We pride ourselves on offering rugs that look great and last a long time.
Over the years, we've developed several techniques to deliver a better braided rug. Below you'll find some details. If you have any questions, please call Rebecca Stroud at 704-434-2495 or
email us
How Our Rugs are Different
#1. They won't pull apart
Some braided rugs will pull apart over time. Our rugs hold together better because of:
Tighter Braid, Real Yarn Core
How tightly a rug is braided is a very good indicator of quality. After all, it doesn't matter how good the yarn or sewing is if the braid is weak. We use 5-carrier braiders to make our braid (most manufacturers use 3-carrier braiders or harness braiders). Our 5-carrier braiders provide a tighter braid that holds the stitch much better. We also use high-quality yarn and use that very same yarn for the braid's core (some manufacturers use other material - even paper - for the core of the braid). Using the same yarn in the core is also helpful over time: if the core does show, it looks exactly like the braid.
Stronger Thread
We sew our rugs with extra strong monofilament thread. It costs a little more, but it's well worth it: it holds the rug together better than cotton (which is also prone to dry rot).
Experienced Sewers, Better Machines
Our sewers have been sewing our braided rugs for a long time and are very conscientious - if they miss a stitch, we don't ship that rug. We've also invested in quality sewing machines that provide a wider stitch & more stitches per inch.
#2. They lay flat
Some braided rugs have lumps, even after laying out for a few weeks. Our rugs always lay flat thanks to the tightness of the braid and our experienced sewers. Lumps not only look bad, but they cause the rug to wear unevenly as well. And our rugs typically lay flat enough for any door to close over them (a relief for many braided rug buyers).
#3. They look better, longer
Customers who choose Stroud Braided Rugs swear they'll never put another type of braided rug in their home. Hearing that makes our attention to quality worth it. We know that if we sell you a quality rug that lasts and looks great year after year, you'll come back when it's time to replace that rug. Here are several reasons our rugs wear better and last longer:
Reversible
Just flip it and get double the wear -- our rugs look the same on both sides, and we don't sew any marketing patches on either side.
Washable
Our olefin rugs can be washed with a hose or in your washing machine (cold water only and lay flat to dry). Thanks to our high-quality yarn, our olefin rugs also dry very quickly. If you opt for wool yarn, you can use a dry extraction carpet cleaning method for a deeper clean.
Durable, Stain-Resistant Yarn
Over the years we've searched for yarn that we could stand behind. We began making braided rugs exclusively with olefin, and a few years ago added wool. The two yarns we use are the best we've ever found. Both provide a balance of softness and durability, though wool is slightly softer (and thicker) and olefin is slightly more durable. Each yarn is stain-resistant and resists fading thanks to a Solution Dyeing Process which dyes each strand of yarn all the way through, not just on top (as with some lower-quality yarns).
We'd be happy to send you a free sample–
click here to request a sample of Williamsburg Blue & Cream - Williamsburg Blue Band.
How It's Made: A Look Inside Our Process
We make your order when we receive it. We never mass-produce rugs and store them in a warehouse; that ensures you get a clean rug (rugs that sit in warehouses can collect dust, mites, and all manner of microscopic critters you don't want hitchhiking into your home).
Here's a look at our rug-making process:
A. Make the braid
Our rugs have anywhere from 1 to 4 different braids; so when we get the order, we start by making all the braid we'll need for your rug.
B. Sew the Rug
Our sewers have been sewing our rugs for a long time, and they're very good at it! We never ship a rug that is missing a stitch or doesn't pass inspection.
The rugs are sewn with extra strong monofilament thread. It costs a little more, but it's well worth it: it holds the rug together better than cotton (which is also prone to dry rot). Our sewing machines provide a wide stitch and a higher stitch/square inch, which further increases the life of the rug.
C. Inspection and Shipping
Erin Stroud (daughter of Charles and Jane Stroud and fourth generation rug maker) personally reviews every rug that leaves our shop. If it's anything less than our standards for quality, we make another one.
We ship all orders via FedEx. Orders placed today will ship in 14 business days.
FAQs
When will my order ship?
Orders placed today will ship in 14 business days. Need it sooner? Give us a call; we'll do everything we can to fit your schedule.
Note: Every order we ship is custom made (our rugs are never manufactured in bulk or stored in a warehouse). We ship via FedEx (from North Carolina).
How much does shipping cost?
Do you offer coupons?
We don't use coupons (or coupon codes).
