What is woven Carpet? 6 Features of Woven Vs. Regular [Explained!]

A woven carpet is a type of floor covering. That’s what my annoyed aunt once told me when I asked her what is woven carpet🤧 She is considered an expert interior designer for ya.

After a little bit of pestering, she helped me understand the whole industry and the history of woven carpets well. For starters, she explained that –

What Is Woven Carpet? Or, What Does Woven Carpet Mean?

A type of floor cover covering that is made largely from weaving wool or a predominantly wool blend.

Before the 20th century, the pile used to be made from wool. But, since synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon, or polyester are less expensive than wool they have often been used in present time.

But it’s quite less of a scenario these days. Regardless, let’s discover the types of woven rugs. It will also help get the hang of what might ultra plush cut pile carpet may be. In the present market, simply put there are 3 types of woven carpet.

Axminster Woven Carpet

These carpets are created by weaving cut tufts of coloured yarns directly with the backing fibers. Consumers take these types as genuine woven carpets. It is typically made of approximately 80% wool and 20% nylon (Nylon 6.6) fibers. Not me only, says the East Cost Flooring & Interiors too.

SL	Factors	Explanation
1.	Construction	Typically made of an 80/20 ratio of wool nylon  (Nylon 6.6) fibers. The yarn count for these Axminster synthetic carpets is R660/2 ply.
2.	Rows and Color Count	The quality of these carpets can also differ based on row count, which can range from 6 to 12 rows. 12 colors at a time can be used for it.
3.	Density	You would find that the density differs as they are specified as a combination of warp and weft counts. For example, levels like 7×8, 7×9, 7×10, and 7×11 refer to the number of roots of warp and weft yarns per inch
4.	Pile Height and Total Thickness	Stays approximately 7 mm. And so your total carpet thickness would be around 9mm (with a tolerance of ±5%)
5.	Pile Weight and Total Carpet Weight	Approximately 30 oz/yd². And so if your carpet has a width of 3.66m 4m 4.10m then the total weight would be around 1950 g/m2.
6.	Backing and Latex	Consists of cotton and polyester (warp) and PP synthetic latex (weft).

Here take a look at this Image. In it, the famous carpet manufacturer BLOOMSBURG showed how Axminster weave constructs the carpet. The wool carpet fibers for vertical yarn are astonishingly simple. Horizontal yarn of carpet fibers can be sort of tricky on wool carpets though.

Wilton Woven Carpet

“The Wilton woven carpets are also commonly popular among consumers. These types are made by weaving uncut yarn continuously into the carpet backing.”

I’ve dug quite deep to get all this info on The Carpet Council. Hope you’ll appreciate my efforts😩

SL	Factors	Explanation
1.	Construction	Like Axminster, these commercial carpets’ density also differs based on the warp and weft counts. These are woven at a pitch of 9.5.
2.	Rows and Color Count	Its quality can be adjusted by altering the number of rows, from 11-row to 13-row per inch. For colored yarns, you’ll find 6 to 8 at once to be the common preference. Carpet yarn is crucial for the art of carpet weaving.
2.	Material Composition	80% wool and 20% nylon. Carpet fibers shorter pile would prefer the same ratio as well.
4.	Application	These durable popular carpet types are reputed for being great use in busy areas of your house.

In the image below the manufacturer showed how Wilton’s weaving methods work. The colored yarns work in a blend of wool or synthetic materials to construct a durable carpet. But, Wilton carpet’s weft thread seems pretty complex to me. Don’t you think?

Flat Weave Woven Carpet

These flat weave carpets are made by using a loop pile. Why? because –

“It allows the yarn to be woven across a wider area, creating a flatter, and more textured effect.” – says the Flatweave Carpets.

You can use this type of woven carpet to decorate walls and floors, with area sizes ranging from 2 m² to 25 m². Many find this type of plush to wear well. Azerbaijani Carpets are the living legend in this department😎. There are multiple types of flat weave rugs. Let’s a take quick look at them.

