Process: A weaver sits behind a loom and hand ties individual knots onto the vertical strings seen on the backside of a rug.
Manufacturing Time (for 5' x 8' rug): 5-8 Months
Price (for 5' x 8' rug): $500 - $2,000+
Characteristics:
Durability: Longest lasting. Good ones will last 1-25 years. Great ones can last 100+ years.
Shedding: Shed less than a typical had tufted rug.
Process: A weaver follows a pattern on mesh backing and uses a small tool to insert the fiber into the backing. The tool cuts the fiber from the spindle so the fiber is loose in the mesh backing. Once the rug is completely tufted, latex and canvas is applied to hold the fiber in place.
Manufacturing Time (for 5' x 8' rug): 4-5 Months
Price (for 5' x 8' rug): $200 - $1,200
Characteristics:
Durability: Lasts 3-10 years depending on use.
Shedding: They will shed, but this will subside over time. Shedding usually depends on the quality of wool used, and the density of the rug. Cheaper hand tufted rugs will shed more than higher end hand tufted rugs.
Process: A team of weavers uses a long steel rod and shots the fiber across the vertical strings that run the length of the rug. The fiber is continuous and is woven into the vertical strings. The fiber is tied to the edging to hold the fiber in place so you will not see a canvas backing.
Manufacturing Time (for 5' x 8' rug): 4-5 Months
Price (for 5' x 8' rug): $200 - $800
Characteristics:
Durability: Lasts 2-8 years depending on use.
Shedding (Wool): Moderate shedding for an extended period of time. Shedding will subside over a long period of time.
Shedding (Polyester): Minimal shedding.
Process: A team of weavers uses a long steel rod and shots the fiber across the vertical strings that run the length of the rug. The fiber is continuous and is woven into the vertical strings. The fiber is tied to the edging to hold the fiber in place so you will not see a canvas backing.
Manufacturing Time (for 5' x 8' rug): 4-5 Months
Price (for 5' x 8' rug): $200 - $600
Characteristics:
Durability: Lasts 3-10 years depending on use.
Shedding: Moderate, but subsides over time.
Reversible: Can extend life by flipping the rug.
Process: Large machines have hundreds of spindles of fiber that are mechanically woven into a thin mess backing. The machine would run continuously to maximize efficiency. A computer dictates the pattern so there is a little change of error.
Manufacturing Time (for 5' x 8' rug): 3-5 Months
Price (for 5' x 8' rug): $50 - $800
Characteristics:
Durability: Lasts 2-6 years depending on use.
Shedding: Machine made polyester rugs will not shed. Since most are made from synthetic fibers, the pile will crush with heavy traffic.
Manufacturing Time (for 5' x 8' rug): 5-8 Months
Price (for 5' x 8' rug): $500 - $2,000+
Characteristics:
Durability: Longest lasting. Good ones will last 1-25 years. Great ones can last 100+ years.
Shedding: Shed less than a typical had tufted rug.