Pile Shading
At times, you might notice certain areas of a rug appearing lighter or darker compared to its surrounding sections. This isn't due to a change in color but rather an optical illusion resulting from pile direction alterations. The varied reflection of light off the rug's surface, depending on the angle from which it's viewed, causes this phenomenon known as "shading" or sometimes referred to as "Pile Reversal," "Pooling," or "Watermarking."
Rug fibers have a natural inclination to lean in a specific direction. When all fibers lean cohesively, the rug portrays a consistent color. However, with time and usage, some fibers may deviate from this standard direction, causing changes in light reflection. Such deviations are more noticeable in frequently trafficked areas or near often-used furniture but can also appear in less-trodden zones or even beneath furniture. It's not uncommon for brand new rugs to exhibit this trait.
Shading is most prominent in dense, plush, cut pile rugs, especially those with solid or plain colors, while patterns tend to camouflage it effectively. It's worth noting that after a cleaning session, shading might become more pronounced, leading some to believe it resulted from the cleaning. On clarification, most realize that previously unnoticed shading became evident due to altered furniture placement, different lighting conditions, or uniform soiling prior to cleaning.
Importantly, shading doesn't compromise a rug's durability or wear. It's an inherent characteristic of certain rug types and not a manufacturing flaw. Predicting or preventing shading is challenging. However, consistent direction brushing during regular maintenance can minimize its appearance.
Please take a moment to understand our disclaimers on colour/image/design variations, hand-made rug imperfections, and shedding/flattening for both wool and shaggy rugs, Familiarize yourself with these before proceeding with your purchase. Rug Love assumes no responsibility for any oversights on the customer's part.
Cut Pile Directional Shading
Please note every Rug has a pile direction. That is the direction in which the fibres of the Rug run. With a cut pile Rug, the light is reflected off the fibres in a different manner, making the colour of the Rug appear different—either lighter or darker than the original colour. This effect can often be noticed simply by looking at your Rug from opposite sides of the room. Look at your Rug from one end of the room, then walk to the other end and turn around, and look back at the Rug. You may notice that it appears darker in one direction than the other. This is not a manufacturing fault but simply a natural characteristic of cut pile Rugs. It is worth bearing this in mind based on where you intend on using it and if the rug appearing lighter or darker from one side will present an issue. Consider if this variation in appearance might be an issue. Collections such as Aurora, Craft, Apollo, and Florence exemplify rugs that exhibit this effect
Before placing an order, take a moment to understand our comprehensive Returns, Refunds, Exchanges, and Faulty Item policy. If any aspect doesn't align with your preferences, we respectfully request you refrain from ordering. It's important to familiarize yourself with these aspects before making a purchase. Please be aware that Rug Love cannot be held liable if customers fail to do so. If you find any part of our terms of service or return policy disagreeable, we politely suggest refraining from placing an order with us. Furthermore, if you have reservations about any aspect of our return policy, such as potential return costs, our disclaimer related to colours/images/designs, or the arrangement of your own return, we kindly advise against making a purchase from our store. If you're aiming for a precise colour match or specific shade, consider an in-store purchase. Each product page provides crucial information about potential shedding (for wool rugs) or imperfections (for handmade rugs). Ensure you're informed before making a purchase.
Product Guarantees and Warranties
Rugs are considered commodities, and therefore, none of our manufacturers offer warranties for their products. Instead, these products are governed by the Sales of Goods Act, which includes provisions for reasonable use and wear and tear. In most cases, we anticipate that these products should remain in good condition for a minimum of 6 months. However, it's important to note that this does not guarantee a replacement or refund.
Under the Sales of Goods Act, if an issue arises within 30 days of purchase, you are legally entitled to a refund. Beyond this initial period, you maintain the right to request a replacement or repair, but a refund is not obligatory. After the passage of 6 months, we are not legally obligated to provide a replacement, repair or refund unless the customer can substantiate that the item was faulty upon arrival. We operate under the assumption that the item was received and signed for in good condition unless informed otherwise. We emphasize checking your rug upon its arrival including a thorough inspection of its backing, even if you don't plan on using it immediately. The lifespan of a rug is determined by various factors: its location, exposure to sunlight, traffic frequency, presence of pets and children, furniture placement, and more. Since there's no universal standard for how long a rug should last given the multitude of variables, we focus on initial quality. Any potential faults should be reported immediately upon receipt. After 30 days from receipt, any claims of fault will be approached with the presumption that the rug was in good condition upon delivery. However, it's important to note that while we are often told that a rug has never been used, we have no means of ascertaining or validating how the rug has been used. Any failure to report defects promptly as per our terms and conditions cannot be attributed to Rug Love.