SL	Carpet Type	Material	Description
1.	Cicim	Wool, cotton, and raw silk.	Its surface is made of colored warp threads. Width up to 25-30 cm and length can be more than 15 cm. One of Azerbaijani carpet’s specialties.
2.	Kilim	Wool, cotton, and linen.	The structure consists of 2 usual thread systems of warp and weft. And so, the patterns are created using colored weft.
3.	Palas	Wool, cotton, silk, and other fibers.	In this type of carpet construction weft covers warp completely. This also makes the carpet cleaners work not so easy for sure.
4.	Shadda	Wool, cotton, and silk. Uses the Boat technique.	It’s a balanced weave. Involves wrapping thread around 2 pairs of warp threads, then around the last pair, forming a curved thread (4/2).
5.	Shoumak	Wool or silk. Uses the Boat technique.	The inner area is often dark red. The size of the inner area can range from 2 m² to 25 m².
6.	Zili	Wool, cotton, and silk. Uses the Boat technique.	It can be of various structures among all the carpets in existence. But quite similar to Shaddas.

Despite all these varieties of woven carpets in existence, the saddest part is their popularity is still decreasing day by day. In general shorter pile popularity would be the reason.

“Please note that the values used above are exemplary only. Thus, doesn’t support any survey report or research paper.”

And that’s because many average quality and affordable types of carpet material are replacing the expensive artistic value more and more😖 But the good part about woven carpet is that it still gets luxurious value with legacy. Its artistic value and development always keep adding up to the table.

No wonder, why they aren’t out of style yet, huh?

And that’s almost all about what you need to know to gain insights on woven carpets. But wait, Do you still have confusion about if I’m right or not?

That’s rude you know! Kidding😜 Of course, you’d want to know better. Here, watch these videos so that your mind clears up: How a Persian Carpet is Made | The Story Behind How a Handmade Rug is Woven

What Is A Non-Woven Carpet?

Non-woven carpet is also a type of rug. The difference is they are made without any weaving or knitting process. For the sake of you guys, I searched for some manufacturer guides. And guess what I found! –

“Non-woven carpets are the result of using synthetic fibers bonded together through chemical, mechanical, heat, or solvent treatments.”

Honestly, that didn’t sit well with my test after learning this. But because of its ease of installation and cost-effectiveness, it has gained popularity quite fast.

Production in China added 4.7 million tonnes from the end of 2010 through to the end of 2020, representing an 11.5% annual growth rate. The statistics rt of  Ebana confirmed that.

What Is Wilton Woven Carpet?

Wilton woven carpet is a type of high-quality carpet. These are made using a Jacquard loom, which allows intricate patterns and textures on the carpet surface.

This weaving method causes the carpet to be the most durable. I prefer it to be the luxurious add-on to my commercial space.

I feel like I should start a business based on woven carpets🧐. Did you know that by 2026, the global carpet market size is estimated to reach US$ 34,250 million?

What Is A Hand-Woven Carpet?

Hand-woven carpet is the type that is made by manually interlacing the threads on a loom. I learned that it allows more control over the design.

A survey of the Mordor Intelligence™ shows that from April-November 2019, exports of handmade carpets from India stood at INR 64,407.19 crore (approximately USD 916.15 million).

Such huge of a jackpot one can say, don’t you think🤑?

What Is A Flat Weave Carpet?

A flat weave carpet is the type of floor cover you’ll see which is made by weaving wrap and weft threads without a pile.

My aunt says that this specific type of carpet gained its reputation for being lightweight and reversible in nature. 

What’s more? Its non-geometrical designs and vibrant colors also add up to the consumer’s best interest.

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So, what do you think? Did I do a good enough job of explaining woven carpet to you? Well, I did lots of research for you guys. Do let me know what your thoughts are now-

• Please mind your own business! I’m already boiled.
• You talk too much as always. But the insights were quite great this time!
• All these brain frying and you didn’t say anything about its evolution. Great!
• Hmm… You did well! But, I need to compare before deciding anything.

What Are The Characteristics Of Woven Carpets?

The characteristics of woven carpets are what make them unique. Although, these can differ based on quality and type the ultimate result won’t disappoint you for sure😤

The common characteristics are –

1. Woven carpets have a dense and firm texture to it.
2. These are constructed to be highly durable.
3. Intricate patterns are its historical fame factor.
4. A variety of designs and colors is visible in each creation.
5. High-quality craftsmanship is what makes them special to this very day.
6. The luxurious feel and appearance of these carpets are well-received worldwide.

History Of Woven Carpet

I particularly never knew that the earliest evidence of woven carpets was found in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The much bigger shocker is that it dates back to around 3000 BCE.

