Have you considered Sisal carpet?
There are many aspects to consider when you begin your search for the perfect carpet. Depending on your own personal tastes and requirements, a natural carpet can deliver on appearance, durability, comfort and cost. Over the last decade there has been a drastic rise in the popularity of natural carpets. With the media encouraging the public to cut down on their carbon footprint, people have been drawn away from man-made carpets and more towards carpets made solely from natural fibres.
Aside from the obvious sustainability benefits, these carpets are also attractive due to their anti-allergy properties and their suitability for certain period homes. At Hudson Flooring we stock various natural carpets including Jute, Coir, Seagrass and Sisal. In this post we will look at the properties of Sisal carpet in more detail and consider whether it may be a great option for your home.
About Sisal Carpet
The Sisal fibre used is harvested from the plant Agave sisalana, a member of the cactus family. As a cactus the Sisal prefers to grow in a drier and more arid environment; therefore it is found in abundance in hot climate countries like Mexico, Brazil and Eastern Africa. It is the outer, more fibrous stalks that are used in the manufacturing of Sisal carpet; the strands are dried and treated resulting in long, light-coloured twine which is then woven.
Another highly regarded property of Sisal carpet compared to other natural options is that the Sisal fibres are naturally a light tanned colour. This allows them to be easily dyed, making these carpets a more versatile option.
What room in the house is best for Sisal?
It is important to consider the characteristics of sisal carpet in helping you to decide which rooms are most suitable for it. The naturally strong properties of the Sisal plant is one of the reasons that it is an increasingly popular carpet on the market. The extreme strength and durability of Sisal carpets makes it ideal for high traffic areas, such as hallways and foyers. However, as with most natural carpets, Sisal carpet is a very coarse material and is therefore not the comfiest option if you plan to sit on the floor or walk around bare foot. Nevertheless, a positive of these coarse fibres is that they provide more grip, making them a worthy option for stair carpeting.
Originating from arid countries, Sisal carpet is not designed to be used in wet environments or places that have a high humidity. As an organic material, Sisal is prone to developing water stains if it is exposed to too much moisture. Therefore we strongly recommend against using it in kitchens or bathrooms. However, in less extreme conditions, Sisal carpet actually has the ability to help regulate the conditions of your house by absorbing moisture on wet days and releasing it on dry days.
So why choose natural carpets?
These natural fibre carpets are beginning to appeal to people because they are viewed as environmentally friendly and sustainable. Sisal carpets have been featured in a number of home and leisure magazines over the last couple of years, creating a larger demand. Natural carpets are also fantastic for those who suffer from allergies, specifically allergies from dyes, pesticides and chemicals.
One of our most popular buyers of Sisal carpets is clients with a period property. The more modern, man-made carpets do not tend to fit in with the overall style of these more traditional homes. Sisal is a perfect alternative for customers who would like carpet but do not want to lose the overall rustic feel of their period property.
Even if you haven’t previously considered a natural carpet, perhaps it is time to start considering the various advantages they bring. To learn more about natural carpets, speak to one of our Hudson Flooring experts.