Buying rugs is an art and it can be difficult to identify the handmade rugs from the synthetic ones. With these easy tips, you can identify the distinction between them like an expert.
Take a Look at the Back Of the Rug
Many vendors will claim that the rug is handmade but don’t fall into their trap. They will continue to the front as the carpet is genuine but you can easily find that out yourself by taking a look at the back of the carpet. An oriental rug which is hand-knotted will always have a softback which will be the mirror image of the front. If this is not the case, move along from the rug store as the rug is not authentic. A synthetic rug will have a hard plastic back which will be perfectly weft and knotted rather the unevenness of a handmade rug.
Check the Fringes of the Rug
The foundation threads are referred to as weft threads. These weft threads should be horizontally aligned with the fringes of the rug to indicate that they are authentic. These fringes are made out of warp threads, however, the machine-made rugs cannot do that. If the warp thread is sewn or glued into the rug at the fringes then it is synthetic and made to look like an authentic rug but if the fringes are completely aligned with the rug then it is genuine.
Bleeding Colors
An authentic oriental rug will never lose its color as it is made from the material that has original and natural dye of vegetables. This practice was done way back when rugs were originally invented because there was no synthetic dye available at the time. This practice is still in effect for the making of authentic rugs so that they make you feel the same way as they did people hundreds of years ago. The artificial rugs use up dye which gives the exact same and sometimes even more vibrant colors but the disadvantage is that the colors bleed and they don’t last. They can lose their colors if they are being used in a house area that has heavy traffic.
The color is hard to detect at first sight but to check the authenticity of the rug, you will have to place a damp cloth overnight and see if there is any color on that cloth. If there is, then the dye is not natural and hence, the rug is not authentic.
Check If It Is Made Out of Wool
The material that is used in the making of a rug is very important. Wool has been the trademark material for centuries and the essence that it brings along with the history is irreplaceable. The material looks beautiful and has a feel of its own that cannot be matched. Silk and cotton are also a natural option which is used in lieu of wool to make a rug cheaper. Other than that, if the rug is made of synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, nylon or polypropylene then it is not handmade and not even natural. Make sure that you have the knowledge about the materials used in the rug.
Price Tag
The price of the rug is another thing that you should keep an eye out. It can also indicate a red flag. If a vendor claims that the rug is authentic but he is selling it for very cheap that looks like a steal then it is better to move away from the situation because the original rugs have so much hard work put into them that’s why they are expensive. Don’t be attracted by the price.
Traditional Rugs
The art of handmade rugs has been around for centuries and originated from Persia. These traditional rugs have the most details into them. The patterns, the design and the color of the traditional rugs cannot match the rugs of today. The art of hand-knotted rugs is still practiced today and they are very popular in households. For a person, who likes to rugs and carpets and has a passion for collecting them must always look to buy a traditional rug.
Rug stores Vienna VA may have every kind of rugs, but with these tips, you can identify handmade rugs easily by yourself.
