Binding or serging? What's the difference when it comes to finishing or repairing your area rug?

So you have an area rug that needs repaired...or have purchased broadloom (wall-to-wall) carpet and want it 'finished' and the salesperson is throwing out terminology you haven't heard before...binding, serging, oh my!

Broadloom carpet edge -raw/unfinished

I'll start with binding.  Binding is essentially durable colored fabric (binding tape) that comes in rolls.  It is applied to a rough edge of carpet with a binding machine (essentially an industrial sewing machine).  The binder folds the fabric over the rough edges of the carpet and sews it into the backing.

Binding tape

a bound rug

a binding machine

Below is a video of a binding machine in action.

extra-wide binding

a rug with two different binding colors

Serging is a large thread looped over the raw carpet edges side-by-side to create a finished edge.

a serged carpet edge

spools of serging thread

 

a serging machine

Below is a video of a serging machine in action

Choosing between binding and serging is a matter of personal preference.  Binding offers many options including wider tapes, multiple layers and colors.   At Bob Wagner's we offer both services and can create a finished product as creative as our customers.  

Bob Wagner's has been a small, family run business since 1975.

Small Business, big differencetm.