What is the Difference Between a Rug and a Carpet?
We often think of a carpet and a rug to be the same thing, don’t we? Well, these two things are two common types of floor coverings that people use to complete the decor of any of their rooms. Rugs and carpets are made of materials that are thick and heavy in nature. However, they feel soft against our skin. Households commonly use a rug or carpet for both functional and aesthetic purposes. They bring some colourful ambience to a plain room without needing too much effort.
Sometimes, people even end up calling a rug a carpet. However, it is important for us to understand the difference between these two things. In this blog, we will shed light on the difference between a carpet and a rug, their purposes, and where we can use them. Before we start the battle of rug Vs carpet, you need to know what these things exactly are.
What is a Carpet?
A carpet is essentially a thick fabric material that is spread over a floor or staircase. Carpets are usually known for their trip-and-slip-resistant nature, which makes them the perfect choice for homes with the elderly or small children. In addition to that, carpets give the floor an additional layer of warmth and insulation. So, you don’t have to be worried while walking on cold hardwood floors that are covered with carpets.
Wall-to-wall carpets are known to cover the entire floor. They are secured with glue or tacking strips, which helps them create a smooth aesthetic that blends well with the colour palette and architectural style of the home. Furthermore, the most common colour patterns found in carpets are neutral hues and vibrant oriental patterns.
What is a Rug?
Just like a carpet, a rug is also a piece of thick fabric that is often used to cover a floor. However, it only covers a floor partially and is quite smaller than a carpet. Rugs are sometimes not attached to the floor, which makes it easy to move them around the home. Although known to be slippery, you can opt for non-slip rug pads as per the features and size of the rug present in your home.
Rugs are famous for being low on maintenance and can be easily cleaned. They come in various colours, shapes, and patterns. They are usually available in shapes like rectangle, square, or oval. Rugs are made of different materials like nylon, silk, wool, and polyester. They also help you add a beautiful finishing touch to your room as it will help you create a cozy mood in an aesthetic manner. You won’t need to spend money and energy on maintaining rugs as they can be easily cleaned.
Now, Let’s jump into the real battle: Rug Vs Carpet.
What Separates a Rug From a Carpet?
| Factors | Rugs | Carpets |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Rug is known to be below 2 metres in length. They can cover upto 40 Sq. Ft.. | Carpets can cover a room’s entire floor space. They also come in different size ranges. |
| Installation | As they are not attached to the floor permanently, rugs are known to be easy to fit. It is also easy on your pocket. | Due to their large sizes, carpets can only be installed with the help of professional support. Its installation procedure is quite expensive. |
| Uses | You can use rugs anywhere, as attractive doormats on the front door or wall hangings that look beautiful. You can also use them as bed and sofa throws. | People usually think of carpets to be the second flooring. You can use them when the flooring of your home has lost its aesthetic appeal. If you want to personalize your space, then carpets are the best solution for you. |
| Mobility | Rugs can be easily moved around and placed wherever you want to do so. | Carpets are usually connected to the floors with the help of cement or a special adhesive, which makes it hard for you to move around easily. |
| Wearability | Rugs are known to wear out slowly. | Carpets can be worn out quickly, particularly in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic. |
Pros of Carpets:
• Cost-Effective:
Carpets are known to cost typically less than rugs. You can cover one room’s flooring with a single carpet, which makes more sense.
• Variety and Availability:
You can find a comprehensive variety of carpets to choose from at a good showroom.
• Personalized Options:
You can get your carpets cut in all sizes and shapes, then edged, bound or serged, making it a tailor made floor cover.
Cons of Carpets:
• Less Durability:
Carpets can’t withstand heavy cleaning, such as beating with a broom, being shaken out, or getting dunked in a tub.
• Difficult to Repair:
Patches or stains on a carpet cannot be easily removed. You should also replace the old carpets with the new ones on a periodic basis.
Merits of Using Rugs
• Handcrafted:
Rugs are woven, stitched, or knotted manually.
• Durability:
Rugs are known to be more durable than carpets.
• Variety of Designs:
As rugs are handmade and can be personalized you can get your rugs made in different colours, styles or motifs.
Demerits of Rugs
• Expensive:
You may end up paying a significant amount of money if you want top-quality rugs.
• Longer Manufacturing Times:
As rugs are handcrafted, It will take you a lot of time to get the finished product.
Conclusion
As carpets and rugs can be used to bring aesthetic appeal to your home, it is important to understand the difference between these two things. It will help you know and select the suitable material that will be the right choice for your area. In addition to that, it is easy to clean a rug. And for a carpet, you will require professional assistance. For that, you can get in touch with the expert professionals at Tycoon Cleaning, who will help you get your carpets cleaned and ensure zero damage to the material.