9 minute read
Fiber at a Glance
from Custom Carpet
by Kravet Inc
ARTIFICIAL SILK
Low Low Soft Medium - Low û û û û These area rugs are most suitable for light to moderate traffic area: secondary rooms such as bedrooms and formal living areas.
BAMBOO SILK: Fibers that are produced using bamboo (which is a grass) as the cellulose donor. Higher quality than viscose given it’s origin, more similar to banana. It has more stippling when dyed and is very common in India to achieve a high silky luster. It is as delicate as silk. Other properties include a soft hand and good color fastness. It is less resilient than silk and will crush more easily under furniture. Shading will occur from vacuuming as the pile shifts and tracking will occur from foot steps. BANANA SILK: A yarn produced from stripping the bark of banana trees and more common in Nepal. It has better properties than viscose. It dyes more consistently and evenly. It is super soft and resembles Chinese silk. TENCEL: Made from the bark of a cyprus tree, closer to bamboo and banana than viscose. When creating the fiber, less chemicals are used, increasing the chances of stain removal. This is a trade marked viscose from Italy. VISCOSE/RAYON: Can be produced from trees, grass and cotton, as they all get their strength from cellulose origins.
Adds luster and shimmer to designs. Soft to the touch, easy to dye. “Faux Silk” can be highly reflective, and the colors change constantly with light, yielding a uniquely dynamic look. Whitest white color can be achieved. May be easily flattened by heavy furniture: not recommended in high traffic areas like hallways, wet areas like kitchens, or under dining room tables. Harder to clean than wool or cotton. Soiling needs immediate attention. It is best to clean the entire rug at one time.
COTTON
Low Medium Soft Average û û ü ü Fluffy, soft staple fiber that grows in protective capsules around the seeds of cotton plants. Cotton is used in rugs as the structure warp and weft holding other fibers in place. Yarns can be textured to create chenille, it has a natural shine and casual appearance. Often reversible, inexpensive, hypoallergenic, biodegradable/eco-friendly. It takes color very well, therefore, colors can be bolder and brighter. HEMP/ABACA Medium High Coarse High û û û ü Hemp Grass is a smooth grass fiber which is a rich, coppery shade of brown, providing a neutral ground to any design scheme. A strong material that is very durable and processed using an eco-friendly water-based method. Unlike some natural rug fibers that cannot handle water or humidity, if a hemp rug does get wet, the material will not get damaged. Simply allow it to air dry.
JUTE/SISAL Low - Medium High Coarse Medium - High û û û ü Sisal fibers are extracted from the crushed leaves of the agave plant while jute is created from the stems of a jute plant. Both sources produce all-natural, sustainable fibers that can be spun into coarse, strong threads, jute being the softer of the two. They absorb dye well allowing for a variety of natural color offerings.
LINEN Medium Medium - Low Coarse to Medium
High û û ü ü Made from the flax plant, linen is generally acknowledged for it’s strength, absorbency and the ability to keep cool or warm depending on the conditions. Linen’s natural coarseness will greatly soften over time. Linen is one of the oldest fibers around. It tends to gain a weathered, vintage feel which plays to the sense of authenticity that is a touchstone for the new generation of shoppers. Color varies depending on the season in which it was harvested.
NYLON
High High Soft High ü ü ü û Nylon resembles silk or viscose but is much more durable, has increased resistance to crushing and far better sunlight resistance. This is gaining popularity in both broadloom and area rugs for high sheen, soft and performance. Nylon is a thermoplastic silky material that can be melt-processed into fibers. It is made of repeating units linked by amide links similar to the peptide bonds in proteins. Nylon polymers can be mixed with a wide variety of additives to achieve many different property variations. Nylon can have a low luster to a high sheen. Nylon is very strong and in fine area rugs, can be used in hand loom as well hand tufted. It’s is as expensive as wool sometimes more. In the broadloom world, it is one of the most expensive and luxurious fibers. NuSilk™ is one brand of Nylon Kravet offers and is made in the USA. Whitest white color can be achieved. Nylon has increased resistance to crushing, sunlight fading, insects, fungi, mildew, molds, and rot. Nylon is a performance fiber for indoor use only.
Cleanable Low = Difficult to Clean Medium = Moderate High = Easy to Clean Resilience Low = Crushes Easliy Medium = Moderate High = Does not Crush Durability Low = 1-3 years Medium = 3-5 years High = 6+ years
PET
High Medium Soft to Medium High ü ü ü ü POLYESTER POLYETHYLENTEREPH- THLALATE: A yarn from recycled plastic containers, known as “Pop Bottle Carpet”. A fine, light weight and medium luster yarn which is suitable for outdoors, it’s less hydrophobic and dries slower comparatively to Polypropylene. Susceptible to damage if exposed to highly alkaline chemicals. When exposed to continuous water for a prolonged period, yarns strength may diminish and begin to break down. It is innately UV resistant. PET is dyed through a conventional process called Dopedying, an energy saving and environmental friendly process, in which a colorant is added to the polymer melt during spinning. Color fastness to rubbing and washing is good using this technique. Although its a finer and soft yarn, it is comparatively higher in density. PET has a slightly lower melting point of 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius). Ensure rug exposure does not exceed this temperature.
