What is a Pile Height?
Pile height refers to the length of the fibers that make up the surface of a rug or carpet.
What are the Types of Pile Height?
Low Pile (less than 1/4 inch): These rugs have shorter fibers, making them easier to clean and less likely to trap dirt. They’re ideal for high-traffic areas and under furniture.
Medium Pile (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch): Offering a balance between comfort and ease of maintenance, medium pile rugs are versatile and common in many households.
High Pile (1/2 inch to 3/4 inch): High Pile rugs are thicker and plusher, providing more cushioning and warmth. They are better suited for low-traffic areas like bedrooms or areas where comfort is prioritized.
Plush/Deep Pile (more than 3/4 inch): Very thick and luxurious, Plush Deep rugs are extremely soft and comfortable but can be more challenging to clean and maintain.
What Factors Affect the Pile Height for a Persian Rug?
The factors that affect the pile height of a Persian rug are knot density rug type and its designs, Fiber type, quality, and weaving technique. Let’s learn more deeply how it affects the pile height.
Knot Density:
A higher knot density, expressed as the number of knots per square inch, typically correlates with a lower pile height. This is because the closer the knots are packed, the less room there is for the pile to extend.
For instance, a rug with 300,000 knots per square inch will generally have a shorter pile compared to one with 150,000 knots.
Rug Type and Design
Traditional Persian rugs: Often feature lower to medium pile heights to emphasize intricate patterns and details.
Tribal rugs: Tend to have thicker piles for added warmth and texture.
Village rugs: Can vary widely, but often have a medium pile for balance between aesthetics and durability.
Fiber Type and Quality:
Wool: The most common fiber offers a wide range of pile heights. Fine-quality wool allows for a denser, shorter pile, while coarser wool results in a thicker pile.
Silk: Known for its lustrous appearance, silk rugs typically have very low pile heights.
Cotton: Used for foundation and sometimes as a blend, cotton's influence on pile height is minimal.
Weaving Technique:
The pile height is often determined by the weaving technique of Persian rugs.
Hand-knotted rugs: Hand-knotted rugs offer more control over pile height, allowing for precise customization.
Machine-made rugs: Machine made rugs often have a more uniform pile height due to mechanical constraints.
Shearing and Finishing:
The final pile height is determined by the shearing process, where excess fibers are trimmed.
Finishing techniques, such as heat setting, can also impact the pile's appearance and density.
Why Pile Height is Important for a Persian Rug?
Pile height is important for a Persian rug because it represents an indicator of its value. A thinner Persian rug is considered to be a high-quality carpet. The pile of a rug is the soft, textured surface created by the knotted fibers. Its height significantly impacts the rug's feel, appearance, and practicality.
A thicker pile generally offers a luxurious, cushioned feel underfoot, while a lower pile creates a smoother, more refined look. However, thicker piles can be more challenging to clean and maintain, while lower piles are typically easier to care for.
While many people focus on a rug's size and design, the pile height is often overlooked. This aspect plays an important role in determining a rug's overall comfort, style, and durability. Remember, pile height is measured from the base of the rug to the tip of the knots.
How to Measure a Pile Height?
To measure the pile height of a rug follow these steps:
Material Needed: You will need a ruler for this process.
Access the Backing: Fold the ruler in half and carefully insert it into the backing of the rug. Choose an area without any pile to avoid damaging the rug.
Identify the Longest Yarn: Once the ruler is in place, locate the yarn with the longest length protruding from the backing.
Measure the Height: Use the ruler to measure the height of the longest yarn. This measurement represents the pile height of the rug.
For Example:
Imagine you're measuring a shag rug. You insert the folded ruler into the rug's backing and find the longest yarn. The ruler indicates the yarn is 3 centimeters tall. Therefore, the pile height of the shag rug is 3 centimeters.
What is the difference between pile height and thickness?
Pile height is about the length of the fibers, while thickness is about the overall depth of the rug.
Pile height refers to the length of the yarn fibers that make up the rug's surface. It's measured from the base of the rug to the tip of the yarn. A high pile rug feels plush and soft, while a low pile rug is denser and flatter.
Thickness refers to the overall depth of the rug, including the pile height and the backing. A thicker rug is more substantial and often provides better insulation, but it can also be heavier and more difficult to handle.
Should Pile Height be Shorter or Longer for Persian Rug?
Typically, Persian rugs have a shorter pile height. This is because
Preservation of Detail: A shorter pile allows the intricate patterns and designs of the rug to be more clearly visible.
Durability: Lower pile height tends to be more durable and withstands foot traffic better.
Traditional Style: Historically, Persian rugs were crafted with a focus on durability and detail, leading to shorter pile heights.
What is the Pile Height for Different Types of Persian rugs?
Tribal Rugs
Typically low pile: Tribal rugs are renowned for their durability, often crafted by nomadic people who required rugs that could withstand harsh conditions.
Practicality: The low pile helps to shed dirt and sand easily, making them suitable for outdoor use or high-traffic areas.
Examples: Bakhtiari, Gabbeh, and Balouchi rugs are known for their low pile heights.
City Rugs
Varying pile heights: City rugs can range from low to medium pile, depending on the desired aesthetic and functionality.
Luxury and comfort: Some city rugs, especially those made for opulent interiors, might have a slightly higher pile for a softer feel and enhanced appearance.
Examples: Kashan, Isfahan, and Tabriz rugs can have a range of pile heights, from low to medium.
Why Do Low Pile Persian Rugs Shed Less?
A lower pile means there's less material exposed to friction and foot traffic. This reduced exposure decreases the chances of fibers loosening and shedding. Additionally, the shorter fibers are often more securely anchored within the rug's structure, minimizing shedding. While not directly related to pile height, high knot density, commonly found in low pile Persian rugs, also contributes to reduced shedding by providing a more secure foundation for the fibers.
Less Material: A lower pile means there's simply less material to shed. The shorter fibers are more securely anchored within the rug's structure.
Reduced Friction: With less material exposed to friction (from foot traffic, vacuuming, etc.), there's less chance for fibers to loosen and shed.
Knot Density: While not directly related to pile height, high knot density is often found in low-pile Persian rugs. This contributes to the rug's durability and reduces shedding.
How do I know if my Persian Rug is a high pile or Low Pile?
Generally, Persian rugs have a low pile. However, there are exceptions. Here's how you can determine if your Persian rug has a high or low pile:
Visual Inspection:
Look at the design: Intricate patterns and details are often better preserved in low-pile rugs. If the design is clear and defined, it's likely a low pile.
Feel the rug: Run your hand over the rug's surface. A low pile will feel flatter and denser, while a high pile will be softer and plusher.
Consider the Rug Type:
Even within the same Persian rug type, pile height can vary. If you're unsure, consulting with a rug expert can be helpful.
Tribal rugs: These are almost always low pile.
City rugs: Can vary, but often have a slightly higher pile for added luxury.
Is a low pile or high pile rug better?
Low-pile carpets are generally more durable than high-pile carpets. Their dense structure and shorter fibers make them more resistant to wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas. While high-pile carpets can be luxurious and long-lasting, their longevity often depends on the carpet material and the amount of foot traffic they endure.
What is the Recommended Pile Height for Persian Rugs?
The recommended pile height for Persian rugs is typically between 1/8 inch (3mm) to 1/4 inch (6mm).