Do you know the difference between a hand-knotted rug and a hand-tufted rug?
What about a handmade rug vs. a machine-made rug?
Many factors determine the quality of a rug, and construction is a key component.
Learn more about the different types of rug weaves in this guide from Tufenkian.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs are crafted by weavers who spend a lot of time and energy on the process. Every knot is fastened to an individual yarn, which is why these rugs are unique, expensive, and long-lasting. On average, it takes a person more than 3,000 hours to hand knot an 8’x10’ rug. Hand-knotted rugs that are high quality have hundreds of individual knots per square inch (KPSI).
Hand-Tufted Rugs
A hand-tufted rug is made by hand and tool. The worker pushes yarn through a pre-made backing material with a tufting gun while following a pattern. Hand-tufted rugs can be made quicker and more cheaply than hand-knotted rugs, but they’ll wear out much sooner and don’t require as much skill.
Hand-Hooked Rugs
In a hand-hooked rug, a hooking needle is used to loop yarn through a canvas frame. These rugs have small knot bumps instead of piles because they’re not sheared down like tufted rugs. A hand-hooked rug is also less expensive than a hand-knotted rug, but it’s usually not as durable.
Flatweave Rugs
A flatweave rug is made on a loom with vertical and horizontal fibers woven together to construct the carpet. These rugs are thin, lightweight, and cheaper than pile rugs. Flatweave rugs aren’t ideal for high-traffic areas because they can get dirty quickly. They can also be pulled by pet claws and punctured by heavy furniture.
Machine-Made Rugs
Machine-made rugs are mass-produced, so they’re more affordable than handmade rugs. Computers control the power looms that manufacture these carpets at a fast pace. Machine-made rugs can last for several years, but they don’t have much value, especially to collectors.
Rug Types & Weave Techniques
Knowing the different types of woven carpets and the pros and cons of each rug can help you make better buying decisions.
At Tufenkian, our carpets are hand-knotted because that’s the best way to make rugs. Our yarn requires a high degree of skill and a lot of labor to hand card and hand spin.
Read more about our craftsmanship and materials, and shop our collections of bamboo silk rugs, silk rugs, and geometric rugs online.