Interest in eco-friendly sisal carpets and other similarly sustainable solutions has been growing at an ever-increasing rate. Many industries have adapted to this new demand none more so than interior design. With this bump in awareness, more and more people are considering flooring options that are not just better for their health but also for the planet.
Eco-friendly Sisal carpets have become more accessible in recent years and more people are becoming familiar with the product. Despite this, it is still a relatively unheard-of flooring option. In this article, we explore sisal and its many benefits as a flooring choice. We also take a look at other natural and sustainable alternatives for the eco-conscious homeowner.
Sisal Carpets.
The Sustainability of Sisal Carpets.
Growing in popularity for decades now, sisal carpet is easily one of the most well-known natural, sustainable flooring options available. So what makes it so attractive to potential homeowners to switch from typical synthetic options?
As you may already know sisal carpet is made from plant fibres. The plant in question is the Agave Sisalana which is traditionally used in the manufacture of rope.
Being sourced from a renewable plant is one thing, but sisal carpets are also biodegradable. Once the carpet is at the end of its life (typically 10-15 years) it can be recycled and will biodegrade over time.
Chemical Free Carpet.
Aside from the eco benefits it has the advantage of being able to take on colour from vegetable dyes. This gives great versatility to style and colour that many other natural carpets do not have.
The reason this is so unique is because it allows the carpets to have a wide variety of colours while remaining both biodegradable and VOC (volatile organic compounds) free.
This moves us nicely on to the other benefit of sisal carpet being that it is completely chemical-free. An article from Green Peace looking into chemicals within standard carpets found many alarming stats. One of which is that “80% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors” much of this being the off-gassing from standard synthetic carpets.
As we learn more about the potential human health risks present in chemicals found in synthetic carpets it is clear that it is not just the chemical intolerant who should be concerned.
You may be concerned that the chemical-free aspect of sisal carpets could cause other issues. A major worry for consumers is whether these natural carpets can resist common pest infestations and how they hold up under heat without fire retardant.
The fantastic news is that sisal carpets are naturally moth and larvae-proof as well as naturally fire retardant.
Eco-friendly sisal carpets are attractive in many ways. But what about other carpet options are there if sisal is not quite what you want?
Alternative Natural Carpet Options.
When looking into other options on the market we find that 3 main options give almost all the same benefits of sisal. These are seagrass, jute and coir carpet.
All of the above have the same benefits as sisal carpets such as being VOC-free, sustainable, biodegradable and durable. But each of them has their own characteristics that may be attractive for different projects..
Seagrass Carpet.
A common question for those new to the natural carpet world is what is the difference between sisal and seagrass? The difference is really in the plant material they are made from.
We have already covered what plant fibre constitutes sisal carpet, seagrass is unsurprisingly made from seagrass.
“Seagrasses are found in shallow salty and brackish waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. Seagrasses are so-named because most species have long green, grass-like leaves.”
Source – Smithsonian Ocean
If we were to describe sisal as having a rustic texture we would describe seagrass as feeling slightly waxy. Not that it leaves a feeling of residue on the skin, but with the carpet in hand you would feel very little friction when passing your hand over it.
Another notable feature of seagrass carpet that differentiates it from sisal is how it deals with mud. Sisal has one weakness and that is its propensity to take on water and stains. Although this is mostly mitigated with stain protection the consistency of mud can still cause issues
Those interested in sisal are often warned not to have the carpet in a room with high moisture. Although this is technically true for all natural flooring, when it comes to entrance hallways – where muddy shoes may be worn – seagrass can be used.
As with coir, mud is too thick to seep into this carpet. If mud is tracked onto seagrass you simply wait till it dries and brush it off with a hard broom.
The Slippery Carpet Myth
While on the subject of seagrass carpet we wanted to take the chance to dispel a common misconception.
Seagrass like many other natural flooring options has suffered from a myth predicated in the flooring industry. The myth is that it cannot be fitted on stairs due to it being too slippery.
This however is untrue. This misinformation has come about through incorrect installation of the product. Natural carpets should only be installed by a professional with knowledge of which direction the weave should run across stairs to ensure safety. This is backed up by the fact that all natural carpets, pass the required EU slip testing standards.
Jute Carpet.
Jute saw a massive rise in popularity in recent years with the surge in desire for Scandinavian design.
Suitable for either fitted carpet or rugs, jute is the softest of all natural flooring choices. The soft fibres and minimalistic look has made it a big seller in the form of rugs.
