Materials + Construction
Made for life
Choosing Your Rug Begins at Home
From the rugged durability of wool to the rich sheen of silk, quality materials proven to stand the test of time are at the heart of each of our hand-knotted rugs.
Questions to Consider
- Is the rug for fashion or function?
- Do you have pets or kids?
- Where will this rug live?
- Is the space a high-traffic area?
- Do you plan to moonwalk on this rug?
Knowing the rug’s intended location and use will help determine which material is optimal.
How does this rug fit into your life? Hallways with high foot traffic need durable rugs, while bedroom and dining room rugs usually get less action and wear. Silk rugs will last a lifetime, but not in your entryway. Wool is the most durable material available — but not if your new puppy loves to “dig” in the hallway.
All of our rugs are hand-knotted by artisans and made from quality materials.
Wool
There’s a reason why most rugs are made of wool. The lanolin oil inherent in its fiber helps bead liquids to protect against spills. With proper cleaning and care, wool rugs will last a lifetime. Rug manufacturers typically use local Indian wool or imported New Zealand wool, known for its light shine. Wool is the easiest to clean and longest-wearing option.
Cotton
The horizontal and vertical foundation of the rug, warp and weft, is made of cotton yarn. The wool yarn is knotted onto this grid to form the wool pile. Cotton is an ideal material since it holds its shape and is less susceptible to warping. When Green Front refers to cotton rugs, we are describing rugs primarily made from cotton, including dhurries, rag rugs and printed rugs. Cotton pile rugs are not very common since wool is naturally more hydrophobic (water repellant) and easier to clean. The pile of cotton rugs can sometimes become felted and tends to attract dirt.
Silk
The sheen and texture of this yarn lends a lavish finish. Silk can be used to highlight details in rugs (10 to 25 percent silk content) or make up the full pile of the rug (as high as 80 to 100 percent). Silk is generally more expensive and less durable than wool pile rugs so make sure you don't use it in a high-traffic area.
Sari Silk
Sari silk is upcycled from previously worn silk saris (draped garments worn by women). Traditional silk saris are inherently delicate, but beautifully vibrant. Worn or damaged saris are collected by rug manufacturers, deconstructed and spun into a brilliantly colored yarn. This yarn is then hand knotted into stunning, colorful rugs. Sari silk rug yarn will vary in texture and sheen, so each rug is truly one of a kind. Sari silk rugs are also known for their especially beautiful pile and soft touch.
Living in a Material World
Natural Fiber
Natural-fiber rugs are woven from fibers extracted from plants, such as jute. Because of their durability, affordable price and neutral color palette, natural-fiber rugs make a sophisticated option for almost any room or style. Jute rugs are great for filling a large space at a low cost and can serve as a base for layering with other rugs.
Synthetic + Blended
Viscose is a synthetic silk with a similar appearance.Viscose is often blended with wool to provide a cheaper alternative to silk. But rugs made from viscose must be professionally cleaned and do not have the wear life of traditional wool or silk hand-knotted rugs.
Bamboo silk is a soft, synthetic silk blend with a shiny luster. Used in conjunction with wool, bamboo silk highlights make a rug pop without the cost of real silk.
Poly
An affordable alternative to wool or other natural materials. Though it’s used in machine-made rugs, the clever construction suggests the look of hand-knotting. Rapidly improving technology is making these rugs increasingly indistinguishable from the real thing. In our opinion, machine-made poly rugs lack the inherent beauty and “soul” of hand-knotted rugs but can still be a good option for certain applications.
HIDES
Each hide is unique in pattern, color, shape and texture. Sheepskin rugs cannot be washed at home and will need professional or dry cleaning. Cow hides are more durable and variations in color help to hide small stains.
- Our cowhides are 100% natural and a meat-industry byproduct.
- Our hides are imported directly from Argentina and Brazil.
- Depending on how you use your hide, you can go for a southwest feel or even mid-century modern. Use them in isolation or overlay two together.
- If you’re getting creative, layer one over a natural fiber or vintage area rug.
Construction
We specialize in and are known for hand-knotted rugs. Approximately 90% of our rugs are hand-knotted. Each rug is made with skilled hands. Within hand-knotted rugs, a variety of specialty finishes can be applied to the rug to give a desired look.
