Rug binding, serging and leather edges in Toronto
Is the side of your rug fraying or starting to come apart? Rug binding in Toronto, rug serging and leather edges can all stop a worn side from getting worse. We go over the whole side first, then suggest the one your rug needs.
Signs to look for
When a rug edge needs repair
Worn sides are easy to miss.
Vacuums, feet and chair legs all rub along the sides of a rug. Once the outer wrapping wears through, the threads beneath it start to loosen, and a small gap can creep along the side.
- Wrapping worn thin
- Threads working loose
- An edge that curls under
- Pile pulling away at the side
A worn side is easier to fix while the damage is small. Left alone, it tends to grow.
Our first look
What we check first
The whole edge, not just the worn spot.
How your rug was made comes first. Hand-made and machine-made rugs are finished differently along the sides, and that decides which repair suits yours.
Then we follow each side from end to end to see how far the wear goes, and whether the threads under the wrapping are still holding.
If the wash shows more wear than we first saw, we call you before any repair work starts.
Your options
Serging or binding
Two ways to finish a side.
Both keep a rug from unravelling at the edge. Which one makes sense depends on how your rug was made and how much of the side is worn.
- Serging The worn side is wrapped again in new yarn, in a colour as close to your rug as we can get.
- Binding A new binding goes on all the way round, so the edge holds together.
Which one suits your rug is something we decide together, once we’ve seen the worn side up close on the table.
Leather binding
Leather rug binding and edges
Also called leathering or support binding.
On a hand-knotted rug, such as a Persian, leather binding is a leather strip sewn along the back of the sides, out of sight from the front.
Most people ask for leather rug binding because the sides keep curling up, or simply because they like the look. You choose real leather or vinyl, whichever you prefer.
Leather isn’t always the answer. A side that’s only fraying may just need serging or binding, and a curling rug sometimes needs nothing more than blocking. We’ll tell you which.
Why people ask for it
One visit
Wash first, then the edges
Cleaning and repair in one trip.
Every rug is washed before we repair it, even one that’s fairly new. The wash takes out loose fibres and dirt and can bring hidden moth damage to light, so the new edge goes onto a clean rug and the repair is done properly.
Rug binding across Toronto and the GTA comes with free pickup. Mention the edges when you book so we know where to look.
Rug repair
Other rug repairs
The sides are only one part of a rug. We also repair fringe, bare patches and holes, and change a rug’s size.
Questions
Rug binding questions
The questions we’re asked most often, answered the way we would on the phone.
How much does rug binding in Toronto cost?
That depends on the rug and how much of the side is worn, so it’s priced once we’ve seen it. For a first idea, text photos and the rug’s dimensions to (416) 939-7571. Nothing starts until you’ve agreed to it, nothing is added afterwards, and pickup and delivery are free.
Can you bind a machine-made rug?
Yes. We bind and serge both machine-made and hand-made rugs. On a hand-made rug, we check how the sides were finished before we suggest serging or binding.
Will the new edge match my rug?
We match the colour as closely as we can and aim for an edge that blends in. On an older rug you may still spot the repair up close, and we’ll explain what to expect ahead of time.
Should I cut off the loose threads along the side?
No, please leave them. Cutting or pulling them can make a worn edge worse. We’ll say what we suggest once we’ve seen the rug.
Do you put leather edges on rugs?
Yes, on hand-knotted rugs. The leather is sewn along the back of the sides, out of sight from the front. We see the rug first, then say whether a leather edge would help it.
Is it real leather or vinyl?
Either one. You choose real leather or vinyl (faux leather), and we’ll show you both before any work begins.
Is a leather-bound rug the same as a leather rug?
No. With leather binding, the leather is only a strip sewn along the back of the sides. A leather rug, such as a cowhide, is leather or hide all over.
Will a leather edge stop my rug curling?
We can’t promise that. A rug that curls sometimes needs only blocking, with no leather at all. We look at it first, then say what’s most likely to help.
Is your rug fraying at the sides?
Book a free pickup online or give us a call, and we’ll check the edges and say what they need.