A sheepskin or alpaca rug can be a great way to add character and style to any room in the house. The warmth and softness of hair can make living areas cozy and comfortable, while also beautifying your home. However, each type does not have the same characteristics and you may end up preferring one type over the other. You may want natural dyed leather, for example, or the thickness and feel may win you over, even the way the two come together can make all the difference in the final product. Understanding the sometimes subtle differences between sheepskin and alpaca can go a long way in the decision process.
thickness and feel
For some people, the thickness of the hair is a crucial characteristic that they want to correct. If you are looking for thick, deep, dense fibers, then you want long wool sheepskin. Long wool sheepskin is similar to long pile rug. It would be suitable if you plan to use it as a rug, while the short wool would be more suitable for diapers or seat covers. The fibers will have a more even texture than the long wool variety. Regardless of height, sheepskin is much denser than alpaca, but it won’t be as soft or silky. Alpaca feels great to run your hands through and is much lighter than sheepskin.
Stitches
When choosing between sheepskin and alpaca, you need to consider how each is constructed. The sheepskin will still have the skin attached and this is what is actually being sewn. Alpaca, on the other hand, has a cloth backing. The fabric doesn’t make one less durable than the other, but it could make alpaca more slippery on certain surfaces, like leather. Another thing to consider is that alpaca fur is not as dense or thick as sheepskin. If you plan to walk or lay on an alpaca, be aware that you may be able to feel the seams underneath you.
Color
When looking at color, the real question to ask is artificial or natural. If you see sheepskin in any color other than gray, the wool has been artificially dyed. Now this can be good if you’re looking for a specific color, but if you’re looking for a more natural look, you might want to consider alpaca. Alpaca is not dyed and most manufacturers do not bleach the fur. When buying alpaca, you may run into problems if you have a particular shade of brown or white in mind because the coat is not a formal solid color. Some brown alpacas can be browner than others. The manufacture tries to group certain skins together, but when it comes to natural color it’s not always that simple.
What it really comes down to is personal preference. If you want thickness and more colors to choose from, go with sheepskin. If you want softness over thickness and a more natural look, choose alpaca. Either one will make your home cozier and look great. Both of them are quite durable and easy to clean and you can use them as bedspreads, sofa covers, rugs and even cushions. They keep you very warm and cannot be beaten by synthetic fibers.
