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Furniture Home Tips :: Hearth Rugs
Hearth Rugs: A Guide to Hearth Carpeting and Rugs
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Hearth rugs are a traditional standard that take any fireplace or wood stove and just amp up the coziness. They also serve the dual purpose of protecting your wood or tile floors from damaging flying embers, spark or soot.
To learn more about hearth rugs, including the different styles and what to look for or avoid when buying one, please keep reading.
Carpet Flammability Standards
Because hearth rugs are designed to be placed near a fireplace or wood stove, it’s important to consider carpet flammability standards before you buy.
However, all carpets sold legally in the United States must meet a basic, federal flammability standard. If your rug is legally imported into or made in the United States and is labeled as meeting federal standards, then it should be able to withstand high heat levels or resist a small spark.
Rugs to Avoid
Despite federal safety standards, you should avoid certain fabrics when purchasing hearth rugs. For example, a mohair or shag rug typically isn’t the best choice.
Really, any natural fiber fabric (wool, hair) is not a good idea, nor is anything that’s too plush or dense as this creates the perfect environment for loose embers to smolder and possibly catch.
Types of Hearth Rugs
Half-circle Hearth Carpets
The half-circle design is the most popular style of hearth carpets. The shape mimics that of the fireplace and lets the rug sit flat against the straight fireplace edge while fanning out in a circle pattern.
Look for a rug that doesn’t extend past the edges of your fireplace mantle. Ideally, you’re looking for a hearth rug that is centered and about two inches shorter than the length of your full fireplace.
Rectangular Hearth Carpets
Rectangular hearth carpets are quickly catching on as a contemporary new style to modernize the traditional fireplace. With this model, the key is scale.
Ideally, you want a rectangular hearth rug that’s either the same length as your fireplace or just a few inches shorter. You also don’t want one that extends out too far.
When you’re looking for a rectangular hearth rug, think of a runner – a long, thin rectangular rug typically designed for hallways and walkways.
Oval Hearth Carpets
Ovals are your most traditional hearth rugs and often made to look like homemade braided rag rugs. The fabric is typically braided and then wrapped around itself and then sewn together to create an oval shape.
The end result is a very traditional, country-charm rug that’s at home next to any farmhouse hearth.
You can even make your own oval hearth rugs with some scrap fabric and a basic knowledge of sewing or crochet. You can find an easy-to-follow tutorial for crocheting your own oval rag rug.
See also:
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FurnitureHomeTips.com :: Hearth Rugs