Pros and cons of Wool Carpets

This guide discusses the pros and cons of wool rugs in more detail to help you assess if this is the right carpet for your business or home. If you are looking for wool rugs , please visit our wool rugs and wool rugs product pages .

Wool rugs have had a reputation for quality and durability for hundreds of years. Synonymous with luxury, they remain an extremely popular rug of choice for homeowners and in the residential and hotel construction sector.

Wool as a fiber can withstand pressure, has beautiful aesthetics and excellent appearance retention properties. It also has an amazingly long life when properly cared for, making it a great investment when it comes time to replace existing rugs. If you are considering buying a new rug, wool is definitely a viable option.

However, to really understand if wool rugs are the best choice for you, let’s explore the different types of wool rugs available and the strengths and weaknesses of this versatile flooring option.

Types of wool carpets

Wool carpets mainly come in two different forms: 100% wool rugs or 80/20 wool rugs. Both of these blends can then be manufactured in either wideloom or rug form, providing flexibility in the installation method depending on where and how the wool rug is used.

100% wool carpet / Natural wool carpet

As humans, we’ve used wool for floor coverings for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, since we first discovered how to cut soft, fine wool from sheep. 100% wool rugs (also called 100 % wool rugs or natural wool rugs) are carpets woven from this pure source of material.

The best wool for making 100% wool rugs is ‘chain’ wool. This wool can be found on sheep breeds in England and New Zealand and many rugs contain both New Zealand and English wool.

British wool is bulky, tough and has a unique texture while New Zealand wool is much softer and whiter, which makes it ideal for shade or thinner ranges. New Zealand Merino wool is generally thought to be of a higher quality, however, sheep breeds from around the world can produce wool of comparable quality and often with distinct characteristics.

In addition to sheep’s wool, natural wool rugs can also be produced from the hair of other animals with similar coats such as llamas, alpacas, goats, and even camels!

80/20 wool carpet / Woolen carpet mix

Wool carpet has an intrinsic strength and does not necessarily require any other fiber to improve its performance, but under certain circumstances and for specific reasons it is often blended with other fibers, mainly man-made fibres. These hybrids are known as 80/20 wool rugs, also known as wool blend rugs or wool blend rugs.

Manufacturers may choose to use synthetic materials in yarns for a variety of reasons such as to improve yarn flexibility, stain resistance and strength, or to facilitate dyeing. and print.

Improving the existing properties of wool carpets by adding synthetic fibers has made 80/20 wool carpets increasingly popular. A more durable rug with the same aesthetic and functional properties as 100% wool is a sound investment for any home or business owner.

Advantages of wool carpet

Whether you’re considering a 100% natural wool rug or an 80/20 wool blend, wool rugs have a ton of advantages. Below, we will discuss a few advantages of wool rugs.

Endurance and strength

Wool provides excellent performance with long lasting durability; it has natural flex, strength and elasticity, which means it can provide a ‘bounce back’. When compressing the pile like this, traces and ghosting are significantly reduced. This is why wool rugs can maintain such a good look for years, if not decades.

Dirt resistance

Wool is an all-natural fiber that contains natural oils. These oils are resistant to dirt and will repel other oil-based contaminants. Plus, since wool is a non-transparent fiber, dirt will be harder to see, so your carpet will look naturally clean. For the most part, all you need to keep your carpet looking good is regular vacuuming.

Comfortable and Warm

There is nothing more luxurious than the comfort and warmth of a wool rug. Wool acts as an insulator keeping your home warm, making it an energy efficient investment and a joy to have during the cold winter months. Wool will also absorb sound and will cushion the house against echoes and household noise.

Fireproof and flammable

Natural wool is fire resistant and has an extremely slow ignition rate. Therefore, wool rugs are an extremely safe material to use as floor coverings in homes or commercial establishments. If a fire breaks out, the carpet fibers will melt rather than burn slowly, otherwise stopping the spread of the fire.