FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 3 - Sisal & Seagrass

Q: Will my natural flooring shrink?

Sisal, Seagrass, Jute and Coir flooring can expand and contract with moisture and temperature changes, however, as long as the flooring is installed correctly using the recommended underlay and method to fit, you will never see this movement taking place and it will behave like any other carpet on the market.

Q: Does Sisal or Seagrass go mouldy?

Plant fibre flooring is sensitive to moisture and should not be installed in high moisture areas like bathrooms. Most other rooms of the home will cause no issues as long as they are well ventilated and not subject to excessive dampness.

Q: Do natural carpets fade over time?

All carpets and flooring, natural or man-made, will fade over time when subjected to UV light over an extended period of time. Natural flooring and carpets like Sisal, Jute, Coir, Seagrass and wool can be more prone to fading than synthetic fibres. If you are concerned about this, we would recommend that lighter shades and colour ways are used in areas where there are large windows or patio doors, particularly if they are south facing. The use of window treatments, shades, blinds and curtains will of course help to mitigate fading. On all plant fibre natural products colour fastness is not guaranteed when the materials are subjected to prolonged exposure to UV light.

Q: Do our rugs need underlay?

All of our plant fibre products used to make rugs or runners have a backing on them that is non-slip so they will not move, no rug underlay is required. For more information on this subject read our blog post on Do Natural Rugs Need Underlay .

Q: Are your products vegan?

Yes. All of our carpets, flooring, rugs and runners are vegan, no animal products are involved in their production at any stage.

Q: What underlay do I need?

If you are having any new flooring fully fitted we always recommend using underlay. Not only does this improve the comfort of the product, but it can also increase its life span by more than double. For natural plant fibre carpets and flooring there is only one type of underlay recommended and this is a rubber crumb double stick system like our RC Eco Underlay . Plant fire flooring needs a strong and heavy underlay to ensure it stays stuck down and does not curl up at the edges; read more on this in our FAQ on fitting and shrinkage. For non-plant fibre flooring like our Ocean Clear Carpets Range or any other carpet types a variety of underlays are suitable, however, if you’re looking for a non-toxic, completely natural underlay then our AirFlow Underlay can be used with any carpet (except plant fibre flooring).

Q: How sustainable and eco-friendly are your products?

All Sisal & Seagrass products are chosen based on their sustainability profile. Our natural plant fibre ranges all originate from managed forestry operations that are continuously replanted after harvests. Not only that, but all of our products are biodegradable after their life as beautiful floors and rugs are over. Our Ocean Clear Carpets Range are made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles and fishing nets that would otherwise be floating around polluting our oceans. Our aim has always been to promote products that help our planet now and in the future. You can rest assured knowing that for every order we get we donate £5.00 to plant a tree through the World Land Trust. Please see our Eco Mission for more details here. And to find our eco friendly offering of flooring please follow this link.

Q: Why do I need a specialist to install my natural flooring?

Plant fibre flooring is like wood or any natural product. It will expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes. To restrict movement in the natural flooring, not only does it need to be acclimatised in the area it is to be installed but must be fitted using a stable double stick underlay and adhesives that are recommended by a natural flooring supplier. The method of installation is slightly more involved than standard carpet and many carpet fitters are not happy or proficient in handling the products. Without the correct procedure to install natural products you may find that they bubble when they expand or pull away from the walls when they shrink leaving an unsightly gap. If fitted correctly even though the product continues to expand and contract you will never notice. To find out how we can help you find the right installer for natural flooring follow this link to our installation & measurement page.

Q: How do I clean natural flooring?

Regular vacuuming with a cylinder vacuum is perfectly adequate to keep your natural flooring looking fresh and clean. For any stains or marks that the vacuum won’t remove then there are cleaning products designed especially for natural fibre and these should be used. Never use water on natural fibre products unless specified by the manufacturer to do so. If you wish to give the product a full clean after years of use or after a spillage etc there are local cleaners in all areas that specialise in the dry extract cleaning methods of plant fibre flooring.