Frequently Asked Questions on Fibers and Construction

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different fibers in area rugs?

What is a Tufted Rug?

What is a Hooked Rug?

What is a Hand Knotted Rug?

What is a Tibetan Hand Knot?

What is a Power Loomed Rug?

What is a Flat Weave Rug?

What is a Needlepoint Rug?

What is Warp and Weft in an Area Rug?

Question:

What are the different fibers in area rugs?

Wool

Wool Fiber is available in both machine and hand made rugs. Wool is the traditional fiber used in fine hand made Oriental rug. Wool not only wears longer, it also keeps its good appearance and stays new-looking longers Oriental rugs. 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 attrat lint and dust from the air. Furthermore, the crimp in the wool fiber and the scales on the ouside of the fiber assist in keeping dirt from penetrating the surface-the same qualities also make it easier to clean. Eaach 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 characteristic of the fiber of 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 iis a natural fiber of great durablility and strength. This natural fiber is arranged in a way that gives cotton unique properties of strength, durablity, a;nd 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 Olefing are petroleum products, derived from propylene and ethylene gasses. The polypropylene fiber is characterized by its resistance to moisture. It is strong, abrasion resistant, quick drying, colorfast, mildew resestant, 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 predying 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 characteritics. 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

Faux Silk: "False Silk" is usually a synthetic, such as polyester fibers or 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.

Question:

What is a Tufted Rug?

Answer:

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.

Question:

What is a Hooked Rug?

Answer:

A Hooked Rug is made using a 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.

Question:

What is a Hand Knotted Rug?

Answer:

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.

Question:

What is a Tibetan Hand Knot?

Answer:

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.

Question:

What is a Power Loomed Rug?

Answer

A Power Loomed Rug is constructed on an electrically powered machine, now usually computer controlled.

Question

What is a Needlepoint Rug?

Answer

A Needlepoint Rug is made using a technique,  in which wool yarns are worked on canvas using the same method as a needlepoint pillow.

Question

What is a Flat Weave Rug?

Answer

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

Question

What is Warp and Weft in an Area Rug?

Answer

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.