When we think of rugs, we think of the primary layer that makes the rest of the room bang. As much as we care about the soft and warm vibe it adds to the room, we also give so much importance to the materials it’s made of. Why? Rugs are not there for us to tiptoe around the house the whole day. They are considered our comfortable space to use. That’s why it is so important to invest in long-lasting rugs that will stand up to whatever life throws their way. Here in this article, we will learn the best materials and types of rugs to be used in heavy foot traffic areas.
Which Materials are Best for High Traffic Area Rugs?
Choosing good durable material for your high-traffic areas is so crucial, as the rug will have to endure the wear and tear from being in busy places and still look great for a long time. Here’s what you should be on the lookout for as materials for your high-traffic area rugs:
Wool
If you want to combine durability with comfort and softness, then wool is the best option for you. It was by far one of the first materials used for knotted rugs. It’s known for its extremely soft feel (feet: woohoo!), having plush heap rebounding after being stepped on, as well as being hypoallergenic (Good news for the allergy sufferers over there). Thanks to the lanolin oil secreted by wooly animals, wool material is water-stain repellent and easy to clean. And most of all, it’s a perfect choice for high traffic areas, as it resists compression pretty fine.
Natural Fiber: Jute, sisal, and seagrass
Natural fibers are knitted from plant fibers. As plants are not as soft as wool, they are used to give that hardness, and durability to fibers, which are used in return to make strong rugs able to bear all kinds of traffic. Jute is considered the second most popular plant fiber after cotton. Seagrass is usually tougher than jute, which makes it a good candidate for doormats. Rugs made of these fibers tend to be more difficult to clean and remove stains from, unlike the others. However, the natural color this material has, which is often light brown or dark tan, is highly used as part of a coastal decorating style.
Cotton
Cotton is usually the first choice for those who are allergic to wool. They are durable and machine washable, which can be used in kitchens and bathrooms where it gets dirty easily. Moreover, you can easily feel the soft material once you step on the rug. The only imperfection cotton rugs have is, by time, the colors can fade away.
Nylon, Polypropylene, and other synthetic fibers
When it comes to choosing a rug for high traffic areas, rugs primarily made of synthetic fibers like nylon, polypropylene, or polyester, are the BEST. Not only because of how durable they are, neither of how long they can maintain their color more than other materials can do, nor of how super easy they are to clean, but mostly because of the degree of softness the pile feels underfoot (Super awesome feeling!).
Top Types of Rugs for High Traffic Areas
Yes, as we mentioned before, it’s really important to choose your rug material carefully as it is so crucial to maintain its solidity, mainly in high-traffic areas. However, the type of rug plays a huge role too when it comes to finding the perfect rug for your area.
Low Pile Rugs
People with allergies, we have some GOOD news for you! Are you allergic to one type of fiber but still like that specific rug? Say no more, we got you! Low pile rugs, because of the small loops they are made off, there are fewer chances of feet getting buried deep in the carpet fiber. Moreover, they are always a great choice for high foot traffic areas as they are not very plush.
Dark Colored Rugs
The special perk of a dark-colored rug is how easily it can hide dirt and stain. As well as it can hold up longer and better than its light-colored counterpart. Our advice for you is, when shopping for your dark-colored rug, bear in mind that some materials may fade easily over time. We suggest you go for synthetic materials or wool for a fade-resistant and strong color rug.
Patterned Rugs
Patterns and dark colors are the best combination for you if you are looking for stain-resistant and less frequent to be cleaned rugs. They are your best option for your high traffic and easy to get dirty areas.
Types of Rug should be Avoided in High Traffic Areas
These are mostly types of rugs that better be used in low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Shag Rugs
Shag rugs are known for their plush nature and long fibers, which makes them a great choice when styling your chic room. However, the shagginess feature here is not good for heavy traffic areas. Over time, the shaggy fiber of the rug will start to feel harsh and rough. Just as frieze rugs, they are to be avoided in high traffic areas.
Furry and Silky Rugs
As much as we love fur and silk, they are not good options for high-traffic areas. As the furriness will quickly fade away, and the silk’s delicate nature will make the rug more likely to wear out when stepped on frequently. In addition, they demand great attention when being cleaned.
High Pile Rugs
As we already mentioned before, low pile rugs can hold up more when faced with the wear and tear of busy places. High pile rugs are made to make the room feel cozy and warm. Lots of traffic will make them lose that softness and coziness we are looking for inside the room.
Light Colored Rugs
Imagine you have a white rug in your kitchen. If you are not SUPER careful, your rug will easily show dirt and stains on the surface. Same thing for entryway rugs, where there is more chance of tracking dirty footprints. Light-colored rugs are to be used in bedrooms or sitting areas to lighten the space.
Do I need a Rug Pad?
Yes, you do. Being under lots of foot traffic may cause the rug to slip — While rug pads are most of the time recommended, using them here is extra-crucial. Our main goal is to make you take advantage of your rug as much as possible WHILE STILL keeping your floor safe. Rug pads are a simple way to go to protect your rug on top and bottom.
Explore Our High Traffic Area Rugs
At Fame Rugs, we will help you to find the exact dream rug you have in mind, which will serve you well, especially in high-traffic areas of your home or business. We have a variety of designs, whether hand-knotted or machine produced, antique or semi-antique, or even low or high piles with different materials.