Do you also think that rugs and carpets are the same? Well, you are not completely wrong. Both have similar look and style so it might confuse some people.
The truth is that there are a few differences between rugs and carpets that everyone should know.
There are many floor coverings options and you might wonder which one is better; carpets or rugs?
In this post, we will discuss all the differences of rugs and carpets to help you choose the right floor covering option.
What are Rugs?
A rug is purposely used for decoration and protection as a small floor covering option. It is a thick piece made with twisted fabrics.
There are many types of rugs available all around the world. Each is categorised based on the visual style, material, and construction of the rug.
Rugs are a great way to add an extra glance to the decoration of the room. You can find rugs in different colours, textures, and designs. Wool and olefin and two common materials used for the manufacturing of rugs.
What are Carpets?
A carpet is the most used floor covering option, stretched from wall-to-wall in the whole room with two main layers, upper and lower.
The upper layer is mainly for protection and decoration, made with heavy piles. The lower layer is for the base and fixed completely to the floor.
Back then, carpets were only used for covering the floor, but now people buy carpets as a decorative piece to add a touch of aesthetic in the room. The designs, textures, and colours come in a wider range and can be made customised as well.
Differences between Rugs and Carpets
Now that you have enough knowledge about rugs and carpets, it’s time to highlight the differences between them.
There are a few similarities in rugs and carpets. However, they are not completely the same. Explore some of the differences mentioned below between rugs and carpets. Have a look:
- Size
Size is the most visible difference between carpets and rugs. As carpets cover the whole floor, it is obvious that it comes in bigger sizes. Whereas, rugs are smaller in size because of the small floor coverings.
The size of the carpets and rugs typically depends on the floor of the room. For rugs, there are different sizes available, whether you want to cover the smaller or bigger portion of the room. The most common sizes are 3’ x 5’, 5’ x 8’, 8’ x 10’, and 10’ x 12’.
As for carpets, you must figure out the size of the area first where the carpet will be installed. Once you examine the area, move on to the size of carpets. You can find various sizes in carpets, varying from 12’ feet, 13’ feet, to 15’ feet.
Remember that you choose the right size of a carpet because once the carpet is fixed in the ground, it’s hard to move it. Unlike rugs, carpets are not portable.
- Shape
Rugs have many different shapes, you can get it in rectangular, oval, round or square shape. On the other hand, the shape of the carpet depends on the area of the room.
Since rooms have a regular shape, the rectangular and square shaped carpets are the most common choices.
- Flexibility
The plus point of installing rugs is that it is flexible. You can easily replace it and move to the other direction. That’s why it is said that rugs are much easier to maintain and washable.
Well, that’s not the case with carpets as they are generally not flexible. You can not easily move carpet to the other location once it is fixed. Also, carpets are hard to maintain and to remove them, people normally call professionals to avoid any damage to the floor.
- Usage
Rugs are lightweight and mainly used for decoration because of its aesthetic designs, textures, and colours. While, on the other hand, the purpose of using carpets is for protection as they have strong and thick layers.
Carpets are a basic necessity and rugs are commonly used for luxury and to boost the aesthetics of the room.
- Durability
Rugs made with strong materials like wool, nylon, and olefin tend to have high durability. But, the durability is not guaranteed with rugs made with different materials.
Well, carpets are known for their longevity and are highly durable. The strong materials used in manufacturing the carpets proves its 100% durability.
- Designs and Styles
Rugs and carpets both have their own different styles and designs, depending on the material, visuals, and construction.
Rugs are more aesthetically appealing with floral, weaves, and geometric patterns. Whereas, carpets are commonly popular for either simple, striped and royal designs.
- Location
Rugs are usually installed in the rooms with empty spaces where small flooring is covered. While, carpets are placed in the entire room as the main purpose of carpet is to cover the whole floor.
- Price
Since rugs are lightweight and smaller in size, they are cheaper than carpets. But, still the price depends on which material you choose for carpets or rugs.
For example, wool is an expensive material so you may find it expensive. Although, carpets and rugs made with other synthetic material will give the same pleasing look.
Final thoughts
Once you have knowledge about the differences between rugs and carpets, you will find it easier to pick the right floor covering option.
All of the important details, whether it’s size, shape, or styles, were mentioned in this blog to solve your problems. Now you can easily make the decision between rugs and carpets and choose the best one for your room.