{"id":1765,"date":"2022-04-13T22:19:17","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T02:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/98.87.68.78\/hand-knotted-vs-hand-tufted-rugs-how-can-you-tell-the-difference\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T19:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T19:11:51","slug":"hand-knotted-vs-hand-tufted-rugs-how-can-you-tell-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugsource.com\/blog\/hand-knotted-vs-hand-tufted-rugs-how-can-you-tell-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Hand-Knotted vs Hand-Tufted Rugs: How Can You Tell the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you first start shopping for a rug, you may find yourself quickly confused by the different types available.

It\u2019s important to know which kind you\u2019re buying to ensure you\u2019re paying a fair price for your rug. Each type has its own maintenance needs, too.

Read on to learn how to tell the difference between a hand-knotted and a hand-tufted rug so you can identify and care for them correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is a Hand-Knotted Rug?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What distinguishes a hand-knotted rug from other types that may look similar is the meticulous, skillful way that it is made.

Creating a hand-knotted rug involves tying individual threads onto a specially-designed loom. The foundation consists of intertwined horizontal threads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hand-knotted rugs<\/a> aren\u2019t usually made from synthetic materials. Wool is the most common natural material used; however, more expensive, highly sought after rugs may be made from silk.
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You may have heard different kinds of rugs described as \u201cOriental\u201d based on their design. Rugs experts know, though, that Oriental rugs<\/a> can only be accurately classified this way if they are hand-knotted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Hand-Tufted Rug?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike hand-knotted rugs, hand-tufted rugs<\/a> are made using a tufting gun. What this tool does is punches fiber<\/a> into a canvas backing that is held in place using an adhesive.This speeds the process up significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The canvas backing is imprinted with the design, which the person wielding the tufting gun follows. Anyone can learn this process in a relatively short time, so it\u2019s not like creating a hand-knotted rug which requires an advanced skill level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When all the fibers have been injected into the pattern, a piece called a scrim is attached to the rug with latex to keep the rug together. Lastly, the carpet loops are sheared off. This flattens the rug. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Choosing Between a Hand-Knotted and a Hand-Tufted Rug<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you might expect since they take so much less time to create, hand-tufted rugs are much more affordable than hand-knotted equivalents. The more complex the pattern, the more expensive the hand-knotted rug is likely to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hand-tufted rugs don\u2019t have the same rich artisanal history as hand-knotted ones, and they don\u2019t last as long either. Hand-knotted rugs can be passed down between generations when cared for correctly because they\u2019re so durable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether a hand-tufted or a hand-knotted rug is more appropriate for you depends on your budget, your personal taste, and how long you hope to keep the rug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparing the Appearance of Hand-Knotted and Hand-Tufted Rugs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To determine whether a rug is hand-tufted or not, check the back. A hand-tufted rug will have a canvas backing glued to it. In contrast, on a hand-knotted rug, you will see individual knots on the reverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thickness of the rug is another clue: tufted rugs are thicker, but knotted rugs are known for their flatter pile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know the difference between hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs, you\u2019re ready to start shopping for your own!

Here at Rug Source<\/a>, we have an extensive collection of rugs available. That means whatever type you\u2019re looking for, you\u2019re bound to find it with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read our other blog posts on Hand-Knotted Rugs<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n