There has always been confusion surrounding natural plant fibre flooring, many people don’t know the difference between the different options and tend to think of them all as one product; Frequently we are asked for information on Seagrass only to discover it is actually Sisal they are looking for and vice versa.
Apart from the fact that they are all made from plants, are all sustainable and chemical free, that is where the similarities end. So let’s look into the main differences between the materials available, where they come from, how they are made and the areas in your home they are best suited for.
SEAGRASS CARPET
Where is Seagrass from?
Or to give its scientific name ‘Eelgrasses’ is one of the few plants that can live in the sea. Seagrass used for making natural flooring, furniture, baskets and other items is grown in managed paddy fields farms. Most of these paddy field farms are based in China and the Far East.
How is it manufactured?
Once harvested the seagrass reeds are left in the sun to dry out. At the right time the reeds are then split and knotted together to make long runs that can be fed into the looms for weaving. This has to be done before the reed is too dry and rolls of seagrass flooring often arrive at suppliers with a slight tinge of green and gradually turn browner over time as they finish dying.
Seagrass main benefits.
As seagrass is grown in water it is naturally very good at resisting water and other spillages (unlike Jute or Sisal that can absorb liquids quite quickly). In fact Seagrass is the only natural plant fibre that you can use a damp cloth and mild detergent like Milton liquid to clean up spills and any dirt.
Recommended use.
Seagrass floorings ability to resist dirt and liquid as well as its heavy domestic rating make it an obvious natural choice for busy hallways, dining rooms, stairs, landings and even open plan kitchens. Like all natural flooring we would not advise using it in high moisture areas like bathrooms.
Due to its ability to resist liquid it is very difficult to dye seagrass and that is why unlike Sisal – that is available in many colours – Seagrass generally is only available in its natural dried shade.
Read more about the best areas for seagrass flooring here.
Interesting fact.
There tends to be three types of seagrass, a standard weave like Panama or Herringbone and what we call ‘Fine’ weave.
The main difference between them is in the reeds. Panama and Herringbone Seagrass is grown in saltwater paddy fields whereas the finer reeds are grown in freshwater paddy fields. It is the salt that bulks out the reeds of the Panama and Herringbone variants.
SISAL CARPET
Where is Sisal from?
Sisal – or to give its scientific name Agave Sisalana – is a species of flowering plant native to southern Mexico, but is widely cultivated in many other countries under the correct climate.
Sisal is now grown in managed forestry not only in North and South America but also in East Africa and East Asia.
In some locations across the globe it is referred to as white gold as it has historically brought massive revenues to struggling regions. Over time the demand for this natural and sustainable material has expanded worldwide being used in a range of applications including twine, ropes, string and of course yarn that is woven into carpets, rugs, baskets, bags, furniture and more.
How is it manufactured?
The cactus type sisal leaves are smashed after harvesting and shed to produce long, thin string-like strands. These strands are then dried in the sun, knotted together and spun. Once spun, the sisal yarn can be coloured. This is done in large vats using vegetable dyes, soaking the yarn for some time. When the yarn is completely dyed it is dried and spun again onto large bobbins ready to be fed into the loom so the weaving process can begin.
Sisal main benefits.
Sisal is an incredibly versatile material and cannot only be coloured in many different shades but can also be woven into many different designs of carpet. This is unlike Seagrass that is not as pliable and cannot successfully be coloured.
The different textures of the Sisal weaves from firm Boucle’s and Herringbone patterns, to the softer Babylon and Colossus designs give a huge variety of choice to anyone looking to include sisal in their home.
Perhaps the most important benefit of sisal is that it is not only sustainable, but like our other natural carpets it is non-toxic and has zero VOCs, pairing this with the above makes Sisal a popular choice for family homes.
Recommended use.
With its durable finish, smart designs and choice of colours Sisal makes a great natural selection for any home and is excellent for stairs fully fitted or as a runner; living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and studies are also excellent placements for Sisal carpet.
Whether you are looking for a custom made rug or fully fitted flooring Sisal works well in most rooms of the home.
As with all natural flooring we don’t recommend using Sisal in high moisture areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
Interesting fact.
Sisal is a remarkably drought resistant plant. It doesn’t need watering and grows in regions where nothing else grows. So rather than taking up valuable farmland that might be used for food production, it provides regions that would otherwise be struggling with a source of income. It typically doesn’t need pesticides or fertilisers, either. It is probably one of the most environmentally friendly products available and is an interesting candidate for biofuel; But that’s another story!
See our range of Sisal carpet here
JUTE CARPET
Where is Jute from?
