![\"Rug](\"https:\/\/rugs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/rug-weaver.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe highest quality hand-knotted rugs will have hundreds of individual knots per square inch and can take months to complete. These rugs are truly works of art. However, this level of artistry does come at a cost, and hand-knotted rugs often have price tags of thousands of dollars. That isn\u2019t so bad when you think of them as investment pieces. Properly cared for, they can last decades and frequently become family heirlooms, many even increasing in value over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SHOP HAND-KNOTTED RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike hand-knotted rugs, where the structure of the rug is built as-you-go, hand-tufted rugs begin with a pre-made backing material of canvas or jute. Typically, the pattern of the rug is printed on this backing material. A worker is then able to use a hand-held tufting gun to push yarn through the backing material while following the pattern. These yarns are then held in place with another piece of fabric and glue. Because these yarns are not integrated into the structure of the rug like the knots of a hand-knotted rug, they are more likely to pull out. Compared to hand-knotted rugs, hand-tufted rugs can be made far more quickly and by less-skilled workers. While these types of rug are more prone to wear than hand-knotted rugs, they can be had for far cheaper as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP HAND-TUFTED RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Machine-made or power-loomed rugs sometimes get a bad rap. While it\u2019s true that machine-made rugs rarely match the quality of handmade rugs, advances in technology have gotten to the point where high-quality machine-made rugs can be had at fractions of the price of handmade rugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Made with computer-controlled looms, machine-made rugs are available in a huge variety of styles and patterns which are often far more precise than is possible with hand-made rugs. If you are looking for more modern patterns or are on a budget, machine-made rugs are a great option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP MACHINE-MADE RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, this article has focused primarily on \u201cpile rugs\u201d. That is, rugs that have bits of yarn rising off the backing material to form a soft \u201cpile\u201d. However, there are other types of rug to consider\u2014flatweave rugs. With flatweave rugs, there is no pile. Instead, the warp and weft that typically forms the backing material for a pile rug is the entirety of the construction. These rugs tend to be extremely durable, very easy to clean, and show very little wear, making them perfect for high-traffic areas. In the case of synthetic flatweaves, they\u2019re perfect outdoors. Handmade flatweaves like Kilims are also popular for their tribal designs that bring a global style to the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP FLATWEAVE RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The classic oval-shape of a natural fiber braided rug is a common sight across America. These types of rug are often traced to the American colonial period, when early settlers lacking looms and wool would make them from straw or scraps of clothing. Today, they are still popular in \u201ccountry\u201d style homes for their rustic look, but they have also made their way into more \u201cbohemian\u201d style d\u00e9cor 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP BRAIDED RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n How a rug is made is only part of the story. If you want to\nbe fully informed when buying a rug, it\u2019s important to know what it is made\nfrom as well. Depending on where and how your rug will be used, some materials\nwill be more suitable than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wool is the traditional material used in making rugs. It\u2019s\neasy to see why; wool is soft, strong, dyes beautifully, and is naturally stain\nresistant. The finest hand-knotted Persian and Oriental rugs, as well as many\nhand-tufted rugs, are made from wool. Of course, quality always comes at a cost,\nand wool rugs on average will be more expensive than those made with other\nmaterials. You should especially keep this in mind when buying a rug for a\nhigh-traffic area of your home. While wool is very durable and isn\u2019t\nnecessarily harder to clean than other materials, if you want to protect your\ninvestment you should still be hesitant to place an expensive wool rug in an\narea where it is likely to contact muddy shoes on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP WOOL RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Synthetics like polypropylene and polyester are far and away\nthe most common materials used to make rugs today. While these materials may\nnot match wool in every aspect, advances in technology have brought them to a\nplace where they are an extremely close approximation. Modern synthetic fibers\nare soft, durable, and available in a variety of textures for a fraction of the\nprice of wool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP POLYPROPELENE RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rugs made from natural plant fibers like sisal, seagrass and\njute have quickly become essential style items. While the browns and tans of\nthese materials provide the perfect neutral backdrop for any style, they are\nespecially at home among earthy, coastal, and bohemian d\u00e9cor. Natural fibers\ntend to be very strong and relatively low-cost. To achieve a earthy but\ncomfortable look, layer a softer rug over a larger flatweave natural rug. This\nis an especially great option in large rooms where you want the elegance of a hand-knotted\nrug but want to avoid the cost of room-sized one. The vibrant colors of a\nPersian rug against the neutral backdrop of a sisal rug creates a striking and\nattractive contrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One final note: while the earthy texture of natural fibers\nmakes them seem like an obvious choice for a deck or patio, you should be\ncareful when displaying a natural rug outdoors. Natural fibers, especially\njute, are extremely absorbent. If it rains, your rug is liable to develop mold,\nmildew, or harmful bacteria that could lead to discoloration, foul odors, and\ndry rot. If you do decide to use a natural rug outdoors, make sure it is in a\ncovered area and rolled up and stored when it rains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOP NATURAL RUGS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know a little more about the different ways rugs can be made and the materials used to make them, you should be a bit better equipped to choose the rug that is right for your needs. Rugs.com<\/a> has thousands of rugs in stock in every style, material, and construction. The perfect rug for you is just a click away!<\/p>\n\n\n\nHand-Tufted rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Machine-Made Rugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Rug](\"https:\/\/rugs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/powerloom.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFlatweave Rugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Braided Rugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rug Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wool Rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Synthetic Rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Natural Fiber Rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Find a rug that’s made for you!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n