Are Flatweave Rugs Soft?

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Flatweave rugs are versatile and casual, and they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The casual look and versatility of flatweave rugs make them a great decorating choice for many homes. But are flatweave rugs soft? Lets dig in!

soft flatweave rug

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Are Flatweave Rugs Soft?

Flatweave rugs are soft, but they aren’t necessarily soft to the touch (in the same way that shag rugs are). On the other hand, flatweave rugs are durable, and a flatwoven area rug can be made of many different fibers. So, what determines how soft a rug is? The fibers, of course: some fibers are naturally soft, while other fibers are harder.

There are many different types of low pile flatweaves on the market, but the most popular ones are sisal, jute, and seagrass flatweaves. These materials are twisted into a flat shape, and they are great for areas that have a lot of foot traffic.

Flatweave rugs are one of the most comfortable types of rugs. The weave is tight and the materials used for the weave are generally soft, however, some flat woven rugs are softer than others. More on that below. 

What Makes a Flatweave Rug Soft?

It’s important to understand that flatweave rugs can be made from natural or synthetic fibers.

In most cases, a natural fiber rug will be softer than its synthetic counterpart. This is because natural fiber rugs are made from the softest fibers available. Such as wool, silk, and cotton. 

Unlike hand-woven rugs, flatwoven rugs are woven on a loom, so their fibers are individually attached to a strong backing. The weaving process creates tighter loops that add durability, and since these rugs are made of thin strips of material, they sit low to the floor, which gives them a soft, cozy feel.

But to better answer the question of if flatweave rugs are soft or not, we have to consider the type of material a flatweave rug is made out of.

What Kind Of Material Are Flatweave Rugs Made Of? 

Flatweave rugs are made of a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, jute, sisal and synthetics.

Wool and cotton are two of the most commonly used for flatweave rugs. While wool is generally softer and more plush than cotton, it can be more prone to snagging or fuzzing over time. Cotton is slightly less durable than wool, but it’s easier to clean.

A few of the more common types of flat weave rug include Dhurries, Soumaks, and Kilim area rugs.

The materials that are used to construct them can vary from one region of the world to another.

Which Flatweave Rugs are Soft?

Firstly, it’s important to remember that a rug’s softness is subjective. Objects that are smooth can feel rough, and rough objects can feel smooth. (Trust us, we know.) Likewise, there’s a difference between how something feels to “your hands” versus how it feels to “your feet.”

While most natural fiber flatweave rugs are “soft”, some are “softer to the touch” than others. Again, depending on the fibers used. 

Wool: Wool flatweave rugs will likely take the top spot as “softest to the touch” flatweave rug. Wool is a naturally soft fiber. Wool fiber is praised for its softness and warmth and is often used in carpet and rugs. 

Cotton: Cotton flatweave rugs offer a classic, smooth, and soft feel.

Which Flatweave Rugs are Not as Soft?

As mentioned above, flatweave rugs can be made with a variety of fibers. Some that are less “soft to the touch” are: 

Sisal: These flatweave rugs, which are made of sisal fibers, have a slightly coarse feel to them. This helps them maintain their superior strength and durability, but makes them less “soft to the touch”

Jute: Juts is similar to sisal in that it has a rougher feel to it. Jute rugs are a beautiful choice for your home decor, but they aren’t the softest rugs around. 

Does a Flatweave Rugs Softness Make Them Less Durable?

How durable a flatweave rug is depends on the fiber, weave, and construction. Good quality flatweave rugs can be quite durable if chosen with care. 

Most flatweave rugs woven from natural fibers, such as wool, are extremely durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic. This is especially true of rugs made from the wool of Merino sheep. The Merino sheep is a South American animal distinguished by its resistance to parasites, which makes it an ideal animal for wool production. The fleece of Merino sheep is strong, and its softness is renowned. Some of the finest rugs in the world are made from Merino wool.

Synthetic rug flatweaves are less expensive and can be easier to maintain, but synthetic fibers tend to be less durable than natural fibers.

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