Or to give its scientific name the Corchorus Olitorius and Capsulais plants are mainly cultivated in India and Bangladesh, although quite a few other countries grow and export it across the middle and far east. The Jute plant is a herbaceous annual growing to a height of around 3 metres with a central cylindrical stem, long light green leaves and yellow flowers. The Jute fibres used for creating yarns are located beneath the outer bark.
How is it manufactured?
The mature jute stalks are harvested by hand and defoliated. The stalks then go through a process called ‘retting’, this removes all the non-fibrous materials from the stem and skin of the jute stalks. After retting it is possible to separate the long silky fibres and comb them into long strings; these combed fibres can then be spun into yarn. The finished reels of Jute fibre are then shipped to textile production facilities to be woven into many products including floor-coverings and rugs.
Jute main benefits.
Jute has an overall positive impact on the environment. In fact, it is one of the few natural fibres that actually provides environmental benefits instead of being detrimental in impact. Jute production returns nutrients to the soil and helps retain moisture. Like all natural textile fibres, jute is biodegradable. Therefore, it does not accumulate in the environment, and does not release microfibers that pollute our oceans. Jute carpet is also non-toxic and VOC free; Another very healthy option to have in your home.
Recommended use.
Traditionally jute woven fabrics are rough and can be itchy against the skin so the jute used in making carpets goes through an extensive process to make the yarn smoother and silkier. This makes jute carpets some of the softest natural fibre flooring available. However, the process to achieve this finish also makes the woven carpets more prone to staining and wear therefore it is given a light domestic rating and we recommend that it is used in bedrooms and light traffic areas.
We would avoid using it on stairs or busy areas of your home and like all natural fibre flooring high moisture areas like bathrooms.
Interesting fact.
Apart from being entirely biodegradable and recyclable, jute crops grow really quickly and reach full height in under six months which means it offers a greater crop yield. This results in less land being used and therefore reduces encroachment upon wilderness and natural habitats. Jute also absorbs massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere helping to keep our air nice and fresh and the woody core of the jute plant has the potential to meet the majority of wood requirements thus helping towards a reduction of deforestation.
Not sure what to pick? Read our blog on Which is Better Jute or Sisal?
See our range of Jute Carpet here
COIR CARPET
Where is Coir from?
Coir (pronounced COY-er) – also known as coconut fibre – is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconuts and used in many products such as doormats, brushes, mattresses, carpets and rugs. Major suppliers of Coir and the cultivation of the coconuts can be found in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
How is it manufactured?
To extract the coir fibres from the coconut husk the coconuts are soaked in water to soften and loosen them. This process is done naturally and depending on the location of the process seawater or freshwater is used. Once the fibres are loosened they are run through a machine where the short and long fibres are separated. The sun is still used in many areas to dry out the fibre and the drying process can take up to a whole year and sometimes even longer. Once the long drying period is over the fibres can be spun into long yarns ready to be used in production all over the world.
Coir is a by-product of the coconut industry. Leftover husks of the coconut would not be used for any other purpose meaning the use of it in carpets reduces what would otherwise be waste.
Coir main benefits.
In today’s environmentally conscious world, Coir is becoming more and more popular. Not only is it natural, chemical free, has no VOC’s and is biodegradable, Coir is one of the hardest wearing of the plant fibre flooring and carpet options. This is why it is used for entrance matting in domestic and commercial settings. Using coir or any natural flooring in your home is not only good for the environment but also good for your health.
Recommended use.
As mentioned above Coir is a very hard wearing natural material so is rated heavy domestic and can be used in all areas of the home including stairs, halls and even as entrance matting.
Coir broadloom carpet is one of the few broadloom flooring products that is still handwoven and this gives it an extra rustic charm that fits nicely with all types of interior décor styles.
As with all plant fibre we do not recommend it for use in high moisture areas like bathrooms.
Interesting fact.
The name Coir comes from Tamil and Malayalam words Kayiru and Kayar meaning respectively cord and rope. Ropes and other products have been produced from the coconut fibre since ancient times!
See our range of Coir carpet here
IN SUMMARY
Choosing a natural carpet or rug as your flooring option is a great way to make sustainable and healthy choices for you and your household.
All our ranges – with the exception of Jute that is not suitable for stairs – we recommend for almost every room in your home, your main consideration only has to be what texture, design and shade you like most. At Sisal & Seagrass we offer a free sampling service on all our products so you can see them in your own home to make a better informed decision.
If you have any further questions about the suitability of natural plant fibre carpets for your home please do not hesitate to contact us.
