When choosing the perfect rug for your home, it can be difficult to decide between hand-knotted, and hand-tufted rugs. It is also difficult to decide which one best meets your needs. People want to know if there’s a difference in durability, price, and quality. And you need to know exactly what you’re getting when investing in a rug. Today we are going to discuss the difference between hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs.
Are Hand-Tufted and Hand-Knotted Rugs Handmade?
There is a lot of confusing over whether hand-tufted and hand-knotted rugs are handmade. The use of “hand” in their names can be misleading. And there are major differences between the two rugs. Rug makers construct hand-knotted rugs completely by hand, using individual strands of fibre. These rugs can take up to a year to make depending on the design, size and skill of the artisan. They are the true handmade rugs.
Hand-tufted rugs are made using a tufting gun to trace the design onto a canvas. The process can take as little as a day to complete. If you’re having trouble telling the difference between a hand-knotted and hand-tufted rug, there are a few tell-tale signs to look for.
The fringe in hand-knotted rugs is knotted within the fringe, giving the rug a rich, handmade appearance. In tufted rugs, the fringe is often stitched or glued to the back of the rug. Further, the design in hand-knotted rugs will be mirrored on the back. Hand -tufted rugs, however, will have a blank backing.
Differences in Rug Making Material
The materials used to make a rug is one of the first major differences that you’ll find between each rug. And material can play a huge role in determining the price and durability of the rug. It will also influence the design.
Hand-Knotted Rug Materials
Most rug artisans will use materials like silk, wool, cotton, jute and even bamboo to produce hand-knotted rugs. Wool is the most popular material used in hand-knotted rugs.
Hand-Tufted Rug Materials
While hand-tufted rugs make use of natural materials as well, particularly wool, they are less labour intensive than hand-knotted rugs. As a result, artisans are more likely to use different fibres and fabrics to construct their rugs.
Differences in Rug Appearance
While both rugs can perfectly complement any home design, they can have complete differences in appearances.
Appearance of Hand-Knotted Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs are often described as having the most handmade and organic appearance. Because they are handmade, these rugs can also contain tiny imperfections that tell you they were made completely from scratch. There may be slight variations in design and different knot sizes in the fringe.
The Appearance of Hand-Tufted Rugs
Most hand-tufted rugs are all but indistinguishable from hand-knotted rugs when seen from the front. However, there are few imperfections in them than hand-knotted rugs. The main difference is in the rug backing, which will likely look blank, not a mirror of the front design.
The Differences in Rug Durability
Regardless of the material used, there is a clear difference in how well these rugs hold up over time. This is especially true in high traffic areas. It also depends on how well you care for your rug. The best gauge of durability is the rug’s knot density. This refers to how many knots you find in each one square inch. You want a rug with at least 90-100 knots per square inch.
Durability of Hand-Knotted Rugs
These are that most durable rugs you can get. In the hands of a master rug craftsman, your rug has the potential to last for centuries.
Hand-Tufted Rug Durability
Hand-tufted rugs can be less durable. But this doesn’t mean they can’t hold up to years of use. By properly maintaining your rug, it can last ten or more years. It is best to keep it out of high traffic areas to persevere integrity.
What is the Difference in Cost Between Hand-Knotted and Hand-Tufted Rugs?
While quality is the biggest difference between hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs, their prices will reflect those differences. Like any other purchase, the higher the cost of the rug, the higher the quality. Your budget is also going to play a key role in determining which type of rug works best. As well as weaving style, the size and materials of the rug will also determine the price.
Cost of Hand-Knotted Rugs
Because hand-knotted rugs are handmade and incredibly durable, and no two rugs are the same, they have a much higher cost. These rugs are considered works of art and are highly sought-after by collectors, which makes their value increase.
Hand-Tufted Rugs Costs
The price of a hand-tufted rug can vary greatly based on size, design and materials. While the designs are automated, they are still priced in the mid-range level making them ideal for first home buyers and homeowners who want to add just a little touch of class, warmth and taste to a room.
Do you have a rug that’s in need of some tender love and care? Woods Rug Laundry is experienced in cleaning a range of rugs, including handmade and hand knotted rugs. Contact us now to arrange our convenient pick up and delivery rug cleaning service.