Do YOU Know the Parts of an Area Rug?
Hi folks! Ruthie here with Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care! Today I wanted to do something fun for our article and talk to you about the parts of a rug! I won’t go into the parts too extensively, but you will get a beginner’s crash course in the terminology for area rugs.
Field: This is the main body of the rug. It’s generally surrounded by the borders.
Border: These are on the outer edges of the rug (makes sense, right?) and there is typically more than one. The widest border is called the ‘main border’ while the smaller borders are called ‘guard borders.’
Medallion: This is the heart of the rug - well, the center of it at least. It’s typically either a floral or geometric motif.
Spandrel: You can find decorative spandrels just inside the four corners made up by the borders of a rug.
Mihrab: This represents the prayer niche in a mosque wall. It manifests as an arch design in prayer rugs.
Warp Threads: These are the foundation threads that run the length of the rug (they also make up the fringes). The wool face fibers are knotted to these warp threads.
Weft Threads: These foundation threads run left to right (horizontal) throughout the rug. They help to hold the knots in position because they are pushed up so tightly to the face fibers that they don’t allow extra movement.
Fringe: This is an extension of the rug - the foundation warp threads run through and extend out of the rug. To prevent unravelling and give the rug a lovely finished look, the threads are knotted or braided. Not only is this meant to be decorative but more importantly it secures the threads so the rug doesn’t unravel. NEVER CUT OFF THE FRINGE OF YOUR RUG.
With my little crash course in rug terminology, feel free to show off to your friends in your home when you’re talking about your own area rugs!
Keep in mind that all area rugs need T.L.C. and Arizona Oriental specializes in the proper care of all types of area rugs. From cleaning and bringing back the bright colors in your rug’s medallion to repairing unravelling fringes for instance, we can care for all your area rug’s needs.
Till next time, enjoy your beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug is a rug that can last you a lifetime!
Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, Flagstaff, and much of the Northern Arizona areas. We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with rug wash specialists having earned the highest training, including certification as WOOLSAFE FIBRE CARE SPECIALISTS through the WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION. Such extraordinary certification ensures our client’s area rugs receive the highest quality care.
Have more questions about area rug cleaning or repair? Give us a call and get a free estimate at 928-445-1718, visit our website at www.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available). 7-20-2018
