A guide to natural floor coverings with Kersaint Cobb [AD]

This is a paid partnership with Kersaint Cobb

The other week a client, whose home I was advising on, asked after natural floor coverings that would be a) hardwearing enough in a hallway to cope with two boys trampling around and possible future use as a rental, and b) something suitable for allergy sufferers. There was also the need to bring a sense of warmth to a dark, narrow space. Versatile natural fibres – sisal, coir, jute and seagrass – immediately came to mind; they’re practical, durable and low maintenance as well as tactile and stylish too. They don’t hold as much dust as synthetic varieties and are ideal for high traffic areas. And many come with the appeal of being eco-friendly and chemical-free.

Yet you might not be familiar with all the different types of natural floor coverings and their unique qualities, from the pale hues of un-dyed seagrass, through the coarse, strong threads of jute, to the rustic coconut fibres of coir. With a minefield of words such as ‘natural’, ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘renewable’, ‘antistatic’ and ‘biodegradable’, it’s a challenge to sift through all the options and know exactly what will work for you, your home and your family. Together with flooring company Kersaint Cobb, I wanted to give you a simple buyer’s guide to choosing a natural floor covering. In a quest to make things accessible and easily digestible, I’ll be outlining each variety, how they’re made, the pros, the cons and everything you need to make an informed choice.

If you’re not familiar with Kersaint Cobb, they have a wide range of natural floor coverings in subtle shades and rich tones, sourced from some of the finest producers across the world. Inspired by the hills of New Zealand, the beaches of India, the forests of Asia, the deserts of Africa and South America, their designs will inject an element of character and material richness to a home, no matter the period of the property – whether it’s bringing a sense of cosiness to a county cottage, texture to a new build or a bold statement to a decorative Victorian hallway. While Kersaint Cobb sell wood floors, wool carpets and Moroccan runners, my focus in this post will be on natural fibres.

Sisal
Sisal is made from the leaves of the Mexican agave cactus plant or Agave sisalana. It was originally used by Aztecs to make crude fabrics and paper, and traditionally for rope and twine. The stiff fibre of the large fleshy leaves is stripped off before being processed and spun into a coarse, strong yarn. The fibres are naturally white and can be dyed to give a variety of finishes – Kersaint Cobb uses vegetable dyes to create muted colour blends or solid tones. Sisal can be woven into fine carpets, herringbone styles or thick boucle.

Pros
– Practical and durable – Sisal is one of the strongest natural fibres, known for its longevity and the fact it doesn’t wear easily. It’s often used for door mats because it’s so hardwearing and is ideal for stairs and landings
– Sisal has antistatic qualities – it doesn’t build up static, meaning you don’t get little shocks, it’s smooth to touch
– Sisal draws moisture from the air and can help maintain humidity in a home
– Sisal has sound absorbing qualities
– It’s low maintenance and doesn’t trap dust like other coverings, making it ideal for allergy sufferers
– Sisal is naturally dyed without artificial colours, pollutants or chemicals, so you know you’re putting something 100% natural into your home
– Sisal also dyes well, meaning there’s lots of choice when it comes to colour and tone
– Sisal is sustainably farmed and is fully biodegradable. The sisal plant requires little to no fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides

Cons/considerations
– Sisal is not recommended for areas with high moisture such as bathrooms, because it absorbs water it can easily shrink 
– Sisal can watermark, it is recommended to spray the carpet with a stain inhibitor first
– Because sisal draws moisture from the air, it expands and contracts, which means fitting will vary slightly from that of a conventional carpet. Most sisal carpets (and jute) are backed with latex, which is then glued to a sub floor, often made of plywood, on top of your existing floor (say floorboards if you have them). Worth noting for the preparation time     
– Sisal initially feels quite rough and textural under foot but will soften greatly with time and use
– As sisal is a natural product the colour can change slightly under exposure to sunlight, but I think that just adds to its character

Jute
Jute is a soft, fine fibre that is made from the Cochorus plant. It’s popular because it’s versatile and cheap to produce – the long, uniform threads make it ideal for twine, rope, grain sacks and chair coverings. Jute is mainly made in India – it’s produced by extracting the fibres from the plant and soaked in water, with little need for fertilisers or pesticides. It’s a rain-fed crop and thrives in the monsoon season.

Pros
– Jute is a finer, softer fibre compared to sisal – it’s not so thick and rustic, offering a more refined look
– Like sisal, jute is recyclable and biodegradable – the plant grows quickly and abundantly. It can be composted at the end of it’s use, instead of going into landfill
– Jute is often more affordable than other natural floor coverings due to its abundance and production
– Jute has anti-static properties
– Provides heat and sound insulation

Cons/considerations
– Jute is a more delicate fibre than sisal, and loses threads more easily, meaning it’s less suited to hardwearing areas such as hallways, and more suited to quieter areas such as living rooms and bedrooms
– Jute doesn’t take well to dyes, so you won’t get the wide selection of colours, but you will get a lovely, natural, golden tone
– Like Sisal, jute absorbs moisture so is not advised for bathrooms as it can hold mould and mildew

Coir
Coir is a natural fibre made from the outer husk of the coconut. It’s traditionally used for potting compost, doormats, brushes and inside mattresses. It’s produced by separating the fibrous material from between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of the coconut. The short brown fibres are then soaked, spun and woven into a yarn.

Pros
– Coir is very durable and low maintenance – ideal for protecting floors from unwanted doors, use in hallways, in boot rooms or by back doors
– Coir is biodegradable and comes from a renewable source, coconuts grow abundantly and the fibre can be taken from both green coconuts and fully mature coconuts. The flesh is then often made into desiccated coconut, so the whole fruit is used
– Coir is a huge industry in the developing world, mainly in India and Sri Lanka, and is still produced by hand without the need for harsh chemicals or pesticides, meaning the production is less harmful to the environment than synthetic fibres
– Coir has sound absorbing properties
– Coir is naturally insect repellant due to the natural oils in the coconut, making it ideal if your home suffers from moths

Cons
– Due to the tough nature of coir, it’s quite coarse to touch, meaning it’s probably less suitable for areas such as the bedroom
– Coir can shed fibres
– The colour of coir can fade when exposed to direct sunlight 

Seagrass
Seagrass is made from the dried leaves of the seagrass plant, found mainly in shallow coastal areas and the banks of rivers in China and Vietnam. Fine seagrass is made from fibres which are harvested when the plant is much younger, providing a more intense green colour.

Pros
– Seagrass is durable and recommended for areas with medium to high wear and tear
– Seagrass comes in a variety of weaves and patterns
– Seagrass is biodegradable and can be recycled
– Seagrass is ideal for allergy sufferers as it doesn’t attract dirt or dust
– Seagrass doesn’t absorb moisture. Unlike other natural fibres that means Seagrass doesn’t stain easily – spills can be cleaned with water

Cons
– Seagrass is only available in its natural colour, but that does make it ideal for pared-back, neutral schemes
– Seagrass can be used on stairs but due to its natural oils, it’s worth noting that it can be a little slippy
– As with the other natural fibres, coir is not suitable for wet, humid areas such as the bathroom or kitchen

So there’s a quick run through natural fibres – I hope it’s been informative. With more people looking at they ways they can be more sustainable at home and considering their environmental footprint – many turning to vegan lifestyles too – I think these eco, plant-based alternatives could see a real resurgence in popularity.

All images courtesy Kersaint Cobb