What to consider

MANY FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING AN AREA RUG:

1. SPECIFIC USAGE : Heartier and/or darker rugs should be considered for high traffic areas. Consider an all over design in a dining room or a graphic rug for the living room. In the end, the choice is always very personal.

2. SIZE: Very important piece of information you must have when looking for a rug.

3. COLOR: Extremely important information, if you have fabric samples or swatches bring them with you when selecting a rug, it is very helpful.

4. BUDGET: This helps determine the type of rug you should be looking at.

5. PATTERN: Are you looking for a pattern that is traditional or modern, an all over design, or a border rug, with or without a medallion, geometric or floral?

6. INTRICACY OF DESIGN: Are you interested in a very detailed, ornate pattern or a simple pattern?

7. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Persia (Iran), China, Indian, Tibetan, Pakistan, Romania, Egypt, Armenia, etc. There are good, medium and low grade from every region.

8. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS: Carpets from specific regions have very distinctive looks that are unique to their culture. For example, typical Persian carpets have a very unique look vs. typical Chinese carpets. Choosing one over another is a very personal decision.

9. QUALITY OF THE WOOL OR SILK: This is something we look at when selecting rugs for our showrooms. Quality is important as it affects the longevity of the rug and its’ response to cleaning.

10. QUALITY OF THE DYES: Again important in our selection process, the quality of the dyes used in the rugs affect the color stability in the rug.

11. KNOTS PER SQUARE INCH: The knots per square inch affect the design and feel of the rug; the more knots per square inch, the finer, more detailed the design, low knot counts are usually in less detailed, more rustic or tribal styled rugs.

12. DENSITY: We look at this when selecting rugs. The density of the wool and knotting affect the wear-ability of the rugs. A 10% increase in density will result in a 25% increase in additional wear.

13. LUSTER: Very fine wool has a sheen or luster; it shines, reflects light and looks velvety.

14. WARP AND WEFT: The “skeletal system” of the carpet. This fiber is often cotton, however it is sometimes wool or silk, or a combination.

15. AGE: Are you interested in an older rug, an antique or semi-antique, or are you interested in something that is new? The age of the rug affects the feel and character of the rug and can also affect the cost.

16. CONDITION: Are you interested in an old rug that is in “perfect” condition? Condition directly affects cost.

17. IMPERFECTIONS: It is said only God is perfect. Imperfections are a natural byproduct of something that is handmade.

18. SHEARING: A rug needs to be sheared evenly (the pile height should be the same) from one end to the other.

19. THE FINISH: The ends – fringe or no fringe. The sides – wool binding or cotton.