Rug Repair
Rug Binding & Serging in Atlanta
Unraveling edges are one of the most common — and most fixable — rug problems. We bind, serge, and rewrap edges in our own Chamblee workshop.
Why Edges Fail — and What We Do About It
The edges of a rug take more abuse than any other part. Foot traffic, furniture legs, vacuum cleaners, and pets all work on the edge cord — the horizontal thread that runs along the side of the rug and holds the pile in place. When the edge cord wears through or the serging unravels, the pile starts to loosen and the rug begins to fray inward. Left alone, a small edge problem becomes a large structural one.
The fix depends on the rug type and the extent of the damage. On handmade rugs, the original edge finish is usually hand-serged yarn wrapped around the edge cord. When that wrapping wears away, we rewrap it by hand using matched yarn. On machine-made rugs and cut remnants, fabric tape binding is often the right approach — it's durable, clean-looking, and available in a wide range of colors.
We also finish cut edges — if you've had a rug resized or cut a room-size rug into a runner, the raw edge needs to be bound or serged before it unravels. We do this in-house, and the result looks like the rug was made that way.
What We Can Do
Hand serging
We wrap yarn around the edge cord by hand, matching the original wrap density and color. This is the traditional finish for handmade rugs and the most durable option for fine pieces.
Machine serging
Faster and less expensive than hand work, machine serging is appropriate for machine-made rugs and situations where the edge finish is primarily functional rather than decorative.
Fabric tape binding
A strip of cotton or linen tape is sewn along the edge, creating a flat, clean finish. Common on machine-made rugs, cut remnants, and contemporary pieces where a fabric edge suits the style.
Selvage rewrapping
On handmade rugs, the selvage — the woven edge — sometimes unravels or wears through. We rewrap it by hand using matched wool or cotton, restoring both the appearance and the structural integrity of the edge.
Finishing cut edges
After a rug is resized or cut, the raw edge needs to be finished. We bind or serge cut edges so the result looks intentional — not trimmed.
Color matching
We match binding and serging yarn to the rug's existing edge color, or hand-dye yarn when a commercial match isn't close enough. We'll show you options before we start.
Hand vs. Machine: Which Is Right for Your Rug?
The short answer: hand work for handmade rugs, machine work for machine-made rugs. On a hand-knotted Persian or tribal rug, machine serging looks wrong — the tension is too uniform, the yarn sits differently, and it's visible to anyone who knows rugs. Hand serging matches the character of the piece and holds up better over time because the wrap can be adjusted to suit the edge cord.
On a machine-made rug, the distinction matters less. The edge cord is uniform, the pile is consistent, and machine serging or fabric binding produces a clean, durable result at a lower cost. For cut remnants — a piece of broadloom or a rug that's been resized — binding tape is often the most practical choice.
When you bring the rug in, we'll tell you what we recommend and why. If you have a preference, we'll work with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related services
Get a Free Edge Repair Estimate
Bring your rug in or schedule a free pick-up. We'll assess the edges and tell you exactly what we recommend and what it costs.
Contact Atlanta Rug Restoration
We're here to help. Reach out by phone, email, or visit us in Chamblee.