Here’s a century-based evolution data that I found while researching. Try not to get lost in it, okay?😆

“Please note that the values used above are exemplary only. Thus, doesn’t support any survey report or research paper.”

Got lost already! Don’t worry I won’t leave you hanging. Here take a look at the table and you’ll understand how significantly each century impacted the woven carpet history. Oh, and for the record you’ll find more of this info on Wikipedia for sure.

SL	Period	Key Developments
1.	5th century BC	The Pazyryk Carpet. Nearly 2,500-year-old hand-knotted wool carpet.
2.	8th century CE	Iran Chamber Society declares the flourishing of carpet weaving in Persia.
3.	16th century	Peak of Persian carpet production.
4.	18th century	William Sprague starts the first woven carpet mill in Philadelphia. Thus the birth of the U.S. Carpet industry.
5.	19th century	Introduction of machine-made woven carpets
6.	21st century	The global carpet market is valued at approximately $74 billion

The events throughout these periods are still in action to add a new page to the history book. Some of the key achievements in woven carpet industries are –

• 1791 – The U.S. carpet industry begins with 20 carpet mills producing about 1 million square yards annually.
• 1820 – Technological advancements in mills influenced by British skills hit the market.
• 1839 – Erastus Bigelow invents the power loom for weaving carpets.
• 1840 – Beattie Manufacturing Company opens up in Little Falls, New Jersey.
• 1877 – Bigelow introduces the 1st broadbloom carpet.
• 1920 – Wilton carpet manufacturing starts with Shuttleworth Brothers Company.
• 1929 – Global influence increases with Alexander Smith & Sons becoming the largest manufacturing facility.

And so on… The most followed site CRI has the detailed version if you want.

I’m already feeling dizzy with all this history research and all😵‍💫, aren’t you?

What Materials Are Commonly Used To Make Woven Carpets?

Materials commonly used to make woven carpets are some precise goods. After all, this is what makes the carpet last longer and also wears well over time.

Manufacturer goes for some specific materials making them common. Let’s see what are those-

• Wool – for durability, warmth, and softness.
• Silk – for a luxurious sheen and fine texture.
• Cotton – for its affordability, durability, and ease of dyeing.
• Jute – for its strength and natural appearance.
• Synthetic fibers – for affordability and stain resistance.
• Sisal – for a coarse texture.
• Acrylic – for durability and resistance to sunlight and chemicals.

What Does A Woven Carpet Look Like?

A woven carpet looks different based on its cultural influence. If you want you can look for its key feature factors to illustrate its looks.

Features such as a woven carpet’s texture would look soft. If you have a luxurious woven carpet its pile height would be higher.

Designs can vary but commonly they’ll have geometric motifs, floral designs, and abstract compositions. And there would be endless possibilities in terms of color. For the backing, it would be made of materials such as jute, latex, or synthetic fibers.

What Makes Woven Carpet Different From Regular Carpet?

The irreplaceable features make woven carpets different from regular carpets. I’ll compare them side by side so that you can decide for yourself.

SL	Aspect	Woven Carpet	Regular Carpet
1.	Construction	Interlocking fibers are woven on a loom.	Tufted or looped fibers punched through the backing.
2.	Durability	Durable and long-lasting.	Less durable, especially with low-quality materials.
3.	Texture	Variety of textures.	Uniform and consistent textures.
4.	Design Options	It can be crafted with any option based on preference.	Limited options, mostly solid colors or simple patterns.
5.	Cost	Expensive.	Affordable.
6.	Maintenance	Requires professional cleaning.	Occasional vacuum and system cleaning is good enough.

Is Woven Carpet Better Than Other Types Of Carpet?

Yes, woven carpet is better than other types of carpet to be your flooring element.

Why do I claim so? Because it is more durable and softer than other carpets. Besides I personally prefer how much variety it shows in design and texture. Many consumers also state that they think these woven carpets look like Mughal emperor’s royal belongings👑

But practically speaking it totally depends on your preference. Other carpet types have their own pros as well so you need to give it thought for yourself before you can decide on one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Finishing Touch!

The history speaks for the royal vibe of woven carpets. In Egyptian culture, these rugs are of quite an importance. Even though the popularity has dropped due to expense, the luxurious and artistic value still hails just as it used to in the past.

Now I understand why people praise it so much but buy so less😵. Do give a well-detailed thought before you decide something.