Rugs 101/ Glossary
Hand Knotted: Hand-knotting rugs is an intense labor of love whereby each tuft in a rug is created by literally tying a knot around a warp thread. This ancient and time-honored technique of weaving is extremely intricate, time-consuming, and demands ability that most weavers can only achieve after years of training. Larger rugs often employ as many as a dozen skilled artisans working on a single rug at the same time. This process may take as few as three months and as long as one year to yield a single rug. The finer the knot, that is to say the higher the knot count, the more intricate and valuable the rug can be. Hand Knotted rugs will remain as beautiful as the day they were purchased for twenty or more years even in high traffic areas when properly cared for.
Hand Tufted: Tufting a rug is a manner of rug construction whereby a pattern is sketched on canvas and tufts of thread are punched through a canvas cloth that is attached to a frame. The lack of knots, though, requires that an additional backing be applied to the canvas, the primary backing is latex over which a secondary backing of canvas is glued. The surface pile is then sheered to produce a flat surface. Due to their affordability, Rugs of this craft are the emerging trend in home furnishing design. The resulting tuft is in every regard the same as a traditional hand-knotted tuft in both composition and function, but involves a fraction of the time and expense. Tufted rugs have a life expectancy of about 10 years when used in high traffic areas.
Hand Hooked: Hooked rugs are constructed in the same manner as tufted rugs with one distinct difference, the yarn is punched through a canvas creating a looped pile. The life expectancy is slightly shorter than tufted rugs because they tend to be less dense leaving the fibers more venerable to wear.
Hand Woven: A simple but durable rug, flat-woven rugs and tapestries are among the most basic and beautiful of all hand-loomed floor coverings. A product of rustic settings with basic lines and colors, flat woven rugs have made their way from rural areas around the world into areas of high concentration and trade. The underlying art of flat-woven rugs is their ability to be reversed, and their suitability in nearly any setting, from the rustic to the cosmopolitan. Flat-woven rugs are built for the speed of life. Hand woven or flat woven rugs are known for their durability and have a life expectancy just slightly shorter than hand knotted rugs
Wool: Wool fiber has characteristics that make it ideal for rug construction. Wool contains lanolin, making it inherently repellent of moisture and water. The natural properties of wool make it stain resistant and thereby easy to clean and maintain. Many types of wool are used in rug construction and the main difference between them is the strength of the fiber. Sheep that are raised at higher altitudes withstand severe weather conditions and therefore create a stronger, more durable wool. Himalayan wool for example is derived from sheep raised in the extreme conditions found in the Himalayan Mountains and produce fibers used in most Tibetan rugs. This wool is extremely dense, strong and soft. Ghazni Wool is used in the Afghanistan Pakistan region and creates a silk like softness characteristic of rugs produced in these regions. New Zealand wool may be the most widely used and considered by some to be the most effective for area rugs.
Cotton: Cotton is a natural fiber of great durability and strength. Each fiber is made up of twenty to thirty layers of cellulose coiled in a neat series of natural springs. When the cotton boll, or 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 fine yarn.
Art Silk/ Faux Silk: False silk is usually a polyester fiber such as viscose or rayon. Mercerized cotton is also used as a faux silk. Synthetic silk is often found incorporated in a wool rug given the overall appearance a silky shine without the expense and delicacy associated with silk.
Hand Spun Wool: Hand spinning is a much more expensive and time consuming process than machine spinning, but it has two distinct advantages. Hand spinning breaks down fewer fibers of wool, so the end result is a stronger fiber and longer wearing wool. Hand spun wool has an irregular diameter, which gives the rug a more interesting texture.
What size rug fits best in 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 rug when pulled away from the table. When placing rugs under furniture that is pulled away from the wall, area rugs should be large enough to completely surround the furniture, being seen around the outside of the seating area. When furniture is placed against the wall, area rugs need only go under the front feet of furniture.
How do I clean for my handmade rugs? The natural characteristics of wool make it the most durable, resilient, anti static and flame retardant natural fiber known. To help prolong the life of your rug, vacuum it regularly to remove loose dirt and soil. Vacuuming an area rug with a good machine will go a long way towards prolonging the appearance and life of your carpet. Vacuuming is the primary defense against dry soils that can quickly build on area rugs. Step 1: Blot spills immediately, do not rub. We prefer to use clean water, still or carbonated. Blot with water then follow with a dry clean cloth or paper towel. If the spill is more significant, oily or has an odor continue with the solution described in step 2.
Step 2: Use a solution of one teaspoon mild, clear liquid detergent and one teaspoon white vinegar in a quart of warm water. Spray and blot a small amount of this liquid onto stains with a clean paper towel or white cloth, rinse with clean water and repeat until the stain is removed.
Why is my new rug shedding? It is characteristic of your wool rug to shed at first. Traffic causes loose wool fibers to gather on top of the rug. Frequent vacuuming helps minimize this, and as the loose fibers are removed, the rug will gradually stop shedding.
Do I need an underlay or rug pad? We strongly recommend a rug pad under all rugs to protect your rug from abrasion, impact created by furniture and traffic as well as cleaning. A quality pad can add years to the life of your rug while providing additional safety and acoustic benefits. Bradford’s sells several types of rug pad that can be ordered and shipped to your home by contacting our gallery in Portland, Maine.
My area rug just arrived and it appears to be creased? During storage and shipping many area rugs develop creases or the pile gets compressed, this usually disappears within two weeks more quickly when vacuumed frequently.
