Posted on May 17, 2020 by Behnam Rugs

What’s the Difference Between Hand-Knotted and Machine-Knotted Persian Rugs?

A hand-knotted Persian rug will be much more expensive than one that has been knotted or made by machine.

In fact – and most importantly – a machine-knotted rug is not an authentic Persian rug. It is possible to find machine made rugs in Persian designs, in fact, you can even browse this type of rug at Behnam Rug’s showroom! But nothing compares to an authentic Persian rug in terms of quality and longevity (Don’t worry, we have plenty of those too!).

A quick check to determine if a rug is hand- or machine-made is to turn the rug over and see if you can make out the rug’s pattern. If the pattern is as clear on the rug’s back as it is on the front, the rug is hand knotted.

The next step to check if the rug is hand-knotted is to bend the rug backwards to expose its pile’s roots. If, at the base of the pile’s tufts/roots, you can see row upon row of knots, you have a hand-knotted rug.

There are two types of machine-made rugs.

The first is a machine-made rug that is made by a machine called a power loom. This is an electronically automated loom that’s controlled by computers. These looms allow for several rugs of the same design to be made at pretty much the same time.

These rugs can indeed be quite beautiful, but they do not go up in value. In fact, a machine-made rug probably will only last – if well cared for – for about 20 years. A hand-knotted rug, on the other hand, can last for centuries with proper care and maintenance (that includes professional rug cleaning!).

The second type of machine-made rug is one that isn’t quite fully made by machine, but neither is it hand knotted. These are known as hand-tufted rugs and they are made by a worker taking a canvas with the rug’s design painted upon it, and using a tool to push a strand of wool through it. The worker continues pushing different colored wool strands through the canvas until the design is complete. The rug is finished by gluing a backing onto the back of the canvas to prevent the design from coming apart. Find out more about hand-tufted rugs here.

If you’ve recently purchased a rug and are wondering if it’s a hand-knotted rug or not, bring it to Behnam Rugs in Dallas. We’d be happy to take a look at the rug and ascertain whether it’s a hand-knotted rug or not. Contact us at 972-733-0400.

If you’re in the market for a new rug, whether it’s machine made or one-of-a-kind, our showroom is home to thousands of quality rugs from around the world. We have something for every style and budget, so please do stop by.