The one area where this natural fibre falls down compared to others is in its durability. The difference between jute and other carpets like sisal and seagrass is that it is rated as light domestic use. Sisal, seagrass and coir carpet in contrast is rated as heavy domestic use and above.
Because of this disparity in durability, it is often not advised to use jute carpet on stairs or high foot traffic areas where it will become quickly worn.
As mentioned previously, it is possible to use it for the application as a stair runner, but most reliable sellers with experience will make customers aware of its durability difference.
Jute Carpet.
Jute saw a massive rise in popularity in recent years with the surge in desire for Scandinavian design.
Suitable for either fully fitted carpet or more commonly in rugs, jute is the softest of all the natural flooring variants. The soft fibres and minimalistic look has made it a big seller in the form of rugs.
The one area where this natural fibre falls down compared to others is in its durability. The difference between jute and other carpets like sisal and seagrass is that it is rated as light domestic use. Sisal, seagrass and coir carpet in contrast is rated as heavy domestic use and above.
Because of this disparity in durability, it is often not advised to use jute carpet on stairs or high foot traffic areas where it will become quickly worn.
As mentioned previously, it is possible to use it for the application as a stair runner, but most reliable sellers with experience will make customers aware of its durability difference.
Coir Carpet.
If you are looking for something with extreme durability then coir will likely be your go-to.
Often used as entrance door matting most people have encountered this prickly wonder before. We challenge you to take notice next time you enter any building or home and wipe your feet. Odds are you will find a coir mat greeting you and your muddy shoes.
Aside from its use as door mats coir carpet much like sisal, can take on vegetable dyes to colour it. Although it can be coloured in the same way as sisal flooring, you will find that coir is not often used in the same way.
Coir carpet is naturally a thicker and more prickly material than sisal. Made from the husk of coconuts it is however extremely durable.
Both factors mean that its use case in living areas of the home (although not unheard of) is less common. On top of its application as door mats the ability to colour this carpet makes it a great option for staircase runners.
As seen in the picture below, manufacturers of coir stair runners can get creative with the designs and colourways they make.
Walking upstairs, people tend to put a lot of their weight on the front of each step. This behaviour results in one area of carpet usually bearing the brunt of wear. The amazing durability of coir carpet means it easily withstands this extra burden and should last roughly 10-15 years.
Things To Know Before You Buy.
Natural Flooring and Stains.
For all the advantages of natural flooring, there are some important facts to know about including it in your next home improvement project.
The first of these is to know about how to care for natural carpets. Natural carpets can be susceptible to stains, so it is important to take precautions before a stain occurs.
Most suppliers will give the option to add stain protection to your natural flooring, and this is something that we would advise. Most of the stain protections used for these carpets account for customers wanting non-toxic flooring. Therefore the stain protection used is often water-based and won’t add toxic chemicals to the carpet.
Stain protections act as a barrier that prevents stains from settling into the carpet too quickly. Thus allowing you time to clean up any spills before they become untreatable. While this is an effective addition in preventing stains it is important to know how to deal with stains when they happen to not worsen them. Although stain protection will allow more time, this is all it will do, being prepared is essential.
It is important to note that natural carpets won’t react well to typical carpet cleaners found on the shelves of your local shop. Instead, you need to make sure you find a cleaning kit designed specifically for natural carpets so that you not only have the right tools but also a guide on how to address accidents before they settle
Finding a Natural Carpet Fitter.
The final consideration to make before you leap to a cleaner and more eco-friendly flooring option is the carpet installation. If you’re looking for a rug then this won’t apply to you, but if you’re shopping for a wall to wall flooring then this is imperative to know.
Earlier we referenced the myth about natural flooring and its slipperiness and there is a reason this myth persists today.
Finding a carpet fitter for natural flooring can be tricky. Natural carpets are known to be more difficult to fit than standard carpets. This is due to factors like the need for acclimatisation and the requirement of a double stick fitting system.
These extra considerations and difficulties in fitting put some carpet fitters off installing them. Whether it be preference or lack of experience it is unfortunately common for consumers to be given false information so that the consumer will choose a carpet more familiar to the tradesman so that they don’t lose the work.
This gives extra importance and difficulty in finding the right carpet installer for this type of work. Most suppliers of these carpets will have contacts for carpet installers. Still, make sure to check with the installer first if they have experience with this type of carpet before agreeing to use them.
- Conclusion.
The variety of choices and benefits of eco-friendly sisal carpet and its natural counterparts are numerous. Although there are considerations like cleaning, correct areas of application and the right installers to factor in, we feel the eco-conscious consumer will still find these natural carpets attractive and worthwhile.
.
