Even though most rugs are made by machines these days, there are still rugs available that are made by hand through the ancient art of hand weaving. Rugs were once considered to be valuable possessions. The way in which rugs are made has changed over the years, but this does not mean that you cannot still get quality hand-made rugs. Most of the hand-made oriental rugs are found in the Far and Middle East these days. Some types of Oriental rugs are; Turkish, Persian, Turcoman and Chinese.
There are two main types of hand-made rugs, and these are hand-tufted and hand-woven rugs. The way in which they are produced is different and you are about to find out what these differences are. The different methods used to create the two types of hand-made rugs will have an effect on the way they feel and look, as well as how much they cost and how long they last for.
Hand Tufted Rugs
Most handmade rugs are hand-knotted, but the other process that is used is known as hand-tufted. This process was very popular in the 1920's and 30's, but not as popular today, although rugs made in this way are a less expensive option. The main material used in hand-tufted rugs is the pre-woven canvas and the pile of these types of rugs often consists of silk, wool and other synthetic fibres.
Many times people confuse hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs with each other because of the fact that they have similar properties. Hand-tufted rugs are less expensive because they do not take as long to make. These types of rugs are not made from forming small knots, but from forming small tufts instead.
This process all starts with the backing material being cut to the correct shape and size, where the craftsman then takes over. The image of the proposed rug design is projected on the material, where the design can then be traced. A tufting gun is then used to create the design on the rug and latex glue is used to hold the tufts in place. A thin layer of this latex glue is also applied to the back of the rug before material is added to make sure that the rugs do not damage the floor on which it will be placed. Hand-tufted rugs may not be as durable and valuable as hand-knotted rugs, but they do come in similar styles and at a more affordable rate.
Hand-knotted Rugs
The process of weaving a hand-knotted rug requires a lot of time and skill. The number of knots per square inch is what will decide the quality of a hand-knotted carpet. So, the more knots in the rug, the higher the quality of that specific piece. A very detailed pattern will need extremely dense knotting and can take a long time to finish. The average qualified weaver can tie about 10,000 knots in one day, which is why you can just imagine how long it takes for them to finish just one rug. This is the main reason hand-knotted rugs cost more than hand-woven rugs.
Now that you understand the differences between these two hand-made rugs, you can understand why one is a lot more expensive than the other, why the one last longer than the other and the differences in the way they are produced. Next time you are out looking for a rug, you will have a better idea about what the differences are and therefore be able to make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing one.
