What is the Difference Between Carpet and Rug

The main difference between carpet and rug is their size. Carpets are bigger than rugs since they usually extend over the full floor space in a room.

Carpets and rugs are two types of floor coverings that add a finishing touch to your house. They are both soft but thick and heavy materials. Although we often tend to use these two words interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between carpet and rug, and it’s important to know this difference before buying a rug or carpet.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Carpet 
     – Definition, Pros and Cons
2. What is a Rug
     – Definition, Pros and Cons
3. What is the Difference Between Carpet and Rug
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Carpet, Rug

What is a Carpet

A carpet is a thick covering of soft material which is laid over a floor or a staircase. We usually use the word carpet to refer to wall-to-wall floor coverings and the word rug to refer to smaller floor coverings. Wall-to-wall carpets extend over the full floor space and are attached to the floor with glue or tacking strips. Therefore, they create a unified look, matching the colour scheme and the design of the house. Moreover, carpets are available in neutral colours as well as in colourful oriental designs.

They are trip and slip-resistant, which makes them a better choice in homes where the elderly and small children live. Moreover, carpets add a layer of insulation and warmth to the floor. So, there is no need to worry about walking in cold hardwood floors. However, wall-to-wall carpeting can damage the hardwood floor underneath because of the cement or glue used to attach them. In addition, carpets can develop wears in areas with high traffic. Then the homeowners will have to either replace the carpet or install a new piece of carpet in that area, which will create a patchy look.

What is a Rug

A rug is a piece of thick heavy fabric used as a floor covering. Unlike a carpet, it does not extend over the entire floor. Therefore, rugs are smaller than carpets. Moreover, they only cover a specific area of the floor; they are used under a table, or to highlight a conversation area in a living room. Rugs are not usually attached to the floor, so you can move them to different places in the room, or even to different rooms in a house. In addition to these, rugs are easy to clean and require minimal maintenance.

Rugs come in different colours, designs and shapes. Square, rectangular and oval are the most common rug shapes. Rugs are also made from different materials, such as nylon, wool and polyester. They add comfort and beauty to a room while giving it a finishing touch. They are easy to clean and only need minimal maintenance.

Difference Between Carpet and Rug

Definition

A carpet is a thick and heavy covering of soft material which is laid over a floor or a staircase while a rug is a piece of thick heavy fabric used as a floor covering

Size

Carpets are larger than rugs.

Slipping and Tripping

Edges of rugs can cause slipping or tripping while carpets are slip and trip resistant.

Attachment

Carpets are usually secured to the floor and are not movable. In contrast, rugs are not secured to the floor and can be moved around the room.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Carpets are not easy to clean and maintenance since they are large in size and secured to the floor. Rugs, in contrast, are easy to clean and require only minimal maintenance. Therefore, dust and dust mites can accumulate in carpets. Overall, rugs are a better choice for those with dust allergies.

Floor

Moreover, carpets can damage the floor while rugs do not usually damage the floor.

Warmth

In addition to the above, carpets add a layer of insulation and warmth to the floor while rugs don’t.

Conclusion

Carpets and rugs are two types of floor coverings that add a finishing touch to your house. Carpets are bigger than rugs since they usually extend over the full floor space in a room. Therefore, they add a layer of warmth to the floor. Moreover, they are more slip and trip resistant than rugs. However, rugs are very easy to clean and maintain than carpets. Thus, these are the differences between rug and carpet.

Image Courtesy:

1. “670286” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Black leather couch” (CC0) via Pikrepo