Persian Rug Decisions

When you are going out to buy yourself a brand spanking new (isn't that ironic?) antique rug or Persian rug you're going to buy. Obviously one of the most exciting aspect is choosing colors, patterns, motifs, and general aesthetic properties.

It's fascinating how we can all flip through many samples and have a pretty clear idea in our minds of what we like and what we don't like, even if we don't really have much expertise on a subject.

One thing people don't tend to consider as carefully, though, is the type of material their Persian rug is made of. This can be almost as important as what it looks like from far away, because the material will determine the feel of your large antique rug, how long it will last, the pricing, what rooms or places it will look best in, and how you will have to care for it.

For example, all-natural materials tend to fetch a higher price than more modern manufacturing materials.  But natural fibers like wool, cotton, and grass look fantastic.

Wool is all-around a great choice because it's very durable, resistant to pressure, and can be very soft. It's also fairly easy to clean. It might be a tad more expensive, but well worth it. Cotton rugs are definitively less hardy than wool, but they do very nicely as smaller rugs.  Grass rugs aren't always available, and when they are, they usually have pretty limited color choices. But they certainly add a sense of authenticity to a room, and can add a lot of spice to a room. They are not particularly stain-resistant or easy to clean, though.

More synthetic materials tend to be cheaper. For example, nylon is a great material because its durable, cleans well, and holds color extremely well, allowing for a vast range of possible patterns and designs. It's also hypo-allergenic, and pretty resistant to infestations.

Olefin polypropylene materials are very lightweight and super strong- they will last quite a while. They're probably the cheapest, and can even endure being placed outside. Thy do tend to be pretty flat and coarse, though, and wear out more quickly than either nylon or wool rugs.

Polypropylene/Olefin: Polypropylene, also known by a brand name of Olefin, is lightweight, durable, strong and inexpensive.  Olefin rugs are the least expensive fiber for rugs, and it is not only used for interior floors, but outdoor area rugs as well.  Olefin tends to ‘flatten’ more than a nylon or wool rug, and while it’s durable, it’s not as stain-resistant and long lasting as wool or nylon rugs.