Machine Made area rugs are made on large mechanical looms. The loom is strung with a jute warp, and then woven using nylon, polypropylene, wool or other material. Computer operated machines produce a number of styles in various sizes from a predetermined set of colors. More than 40 shades can be achieved in a single area rug although they commonly have 6-12 colors. Machine-made area rugs have become very popular due their lower pricing and perceived value lower pricing.
Braided area rugs are constructed in several different ways, including tape, tubular, yarn and flat. In the tradition of early America from which braided area rugs were created, these area rugs may be woven with many different materials such as wool, clothing, old blankets, nylon and blends.
Flat Weave area rugs are less expensive, easier to make and are usually made of wool, cotton, bamboo, or nylon. Because they are looped, flat weave area rugs do not have a pile and are reversible. This category also includes Kilims, Dhurries and Soumaks.
Hand Hooked rugs are a combination of a Needle Point and Hand Tufted rugs. Beginning with a piece of burlap fabric, the weaver sews the design through the material, leaving a short loop on the finished side. In order to create texture in the design, some of the loops can be trimmed while others remain intact. Latex is applied to the back of the rug to secure the fibers, and finally the back is covered with canvas.
Hand Tufted rugs are hand made by skilled artisans. Weavers loop wool through a primary backing, leaving the wool loose in the rug. A natural latex adhesive is then applied to the back of the rug to secure the wool loops, and a secondary coating is added for finishing. Although the process of manufacturing Hand Tufted rugs is shorter than that of a Hand Knotted rug, each rug remains a unique, handmade work of art.
Hand Knotted rugs represent the finest quality and craftsmanship. Each rug begins with a background of vertical warp threads. The weaver then skillfully ties individual knots of horizontal weft threads to create an overall design. Hand Knotted rugs require great expertise and can take many months to years to construct depending on the size density and intricacy in design, thus they are the most expensive.
