Q. What kinds of rugs are there?
A. Rugs are distinguished by style, provenance, and method of manufacture:
Style is the most general criterion. Rugs can be traditional, contemporary, or transitional. Within these broad categories there are endless designs and colors.Provenance is where the rug was made. For traditional rugs this affects the design, since different areas have different traditions. For example, an Anatolian rug will have a different look from one made in Tabriz, and both will be quite distinct from a Turkoman rug. Manufacture is the key quality criterion: Machine-made rugs are the least costly to make and own, but have limited detail and color, and material quality is often only modest. Hand-tufted rugs are made by punching individual yarns through a fabric. These rugs take longer to make and often have higher quality materials. However, due to their manufacture they do not have the longevity of hand-knotted rugs.Hand-knotted rugs are the top of the line. They have the highest design detail, are made of the best materials, and last the longest. Because they take much longer to make, they are also the costliest, and the only rugs with true investment value.

Q. What should I look for in a hand-knotted rug?
A. First and foremost, it should be a design you love! Beyond that, the knots per square inch, the kind of knots, the dye and the fibers used, all affect the longevity of the rug.

Q. What country makes the best rugs?
A. There isn’t a single best country. Every country makes low and high quality rugs.

Q. What factors affect rug life?
A. Several:
Humidity Most Oriental rugs have cotton threads, which can absorb humidity and eventually rot. A periodic check by an expert can detect this before it becomes a problem, and affected warps can be replaced. Of course, never place a potted plant directly on your carpet or leave it wet after a spill.
Moths: Moths are a danger to any wool rug. Regular vacuuming will prevent moth damage to rugs in rooms. When storing any wool rug, protect it with a commercial moth repellent.
Wear:Most rooms have uneven foot traffic, leading to uneven rug wear. To prevent this, simply turn a rug around periodically.

Q. Do rugs fade in sunlight?
A. Yes, almost everything will fade in direct sunlight.  This can be prevented or reduced with UV protection on the windows.

Q. Do I need a pad?
A. It is not required, but recommended. It will prevent slipping, add cushion to your step, and prevent etching of your floor.

Q. How many years will my rug last?
A. It all depends on the quality of the fibers, the density of the pile, and the knots per square inch.

Q. How often should I clean my rug?
A. A rug should only be cleaned when it is visibly dirty.  It is not wise to wash rugs too often.  Normal vacuuming is all that is required. Spot cleaning can be done using our cleaning guide.

Q. How do I make the fringe last?
A. Vacuum the rug from side to side so that the fringe doesn’t get sucked up into the brushes. The vacuum is most often the culprit in fringe damage.

Q. Will a silk rug hold up with kids and pets?
A. The high quality silk rugs will be very durable. The difference between wool rugs and silk rugs is in their cleanability.  Wool rugs are much easier to clean and do not hold stains as easily.

Q. What dyes can be found in my rug?
A. The most common dyes used in the rug industry are chrome and vegetable-based.

Q. What are rugs made of?
A. Rugs can be made from a number of materials. The most common materials in hand-woven rugs are wool, cotton, and silk.