BEST AREA RUG MATERIALS

Best area rug materials guide for your space right here.
There are plenty of unimaginable rug design innovations now and then. The art of rug developing is now not only weaving a piece of design but has taken leaps of new creativity.

The fiber in a rug determines the price of it. Every fiber has its feel to touch. Some rug materials are soft while some are more durable. Some are easy to clean while some are great for outdoors. Each material has there own pros and cons. Let us dive in and learn about a few of the types of carpet fibers to choose from.

Major Types Area Rug Materials Comparison

Here are some major types of  carpet fibers carpet manufacturers use  for making area rugs. 

  • Wool
  • Silk
  • Viscose
  • Cotton
  • Natural Fibre
  • Hide Rugs /Leather
  • Polypropylene
  • Microfiber/Polyester Rugs
  • Nylon

WOOL

Wool area rugs are number one and all-time best choice. Wool is the most common fibers used in carpets and area rugs. It is a natural material that is got from cutting the bulgy and curly of the sheep. It takes a few months for the hair of the sheep to grow back and are ready for another trim.

On dye, the hair of the sheep holds the dye color very well and hence is the perfect material for rug making. It is for this reason that rugs made of wool are the most expensive type of floor covering in the world. The most intricate Persian handmade rugs are of New Zealand wool.

The other major grades of wool to consider are the semi-worsted wool and the Bikaneri wool. Carpets made of these look equally fantastic and not so different.

SILK

These are different types of silk used when it comes to making silk rugs. The most expensive one is the one obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of Mulberry silkworms. Silk rugs not only give an overall premium look but they are so soft and smooth. They have a great sheen in it that feels wonderful underfoot.

The combination of  silk+wool yarn rugs is like one of the finest pieces of beauty to look for.

There are some types of silk that make beautiful and eclectic area rugs. Some are Kashmir silk, Real-silk, Saree silk, Viscose, Bamboo silk, Nyusilk, and others.

Bamboo silk
As the name suggests, bamboo silk comes from bamboo grass. The cut wood is then beaten and dried under the sun. They go through a filtration and cleaning process. The silk-like soft and shiny substances are skillfully extracted from the pulp.  They are then hand spun and made to a fabric thread. They form up an irregular (thick and thin) and curly finish thread. The texture gives a dark and light color variation. This is what bamboo silk area rugs are well-known for.

Sari silk
What is a sari? Sari(saree) is a traditional yet very popular form of the outfit worn by women in India. There are sarees made in many different fabrics. The most expensive ones are the ones made of silk fabric. Carpets made of sari silk speak for themselves. They are very soft, smooth and inexpensive compared to Real-silk.

VISCOSE

Viscose is also known as rayon, China silk, and artificial silk. They are one of the softest types of carpet fibers. They are soft, velvety, smooth and very comfy. You can come across many inexpensive rugs made of viscose in most carpet showrooms and shops. Do you know what is it that makes it the most fascinating, appealing and tempting to buy a viscose rug! It is of the fact that viscose resembles those very expensive and luxurious Real-silk area rugs.

Restrain viscose rugs from placing in moist areas because if water creeps in, it will stain it brown.

Viscose rugs also tend to shed so it is advisable to keep a nice vacuum cleaner to vacuum at least once a month.

COTTON

Cotton is another kind of fiber that rugs manufacturers produce area rugs out of it. Cotton fiber is widely used in making durry floor coverings and is usually very casual. They make up a fine piece of rag rugs and mats very suitable for the bathroom and kitchen. Cotton rugs lack strength, yet the absorbent quality & affordability make them in demand.

NATURAL FIBERS

There are many different kinds of raw fibers nature gives in ample. They help craft exquisite pieces of floor coverings like carpets and mats. These organic fibers are abundant in nature, so rugs made of them are inexpensive and affordable.

Some of the most popular natural fibers for carpets are:

  • Jute/hemp
  • Sisal
  • Seagrass

HIDE RUGS

Faux Fur/ Faux rugs are gorgeous. Hide-rug is a type of floor covering made from the skin of animals. A perfect hide rug is with the animal hair on it. Cowhide, sheepskin and goat hide are some examples to name. They are durable and soft. They come in organic shapes & sizes. They range from monochromatic color schemes to spotted rugs. They are fit for both the modern as well as traditional settings.

POLYPROPYLENE

Polypropylene (olefin) is synthetic fiber, kind of plastic but much better. They are stain-resistant fiber and long-lasting. In may have a little smell but disappears with time. So it becomes necessary to air out polypropylene rugs for a few days to diminish the odor before laying it down. The big advantage of polypropylene rug is that they are suitable for indoor as well as outdoor usage.

