Difference Between Rugs and Carpets

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As the terms carpet and are inclined to be used identically, there is, in fact, quite a difference between those two. Both Rugs and carpets describe a thick piece of cloth, usually woven from natural fibers like silk, wool, jute, and cotton or synthetic materials used for decorative purposes.

The patterns or techniques used can differ to a great extent, depending on the region or the year or the method in which the given carpet or rug was woven.

When carpets are permanently attached to the floors and cannot be removed that easily, rugs are area-specific, cover just a small area, and can be removed easily.

Difference Between a Rugs and a Carpets

 What does a Rug mean?

The term rug is of Scandinavian origin, probably from Old Norse rogg, meaning “shaggy tuft” or Proto-Germanic rawwa, which was probably related to the words “rag” and “rough”.

In English, the word was used for the first time in the 15th century, much later than its equivalent, but with similar meaning.

Rugs are generally defined as being of smaller size (no longer than 6.5 feet) than carpets. Conventionally, if cloth covers space of approximately 40 square feet, it is considered to be a rug.

Their most characteristic feature, however, is the fact that rugs usually have a bound edge, contrary to carpets. They can be moved freely on the floor which is a great advantage for many people, as rugs are easier in terms of transportation and maintenance.

Normally, rugs are placed in the center of any given accommodation or nearby furniture such as beds or sofas.

What does a Carpet mean?

 

The word carpet originates from the Old French carpite, “heavy decorated cloth”, or Italian carpita, “thick woolen cloth”, which comes from Latin “to card, to pluck”.

The term itself was first used in the English language in the 13th century, with the meaning of “coarse cloth” or “tablecloth”. It wasn’t until the 15th century when the meaning shifted to the one we know today – floor covering. Carpets are characterized by their size, often defined as stretching from and/or being fixed in one place. While carpets are normally laid on the floor, in some regions of the word, like Russia, they are used as wall coverings. They tend to be quite thick, giving a luxurious feel whenever you walk on them, paired with an exquisite pattern design. Hand-woven carpets can be very pricy, with famed Persian ones being the most sought-after and therefore, the most expensive. While machine-made carpets usually have less unique patterns, their lower price and precision of manufacturing compensates for this. Their maintenance can be a little costlier and time-consuming than that of rugs, which is to be expected because of their size.

Which is easy to use Rug or Carpet?

Rugs can be easily taken from one place to another. If a person wants to have the rug placed in another room, it is possible.

But in the case of carpet, this is not possible. If a person shifts a house, he can easily transport rugs but not so with carpets.

Rugs can be used as a centerpiece, hung on walls, as a bed rug or foot rug.

Unlike carpets, rugs come in many patterns and styles.

As carpets are very large, it is hard to clean them.

Cleaning rugs, however, is very easy.

Which among rugs or carpets have a better design?

Since rugs come in different styles and patterns. Rugs are far costlier than carpets.

How are rugs made?

Flatweave rugs

This is one of the most common handmade technique to produce a rug, that is the flat weave. Also dating back to ancient times, the process doesn’t involve a pile and instead is just one thin single weave. You may think this means less durability, but really these rugs are as hardened as their hand-knotted or machine-made counterparts.

Machinemade rugs

Essentially, This age of technology has taken the ancient techniques of old and updated them to modern standards. There’s nothing like a handcrafted rug, but with all the modern equipment on hand, contemporary rugs are much more efficiently produced.

Hand-tufted rugs

There is then the rug-making process that’s blurring the lines between handmade and machine manufactured – hand tufting. During this process, the rug pile is handwoven, but to create the loop pile, a drill gun inserts the pile into the foundation. The resulting loop pile can then be sheared, which known as a cut pile, or if not sheared then it’s known as a hand-hooked rug.

Handmade rugs

This is probably one of the most time-consuming rug making technique, but with the highest quality output, as hand-knotting. The ancient technique sees the rug experts insert ‘knots’ into the foundation of the rug and then tie by hand – this section is called the ‘pile.

How Carpets are made?

 

Carpets are made handmade in a loom. The size of the loom differs from the size of the carpets. Carpets are very uniquely knotted. The quality of carpets differs from the number of knots at the time of making.

Rugs Vs carpets – Which Lasts longer?

When compared to rugs, carpets are tougher counterparts. They are very durable and stain-resistant. Carpets also come in many styles, colors, and patterns. In thickness, carpets are thicker than rugs. As the thickness increases, the carpet is more luxurious, and there is a great feeling when walking on it. Rugs are more expensive than carpets. It can be seen that rugs are treasured by families and are even passed from one generation to another

Another thing is that carpets can wear out very much faster than rugs. If a rug wears out, it can be replaced easily. Rugs can slide and slip easily, but a double-stick or rug pad can be used to prevent it. If carpets get worn, the only alternative is to change the whole carpets.