What Are Berber Area Rugs?

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Google alerted me to a new “area rugs” entry.  This time posted by Dr. Rob posting to Build-a-Home Blog.com.  The entry was Get Cosy [sic] With Berber Area Rugs.   Dr. Rob starts off by writing, 

What is the best relaxation environment for you? Well, guess again, scientists have observed that it is a cozy room, with a fireplace and some Berber area rugs between where you are sitting and the warm fire.

I scanned the article and nowhere does the article define Berber.  From the Carpet and Rug Institute comes this definition from expert Carol Turner:

"The term “Berber” comes from the Middle East.," he says. "It is an unprocessed type of wool carpet. It has a fairly large loop construction with a fleck of fairly light color in it. However, it may also have flecks of a darker color."

A loop-pile carpet style tufted with thick yarn, such as wool, nylon or olefin. Often having random specks of color in contrast to a base hue, this carpet style has a full, comfortable feel, while maintaining an informal, casual look. Currently, this term has expanded to describe many level or multilevel loop carpet styles.

The Florida Carpet Care adds to our definition of Berber this way:

The size of the loops varies from large nubby ones to smaller styles. Patterned Berbers are multi-level-loop as well as cut-and-loop styles. Berber styles are available in pastels and dark tones as well as naturals.

Berber rugs are very popular as area rugs and come in a variety of prices depending on the material.  Of course, wool Berber or handmade wool Berber rugs would be the most expensive and should last longer.  One advantage beside the look and feel of the carpet, it doesn’t show vacuum marks.  However you can catch or snag a loop and run your carpet like you would your nylons.  Also, it may not be good in a high traffic areas because it can mat down.

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