What are Berber Rugs?

BFG540A from Berber Fringe Shag by Safavieh

Rugs come in so many materials, styles, shapes, and colors. It can be overwhelming to choose which one will work best for your home and lifestyle. Often some of the most interesting rugs are unknown to most people, like Berber rugsBerber rugs add a little pizzazz to your home and decor. They come in a variety of styles and colors for a variety of budgets.

Definition of Berber

BFG628F from Berber Fringe Shag by Safavieh

Berber rugs get their name from the African tribe that created the unique style of weaving found in these rugs. Berber use to just refer to the coloring of these rugs. A light colored rug with hints of darker color was one of the characteristics of Berber rugs in the past. Most of the time, these darker bits of color were in gray or brown.

The looped rug style became popular over time, and the more people wanted it, the more it was made into a variety of colors. Over time, any rug made in the looped method was referred to as a Berber rug. Multiple colors are still popular, although Berber rugs now come in solid colors. Nowadays, the term Berber refers to the looped style and not the color of the rug.

Cost of Berber

BBE-2308 from Berber Shag by Surya

Berber rugs are very cost-effective, compared to other rug styles. Berber rugs can also be more durable than other rugs at the same price. A lot of Berber rugs are made of synthetic fibers like polypropylene. These fibers are much more cost-effective than wool or silk.

Berber rugs are also less expensive to manufacture than other rugs. All rugs start with looped piles. More work and time has to be put into other technics since the top part of the loops are often cut off.

Durable Berber

Nohemi Moroccan Shaggy from New Berber by NuLoom

Berber rugs are very durable. The fibers are much stronger as loops than they are cut. Not all Berbers are made equally. Some are more durable than others depending on the material and manufacturing process. A low-quality Berber will not be as hardy as a higher quality rug.

If you’re choosing between two roughly equal rugs and one is a Berber, it’s likely that the Berber rug will be more durable and last longer than the other. If you are looking for a rug that will last a long time, look into getting a Berber rug.

How to Care for Berber

BFG540A from Berber Fringe Shag by Safavieh

Caring for a Berber rug is pretty straightforward. Spills can be cleaned up easily since most messes stay on the surface of the rug. Pick up as much of the spill as possible with a cloth or paper towel. Add some water to the spill, especially if it has been sitting on the carpet for a while. After a few minutes, clean up the newly wet spill.

Vacuums can also be used on Berber rugs, as long as the vacuum is adjusted appropriately. To vacuum Berber rugs, make sure the beater bar on your vacuum is removed to avoid snagging and tearing the carpet. Berber rugs can last a long time with proper maintenance and care.

You may also like

Leave a Reply
