Bockrath Flooring and Rugs

What Is An Oriental Rug?

2011-06-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

“Oriental rug” is a term that most people interested in home furnishings are familiar with. Often it seems the term is too broad or used out of context when describing area rugs. So what does it really mean? According to the Oriental Rug Importers Association of America, an oriental rug is made by hand of warp and weft yarns of natural fibers (such as wool or silk). Each one is woven or knotted with uniqueness in character and design. Weaving of true oriental rugs takes place from the Near East to the Far East, from the Balkans to China and India - and everywhere in between. Throughout history, each region developed its own style and distinctive design elements; rugs could, therefore, be categorized into groups based on geographic location. Today, these regions have adopted designs from each other. A rug with a Chinese design doesn’t necessarily mean it is made in China. It is possible it was made in India, Pakistan, Iran or the Caucus region (among many other rug manufacturing regions). Does the term “oriental” sound expensive? You may be pleasantly surprised; many retailers have a variety of true Orientals at very affordable prices. Oriental rugs are still, to this day, one of the most sought after rug constructions due to quality and durability of the knots and material.

The Benefits of Wool

2011-01-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

Whether it is for flooring, apparel, or furnishings, wool has been one of the most sought after fibers for generations. Because of the initially high price, wool products are considered a large investment, often making synthetics more appealing. After taking into consideration the following benefits of wool, many consumers realize the long-term investment to be well worth it.

One of the most desirable advantages to wool is extreme durability. The natural crimp and scale structure of the fiber causes it to be flexible and cohesive. This allows it to repeatedly bend back over itself without breaking. When stress is applied to wool, such as heavy furniture, the excellent elongation and elastic recovery of the individual fibers pull it back to its original position without any harm. These characteristics are what give wool its strength and great appearance retention for carpets and rugs that will outlast the rest.

Soil and stain resistance are two great benefits of wool. The scaly outer layer of each fiber protects wool carpet from soil and spills. Dirt is trapped toward the top layer of the carpet pile and is easily removed with regular vacuuming. Liquid spills are also held toward the surface of the carpet usually forming beads, allowing easy clean up if tended to quickly.

Wool is naturally flame retardant because of its slow burning and self-extinguishing properties. Embers or sparks that may land on a wool rug or carpet will cause a small char to the fibers and can easily be brushed away; as opposed to synthetic fibers that will melt, creating visible damage.

Great indoor air quality is another benefit of wool. Evidence has shown that wool can absorb indoor contaminants and trap dust and allergens until eliminated with a vacuum, acting as a natural filter in your home for up to thirty years.

From area rugs of all sizes to carpet installed wall to wall, wool is guaranteed to create an everlasting beauty and warmth to any interior environment.

Types of Rug Construction and What it Means to You

2010-11-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

When shopping for a rug, it is important to consider the way in which a rug is made. Different types of rugs are appropriate in different settings. Also, construction affects the pattern, durability and price of a rug. The three main types of rug construction include: tufted, machine woven, and hand knotted.

To produce a tufted rug, the desired design is drawn onto the primary backing then attached to a frame. The fiber, such as wool, nylon, etc., is then punched through the backing by a machine or a hand held tufting tool following the drawn image. Once tufting is complete, latex is used to cover the primary backing, and a secondary backing is then attached to fix the tufts in place. At this stage the rug has a loop construction. The loops may be left to create a hooked rug or sheared to create a plush, cut pile. The end result is a dense, thick rug available in many different styles. Tufted rugs can be cleaned with a spot cleaner recommended by your local retailer; for a thorough clean, call a reputable professional cleaner. It is important not to saturate a tufted rug, this may cause the latex to loosen and fibers to fall out. Because of the tufted rugs thickness and weight it is the only rug recommended to lie over carpet but is most suited for hard surface floors such as hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or tile. Tufted rugs are generally less expensive because of easier production.

Machine woven rugs are made on power looms, interlocking warp and weft yarns create the backing and the face yarn. This is a popular production method because it can produce more rugs in less time than hand knotting while maintaining durability and intricate patterns in the rug. Many are woven face-to- face where the looms are positioned facing each other, woven top to bottom, to create two rugs at once. Side-woven or cross-woven is another type of construction in which the rug is woven side to side. This allows for the use of more colors and includes the fringe, most often found in traditional style rugs. Machine woven rugs can be cleaned with a spot cleaner recommended by your local retailer; for a thorough clean, call a reputable professional cleaner. Machine woven rugs are recommended to lie over hard surface floors such as hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile.

Hand Knotted construction is the most labor intensive, therefore, the most expensive type of rug. To begin, an artist draws a design. Warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) yarns are stretched over a loom to create the rug foundation. A weaver, usually using yarns of wool or silk, ties a knot around the warp yarn. The ends of the knot create the rug pile. The knotting continues to produce the intended design. The smaller and tighter the knots (the more knots per square inch), the more intricate the patterns. Also the more knots per square inch, the denser the rug, which adds to the durability of the product. Hand knotted rugs can be cleaned with a spot cleaner recommended by your local retailer; for a thorough clean, call a reputable professional cleaner. Hand knotted rugs are recommended to lie over hard surface floors such as hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile.

