 | Jason Jabara is the current manager at Jabara’s Carpet Galerie. After graduating from WSU, the family business became a large part of Jason’s adult life. His father Tom, mother Susan, brother Josh and his uncle George assisted in that endeavor to a large degree. Perhaps one of Jason’s greatest strengths is his hands-on approach. Jason can be reached by calling (316) 267-2585 or you may visit their website @ www.jabaras.com. |
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2008-12-31 10:43:00
Rugs for area rooms
Answer: These are all good questions. I will try and answer as many as I can.
Question: Are wool rugs better than synthetic rugs?
Answer: Synthetic area rugs generally resist staining and soiling better than wool area rugs, although wool provides excellent stain resistance if caught quickly. Wool fibers are available in hand and machine-made area rugs, but synthetic area rugs are usually more affordable. Wool tends to wear longer than synthetic fibers, because the natural tendency of wool fiber is to stretch rather than break. The protein core of a wool fiber absorbs dye well, which creates a softer appearance compared to synthetic fibers.
Question: What is a hand-tufted area rug?
Answer: Hand-tufted area rugs are usually created by punching yarn in a cloth that is attached to a frame, and then gluing the back with latex after hooking the yarn. The surface loop pile is then sheared to produce a flat surface. This process creates an area rug that is very plush, generally less expensive and easier to make than hand-knotted area rugs.
Question: How long will my area rug last?
Answer: Area rug durability is generally determined by the material, construction, and amount of traffic in a space. By carefully considering where the area rug will be placed and how it will be used, you can anticipate its longevity. You may want to view an expected longevity chart, available at most outlets.
Question: Do some countries produce better area rugs than others?
Answer: Every type of area rug from different countries has the potential for excellent quality...as well as problems.
Question: What area rug size do I need for my room?
Answer: There are no precise guidelines for selecting an area rug for a room, other than a dining area. A good method to determine the right size is to spread bed linens as a substitute to approximate the size, take measurements, and choose the closest size available. In a dining area, measure the table and provide at least four additional feet to the length and width. In this manner, the chair legs remain on the area rug when pulled away from the table.
Question: Will my area rug fade?
Answer: Synthetic dyes last longer than natural dyes. In areas with high sun exposure, some fading may occur, so consider the space in which you will place the area rug. Most area rugs will provide years of vibrant color that do not fade under normal light conditions.
Question: Is a rug pad necessary?
Answer: We strongly encourage the use of an area rug underlay to protect your area rug from abrasion, impact and cleaning. A quality rug pad (underlay) can add years to the life of your area rug while providing additional safety and acoustic benefits.
Question: My area rug just arrived, and it appears to be creased. Do I have a problem?
Answer: During shipping, many area rugs develop creases or the pile gets compressed, which usually disappears within two weeks.
Question: What is a Hooked Rug?
Answer: Rug-making process by which craftsmen insert yarn – which can be any fiber - into a backing with a hand held needle tufting tool. The machine is often called a ‘gun’. The rug’s pattern is stenciled on primary backing material. After the tufting is complete, a latex backing is attached to protect and anchor the stitches. The pile of a hand hooked rug is made up of loops. Rugs may also combine cut and loop techniques.
Question: What is a Hand Knotted Rug?
Answer: A Hand Knotted rug is made by weavers who knot pile yarns around the warp fibers that run the length of the rug. Generally, the more knots per square inch, the more valuable the rug.
Question: What is a Tibetan Hand Knot?
Answer: Tibetan Knot: A distinctive rug-weaving technique now used in other regions as well as in Tibet. A temporary rod, which establishes the length of pile, is put in front of the ‘warp’. A continuous yarn is looped around two ‘warps’ and then once around the rod. When a row of loops is finished, then the loops are cut to create the pile. This method produces a slightly ridged surface.
Question: What is a Machine Made Rug?
Answer: A machine made rug is constructed on an electrically powered machine, now usually computer controlled.
Question: What is a Needlepoint Rug?
Answer: A needlepoint rug making technique made with wool yarns worked on canvas using the same method as a needlepoint pillow.
Question: What is a Flat Weave Rug and how are Dhurries and Kilims different?
Answer: Flat Weave is weaving in which no knots are used. The ‘weft’ strands are simply passed through the ‘warp’ strands. Dhurries are flatwoven rugs that originate in India and are usually made of cotton or wool. Kilims are generally finer, tapestry-like flatweaves.
Question: What is ‘warp’ and ‘weft’ in a rug?
Answer: The ‘warp’ of a rug are the vertical strands of fiber, which stretch from the top to the bottom of the rug. Knots are tied to the ‘warp’ yarns to create face pile. The ‘weft’ of a rug are the horizontal strands of fiber that are woven through the ‘warps’. The ‘weft’ anchors and secures the knots.
