What Is Shag Carpet?

History

• Shag rugs have been around for hundreds of years, and it was long thought that the first shag rugs originated from Turkey, but in recent years, there has been some debate over whether they originated in Central Asia.

Identification

• The defining characteristic of shag carpeting is the long carpet yarn fibers that are attached to the carpet backing. In addition to each piece of yarn being long, it also falls in an irregular pattern, giving a characteristic, purposefully messy look.

Types

• Shag carpeting is available in a variety of fibers, such as wool, acrylic or acrylic blends, or cotton. Shag carpeting generally is available in three lengths: long, short and mini.

Benefits

• Shag carpet feels wonderful to walk on and makes a room feel inviting and comfortable. The price of shag carpeting is usually in line with other high-quality carpets.

Warning

• The long pile (length of carpet fibers) can make the rug difficult to clean. It's also important that the carpet is treated to make it flame resistant, as the loose nature of the carpet weave makes it more flammable.