The Different Ways Rugs Are Constructed

Rugs gain their identity from the way that they’re crafted by rug makers all over the world. Knowing the differences between the unique styles of a rug’s make is an important factor to consider when choosing a new rug to buy—especially if you plan on spending a large sum on it. Educate yourself about the different ways rugs are constructed, and you’ll be adequately prepared to purchase a new floor-bound addition to your home’s décor.

Tufted Rugs

When crafting a rug with a tufted construction, the creator will pull the yarn through the holes in the backing of the rug by hand or with the help of a machine. Once all the strands are in place, the rug maker or machine will shear the strands to a uniform pile height—leaving the ends of the yarn tufted and soft.

Tufted rugs are the easiest type to create, often making them more affordable than most other forms of rugs.

Examples of Tufted Rugs: plush rugs, straight Saxony rugs, and shag rugs.

Hooked Rugs

Another common method you may see is the hooking method. Hooked rugs loop the yarn back into the base of the rug rather than leave the strands loose. This creates a bumpy texture on your rug that adds character and durability. Sometimes the loops will have different heights to create a multi-level effect.

Hooked, loop pile rugs crafted with durable materials often make for indomitable, stylish entryway or outdoor rugs that easily withstand the tests of high foot traffic and dirt.

Examples of Hooked Rugs: Berber loop, Sisal loop, level loop, multi-level loop.

Flat-Weave Rugs

In a flat woven rug, the fiber artist interlocks the material with their warp and weft threads. Warp threads run top to bottom, while weft threads form the horizontal foundation. Ruggers typically use a loom to complete this process by hand; however, there are also methods to create flat-weave rugs by machine.

Because the rugs lack a rug backing and a pile, flat-weaves are reversible. You’ll need to purchase a separate rug pad to sit underneath a flat-woven rug to keep it in place. Rug crafters can weave rugs out of many different materials—you can commonly find soft, wool rugs or hardy, jute rugs.

Examples of Flat-Weave Rugs: hand-woven wool rugs, hand-woven grassy fiber rugs, cotton flat-weaves.

Braided Rugs

Unlike woven rugs that use looms, the construction of braided rugs begins with a center point and works its way around. The rug braider hand-crafts the braid into a cozy, circular design—most often with a natural color or a cabin-like pattern in the center. Beautiful, cottage-worthy braided rugs look best with a natural, plant-based material, like jute fibers.

Examples of Braided Rugs: braided Jute rugs, cloth braided rugs, flat braided rugs, and yarn braided rugs.

If you want to see the different ways rugs are constructed first-hand, peruse Koeckritz Rugs’ massive selection of customized rugs and beautiful ready-made rugs that amplify any room’s design. Embellish your elegant entryway with one of our hand-braided rugs to instantly strengthen your home’s aesthetic.