The look, feel, and performance of any area rug is generally dependent on the materials used for its construction. Every Fabric and Fiber has its own distinctiveness and advantages - it is important to pick the material that fits your needs. Will the rug be in a high traffic area? Will it be underneath furniture? These are all important factors to consider when choosing an area rug.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a manmade substance, similar in appearance and feel to wool. A plastic fiber made from acrylonitrile, acrylic became a substitute for wool in a number of carpets after the 1950s. Acrylic rugs have some advantages. It is typically less expensive than wool, resistant to mold and mildew, easy to die with bright colors, fast drying, and fairly stain resistant. Acrylic Rugs do tend to wear out more quickly so it may not be the best choice if you want to put your rug in a high traffic area.

Chenille

Chenille is a tufted velvety cord or yarn. Chenille yarn is quite thick, soft, and fuzzy. Chenille area rugs are known for their softness and the range of colors that the fabric yields. However, because of its softness and gentleness, Chenille fabric is not typically recommended for high-traffic areas.

Cotton

Taken right from the cotton plant, this natural fiber is both soft and strong. Cotton area rugs can easily absorb a variety of dyes, allowing for many color options and designs. The fabric also makes a great backing material, helping the rug keep its shape and lie flat against the floor. Cotton rugs are typically easy to clean, machine-washable, and biodegradable. However, Cotton rugs have been known to attract dust more easily and are best used for lower traffic areas.

Polypropylene is the most stain and fain resistant material available. It won't shed and will not fade, and is typically very easy to clean. Polypropylene is a petroleum byproduct and is dyed while in the liquid state, meaning the color won't run or fade.

Rayon

Rayon has a silky appearance and feel, and also has the ability to breath in a manner similar to cotton. While Rayon has a pleasing feel and breathes like cotton, one of the big disadvantages is that it will wrinkle more easily than other fabrics, meaning that more maintenance is required.

Produced from the fleece of sheep, wool is a natural fiber that is highly regarded for its strength, durability and luxurious softness. Higher-quality wools tend to come from New Zealand or Tibet, where sheep produce high levels of lanolin. This natural substance enhances the fiber's strength and texture. Wool is known for its softness, durability, and low maintenance. However, wool fabrics have been known to shed or fade more quickly than other rug materials.

Natural Grass Fibers

Jute, sisal and coir are common examples of natural grass fibers used in area rugs. Extracted from their respective plants, these fibers are generally flat-woven to produce extremely strong, durable rugs. And, since the fibers are processed without the addition of harsh chemicals, the production of these rugs is also environmentally friendly. Natural Fibers are very strong and durabl.

Other Notes:

• • Coir is a Natural Fiber
• • Exellan is a type of Polypropelene
• • Favriel & Fleece are also considered a type of wool or cotton carpet
• • Modacrylic is another type of acrylic.