Floor and Carpet Covering

Floor covering is an essential aspect of interior design that provides comfort and style to any living space
Rugs, whether they are wool or carpet, are a popular option for adding warmth and texture to a room. Textile floor coverings, which would be fabric, such as carpets are often used to cover the entire floor area. Modern usage of carpets has seen them being made from a variety of materials, including natural fibers like wool or synthetic fibers like nylon.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

Floor Covering refers to any material used to cover a subfloor, including:

• Handmade carpets
• Oriental carpets
• Sheet goods
• Tiles

Handmade carpets are usually associated with Asia and the Persian country
Handmade carpets are made from natural fibers like wool, silk or cotton, and even grass, and are characterized by their structure of pile tufts and loose knots. Oriental carpets are a general name for knotted types of rugs that originate from the East including Iran and China.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Savonnerie rugs are a type of handmade rug that originated in France and are known for their intricate designs
Modern rya rugs are popular in Scandinavian countries and are characterized by their shaggy pile. Persian Kerman carpets are renowned for their intricate patterns and delicate colors.

The basic material for most floor coverings is pile yarn
which can be made up of loops or hooked rugs, or even fabric strands. Carpets come in a variety of woven types including flocked types and axminsters, which resemble hand-knotted rugs. Machine-made carpets are available in wilton varieties.

Asphalt tile, named after the material used in its production, was first introduced in Great Britain by Frederick Walton in 1860
The process involved mixing asphalt with mineral fillers and asbestos fibers to create a durable and easy-to-install flooring option. In the U.S., carpet manufacturers also began experimenting with different types of flooring, such as plain and decorative linoleum made from mixtures of colored resins and other materials. In the mid-1930s, the introduction of broadloom carpeting revolutionized the industry by allowing for larger pieces of flooring to be installed without seams.

Philippians 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The ability to mix colours and materials creates spatter effects that add visual interest to the general composition. The basic material used for floor coverings is typically 3/16 inch thick with a backing that provides support. Patterns are often incorporated into the design to add depth and texture to the floor surface.

The development of floor covering has a long history
Dating back to the 18th century when Richard Arkwright revolutionized textile manufacture with his steam engine and power loom. Others invented machinery such as cards for preparing the warp, production of a complicated harness, and hand loom. The jacquard mechanism was then introduced which allowed for intricate designs to be woven into carpets.

The U.S. carpet industry is a highly competitive market with a wide variety of floor covering options
The history of carpet manufacturing dates back to the 19th century when James Templeton introduced the tapestry process in Edinburgh in the 1830s. This led to the production of patterned carpets, such as chenille Axminster, using the Axminster process. The British system was adopted by agents who started a cottage industry on a modest scale in Glasgow. The development of power loom technology revolutionized the floor covering industry in the eastern U.S. during the 19th century. The U.S. market was flooded with British carpets until U.S. manufacturers began using the axminster loom to produce carpets and rugs in their factories, primarily located in New England and New York. With continued dominance in power equipment, color, and design, the carpet industry expanded rapidly and became a significant part of the economy.

Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Floor Covering refers to the materials used to cover floors, including carpets, rugs, and mats
Loom widths determine the size of the carpet produced. In the U.S., looms are typically 36 inches wide, while in Europe they are 18 feet wide. The larger loom widths provide large economies of scale and reduce weaving costs. Carpets can be woven into convenient unseamed areas using needle tufting machines or prewoven backing systems. Broadloom is a basic construction system used for carpeting that involves weaving a major portion of the carpet on a large loom.

Romans 12:18 – If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Floor covering has come a long way since prehistoric man (that would be Adam in Genesis)
Man first began using twisted grass and dry stalks as a simple form of matting around 6000 BC. Recent excavations around the Caspian Sea have revealed evidence of shearing sheep, spinning hair from goats, and weaving strands into baskets and mats. The development of fibres, thread, and weaving methods allowed for more intricate designs to be incorporated into floor coverings. Today, patterns are often added to add depth and texture to the floor surface.

Findings show that floor covering has been around for over 2,400 years
The Pazyryk people of Southern Siberia were the first to use felts and skins as floor coverings in their burial mounds. Early hunters used furs and leather as protection from hard floors while tough flexible backings were used to make the first true carpets. These floor coverings served a decorative function and were also used as wall hangings in crude dwellings. Today, pile surfaces are commonly used for their texture and depth, adding a touch of style to any space.

Matthew 10:34-36 – Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.   (Read More…)

Decorative pebble mosaics were popular in the late Bronze Age, and the Greeks continued to use this technique in the 6th to 4th centuries BC. Pebbles from Crete and other parts of the Greek mainland were used, as well as stones from Asia Minor, serpentine alabaster, and even water. Later on, marble and granite became popular choices for smooth floorings. The linen pieces were the first to be used for floor covering, and its exact origins remain unknown. In the 3rd millennium BC, carpet weaving was introduced, and people began to weave carpets from woollen cloth. Timber flooring also came into existence around this time with smooth boards and parquetry designs.

In the early 1950s, later carpets were developed with knotted silk pile and wool backings.
The Mongolian and Chinese cultures had a significant influence on these rugs. Investigators believe that Egyptian influence also played a role in their origination, as well as inspiration from the Middle East and Central Asia. Turkish knots were used in Turkestan and Siberia, while cotton was popular in Egypt. Nomadic rugs were created using early looms made from simple horizontal frames and branches held together by a crosspiece. Wool pile was commonly used, especially in central Asia, where the wanderings of these tribes influenced the design and colors of their rugs.

1 Peter 3:11 – Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

The process of weaving was done on a wooden bar, and the warp was left loose to allow for easy manipulation of the weft threads
Dyes were made from vegetable and flower sources, and black colours were achieved through the use of insect materials. In Europe during the Middle Ages, rushes were commonly used to cover floors, while Italian merchants introduced luxurious oriental rugs. Fast colours like cream, fawn and brown became popular among Europeans who also began using floor coverings on walls.

In the 13th century when Moorish weavers used looms to create intricate designs on carpets in Spain, there were other events in history going on. In the 15th century, French carpet weavers in Aubusson and Eleanor of Castile brought new techniques to the weaving industry. Turkey became known for its carpets, and Spanish rugs began to gain popularity.

Romans 15:13 – Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.