A rug is not all about beautiful design and a thoughtful combination of colours. The material is also an important factor people consider while purchasing modern rugs in Australia. The feel, durability and function of the rugs depend on the material. Different types of natural and synthetic materials are used for making the modern pattern and other types of rugs.
So today, we will see pros and cons of commonly used natural and synthetic materials for rugs.
Natural Fiber Rugs
Most of the handmade rugs are made using natural fibres such as cotton, wool or silk. Being made from the finest quality natural materials, these rugs are more durable than rugs made using synthetic fibres. A handmade rug does not emit anything that is harmful to the environment over time. These rugs can be flat-woven, hand-tufted or hand-knotted.
Following are the most common natural fibre rugs:
Wool Rugs
A rug made from wool is the most durable option available to you. This extremely versatile fibre is very easy to dye. The amount of colour option it allows is endless. A wool rug maintains its appearance for a long span of time. This is the reason why it is the most popular choice among homeowners.
Wool is not only comfortable on your feet, but it can also stand up to traffic. If you are a family with an active schedule, a wool rug is perfect for you. Another best thing about wool is its natural ability to repel liquids. It does absorb the moisture, but it takes some time to do so. You can avoid permanent damage by cleaning it up quickly.
A thicker wool rug is prone to shedding or piling. However, you can go for a flat weave option. You should rely on professionals when it comes to clean wool rugs.
Cotton Rugs
Easy to dye, cotton is another natural fibre allowing many colours. A cotton rug is flat weave or braided. It is softer than a jute or sisal rug. Cotton rugs are durable and machine washable. You have to spend less on cotton rugs as compared to wool rugs. If you want more casual looks, invest in cotton rugs. This rug is suitable for a busy family on a budget.
Jute and Sisal Rugs
These are tough and durable rugs. No other type of fabric can achieve textures and weaves comparable to jute and sisal rugs. If you are allergic to wool, this is the best alternative available to you.
However, as compared to wool or cotton rugs, jute and sisal rugs are more coarse and rough on your feet. These rugs also absorb moisture quickly. So, it is not easy to remove stains from these rugs.
Silk and Viscose Rugs
Both are absorbent, soft and easy to dye materials. Though silk and viscose rugs are versatile, these are not durable. Both materials are often combined with wool. This combination creates depth and provides the rug with a beautiful sheen.
Synthetic Rugs
These machine-made rugs can be easily customized in terms of the size, colours, patterns etc. most of the synthetic rugs are machine-made rugs.
Following are the synthetic rug choices available to you:
Nylon Rugs
These rugs come in a limitless amount of colours. It is a material that resists dirt and crumbs. It is easy to clean and it can stand up to traffic. However, as a nylon rug is acid dyed, its silky appearance fades away.
Olefin Rugs
Olefin is the most common fabric used in rugs. It is affordable, stain-resistant, moisture resistant, and also holds colour well. These qualities make it suitable for outdoor settings. However, an Olefin rug is not suitable for high traffic areas.
Polyester Rugs
These durable, solution-dyed rugs resist fading, bleaching and other wear and tear. However, these affordable rugs are not easy to dye. Polyester rugs come in limited colours and patterns and also not good at repelling oil.
Don't ignore material while purchasing modern rugs in Australia.