Natural & Unnatural Flooring

Natural flooring is a popular option not only in older & period properties but also in modern rooms and home offices. There are a wide range of styles and colours, especially in the sisal sector. They have a very different look & feel to normal carpets but can be very effective in the right area. We also offer a range of man-made sisal effect flooring, to offer the same look and feel but with the added bonus of being easy cleaned and maintained.

A buyers guide to natural flooring

Sisal – Intricate but soft, sisal is the toughest natural fibre flooring in the collection. It’s long and corse white fibres are obtained from the leaves of the agave plant. Sisal is made by collecting the leaves of the plant and separating the long leaf fibres out using machine decortication, a process of crushing the leaves between rollers. The resulting pulp is then scraped from the fibre and the fibre is washed and sun-dried. Finally, the fibres are spun into fine carpet yarns. The original white fibre means that the natural sisal fibres dye incredible well and the metallic hues shine through. This gives sisal a more versatile range and colour choice. Sisal is fully natural and biodegradable, non-toxic, and antibacterial, whilst being anti-static, which means its natural fibres help control humidity. You will find a wide range of styles and colours in sisal, and even some sisal & wool mixes.

Seagrass – This is as textured and tropical as it gets. Seagrass is a plant that grows in coastal meadows on the banks of rivers in Vietnam & China. The plant is hand-picked and dried. A yarn is then spun from its leaves and woven together. This is then backed with latex to create the carpet. The leaves on the plant are resistant to dye, so the colour is limited to the plants natural colours. You will find the colour ranges from a yellow green to dark green depending on the time of year the plant has been harvested. Seagrass will also change colour as it matures to the environment in which it has been fitted. As it is a water based plant, the carpets are more vulnerable to mould and mildew.

Jute – This incredible soft fibre has a “tweedy” look that brings texture and light to everyday life. Jute comes from the jute plant. Once the plant is harvested the stems are submerged in water for up to a month. This is done to help with the stripping process. To create the fibres, once the stems are removed from the water, the bark is stripped from the stems and then died. This means the fibres are very fine, making them very soft. These stripped fibres are then woven into jute yarn. The plant bark, when dried, has a distinctive gold hue. Jute is naturally light and will fade in direct sunlight.

Coir – Coir is crafted from Indian coconut husk fibres which are first softened in sea water and then spun into the golden yarn. Hearty and homely, rich in colour and resilient, coir is husky, fibrous and tactile. The colour of the coir will change from roll to roll in hue and will change once acclimatised to its living area.

Unnatural – Unnatural flooring is beautiful, practical and cleanable sisal-look carpet. Offering the look and feel of natural sisal, wool, jute, seagrass and wood, but made from tough, durable and easy to clean vinyl, polyamide and polypropylene, Unnatural flooring is a perfect washable flooring alternative for busy homes, offices, shops, restaurants and hotels. Many of the products on offer have contract ratings for wear, and most of them can be used both inside and outdoors.

Whichever natural flooring you select, they should be used with caution in high moisture areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens. High moisture and humidity can cause growth/shrinkage of the fibres and also an increased discolouring/shading process.

A Room guide to naturals

Sisals – These are very tough and hard wearing, ideally suited for high traffic areas such as halls, landings and stairs. Whether you are looking for a carpet, sisal stair runner or bespoke rug, there are designs to cater to all tastes. Herringbone styles marry the natural appeal of sisal with a heritage finish, while boucle brings a timelessly versatile look.

Seagrass – Perfectly suited for individual rooms such as a lounge, dining room or study. Seagrass is among the softest natural fibres you can find, whilst still being durable. This makes it perfect for rooms where you’ll be able to fully appreciate the fibres under your feet. Seagrass is not suitable for staircases.

Jute – Jute is among the softest natural fibres you can find. It is soft and comfortable to stand on even after years of use. This makes jute perfect for rooms where you’ll be able to fully appreciate the wool-like feel of the fibres on your feet. Ideally suited to low-traffic areas, such as a study or sitting room, where it will wear well and maximise its lifespan. Areas of high or direct sunlight (from large windows or bi-folds) will increase the fading & shading of jute.

Coir – Exceedingly tough with a distinctive look and feel, it offers a warm, natural aesthetic, and rustic texture, perfect for adding depth to minimal designs and character to countryside schemes. An excellent choice for the hallway, porch, or boot room, coir works perfectly in transitional spaces where the interior meets the exterior, with natural dirt and water-resistant properties. In any space where shoes are likely to be worn, coir makes a strong yet sophisticated solution.

Unnatural – Tough and durable with the bonus of being easy to clean, unnatural flooring is perfect for any room where a natural flooring look is desired but practicality and maintenance are a concern. Man-made looking natural flooring offers the same looks as real natural flooring but with a very low maintenance and easy-clean benefit. Ideally suited for home offices, dining rooms, play rooms and areas of high traffic/wear where the possibility of spillages and staining is high.