Everyone shopping on our site receives the same prices.
Can I order by phone?
Yes. Please call Rebecca Stroud at 704-434-2495.
What size rug do I need?
We get that question a lot, and we're always happy to help. Our sizing guide follows, and please contact us if you have questions.
The addition of area rugs to your home is a wonderful way to enhance and protect your floors, absorb sound, and provide your feet cozy warmth on a cool morning. Plus, a beautiful area rug furnishes a rich focal point to your room; but what size rug is best-suited for a particular room or space?
Keep in mind that while many rug companies sell rugs in standard sizes to save themselves money, at Stroud Braided Rugs, we custom make all our rugs to meet the individual customer's needs because we know that rooms do not come in standard sizes. Since we make all our rugs ourselves, our customers buy direct and do not have to foot the bill for the middle man; therefore, our customers can have their own custom rugs at standard prices.
To determine the size of the area rug you need, consider the following points:
- Carefully measure the space you want the rug to cover before you choose the size of the rug you want; for example, an entire room for room-sized rugs, or the space under a table, or in the middle of a conversation area for smaller rugs, etc.
- For a room-sized rug, plan to leave about 18" of floor space uncovered.
- Arrange furniture so that all of it sits completely on a rug. For example, if you are choosing a rug to go under a coffee table, all four legs of the table should rest on the rug. Similarly, a dining room table and its chairs (both pushed in and out) should all fit on a rug (otherwise, chairs can get hung on the edge of the rug and cause problems when people are sitting down or rising).
You can use the following chart as a guide, but remember that we will make
any size rug you need.
| Room Dimensions |
Suggested Rug Size |
| 4'6" x 6"6" to 5' x 7' |
3' x 5' |
| 5'6" x 7'6" to 6' x 8' |
4' x 6' |
| 6'6" x 9'6" to 7' x 10' |
5' x 8' |
| 7'6" x 10'6" to 8' x 11' |
6' x 9' |
| 9'6" x 11'6" to 10' x 12' |
8' x 10' |
| 10'6" x 13'6" to 11' x 14' |
9' x 12' |
| 11'6" x 16'6" to 12' x 17' |
10' x 15' |
Recommended Long-term Care for Rugs from Stroud Braided Rugs
With a little TLC, your rug will look great year after year!
Care Recommendations for Olefin Rugs:
We recommend you shake out or vacuum your olefin rugs periodically, as needed. Smaller olefin rugs can be washed in your washing machine, using cold water, detergent, and a gentle cycle. Larger rugs can be dry cleaned; or, if you have a suitable area, you can wash them with a hose and gentle detergent, rinsing well with water. We recommend that you do not use a beater bar on your rugs.
Lay your rugs flat to air dry. Never place them in a dryer.
Care Recommendations for Wool Rugs:
-
Remove spills immediately
-
We recommend you vacuum or shake out your rugs once or twice a week to prolong the beauty and life of your rug. Make sure to roll once on the end where you are going to hold to shake it. This insures no extra strain on the thread. Due to the potential for rug damage, beater bar vacuums are not recommended. A vacuum with powerful airflow and adjustable brushes should be used. With wool rugs you can expect some shedding of the wool fibers, regularly vacuuming will remove this. We recommend that you do not use a beater bar on your rugs.
-
Use a dry extraction carpet cleaning method for a deeper clean. Do not steam clean or wet shampoo your wool rug. Dry extraction carpet cleaning systems can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
Other helpful tips:
-
Removing gritty dirt is easy and prolongs the life of any rug
-
You can flip your Stroud Braided Rug to get double the wear and life
-
For rugs in heavy-traffic areas, you can further equalize wear by rotating them end to end
Each rug includes our expanded guide to caring for your rug. If you have a question about rug care, please contact Rebecca Stroud at 704-434-2495 or
email us.
The Stroud Guarantee
We stand behind every rug we make.
We make every rug we sell, and that gives us the confidence that we're selling a quality product that will last a very long time. If, however, you're not completely happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it and we'll give you a full refund - no questions asked.
Our Return Policy
Within 30 days of receiving your order: return any rug, for any reason. No questions asked.
There's no red tape, no 800 number to call, and no on-hold music. You'll get service directly from the Stroud family, the owners of the business for generations.
Our Manufacturer Guarantee
Within 90 days of receiving your order: if your rug shows any manufacturing defect, of any kind, we will take the rug back and provide a full refund.