When it comes to rugs, you might need backing as well. Even though you don’t need them every single time, they can help in improving the longevity of your traditional and tribal rugs. So, here is everything you need to educate yourself on rug backing.
What Is Rug Backing?
Rug backing is the material that you can put under the rug. These are the same size as the rug or they might be a bit smaller than them, but the main gist is that they are put under the rug to provide that grip to ensure that rugs don’t slip, slide, or move on their own when you walk on them.
This is common to occur and instead of steadying the rug every single time, you want to opt for a rug backing, because it will change your life. It’s a barrier between the slippery floor and the unsteady rug and it gives the rug that grip to make it stay put.
Which Materials Are Commonly Used For Rug Backing?
When you want rug backing, you will be surprised at the different types and materials you can choose from. So, here are all of the materials of rug backing you can opt for.
Foam Backing For Area Rugs
Foam backing is one of the most common types of backing and the best part is that they’re comfortable too. If you have a really thin rug, then a foam backing will be perfect because it will provide a lot of cushion as well.
This is also great if you don’t want your floors to turn your rugs cold, so foam will make sure that your rug is nice and cozy. It also hides well underneath the rug and you can even size down when it comes to choosing the backing.
Jute Backing For Area Rugs
The next option you can go for, if you want even more grip and friction is to go for a jute backing. This is a very thin rug-like material, made out of jute. It’s going to give your rug that amazing grip and it’s going to stay that way. So, if you feel like your rug needs a bit of extra hold, then this backing is perfect.
Also, jute is a very environmentally sustainable material, so if that’s something you’re concerned with, then you don’t need to sweat about anything, because jute won’t disappoint you. Jute is also a popular natural fiber rug material.
Latex Backing
Think of this as a more modern and renewed plastic backing. Latex backing is a newer addition in the world of backing, but this is something that you can use to not only keep your rug in place, but it can also help with noise absorption and keeping echoes to a minimum.
So, if you want to get a double dose of functionality, then you need to choose latex backing. It is also very flexible, so it will be as easy to install as anything, which means you can even do it by yourself and not need an army of people.
Felt Backing
Most types of backing don’t need to be physically attached to the rug. But when it comes to felt backing, it is one of those backing materials that need to be attached or glued to the rug. This is great because the rug and the backing are essentially one and you don’t need to worry about anything moving over or getting misaligned.
So, if you want a backing that doesn’t only provide grip, but also good airflow and prevents mold formation in the area rug, then felt backing is your best bet and you will be surprised at its performance.
Action Backing
Action backing is also another type of rug backing that is popular but it’s still new. It is made out of a handful of synthetic materials and it is a great addition in the world of rug backings. This backing is one of the few backings that protects the rug too.
There are lots of times when a rug can get ruined when it is moved around on the floor, even with a backing. Well, an action backing will slide into action and protect the intricate weaves and the rug design.
Do Rugs Need Backing?
Now that you know the different types of rug backings, here are some things you need to keep in mind that will tell you whether you even need a rug backing for your silk rugs Virginia or not.
If Your Area Rug Is Lightweight
First of all, you need rug backing if the rug is lightweight. Sometimes, when you’re buying thin rugs, regardless of the material, there’s not a lot that the material can handle itself, so it can move around, especially when something with more weight than the rug like you or any pet, moves it with your feet or simply walks on it.
So, for this, adding a rug backing is a better because it helps to keep the rug in place and that will make all of the worries go away.
If There’s A Lot Of Foot Traffic
A lot of the time, the rug can be weighty, but what can make it flit around and about is a lot of foot traffic. If you have the rug placed in an area where people walk a lot, then you certainly need to invest in rug backing or an underside.
This is going to keep the rug in place and even if there is an army of feet passing over the rug, the rug will stay put, thanks to the fiction provided by the rug backing. It is just that amazing and simple.
If There Are Pets In Your House
Your four-legged companion can also cause a lot of problems and if they love to play with things other than their food and toys, then your rug can be on their radar. So, you want to protect the rug as well as yourself from repositioning it over and over by getting a rug backing.
This is going to ensure that the pet doesn’t get too frisky with the rug. If the rug won’t move, your pet won’t think that it is a toy. So, this is the only way you can save your rug and a rug backing will be a hero in this situation.
Certain Materials Need Rug Backing
A lot of rug materials like thin cotton rugs, silk rugs, and even some synthetic materials aren’t able to hold their own. They are really thin and the material is quite slippery too, so this makes for a very weird situation where you need something to hold the rug down because it’s just not able to do that on its own.
This is why a rug backing is necessary, because instead of crouching down and fixing the rug every single time, you want to deal with the issue once and for all and that is done with a simple fix of a rug backing.
Conclusion
Rug backings are really common to put under rugs. So, now you know the different types of rug backings and how they help in keeping your antique rugs VA from slipping and sliding while also improving their durability.