Pick Carpet That Fits Your Lifestyle

2010-11-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

There are a variety of carpet styles available in today’s market. Each style lends itself to a certain décor and a particular lifestyle. The most common styles of carpet include: velvet/saxony or plush, textured plush, frieze, cut & loop and loop *(often mistaken for berber).

Velvet, saxony or plush carpets are smooth and soft to the look and feel. This cut pile carpet is sheared numerous times to produce a velvety, rich look. This style is great for a formal, traditional finish most often seen in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Keep in mind a velvet or plush will show footprints and is not ideal for use in high traffic areas.

Textured saxony is a popular cut pile style that can be used in a variety of areas. A two-toned appearance can be created by alternating twists of yarn. This carpet style is available in a large array of colors and price ranges. It gives a less formal appearance than a true saxony .

A frieze is an extremely popular carpet style made of cut yarns with a very high twist level. It creates a casual, contemporary look great for high traffic areas such as hallways, family rooms and children’s rooms. Its high-twist, curly construction helps to minimize the visibility of footprints and vacuum marks. Friezes often require frequent vacuuming to restore the original fluff to the appearance.

Cut and loop styles use both cut and uncut yarns to create a tone on tone pattern. Pattern abilities are unlimited but often include: florals, geometrics and scrolls. They can be used in formal and casual, traditional and contemporary areas depending on the pattern. The short and tight construction of this style allows it to be used in high traffic areas while maintaining its original appearance.

Loop carpets are constructed of continuous, uncut yarns. They can produce a great selection of textures depending on the size of loop used. Loop carpets with a low profile are good for high traffic areas such as hallways and steps.

* The term berber refers to two or more flecks of color throughout a lighter background, available in both loop and cut piles.

What Is the Difference Between "Density" and "Weight"?

2010-10-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

Although twist and fiber are the two main components of the carpet selection process, “density” and “weight” are two terms that one must also be familiar with. “Density” is used to describe the thickness of the yarn being used and how closely each tuft of yarn is spaced from one another. The higher the density (the more tufts per square inch), the better the carpet will perform. “Weight” is used to describe how much fiber is in a carpet. Pile height (the length of the yarn from backing to the top of the tufts) and density combined determine the “weight” or “face weight” of a carpet. Therefore, a carpet with a higher pile height with low density may have the same face weight as a carpet with shorter pile height and high density. Pile height differs between carpet styles and should be taken into consideration when thinking about care and cleaning; while the density will affect the over-all carpet performance.

Why Is Twist Important?

2010-10-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Along with fiber type, twist is another important factor to consider while on the search for the appropriate carpet. A carpet’s twist level is important when looking for durability in cut pile styles. Carpet with a higher, tighter twist will last longer and also look better longer than a carpet with a lower, looser twist. A tight twist is usually heat- set to preserve the twist level. This improves the carpet’s ability to resist matting and crushing long term.

One way to determine a carpet’s twist level is to look at the sample. Pinpoint one piece of yarn and investigate; count how many twists are in the one piece of yarn (one complete turn of the fibers). At least five twists are recommended to consider the carpet as having a high durability rating. When it comes to cut pile carpet the higher the twist count, the more durable the carpet. The photo shown below, from the Carpet and Rug Institute website, gives a visual of a carpet with a twist count of three.

Photo from The Carpet and Rug Institute
http://www.carpet-rug.org/

The Importance of Fiber Type

2010-09-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

         Although many factors go into choosing the perfect carpet, understanding the different types of fiber is one of the first steps to making an educated decision. Fiber producers categorize fibers as staple or filament. Most carpet samples will have this information written on the label placed on the back of the sample piece.
        Staple fibers are short fibers that can range from 2-40 cm in length. Most natural fiber, wool for example, is a staple. Because staple fibers are then spun into yarns, and the yarns then manufactured into carpet, the short fibers of various lengths protrude from the yarn. Therefore, carpets made of staple fibers often have an over-all matted and fuzzier look. Carpets made of staple fibers also have a tendency to "shed" or "pill", if vacuumed regularly the shedding should slow and eventually cease.
       A filament (also known as BCF or bulked continuous filament) is a continuous fiber of unlimited length. Most filaments are manufactured products, with silk being the only exception. Manufactured filaments may be smooth to imitate silk or crimped/bulked to imitate wool products. Filament fibers, made into filament yarns, are smoother with no protruding ends so they will not "shed" or "pill" and will resist soil more readily. When comparing synthetic fibers, BCF is the more desirable of the fiber types.
       Fiber type can affect the look, feel, and over-all satisfaction of a product but should not be the only consideration when shopping for carpet.