Rugs come in all different shapes, sizes, fibers, and weights. This being said, if you see one rug that is (for instance) a 5x8 and another that is also a 5x8 why do their prices sometimes vary so much?
The short answer really is "you get what you pay for". When we consider adding goods to our site, we first look at the product and feel it. The manufacturer of the rugs will tell us about the quality and construction. Based on this knowledge, rugs are broken down the rankings from BEST to GOOD
BEST RUGS
Rugs made of New Zealand wool are by far the most durable, highest quality rugs available. The most incredible fact about New Zealand wool rugs is that the sheep are actually bred to be used for a certain application. So the sheep that are sheared to make a wool suit are not the same sheep that are sheared for wool rugs. Because of the desireable climate in New Zealand and a tireless eye on the quality of the wool that is being sheared, New Zealand wool is traditionally much clearer white and has a longer staple length. The benefit of starting out with a clearer white yarn is when dying it the intended colors come through much cleaner than would have otherwise been the case. The longer staple length (staple length is how long the individual fiber is before it is spun into a spool of yarn) of New Zealand wool results in rugs that do not pill or fuzz as much as their counterparts from areas such as Spain.
There was a time when New Zealand wool rugs were dramatically more costly than their synthetic counterparts. In recent years this has changed. As costs for petroleum based fibers such as nylon and polypropylene increasing often and a surplus of New Zealand wool fibers the cost variance is not nearly as great as it used to be. I own a few rugs made of New Zealand Wool. One of them is from our Patina collection. I have had it for almost ten years and the area rug looks truly as good as the day I bought it. Sure it fuzzed and pilled for a few days after I laid it down but once that stopped I have been able to enjoy my area rug for several years.
BETTER RUGS
This category is a bit more involved. Some rugs are made of wool in this category (but NOT New Zealand wool, as that is a "BEST" category winner. Rugs in our Better category would also include Nylon and ultra dense heatset polypropylene. We will begin with rugs made of wool.
Rugs that are made of wool originating from areas other than New Zealand have a durability rating similar to their synthetic counterparts. The thing to keep in mind about wool rugs that are not from New Zealand is that they will pill and fuzz for a much longer period of time than their New Zealand wool siblings. This being said wool rugs that have completed their pilling and fuzzing cycle (could take up to six months) end up looking newer for a much longer period than their synthetic counterparts.
Continuing in the Better category is Nylon. Nylon rugs are styled to emulate the feeling and texture of wool at a somewhat lower price. This origin is proving to be challenging as fuel prices continue to increase, in many cases we offer nylon rugs that cost more than similar goods made of wool. Nylon is a great fiber for a house that has a whole lot of activity in it. Picture a dog, a few kids and a rainstorm outside. What fiber will stand up best to this sort of abuse? Nylon is the answer.
Rounding out the better category are rugs made of heatset ultra dense polypropylene. Why ultra dense? Because polypropylene yarns tend to want to take a nap! That is to say that if it is not a densely constructed rug, the fibers will sort of fall over or crush. This matter is solved when the rug is ultra dense in construction so that the yarns essentially have no where to go.
One of the very best selling ultra dense series of rugs is the Fashion Source Bella Collection. Bella is infused with updated colors that are delicately balanced with timeless oriental patterns and florals.
GOOD RUGS
This category is occupied by polypropylene also but in this case they are not ultra dense and they may not be heatset. The basic way to describe a heatset yarn is it was wrapped around a curling iron so that it crimps. This crimp when stood up on end acts like a small spring that allows the fiber to bounce back. Since this part of the process is very costly, by leaving it out the price of the polypropylene rugs comes down quite a bit. A great example of a polypropylene collection that offers a whole lot of style at an itroductory price point is the Poplar Ridge series. Poplar Ridge rugs are made of polyproylene with colors that companion with todays most fashionable interiors. Rugs in the Poplar Ridge series start at only $29! This series is ideal for a lower level, under a pool table, or in a college dorm room.
The short answer really is "you get what you pay for". When we consider adding goods to our site, we first look at the product and feel it. The manufacturer of the rugs will tell us about the quality and construction. Based on this knowledge, rugs are broken down the rankings from BEST to GOOD
BEST RUGS
Rugs made of New Zealand wool are by far the most durable, highest quality rugs available. The most incredible fact about New Zealand wool rugs is that the sheep are actually bred to be used for a certain application. So the sheep that are sheared to make a wool suit are not the same sheep that are sheared for wool rugs. Because of the desireable climate in New Zealand and a tireless eye on the quality of the wool that is being sheared, New Zealand wool is traditionally much clearer white and has a longer staple length. The benefit of starting out with a clearer white yarn is when dying it the intended colors come through much cleaner than would have otherwise been the case. The longer staple length (staple length is how long the individual fiber is before it is spun into a spool of yarn) of New Zealand wool results in rugs that do not pill or fuzz as much as their counterparts from areas such as Spain.
There was a time when New Zealand wool rugs were dramatically more costly than their synthetic counterparts. In recent years this has changed. As costs for petroleum based fibers such as nylon and polypropylene increasing often and a surplus of New Zealand wool fibers the cost variance is not nearly as great as it used to be. I own a few rugs made of New Zealand Wool. One of them is from our Patina collection. I have had it for almost ten years and the area rug looks truly as good as the day I bought it. Sure it fuzzed and pilled for a few days after I laid it down but once that stopped I have been able to enjoy my area rug for several years.
BETTER RUGS
This category is a bit more involved. Some rugs are made of wool in this category (but NOT New Zealand wool, as that is a "BEST" category winner. Rugs in our Better category would also include Nylon and ultra dense heatset polypropylene. We will begin with rugs made of wool.
Rugs that are made of wool originating from areas other than New Zealand have a durability rating similar to their synthetic counterparts. The thing to keep in mind about wool rugs that are not from New Zealand is that they will pill and fuzz for a much longer period of time than their New Zealand wool siblings. This being said wool rugs that have completed their pilling and fuzzing cycle (could take up to six months) end up looking newer for a much longer period than their synthetic counterparts.
Continuing in the Better category is Nylon. Nylon rugs are styled to emulate the feeling and texture of wool at a somewhat lower price. This origin is proving to be challenging as fuel prices continue to increase, in many cases we offer nylon rugs that cost more than similar goods made of wool. Nylon is a great fiber for a house that has a whole lot of activity in it. Picture a dog, a few kids and a rainstorm outside. What fiber will stand up best to this sort of abuse? Nylon is the answer.
Rounding out the better category are rugs made of heatset ultra dense polypropylene. Why ultra dense? Because polypropylene yarns tend to want to take a nap! That is to say that if it is not a densely constructed rug, the fibers will sort of fall over or crush. This matter is solved when the rug is ultra dense in construction so that the yarns essentially have no where to go.
One of the very best selling ultra dense series of rugs is the Fashion Source Bella Collection. Bella is infused with updated colors that are delicately balanced with timeless oriental patterns and florals.
GOOD RUGS
This category is occupied by polypropylene also but in this case they are not ultra dense and they may not be heatset. The basic way to describe a heatset yarn is it was wrapped around a curling iron so that it crimps. This crimp when stood up on end acts like a small spring that allows the fiber to bounce back. Since this part of the process is very costly, by leaving it out the price of the polypropylene rugs comes down quite a bit. A great example of a polypropylene collection that offers a whole lot of style at an itroductory price point is the Poplar Ridge series. Poplar Ridge rugs are made of polyproylene with colors that companion with todays most fashionable interiors. Rugs in the Poplar Ridge series start at only $29! This series is ideal for a lower level, under a pool table, or in a college dorm room.
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