What We Do

Our Quality Rating System (QRS)

We take the guesswork out of what you're buying! The fine art of Oriental rug making has been passed down through the centuries but, for most people, how to purchase a rug seems a complex and mysterious process! So we decided to eliminate the confusion by developing an easy system to evaluate the quality or durability of each and every rug we sell. And with that system comes suggestions of the appropriate quality level to use in specific areas of your home. We call this system and unique rating scale our Quality Rating System (QRS).

How Our QRS Works!

Caravan examines each rug we sell and we rate it for quality (durability) on a scale of "1" (lowest) to "10" (highest) or an Olympic-type scale. There are four criteria we examine in order to make our evaluation. They are Knot Count, Wool Quality, Density and Aesthetics. Let's take a quick look at each and why we think they are important.

Knot Count - The more knots per square inch, the cleaner, sharper and more intricate the design can be.

Wool Quality - The degree of fat or lanolin in the wool determines its elasticity to withstand wear. To us, this is the most important factor.

Density - The greater the ply or diameter of the yarn the more it will enable the fibers to support themselves. You will then be able to walk on the tips of yarn and not crush it. The fibers wil also impede dirt from filtering into the foundation of the carpet.

Aesthetics - The ultimate criterion for your purchase! Do you love the rug? This is very subjective but we consider such parameters as the quality of dyes, harmony and balance of design and color as well as the final finishing of the piece.

Our QRS Recommendations

We are often asked questions about which quality to buy and where to use it. The truth is you should buy the rug you love at the price you can afford. No one knows your budget better than you! However, there are appropriate qualities to use in certain rooms of your home that get alot of wear. Remember, the higher the quality, the more durable the rug will be. We therefore recommend the following.

For high traffic areas such as family rooms, main level hallways, entry ways, stairs, and dining areas, we recommend a quality "8 " or higher.

For lower traffic areas such as bedrooms, hallways off bedrooms, sunrooms or living rooms with less use, we recommend a quality "6" or higher.