What Rug Materials
Do I Need To Know About?

Whatever reason homemakers have for looking at area rugs, rug materials are one of the most important considerations. This must not be overlooked when you think about your other reasons, such as aesthetics, cosmetic effects, and acoustic impact on a room. Let's look at what is available.

Natural fibers

Natural fibers are those that obviously come from natural sources like plants and trees. The two most common natural fibers are wool and cotton, but silk is in the mix as well. Each has its own set of benefits, but wool is the most common fiber used for area rugs.

Silk (Natural)

Because of its high value, silk is often used to add accent colors in high-end wool rugs. These delicate accents enhance the look and styling of a rug, and increase its price, as well. Silk feels luxuriously soft. The Chinese have used this material to make an entire rug, but such rugs have been some of the most expensive.

Faux (or False) silk

Faux silk is usually a synthetic, such as polyester fibers (viscose or rayon). Mercerized cotton is also used as a silk look-alike. Also called "art silk," faux silk is usually used as a small accent or in a short, dense pile construction.

Wool

Wool is soft to the touch and bounces back well under use. This fiber can be dyed easily in a wide array of colors, hues and patterns. Wool also provides a natural acoustic benefit as well, as it tends to absorb sound. This can soften an echo in some situations, and eliminate it in others.

Wool is the traditional fiber used in fine hand-made Oriental rugs. Besides wearing longer, rug materials consisting of wool also keep their good appearance and look new for a longer period of time. They resists dirt, retains its appearance, and can stay cleaner longer.

Wool's ability to absorb dyes differently than synthetic material also gives these rugs a more authentic look.

While there are many grades of wool, long staple wool from New Zealand is regarded as the most effective for area rugs.

Worsted Wool

Worsted wool results from an additional step in wool processing. This consists of combing out shorter fibers. This results in yarns that are both durable and lustrous.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber of great durability and strength. This fiber is structured in a way that gives cotton unique properties of strength, durability, and absorbency. Each fiber is comprised of 20-30 layers of cellulose coiled in a neat series of natural springs.

Cotton is soft and can be purchased in just as wide an array of colors and hues as wool. Rug materials made solely from cotton will catch fire, though, and burn rather quickly. Therefore, they would not be a good choice, if the rug is to be placed near a hearth or flame of some sort. Like wool, cotton is durable and easy to clean as well.

Synthetic fibers

Now there are several rug materials made from synthetics we need to look at. The common ones are listed here:

Nylon

Nylon is well-known, durable, synthetic rug materials whose fibers have good dyeing characteristics. Nylon rug fibers (yarns) can be solution dyed, skein dyed or space dyed. They can be manufactured in any color imaginable. This is a very durable fiber and is well used where furniture will be set upon it. Nylon also cleans easily (a big plus for those with kids!)

Olefin or polypropylene

Polypropylene or Olefin fibers are petroleum products. They are derived from propylene and ethylene gases. Resistance to moisture is a major characteristic of the polypropylene fiber. These rug materials are strong, abrasion resistant, quick drying, colorfast, and resist mildew, soil and stains.

Because its fibers have the lowest density of all manufactured rug materials, olefin textiles have a very lightweight quality.

This is the most widely used synthetic fiber. Olefin has a remarkably wool-like feel and holds its color well. So, it looks like new for a long time and is an affordable option to natural wool.

Heat-set Polypropylene

Heat-set Polypropylene is a man-made fiber created by a process known as extrusion. Extrusion involves the pre-dyeing of pellets that are then melted and extruded into continuous fibers. Polypropylene's properties are still present in its heat-set form. These built-in features make it attractive for use in rug materials.

Treating the twisted yarns with heat enables rugs to retain a "permanent wave" for better performance and retention of appearance.

Polyester

Notoriously durable, strong and very soft when made into layered plies. This is commonly used in furniture construction, which testifies to its durability.

Acrylic

This is a material that can be added to other synthetics as a cost cutting maneuver. The result is a more affordable product.

Rayon

Made of cellulose, which is in the walls of all plant cells, and is the main substance of wood and cotton, rayon is a man-made alternative to expensive silk. The look and feel is almost identical, but at a fraction of the cost.

BCF(Bulk Continuous Filament)

Bulked continuous filament yarns are synthetic yarns that have been processed by a mechanical means to fluff them out before tufting or weaving.

Any of these synthetic fibers can be combined for vast differences in softness, durability and versatility. Of course the natural fibers (wool, cotton and silk) will carry a higher price tag. If money is no object, then that is the way you should

However, for the majority of us who have to watch every penny, area rugs and floor rugs constructed from synthetic fibers are the way to go.

Area rugs made from synthetic rug materials are long lasting, strong, and most are abrasion resistant. If you have small children in the house, that is an important factor, indeed.

So there you have it in a nutshell. Based on your placement, how much traffic the rug will see, what (if anything) will be set on it and the cost, there are many materials to select from.

A Final Note

If you want to leap right in and do some pre-shopping for rugs made from various materials, I'm sure you'll find the rug that suits your choice in design, material, color, type of weave, and size at one of the recommended sources below.

I can assure you I took great care to select each one. Each ranks high in customer satisfaction, and they have quality rugs in many price ranges, a sure bet they can satisfy their customers' needs.

Silk Area Rugs
Silk area rugs, the most costly of area rugs, are made in many parts of the world, especially Asia.

Bamboo Area Rugs
Bamboo area rugs are more than just some reeds woven together.

The Chenille Area Rug
The chenille area rug has been around for over a century, and they are here to stay.

The Cotton Area Rug
When it comes to owning a cotton area rug, one of the main benefits is that you can easily clean it.

Wool Area Rugs
Wool area rugs are a great way to warm up a room, both in character, and as insulation against an otherwise cold floor.

The Jute Area Rug
Simple, elegant and durable are good words to describe a jute area rug.

Nylon Area Rugs
Nowadays most people prefer nylon area rugs as a choice for an integral part of their home decor. Find out why.

Olefin Area Rugs
Olefin area rugs are what you need to look at from when your old area rug is now redundant and you are looking for a replacement.


Return to Top of Area Rug Materials


Return to My Area Rugs Guide Home