Choosing the carpet is not a simple task. Although it is an item that we use every day and at all times of the year, due to its long life, it is purchased at long intervals. The result is that there is no corresponding familiarity with its properties.
Nowdays, most of the consumers do not purchase expensive, classic carpets, but prefer more economical and modern solutions. This new trend is accompanied by the frequent change of carpets, to keep up with the trends in decoration, or for mental renewal. The large supply of more economical, but lower quality carpets has contributed significantly to this.
The following short guide aims to introduce you to the main properties and types of carpets and to help you make the best choice according to your needs.
Dimensions
One of the key features for choosing the right carpet is the dimension. The ideal rug size depends on the dimensions of the room, the arrangement of the furniture and its use. If we want to be in line with the dictates of modern aesthetics, for our space we should choose few pieces and large ones. Most of the modern furniture has high legs and in order to make the space look more "dressed", it is good for the carpet to be about 30cm below the sofa.
Most rugs are available in specific dimensions. But there are carpets, such as Runners or Carpets with a repeating pattern and Monochromes, which can also be adjusted to our needs. TISCA Handmade woolen carpets belong to this category , which can be ordered in any desired dimension and shape, such as circular, oval, square, polygonal, etc.
Other Carpets with special dimensions are the following:
- Corridor Runners are narrow rolls (usually 67cm or 80cm wide) with a continuous pattern, which are cut to the desired length .
- Bedroom Sets consist of 3 pieces of the same design usually, which include 2 pieces in 140cm or 150cm long and 1 piece in 210cm or 240cm long.
- Round Rugs are round carpets with a diameter of 1.20m, 1.60m and 2.00m.
Composition
Regarding their composition, carpets are divided into two major categories. The one includes carpets made of natural materials, such as wool, silk, cotton and viscose. The other includes carpets made of synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester or nylon.
The choice of material is made depending on the use and the space they will cover. Carpets made of natural materials are usually significantly more expensive than synthetic ones, but they last longer if properly maintained, and stain less. Wool rugs made from New Zealand wool stand out among the wool qualities, because this wool is the longest, and gives better color rendering and a glossy effect.
Modern synthetic carpets, made of excellent polypropylene, offer a similar feel and simulate natural materials, while they are mainly used in the most modern designs.
More economical carpets, but also of lower quality, are polyester or nylon carpets. Also, the composition plays a particularly important role in the requirements and capabilities of cleaning and caring for carpets. Often a carpet with such a composition ceases to be antistatic with use, making it difficult for us to wipe.
Design / Color
Carpets are characterized by an inexhaustible number of designs and color combinations. In addition to the classic designs, we find carpets with various patterns, such as geometric, abstract, animal, floral, medallion, monochrome and many others.
The design of the carpet should express the personal taste of the buyer, but also complement the style of the space in which it will be used.
The fabrics of the furniture, the color of the floor and the curtains, are determining factors for the style and color of the carpet. For example, a plain rug is a good choice next to a sofa with an eye-catching pattern. Conversely, a rug with a special pattern and more colors would stand out in a neutral decor.
Through the special filters on our page you can easily sort the available carpets according to their color and style.
Weaving Techniques
Handmade carpets
Hand Knotted: The original hand knotted carpet is one in which no mechanical means are used at all. Both the making of the wool and its knots are done exclusively by hand. This process requires special skills, their production, depending on the complexity of the design, takes from a few months to a few years. These qualities make these rugs unique. Most of the time, apart from the handmade construction, the colors used are exclusively prepared from natural pigments.
Hand Loom: Hand loom rugs, although often confused with "handmade", are quite different from hand knotted rugs, both in complexity and in the skill required by the weaver. Essentially they are produced with the help of a manual loom and do not require the intensive work and time needed to make the knots by hand.
Hand Tufted: These rugs differ in the way they are made from the traditional rug. The whole process is achieved by punching the design onto a canvas which is stretched over a frame. Usually, carpets of this construction have an emulsion of glue or latex on their back, which after appropriate treatment helps to stabilize and protect the threads. Because of this processing, they also require a special way of cleaning, in contrast to machine carpets, which are easier to maintain. For hand tufted carpets, it is almost mandatory that their cleaning be entrusted to a professional.
Machine Mad Carpets
Machine-made carpets are the most widespread modern way of making carpets. They are produced using fully automated processes, which minimizes errors and ensures specific quality. The main advantage of machine carpets is that a design can be produced at low cost in various shades and dimensions. Machine-made carpets, especially those made of high quality materials, are easy to use and are not need special maintenance like handmade ones. The possibility of mass production allows them to be less expensive and makes them more widely accessible, even if they are woolen.
A separate category, in terms of weaving techniques and their composition, are the Summer carpets, which are characterized by a lighter texture and a lower and “cooler” pile compared to the winter carpets. These carpets give a special aesthetic to the space during the summer months, when the winter carpets are collected for cleaning and storage.
The last few years Shaggy rugs, a modern type of frock coat, are so much in fashion. Finally, special carpets, which stand out in terms of their weaving and use, are the Flatweave carpets, i.e. carpets without pile.
Other characteristics
Other basic technical characteristics of carpets, which differentiate them, are the number of knots or points (usually calculated per square meter), the height of the pile, the weight and whether there are fringes. These properties sometimes significantly affect the quality, but also the aesthetics of the carpet.
Value
It is very difficult to accurately estimate the true value of a rug, especially when it comes to unique handmade pieces. The value of the carpet depends on many factors. The most basic of them are the quality of the fiber, the complexity of the construction, but also the design. Of course, the production process also plays an important role, but it is not the most essential factor in determining its price. It is not uncommon for a machine wool rug to be more expensive and better quality than an average hand knotted rug.
Their origin also largely signals their value. Persia, Pakistan and India are traditionally considered to be the most important countries for the production of handmade carpets. On the other hand, the Machine Carpets of European factories stand out compared to their counterparts of Turkish or Chinese origin, both for their combination of colors and designs, and for the quality of their fiber.
Hand knotted rugs, especially when it comes to complex designs or come from famous brands and designers, are rightfully considered works of art and due to their uniqueness often acquire a collector's value. There are not a few people who use carpets as a type of investment.
For any additional information, we are happy to serve you by phone (+30 2310 813392) or even better in person at our store in Thessaloniki (Ethnikis Antistaseos 27, 551 34, Kalamaria), where you can take a closer look on our collections.