Rug Construction 101

Rugs are the perfect addition to a room to help everything come together, ground the space, or add some personality. When it comes to selecting a rug, there are many components to think about beyond how it will look like in your space. It can be easy to confuse the different terms that are used when describing how a rug is made. This guide covers the main 5 types of rug construction and how that can effect a rug’s price, look, thickness, softness, durability, and function.

01

Hand Knotted Rugs || This process is well known for the detailed construction of individually tying knots by hand using a special loom. Because of the time it takes to make, their custom nature and longevity, as well as the high quality materials used, these rugs are understandably sold at a higher price point. Usually made of wool, these rugs are soft but have a lower pile.

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02

Hand Woven Rugs || This construction is created similar to weaving a basket and are often referred to as flat weaves because they have no pile. The front and back also look the same, making these rugs reversible.

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03

Hand Loomed Rugs || This construction is usually identified by the rug pile being separated into linear rows. This happens because the rug is made with a vertical shaft loom by hand. These rugs are usually made with soft materials and have a slight pile.

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04

Power Loomed Rugs || Rugs with this construction are made by a machine, where the patterns are digitally created or printed by a computer. Rugs are produced at a higher rate and less labor, making them a more affordable option. These rugs are flat and have a lower pile.

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05

Hand Hooked/Tufted Rugs || A tufting gun punches yarn through a sheet and is then backed with fabric to keep the yarn in place. The dense construction gives these rugs a thick, soft and full feel. Depending on the type of material used to create the rug will change the pricepoint.

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