Carpet is a textile floor covering that is fixed to the floor surface and extends wall to wall. Such a textile floor covering is manufactured in two ways: hand-made or machine-made.
One of the most prominent differences between hand-made and machine-made carpets is that the former holds a valuable impression. The other main difference between these two types of
rugs is the actual manner of construction. Machine-made rugs consist of plastic derived fibers being glued onto a strong plastic base which makes them initially very durable, but over time the adhesive degrades and the fibers detach easily from the base.
It is said that for rooms with modern designs or active areas with high traffic or children, machine-made rugs with contemporary designs are excellent. On the other hand, there is a common misconception that hand-made oriental rugs are delicate and not durable. Their ornate designs and soft feel often deceive many.
More clarity on the differences can be explained in terms of:
• Knots used
• Sides and Ends sewn
• Back of the carpets
• Materials used
• Touch
• Manufacturing process
Knots
Machine-made rugs and carpets are not woven by hand but are loomed by a computer generated system or apparatus. There are no knots in machine-made rugs. Whereas in a hand-made rug, each knot is hand knotted and tied. In machine-made carpets, threads are glued or looped onto a hot latex (plastic) backing which cools and hardens. They show a complete and rigid uniformity in manufacture which transforms into a static design. Machine-made rugs generally lack spontaneity and human touch. Also read various hand-knotting styles
Sides and Ends
In a hand-made or hand-knotted rug, the fringe is ‘part’ of the rug. The fringe is not sewn on as an extension, as is the case in machine-made rugs. Machine-made rugs always have ‘serged’ sides or machine stitching on both sides of the rug, as opposed to a hand-knotted which will be irregular and imperfect.
Back
In power loomed or machine-made rugs the stitching on the back is very consistent. They have extremely regular knots and even structure remains identical in all parts of the carpet. On the other hand, in hand-knotted rugs the stitching varies slightly due to different tensions on the wool as people hand-tie the knots. Most hand-made rugs and carpets are covered with a cotton or canvas backing.
Materials
Acrylics and other chemically processed materials are usually used to make machine-made carpets. Hand-knotted rugs and carpets use pure organic wools.
Touch
You can also differentiate a machine-made and hand-made rug simply by touching. If you place one finger on the front of a machine-made rug and your thumb on the back and pinch tightly, the rug will compress greatly and you will feel a sensation going right through one side to the other side. On the other hand, while pinching hand-made rugs you will feel much more body and substance.
Process of Manufacture Machine Made Carpet
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