidifier.
Disadvantages:
- Wool rugs aren’t really budget friendly. In fact, they cost twice as much as nylon and polyester.
- Wool rugs aren’t oil resistant. So, once you stain it with oil, it’s best to ask for professional help immediately.
- Wool rugs are prone to shedding.
- Since wool rugs absorb moisture, large amounts of liquid water may saturate and waterlog the fibers, which results in mildew. It’s best to avoid placing wool rugs in humid and damp areas.
- They are insect food, so having a wool rug in your home means it will attract moths and carpet beetles. To avoid this problem, get your wool rug pre-treated with a mild insecticide called Permethrin. Don’t worry because it’s safe for people and pets.
Binding & Serging
What is Carpet Binding?
- Carpet binding and serging are two kinds of carpet edging, or ways of finishing off the rough sides of a piece of cut carpet. They’ve been used throughout the history of carpet making.
- A bound carpet has a strip of fabric or other material — like jute or leather — that’s attached to the top side of the rug and wraps around the raw edges.
- Serged rugs are finished with sturdy thread that’s stitched around the carpet’s periphery.
Carpet Edging Options & Finishing Techniques
- Your finished rug will be a culmination of numerous choices you make along the way. You’ll need to specify edging options.
- Binding or serging: Binding is the standard — but serging is incredibly popular, too.
- Hand or machine: Hand serging has an authentic, artisanal flair. Machine serging is a more neat and consistent edge finish.
- Narrow or wide: Narrow binding is the norm and can be sewn on with either synthetic or cotton tape. It shows about .25 inch on the face of the rug. Wide binding, which is between 1.5 and 3.5 inches, is used when you want to show more binding on the rug.
- Fringe or plain edge: Fringing offers that tassel-bordered effect that suits so many tastes. Conversely, the unadorned look of a plain edge is so versatile.
Binding
A colorfast, durable and functional synthetic fabric tape that is designed to blend with the rug edge and not be that noticeable. This is the most economical of the rug bindings.
Binding benefits offer a vast selection and low cost. There are many shading choices in binding, practically any shade of rug can be coordinated. By matching the binding to the shade of the rug, the edge of the rug does not emerge, and the binding mixes in with the rug.
Among the benefits of binding a carpet edge in this way are the relatively low cost and the vast selection of binding materials available. There is a significant number of colors from which to choose in binding, meaning that virtually any color of carpet can be matched. By matching the binding to the color of the carpet, the edge of the carpet will blend properly. A contrasting color could be also chosen to create an accent, but most experts feel that the binding is so thin (about 1/4-inch) that the overall effect is a bit bizarre.
Corners
With a wide bind, you have two options for how to finish the corners: mitered or folded (aka lapped).
- Mitered corners resemble the corners of a picture frame, with the seams at an angle and a visible top stitch.
- It’s typically the easiest and least expensive method of finishing a carpet edge. The other benefits of binding are the vast selection of materials and colors to choose from. Virtually any color can be picked to match your carpet. By matching the color of the rug binding, the edge will blend in without standing out.
Folded Corners
Turn the finishing material over at the corners, such that the seams are parallel with the edge, and also have a visible top stitch.
Fringe
Add or replace fringe on your rug. Available in natural cotton and wool, knotted or unknotted, as well as synthetics in various length.
Fringing is a common and somewhat iconic finishing treatment for area rugs. In hand-knotted rugs, the fringe is necessary, as it is the edge of the “backbone” fibers of the rug. On machine-made rugs, however, fringe is only for appearance and serves no practical purpose. Fringing is usually more expensive than either binding or serging.
Hand Binding
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- Hand binding can also give your rug a professional-looking finish which will look amazing in any environment. If you have hand-woven or antique rug, hand binding can give it a clean, finished look that will help it stand out. It can also be used for creating specific shapes and sizes for rug designs that must be able to fit into certain spaces. No matter what your reason for wanting to bind your rug is it can provide the appearance of a professional and is sure to impress anyone who comes across it.
Hand Serging
- Hand serging resembles a hand-sewn look and creates an elegant finish.
- Available in wool or nylon in a variety of different colors.
- This soft finish to your area rug is perfect for residential use.
Serging
Wool, nylon or cotton yarns whip stitched over our standard edge binding. Blend with the background color or pick up a color in the rug pattern you want to emphasize. Gives a more finished look.
- The Main Goal of Serging Is Longevity
- Rug Serging Prevents Fraying and Increase Durability
- Improves A Room’s Aesthetic
- Keeps The Rug Looking Clean
Wide Fabric Bindings
The benefit here is that you can create a border effect for your area rug or stair runner. Similar to narrow binding, there are a few choices in terms of color, fabric, and scale.
Considerations for Carpet Binding
Thinking about which edging method you want, consider the following:
- Colors. You can choose a binding color to tie in with the rug and the rest of your décor (helping it to disappear) or you can get a contrasting color to make a statement (the binding pops out).
- Materials. Leather is often associated with looking cool, punk, chic, or rustic. Wide binding can dress up your rug and gives it a custom look.
- Time. Hand serging can take 5-7 weeks to complete while machine serging can take as little as 5-7 days’ fabrication time.
- Traffic. The volume and nature of carpet use are important. Hand serging is the most durable edging option. Cotton binding stains the easiest.
Rug Binding Costs
- Price is determined by the rug size, materials and methods used, and production costs. You’re charged by the linear foot (i.e., equal to the rug’s perimeter). Mitered corners are more than folded ones. Fancier or more exclusive fibers are costly than simpler or standard alternatives.
- To give you a ballpark impression of the cost of carpet binding and serging, let’s look at a few industry-wide averages:
- $ Narrow binding is about $3-$5 per linear foot.
- $$ Wide binding and serging cost about $8-$10 per linear foot.
- $$$ Hand serging with dyed-to-match thread is $30-$50 per linear foot.
Rug Underlayment
- Rug underlayment can offer many different advantages depending on what option you choose. Although not attached to the rug itself, underlayment can offer additional pad or
- a less expensive non-slip option. Please see below for the different options available.
Standard Rug Griper:
- Also, can help keep things more secured and safer in place to avoid binding up and big rug humps that someone can trip on. It’s not super glued to your floor so there is still a chance of movement, but that is highly decreased using this on a wood or vinyl / ceramic surface.
- This option is not attached to the back of the rug but can be cut to any size.
Standard Rug Pad:
Rug Hold Pad:
Advantages:
- Add extra comfort by giving your rug a richer, thicker, softer feel.
- Help your rug last longer, even in high traffic areas.
- Keep your rug in place on the floor.
- Make your home quieter by helping to absorb sound.
- Provide extra thermal insulation, making your home warmer.
- This can also be cut to fit any size rug.
- If you are looking for incredible home décor solutions in DFW, Texas or the surrounding area, look no further than Murad Floors. Not only are we well known for our wide selection of flooring, but we also carry a wide selection of beautiful area rugs. If you aren’t sure what exactly you are looking for, we are sure we can help you find something that will look amazing in your home, where we will come to you and help you decide what is going to look beautiful in your home and meet all your needs. Give us a call today and let’s get started!