Most machine-made rugs use PP of its structure and the ease for the machine to handle in the weaving process.

Some of the pros and cons of polypropylene are:

What are the advantages of Polypropylene?

  • Polypropylene is not toxic to humans as many fear. They are the safest of all kinds of plastics.
  • Area rugs made of polypropylene benefits the rug manufactures and rug buyers. They are lightweight and save money.
  • Do polypropylene rugs smell? No, they don’t smell for too long. Air out for a few days and the smell diminishes. The PP thin-walled containers are also used for food packaging.
  • Polypropylene is better than plastic. They are non-stretchable and are not like polyethylene. In comparison to polyethylene, they are pure. They are immune to chemicals & organic solvents. Polypropylene is stronger and more durable than plastic.

What are the disadvantages of polypropylene?

  • First, they are unnatural fabrics and not as durable as wool. The other cons are:
  • Their high thermal expansion limits their high-temperature application.
  • They are flammable.
  • They are also susceptible to UV degradation and oxidation.
  • It is not easy to dye these fabrics as they have bad bonding properties.

POLYESTER

Polyester are often microfiber made. They are light and a good alternative if you want to avoid suede and acrylic fibers. Polyester rugs are soft, comfortable and inexpensive.

NYLON

Nylon is a very popular synthetic fiber that even are carpets made of it. It is one one the strongest materials and by and for the most durable fiber. Carpet and rugs made of nylon can last as many as even 100 years. They are perfect for heavy foot traffic places like the entryway, etc.

Nylon absorbs color dye very well, this is why you will find nylon rugs in a wide range of colors.
It is easy to clean by self by simply using chlorine bleach as they are so colorfast fiber.

FQAs About Rug Materials Guide

What is the best rug material for high traffic area?
Nylon is the best rug material for high foot-traffic areas. Carpet fibers like wool are durable up to a hundred years if taken good care. Nylon fiber rugs are good enough for wet areas like bathrooms as well.

What rug materials to avoid?
This depends on where you are going to place the rug. Avoid viscose and jute material from wet areas and pets. Avoid wool area rugs from outdoor usage. Their color tends to fade when exposed to sunlight.

What is the best rug material for baby?
Babies love to crawl and play on area rugs. So choosing the right carpet fiber for them is very essential. Shag rugs are more fun comfortable. If choosing other materials then prefer a low pile rug. High pile area rugs can carry more soil or dust with them. Next, look for a rug fiber that has a natural color dye on them and no harmful chemicals.
Last, make sure air out and vacuum time to time to filter out any microfibers within them.

Are microfiber rugs good
Microfibers are often polyester made. Microfiber rugs are soft, comfortable and durable. The main disadvantage of microfibers is that they are very absorbent. So they are not suitable for wet areas.

What is the best rug material for dogs? (OR) What is the best rug material for pets?
Nylon(or nylon blend) and polypropylene rugs are suitable for dogs and other pets. These materials are stain-resistant as well as are durable. It’s easy to clean these rugs except for oil-based pigments. You can also consider hide rugs(cowhide). They are pet-friendly and easy to clean and maintain.

What is the best type of carpet fiber?
Wool is the best material. They are soft and easy to clean. Wool material area rugs are also durable and they hide soil on them very well.

What is the most durable rug material?
Wool and nylon material rugs are some of the most durable rugs.

What type of rug is easiest to keep clean?
Polypropylene is one of the best rug materials for durability. They are synthetic and affordable. Besides durability they are easy to clean, they are comfy and soft. Consider spot cleaning and vacuuming to keep them last longer.

Are wool or polyester rugs better?
Wool is a natural fiber. They come from sheep of different varieties. NZ wool is the one considered the finest wool of all. Polyester, but, is synthetic. They are strong and soft but do not carry foot-traffic as wool rugs do. Polyester rugs are not as durable as wool.

Which carpet fiber is better wool or polypropylene?
Both have their pros and cons. Polypropylene is easier to clean but has bad resilience so their fiber bends on one side easily. This is not the case with wool. Wool fiber tends to bounce back to its original position and does not stay flattened for long. 

Is Viscose good material for rugs?
These artificial silk beautiful rugs and are a perfect fit anywhere in the house. Just keep in mind to lay them in dry places only, away from moisture. They are not favorable for high traffic areas, pets and kids.