How to Choose The Right Type Of Natural Flooring
With a wealth of different natural flooring options available nowadays, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your home. Learning a little bit about each type of natural fibre carpet and the key benefits they bring, makes it much easier to decide. To help you, we have put together this quick guide with some insight into the various types of natural flooring. We will cover the following:
- What is Wool Carpet?
- What is Sisal Carpet?
- What is Sisool Carpet?
- What is Seagrass Carpet?
- What is Jute Carpet?
- What is Coir Carpet?
- Which Natural Fibre Carpet is Right for You?
What is Wool Carpet?
Timeless and versatile, wool carpet has been used inside homes for thousands of years. The fibres are created from the fleecy coat of sheep or goat, which must be sheared annually for health reasons. This makes it a sustainable and renewable resource that has long evolved to withstand the elements, bringing natural insulation and dirt-repelling properties.
Wool carpet is perfect if you want to add warmth and comfort to your space, with familiar softness underfoot. It has a luxurious look to last the ages, with a hard-wearing nature perfect for multiple areas of the home, from the landing to the living room.
What is Sisal Carpet?
Sisal carpet is crafted from a tropical agave plant of the same name, which is native to South America. Once extracted, the plant-based fibres are twisted together for a strong and durable finish, with a wonderfully earthy texture. The result is a natural carpet weave that looks and feels irresistibly organic. Sisal carpet can be dyed if required but is most often seen in an assortment of natural golden beige tones, with a variety of different weave patterns.
Sisal carpet is one of the strongest natural fibre carpets available, which means it is ideal for high-traffic areas of your home such as the hallway, landing and stairs. The rustic texture is suitable for a range of different design schemes, with woven patterns to suit every style of space.
What is Sisool Carpet?
As the name suggests, sisool carpet is a marriage of two natural fibres, namely wool and sisal. It blends the benefits of both for a strong yet soft finish, depending on the ratio. Sisool carpets bring added warmth without compromising on durability, with sisal fibres to stand up to heavy traffic throughout your home.
What is Seagrass Carpet?
Cultivated in shallow coastal waters, Seagrass is used to create a stylish natural flooring solution with a unique range of benefits. Easy to grow and often produced in small batches, it is a sustainable natural fibre carpet, ideal for the eco-conscious.
Like sisal, it brings an earthy, organic texture, often woven into chunky patterns that add a tactile dimension to your space. Crafted from a water plant, this carpet has natural water-resistant properties, making it great for spaces where spills are likely to occur such as the dining room or utility. Just make sure you wipe any accidents up quickly to prevent stains from setting in.
What is Jute Carpet?
Jute carpet is made from the Corchorus plant, which is native to India and Bangladesh and is the same raw material responsible for hessian and burlap. It has a non-toxic and efficient growth cycle, easily produced without the need for chemical intervention. Similar to seagrass and sisal, it has a natural carpet weave offering an organic look and feel. However, jute fibres are considerably softer than sisal or seagrass because they grow in the wet, monsoon climates of Asia.
If you are searching for a natural fibre carpet for the snug, or bedroom, jute is an excellent choice. Soft, delicate fibres craft a cosy and inviting atmosphere with a neutral colour palette that works with most design schemes.
What is Coir Carpet?
Coir carpet is crafted from the fibrous husks of coconuts. Just like a coconut, it has an incredibly tough exterior with an exotic look and feel, most often seen in a rich, golden beige. Traditionally used in the manufacture of ropes, brushes and doormats, coir has a slightly rougher texture than other natural fibre carpets but is incredibly tough when it comes to everyday wear and tear.
With a rustic look and feel, coir carpet brings warming colour and texture to country and traditional spaces. It works well in high-traffic areas where shoes are likely to be worn, such as the hallway, porch, and boot room. It is also naturally sound absorbing, making it a great choice for large, echoey spaces.
Which Natural Fibre Carpet is Right for You?
Hopefully, learning a little bit about each type of natural fibre carpet has given some insight into which one might be right for your space.
For premium warmth and insulation, with comforting cosiness underfoot, look no further than wool, a classic natural flooring solution. For strength and versatility, sisal is a solid choice, with a variety of weave patterns to choose from. Meanwhile, seagrass offers a little extra protection from stains, while jute is a softer natural fibre more suited to spaces such as the bedroom. Finally, coir is one of the most resilient natural flooring options available, ideal for even the most hectic areas of the home.
