Types of Rug Construction
October 21, 2014 06:18:30pm
Rug construction is an art form that was perfected centuries ago. Early rugs were created by skilled craftsmen and studied by apprentices, and their ancient methods are still practiced today. Machinery has since been introduced as an alternative way to make rugs, but little has changed in the age-old methods of fine rug construction.
Basic Elements Of Rug Construction
Rugs are usually either tufted or woven, with a few exceptions, such as leather and animal skin. They can be made in any size, from small personal prayer rugs to vast expanses that cover the floor of an entire room. A rug may be woven or created by one person, or it may require multiple workers. The looms and frames upon which they are created can likewise be built to accommodate any size of rug. Rugs are most commonly made of wool, cotton, silk, jute, or blends of one or more. Synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester were introduced in recent decades, and are used to create blends or reinforce contemporary rugs. Threads and yarns are richly dyed before they are used to create vivid patterns and color fields. Until the 1880s, dyes were derived from plants, minerals, and insects. Synthetic dyes were later introduced, and though their color tends to fade less than the natural dyes, many rug collectors and aficionados still prefer the look of the original style of dye.
Construction Of Woven Rugs
A woven rug is constructed using a loom as the tool to create a pattern of “warp” and “weft” yarns. Warp yarns are tightly stretched across the loom and form the lengthwise core of the rug. Weft yarns are then woven between the warp yarns. This interlacing of warp and weft forms the structure of the rug and is known as the “foundation,” and all woven rugs begin with this foundation. Most types of woven rug are then filled in with “pile” thread, which is the yarn woven among the warp and weft to create the finished product.
Types Of Woven Rugs:
1. Hand-knotted rug or Oriental rug
Oriental rug construction originated in Asia, and the weaving methods have been adopted by other countries and cultures, each adding their own distinctive patterns or style. Oriental rugs and hand-knotted rugs are constructed by forming the foundation of warp and weft, then hand-knotting thousands of knots of pile yarn onto the warp and weft into different patterns. Most of these rugs are created using one of two kinds of knot. The Persian (or Senneh) knot is made by twisting the pile and warp yarns together, making an asymmetrical pattern. The Turkish (or Ghiordes) knot, on the other hand, is made by tying the yarns, making a symmetrical pattern.
The knots on a rug are counted as a way to indicate the labor-intensity of the rug and the exquisiteness of the thread. The counting of the knots reveals the “knot density,” or the number of knots per unit of surface area (usually per square inch or square centimeter). The number of knots per unit is proportional to the quality of the carpet, though it is important to consider the material used, since knots made from silk thread would be considerably smaller than knots made from wool thread.
2. Hand-woven rug or flat-woven rug
A hand-woven or flat-woven rug consists of the warp and weft foundation, but no pile.
3. Machine-woven: In this method, the foundation and the pile are manufactured simultaneously, with pile yarns being mechanically inserted while the warp and weft yarns are being interlaced.
Construction Of Tufted Rugs
Using this construction method, a canvas is stretched onto a frame to form the foundation or backing of the rug. The design for the rug is drawn onto the canvas, and yarn pile is punched or stitched through the canvas backing to create the design. The pile comes through in loops which are then either left looped or uniformly cut. Finally, an adhesive and second layer of fabric are applied to the bottom of the rug to hold the tufts into place.
Types Of Tufted Rugs
1. Hand-tufted rug: Hand-tufted rugs are created using a handheld tool called a “tufting gun” to punch the yarn through the canvas backing.
2. Machine-tufted rug: In this method, the machine feeds yarn into the foundation backing.
Other Rug Types
Woven and tufted rugs are the most popular kinds of rug, but other types do exist.
- Braided rug – This type of rug is made by twisting yarn or fabric scraps, and braiding wool or nylon around them to make a rope or cord. The cord is then coiled and stitched together, usually into a circle or oval shape.
- Hooked rug – This type of rug is made by punching yarn through a course backing to create a looped pile pattern.
- Patchwork rug – This type of rug is created by stitching together scraps or squares of fabric to create a pattern or mosaic.
- Rag rug – This type of rug is made using scraps of fabric that have been cut on the bias and and twisted together and woven on a cotton or linen warp.
The methods used to construct rugs have not changed much over the last several thousand years, and neither has the value placed on these rugs, as reflections of history, culture, art, and craftsmanship. Fine rugs hang in museums, palaces, and archives alike, and are sought and coveted by collectors around the world. Beautiful woven and tufted rugs also decorate our own homes as flooring or wall hangings, allowing each of us to enjoy this ancient art form for ourselves.
Professional Rug Cleaning Service For Your Own Rugs
All rugs require maintenance and cleaning from time to time. The oldest method of rug cleaning is to wash by hand in a rug bath, and it is still the most effective method. Jacksonville is home to RugPro Oriental Rug Cleaning, Northeast Florida’s best Oriental rug cleaning service. Whether your rugs need to simply be dusted as routine maintenance, or whether they are in need of a thorough deep cleaning, we have the tools, the training, and the expertise for the job.
