Different Types of Floor Covering
Written by Abdolhossein Ghasemnejad.Classic textile floor coverings are made in four ways:
Felt: Non-woven; the fibers in such coverings are interwoven through rubbing and pressing.
Kilim: Flat-weaves are those coverings with no pile, which are woven once warps and wefts go through each other.
Knitted Textile: Loop-weaves are those with no pile, which are woven using one string of thread interweaving loops.
Rugs: Pile-weaves which contain both warps and wefts as well as pile.
Felt
Today the use of felt has been rendered obsolete in modern communities; it is also rarely used in rural areas and among nomads. However, the fundamental techniques of producing felt are still practically used in the production of some filters and other similar coverings. Felt is basically made of wool which contains cuticles in its composition. This outer covering causes the fibers to be interwoven when rubbed or pressed, forming a single flat piece. The fibers in wet felt with warm water applied are better hooked together.
Kilim
Kilims are usually made in two ways: flat-weave or spiral-weave. Although both types do have sub-categories, they are the same in texture. Flat-weave kilims are formed when wefts are threaded back and forth at the top and bottom of the warp. Spiral-weaves, on the other hand, are made when wefts go round the warps.
Knitted Textile
There are two types of loop-weaves based on the tools used. These are woven using one hook-point needle which makes larger weaves possible. The other type is woven using two needles, though due to the height of the needles, the size of the weave is limited.
Rugs
Pile-weaves are initially formed with warp and weft, and then the piles threaded between warps and wefts. Knotting is also done in several ways. Symmetrical knot (Turki), and asymmetrical knot (Farsi). These two knots are implemented on two warps (top and bottom).
Sometimes the knot is done round one warp (Spanish knot), and sometimes is placed on one warp like a U. the knot can also be ringed on two warps at the top and bottom like a W.
Bibliography
Ghasemnejad, Abdolhossein. 2022. Field Work.