If you’re in the process of shopping for new area rugs for your home, then it’s absolutely critical that you know how to identify all the intricate differences between hand-knotted rugs and machine-made rugs. Although the vast majority of rug outlets wouldn’t ever lie to you, there are some unfortunate scenarios in which rug shoppers are misled to think they’ve purchased something that they in fact didn’t.
You don’t want to be that type of rug shopper, which is why we’ve teamed up with the rug industry experts at Rug Source to help us develop this list of 5 questions that rug shoppers should ask themselves while they’re undergoing their shopping process. Most handmade rugs will generally be more expensive as compared to machine-made counterparts, and this is because they’ve been perfectly crafted for longevity and incredible contrast.
By going through this list of 5 self-questions, you’ll put your rug shopping experience in the best position for success!
Does the rug have a tag on the back?
If any area rug just so happens to have a tag attached to the back of it, then you’re more than likely looking at a machine-made area rug. Although there are extenuating circumstances in which a handmade rug will feature a tag, it’s very rare.
So if you do just so happen to see a tag, then you should make sure that you’re inquiring about the price and manufacturing process of the rug to ensure that it’s what you’re looking for.
What material is the rug made of?
Essentially all hand-knotted rugs are made using natural materials look wool, silk, cotton or a combination of several natural materials. The truth is that there are more and more area rugs out there that look fantastic but in fact are made from synthetic fibers like nylon or polypropylene. Although these synthetic rugs are still good options for many people, it’s important to understand that they’re always machine-made and will likely have less overall durability.
Where was the rug made?
If your rug was made in the United States or Western Europe, then there’s a high likelihood that it’s machine-made. Even countries like Italy and Belgium where artisan craftsmanship is commonplace will generally develop rugs via machines.
If you want a truly handmade, hand-knotted area rug, then you’ll want one that was made in countries like Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, China, India or Nepal.
Can you notice if the fringe is sewn on?
It’s always really important to closely examine the fringe of a rug that you’re interested in, because the fringe will speak volumes about the actual manufacturing process. The main thing you’ll want to notice is whether or not the fringe is a part of the rug as a whole, or if it has been sewn on separately.
If the fringe is legitimately a part of the area rugs weaves and wefts, then you can be pretty certain that it is in fact handmade. However, if the fringe has been glued or sewn on to the rug separately after the initial development stages, then it’s a telltale sign that the rug is machine-made.
Have you closely examined the back side of the rug?
When you very carefully examine the back side of a hand-knotted area rug, you’ll notice that there are many differences between the back sides of machine-made rugs.
Handmade rugs feature edges that aren’t perfectly straight, and you’ll likely see at least some white knots when examining the back side. But when you look at machine-made area rugs, you’ll generally see many white lines all throughout the back side running from one end to the other. These white lines on the back sides of machine-made rugs are there because they’re actually the foundation yarns that aren’t featured on authentic hand-knotted area rugs.
Reach Out To The Experts At Rug Source To Learn More About Shopping For Authentic Hand-Knotted Area Rugs!
If you truly want a real, hand-knotted area rug, then you’re going to need to do your research and be careful while examining your favorite options. Although machine-made rugs make sense for a lot of rug shoppers, they aren’t the top of the line that many other people prefer.