When it comes to choosing a wool rug for your home, one of the biggest considerations is the softness and comfort underfoot. Two popular constructions for wool rugs are braided and tufted styles. But which feels plusher – a braided wool rug or a tufted wool rug?
As a professional custom tufted rugs manufacturer, I took a close look at the materials, construction methods, and texture of both braided and tufted wool rugs. Here’s what I discovered about which type of wool rug is softer.
What Is a Braided Wool Rug?
A braided wool rug is made by taking strands of wool yarn and braiding them together. The braids are then sewn together in various patterns to create the rug’s shape.
Most braided wool rugs use a heavy 8-ply wool yarn. The yarn strands are quite thick, usually between 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch in diameter. Using more plies and thicker yarn strands makes the braids themselves thicker and plusher.
These dense, fat braids give braided wool rugs their distinctive nubby texture. When used in braided rugs, wool yarn is often left in its natural state. So you’ll see interesting color variations across the rug.
What Is a Tufted Wool Rug?
Tufted wool rugs have a completely different construction from braided rugs. Tufting uses a thick canvas backing material stretched across a frame. Tufting guns or needles punch loops of wool yarn through the canvas to create the rug’s pile height.
The back of a tufted wool rug shows all these tiny uniform loops packed close together across the surface. Usually another backing material is glued or sewn over the loops to secure the tufted wool pile.
Tufted rugs can use wool that’s sheared to various pile heights. Longer loop piles feel shaggier and have more texture. Shearing the loops shorter produces a plush, velvety surface.
So manufacturers have more control over the softness and feel of the finished tufted wool rug. The wool itself can also be dyed or left natural.
Braided vs Tufted Wool Rug: Main Differences in Texture
Braided and tufted wool both make nice soft rugs. But they achieve that cushy feel through totally different constructions. Here’s how the texture of each style compares:
Braided Rugs
- Nubby, textured surface
- Visible braids and yarn give rustic appearance
- Natural wool colors create variation
- Braiding compacts and fulls the yarn over time
Tufted Rugs
- Choice of looped or sheared surface
- Shearing creates smooth, velvety texture
- Loops feel nubby and show subtle patterns
- Backing secures consistent pile height
- Dyed colors create uniform appearance
So while both can be soft wool rugs, tufted styles tend to feel more consistently smooth and plush across their surface. The visibility of the braids and color variations gives braided rugs more perceived texture.
Braided vs Tufted Wool Rug: Which Wool Rug Is Softer Underfoot?
When comparing these two wool rug constructions, tufted rugs ultimately make the softer choice. The sheared wool pile compresses nicely underfoot without any uneven braids or ridges getting in the way.
Tufting also allows for a higher pile density, with more wool loops packed tightly per square inch. This density, paired with a resilient wool fiber, is what creates that lovely, cushy feel.
The nubby, rustic texture of braided rugs has its own charm. But when choosing the softer wool rug for living spaces like bedrooms, tufted is the way to go. Those smooth shapes and velvety surfaces are pure bliss to walk on barefoot.
If your room gets a lot of foot traffic, a flatwoven wool rug might be preferable for durability, while still providing decent softness underfoot. For indoor/outdoor spaces like patios, an olefin or polypropylene rug makes a better choice.
Caring for Braided vs. Tufted Wool Rugs
To keep your wool rug feeling plush and soft for years to come, proper care and cleaning are essential. Here’s what’s recommended for both braided and tufted wool rug maintenance:
Braided Wool Rugs
- Vacuum frequently using proper height setting
- Spot clean spills immediately
- Professionally clean every 2-3 years
- Avoid soaking or machine washing
Tufted Wool Rugs
- Vacuum consistently with heavy traffic
- Blot spills quickly with a dry towel
- Professionally clean every 1-2 years
- Check label before washing – may void warranty
Vacuuming helps keep dirt and grit from wearing down the wool fibers over time. For best results, use a vacuum with adjustable height and brush heads.
Spot cleaning spills as soon as they happen prevents staining and damage. Always blot gently instead of rubbing. Check manufacturer guidelines for using wool-safe cleaners.
Getting braided or tufted wool rugs professionally cleaned every couple years revives that lush texture.
Preserving Your Wool Rug’s Softness
Choosing a dense, plush tufted wool rug construction sets you up with an incredibly soft floor covering. Keeping up consistent care and cleaning protects the wool fibers from excessive wear for lasting softness.
Using rug pads can also help maintain fluffiness. Make sure to get breathable pads specifically for wool rugs. The pad cushions and insulates your rug from the hard floor underneath.
With the right rug pad and proper maintenance over the years, a quality tufted or braided wool rug continues feeling heavenly soft under your feet for decades.
So if you’re searching for the absolute softest wool rug out there, tufted styles are the winner. Their smooth and dense construction beats out the textured look of braided wool. Focus on quality construction, materials, and care to find a plush wool rug that keeps your feet happy at home.