Area Rug Materials, Buyer"s Guide
There is no lack of variety when it comes to buying an area rug for your home.
Rugs can be found in every color, shape, size and price range.
Rugs are also made from a variety of different materials and techniques.
Let's take a look at some of the different materials rugs are made from and how material can affect your purchase decision.
Area Rug Materials Wool: Wool is an amazing natural fiber for rugs to be made from.
Wool is water repellent, fire repellent and extremely durable.
Wool also does not promote static making wool rugs perfect for using around electronics, children and more.
Wool rugs take color dye nicely which allows for a wide variety of colors and beautiful designs.
A great benefit of wool rugs, which it has over its man made rug material cousins, is that it is a natural fiber, and therefore a green, Earth friendly choice for your home.
Polypropylene Rugs: Polypropylene, sometimes called polypropene, is a material created by the chemical industry and has many applications from thermal underwear to loudspeakers and also area rugs.
Polypropylene rugs have some great benefits.
This material can create beautiful, durable rugs that don't break the bank.
Many rugs made with polypropylene are so durable that they can even be used outdoors.
The tough synthetic fiber is also ideal for years of vacuuming and therefore is a great option for someone with pets or children.
Nylon: Nylon is also a common material used to make rugs, most notably the silky shaggy rugs that are so inviting to bare toes.
Nylon was designed as a cheaper, man made alternative to silk and has since been used for a variety of purposes including musical strings, bridal veils and more.
Nylon is an inexpensive material which makes it appealing to those who are not looking exclusively for a natural fiber rug.
Silk: Silk is another natural fiber used to make rugs, but is lacking the great advantages of wool's durability and toughness, so often rugs are made with both materials.
Silk, as many know, is amazing to the touch and touts an appearance and feel of total luxury.
With a price tag to match, silk rugs are made to impress, but will not hold up well in a regular busy household.
Silk rugs require professional cleaning and are best kept in low traffic areas.
These are just a handful of the materials that rugs are made from, but a good starting point to see the differences and similarities between different rugs.
It is important to understand the differences between man made and natural materials, since both are readily available.
Consider the traffic volume of the area your rug will be in as well the "feel" you are going for with your rug purchase and you will naturally lean towards one material over another and this will make your purchase decision easier.
Rugs can be found in every color, shape, size and price range.
Rugs are also made from a variety of different materials and techniques.
Let's take a look at some of the different materials rugs are made from and how material can affect your purchase decision.
Area Rug Materials Wool: Wool is an amazing natural fiber for rugs to be made from.
Wool is water repellent, fire repellent and extremely durable.
Wool also does not promote static making wool rugs perfect for using around electronics, children and more.
Wool rugs take color dye nicely which allows for a wide variety of colors and beautiful designs.
A great benefit of wool rugs, which it has over its man made rug material cousins, is that it is a natural fiber, and therefore a green, Earth friendly choice for your home.
Polypropylene Rugs: Polypropylene, sometimes called polypropene, is a material created by the chemical industry and has many applications from thermal underwear to loudspeakers and also area rugs.
Polypropylene rugs have some great benefits.
This material can create beautiful, durable rugs that don't break the bank.
Many rugs made with polypropylene are so durable that they can even be used outdoors.
The tough synthetic fiber is also ideal for years of vacuuming and therefore is a great option for someone with pets or children.
Nylon: Nylon is also a common material used to make rugs, most notably the silky shaggy rugs that are so inviting to bare toes.
Nylon was designed as a cheaper, man made alternative to silk and has since been used for a variety of purposes including musical strings, bridal veils and more.
Nylon is an inexpensive material which makes it appealing to those who are not looking exclusively for a natural fiber rug.
Silk: Silk is another natural fiber used to make rugs, but is lacking the great advantages of wool's durability and toughness, so often rugs are made with both materials.
Silk, as many know, is amazing to the touch and touts an appearance and feel of total luxury.
With a price tag to match, silk rugs are made to impress, but will not hold up well in a regular busy household.
Silk rugs require professional cleaning and are best kept in low traffic areas.
These are just a handful of the materials that rugs are made from, but a good starting point to see the differences and similarities between different rugs.
It is important to understand the differences between man made and natural materials, since both are readily available.
Consider the traffic volume of the area your rug will be in as well the "feel" you are going for with your rug purchase and you will naturally lean towards one material over another and this will make your purchase decision easier.
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