PLANT BASED Low - Medium High Coarse Medium - High û û û ü Not only are natural fiber rugs more effective at absorbing harmful materials such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and reducing allergens, they are eco-friendly as well. Made from materials such as cotton, hemp, linen, sea grass, jute and sisal. Natural fiber rugs are biodegradable, recyclable and renewable, able to be collected again and again without damaging the ecosystem. Strong and durable materials, especial sisal and abaca. Even though some plant-based fibers (like jute and hemp) take dye well, their undyed tones provide a neutral background to both contemporary and traditional décor schemes. These fibers natural textues lend themselves to woven patterns. Can be cleaned by simply shaking the dirt out. Naturals are coarser than other fibers and can feel rough underfoot. Natural fibers are not as stain resistant as wool and synthetics. Because they absorb moisture, natural fibers are not suited to damp environments. With daily exposure to direct sunlight, natural fibers may fade or darken. POLYESTER High Medium Soft High ü ü ü û Man-made synthetic fiber produced from chemicals such as petroleum. Value and performance. Super strong fiber that is naturally resistant to stains and can easily be treated for extra protection making a durable and cleanable rug. Offers the same look and feel of a wool or viscose rug at lower price with faster turn-around times. A good substitute for people who are allergic but want wool look of wool rugs. Synthetics are shinier and slicker than true wool, may not have desired appearance. These are not always easy to dye so color options more limited.
POLYPROPYLENE (PP) High Medium Coarse to Medium
High ü ü ü û A thermoplastic fiber that is heavier, thicker and slightly rougher in texture with a high luster. It is suitable for outdoors as well as indoor use. It absorbs less water/moisture and dries much faster, making it mildew resistant and suitable for all moist, humid conditions. Although, it is innately less UV resistant comparatively, UV absorbers/stabilizers are added during production process that makes PP fiber resist polymer degradation in UV light (the sun for instance). It has a hygienic structure that does not cause allergic reactions. It is very stable when interacting with most chemicals; resistant to sea and swimming pool water. PP can show foot prints, smooth any imprints and wrinkles by hand. Polypropylene has a melting point of 338 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius). Ensure rug exposure does not exceed this temperature.
SILK
Low Low Soft Average û û ü ü A natural protein fiber spun by silkworms or caterpillars which can be cultivated or wild. Cultivated fibers are longer and better suited to weaving, but animal- rights activists oppose the cultivation process because it entails killing the insects (Gandhi was a major objector). In rug making, silk is often blended with stronger, more elastic wool to increase durability and lower prices. Most rugs are hand- knotted or handwoven. Styles range widely from traditional to modern. Silk rugs are the softest you will find, and they have a sophisticated, elegant look. One of the most durable fibers around, they can last a lifetime. Mostly woven by skilled artisans, a hand-knotted silk rug is an investment, an heirloom that can be passed down for generations. Silk has an innate luster and sheen that make them highly reflective. The colors change constantly with the light, yielding a uniquely dynamic look. It also takes dye better than any other fiber, leading to beautiful color variations. Silk rugs are very (sometimes very, very) expensive; depending on quantity of silk used. Their natural sheen: while highly desirable to some, it can actually look, well, cheap and tacky to others. Silk does not have the natural springiness of wool, so footprints show easily (com-pressed, silk reflects the light differently from the surrounding area), and furniture marks are difficult to remove. Silk fibers do not have the natural stain-resistance of wool.
WOOL
High High Medium High ü ü û ü Made primarily from from sheep shearings. Other sources include alpaca, goat (mohair or cashmere) and llama. Wool is further categorized by its origin such as Indian, Tibetan, Nepalese, Afghani, New Zealand and European. A rugs appearance depends on the wool. Based on the sheep’s environment, it will have different levels of lanolin, which enhances the fiber’s durability and texture. The harsher the weather, the tougher it is. Wool is graded on it’s natural characteristics, such as strength, color and staple length. Wool fibers are coated with a thin protective membrane making them water, stain and soil-resistant, so upkeep is easier than most materials. It is highly elastic, therefore, furniture and foot-traffic marks brush out easily. Wool absorbs airborne contaminants like formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide, which have been shown to cause health problems, thereby improving the air quality in your home. It easily absorbs and releases moisture without developing mold or mildew, ideal for humid climates. Harvesting wool is far more energy-efficient than producing synthetic fibers, making wool rugs more eco- friendly than imitations. Wool is an excellent insulator and will help keep warm air from escaping through floors in the winter. (This, happily, means lower energy bills.)
