Rug Materials

Rug descriptions use many terms that are common in the industry but not always familiar to shoppers. Materials and construction details can be confusing — especially online. Below is a glossary of rug weaves and rug materials to make your shopping experience easier.

Rug Weaves

1. Cut Pile — Area rugs whose tufts (loops) have been cut are known as cut pile. They feel soft underfoot and show footprints less than looped piles.
2. Flat-woven — Flatweave rugs consist of only weft and warp threads with no pile. They are often reversible. Thinner flat-weaves may need a rug pad to prevent slipping unless made with heavier fibers like wool.
3. Hand-knotted — Thousands of knots are tied to the weft (vertical) threads on a loom and secured by the warp (horizontal) threads. Among the most durable and collectible construction methods.
4. Hand-tufted — Yarn is punched through a backing by hand rather than by machine, then sheared and finished. Faster to produce than hand-knotted rugs with a plush feel.
5. Hand-woven — Woven entirely by hand on a loom. Includes flat-weaves, kilims, and some tribal styles.
6. Looped or Hooked Pile — Tufted rugs whose loops are left intact rather than cut. Durable and textured; ideal for high-traffic areas.
7. Tufted — Yarn is pushed through a mesh foundation with a needle or tufting gun. A latex or fabric backing secures the tufts.

Rug Materials

1. Abaca — Made from banana-plant leaves and stems. Strong and very durable.
2. Acrylic — A synthetic fiber often used in rug making; soft and colorfast.
3. Art silk — An artificial silk crafted from rayon, designed to look and feel like natural silk.
4. Bamboo — Natural bamboo fibers woven into rugs. Lightweight and eco-friendly.
5. Braided — Made in tape, tubular, yarn, or flat braids. Also called rag rugs when made from mixed recycled fabrics.
6. Canvas — Heavy cotton fabric, sometimes used as a backing or in flat-weave constructions.
7. Coir — Coconut husk fibers woven into coarse, durable rugs — popular for entryways.
8. Cotton — A natural fiber from the cotton plant. Lightweight, washable, and often used in flat-weaves.
9. Hemp — Natural fiber from cannabis-plant stalks. Grows quickly without pesticides — a renewable resource.
10. Jute — Made from corchorus plant stalks. Takes dye well and has a warm, earthy texture.
11. Mohair / Cashmere — Fine wools from different goat breeds; luxurious and soft.
12. New Zealand Wool — High lanolin content makes this wool especially durable and resilient.
13. Nylon — Synthetic fiber; more resilient and soil-resistant than many other synthetics.
14. Polyester — A popular synthetic used in rug making; holds color well and resists fading.
15. Polypropylene (Olefin) — Synthetic material that is stain-resistant and often used in indoor/outdoor rugs.
16. Seagrass — Woven from tall marsh-plant stems. Natural, neutral tones and very durable.
17. Silk — Natural protein fiber spun by silkworms. Often blended with wool for strength. Most silk rugs are hand-knotted or hand-woven.
18. Sisal — Made from agave leaves. Extremely strong and ideal for high-traffic areas.
19. Synthetic Fibers — Man-made materials that mimic the look and feel of wool at a lower price point.
20. Tibetan Wool — High lanolin content from Tibetan sheep gives this wool exceptional strength.
21. Wool — The most common rug material. Strong, durable, soft, and naturally water-, stain-, and soil-resistant.

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