Rug construction

The majority of carpeting manufactured in the US is tufted (other types are woven, hand-knotted, etc.). Tufting is when the carpet fibers are punched into a canvas backing allowing the rug to lay flat on the floor and not stretch. The ‘pile’ is the fibers that make the top of the carpet (what you see and walk on). The carpet’s pile is critical because it affects the performance, appearance and price of a tufted carpet. Things to consider about the pile is how it is constructed, its density and its height. 

Pile construction options:

• Loop pile - both sides of fiber are attached to backing, what you see is a loop of fiber

• Cut pile - one side of fiber is attached to backing, the other is the surface of the rug, what you see is ends of fibers

• Shearing - loop pile but loop is partially cut to expose some tiny fibers

Most durable rug has the following pile:

• Loop pile

• High density pile

• Low pile (shorter fibers)