So, what’s the difference between a wool rug and a synthetic rug and why do the prices vary so much?  

A nylon rug is obviously made with man made materials and put together by a computer and a machine.  Zip zip, done.  The advantages of nylon rugs are they are cheaper, shouldn’t shed, are good for people with certain allergies, are recyclable, provide a greater range of colors, and allow a lot of creativity in pattern and texture which is why most contemporary rugs are made this way.  They can be considered disposable, as they are less expensive and don’t last as long, so your rugs can easily be changed with your taste.  You can get a lot of look for the money with a synthetic rug.

If green design is your mission, the fact that synthetic rugs are recyclable is cool, but the process of making them is not.  Chemicals, and toxins, and petroleum, oh my!

Traditional wool rugs can be broken down in three categories:  power-loomed, hand tufted, and hand knotted.  Power-loomed rugs are made by machine, just like the nylon rugs.  Hand tufted rugs have the little pieces of wool yarn shot with a hand held device through a fabric template, kind of like paint by numbers…with a gun, and then have a canvas backing glued on.  Hand knotted rugs are just like you would imagine; some guy with gnarled fingers, in a village on the other side of the world, knotting each piece of yarn one at a time.  Some of those rugs take up to six months to complete and each will have its own unique characteristics.  You can tell a hand knotted rug by flipping it over where you should see the individual knots.  Also, the fringe will be an extension of the rug and not sewn on as an addition. These rugs hold their value, last forever because of the springiness of the natural fibers (your grandkids will be thrilled), provide a certain prestige, can be professionally repaired, and tend to feel luxurious underfoot.

A ‘very fine’ wool rug will have over 167 knots per square inch.  Think about that for a second!

Why are some wool rugs much more expensive than others?  Lots of reasons, but certainly the complexity of the pattern, the number of colors, and the quality of the wool will have a lot to do with price.  Some dye processes are crazy.  Weeks in a series of vats out in the sun, etc.  New Zealand wool is generally accepted to be preferred.  The wool is the purest white, which accepts dye and represents colors best, and is shaved from the chests of live sheep which is where the soft wool comes from.  Wool from live sheep also has more oils which provide a natural stain resistance to your rug.  The super cheap wool rugs you see sold from the back of a pickup on the street corner, well, if you consider the good rugs are made from the chest wool of live sheep, then just think the opposite.