Rug Vs. Carpet: What's The Difference?

Contrary to popular belief, rugs and carpets are actually extremely different. While they may seem similar, they have different features and properties. But what exactly are the differences you may ask? And how can you tell them apart? Don’t worry; read on to learn more about rug vs. carpet.

Carpet

Carpets are a type of coverings for floors that are disproportionately big and typically include an additional layer that increases their thickness and preserves their form. These extra layers can be a layer of robust fabric, like rubber-based or canvas materials that prevent slipping.

Carpets are also typically a covering that stretches from wall to wall, fixed to your floor. At the same time, because of the additional layer that adds to carpets, cleaning usually requires physical labor, which can raise the cleaning expense.

Benefits of Carpets

Carpets have cushioning below for comfort, and they are attached to the flooring in a smooth manner. They can give your entire house a uniform look by using the same color palette as the flooring.

There are numerous types of carpets, ranging from varying colors and designs for choice.

Limitations of Carpets

Carpet cleaning can be challenging. Furthermore, the cushioning of carpets may readily hold dust and dust mites. As such, they may not be suitable for those with allergies or sensitive noses or skin.

To install carpets, chemicals and glues are utilized. After installation, these chemicals are discharged into the atmosphere, and it takes many months for the off-gassing to occur. The discharged chemicals may be harmful for your health and environment. It can also be difficult to remove your carpet due to the adhesive used.

Rugs

Rugs are often known as throw rugs, they are frequently not attached to the floor and are typically smaller in size than carpets. At the same time, they are weaved without an additional layer. As a result, rugs typically do not have a fixed shape and are much smaller-sized and lighter as compared to carpets.

What this means is you would need to add anti-slip mats on rugs as well. This kind of flooring may frequently be put into a big washing machine and is much easier to clean than carpets. Not to mention, rugs typically cost significantly less to clean since it takes less maintenance. 

Benefits of Rugs

Rugs are much simpler to clean and maintain. Simple vacuuming or regular cleaning supplies are all you need to clean them. Alternatively, you could opt for a professional to clean your rug. There are numerous types of carpets, ranging from varying colors, styles, and designs for choice.

Rugs can also help make any space warmer or cozier and it is much simpler to change up your rugs (and the style of any room) as they are not attached to your floors.

Limitations of Rugs

Because of their size, rugs are unable to give your flooring a cohesive appearance. This also means that they may not suit your needs if you require a larger coverage. While it is a small risk, it is possible for the edges of rugs to cause you or your loved ones to fall.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while rugs and carpets may seem very similar, the main difference is that carpets are a lot bigger than rugs. At the same time, rugs are moveable while carpets are typically glued onto your floors.