Natural floor coverings, such as coir and sisal fibre floorings, look great in homes – plus natural solutions come with a range of environmental and health benefits.

Woven from naturally occurring materials, natural-fibre floor covering solutions have a rich history going back thousands of years and are known for their distinctive texture and style. Today, materials used include coir, made from coconut husk fibre; sisal from the agave plant; jute from the stalks of the jute plant; wool; paper; seagrass and bamboo.

The various floor covering materials available offer different looks, softness and levels of durability. For example, coir and sisal tend to be quite tough and long wearing, while seagrass coverings, made from fibres that are spun into tough strands and coated in resin, are resistant to dirt and stains. Wool and wool-blend coverings have texture and softness while also providing durability.

Today, most natural-fibre carpets, including their natural-latex backings, are made from renewable resources. The dyes used to colour them are usually acid free and because they are made from plant fibre, they are also biodegradable.

Natural fibre flooring is great for allergy sufferers, as dust is kept to a minimum by the tight weaving process. In addition, both coir and sisal fibre contain tannins that repel dust mites, while all natural floor coverings absorb moisture from the air when it is humid and release it when the humidity drops, helping to stabilise the surroundings for anyone with respiratory-tract sensitivities.

As with all natural products, natural fibre floor coverings will be affected by the sun. How much they are affected will vary, depending on the amount of exposure and the intensity. Colours can fade, while the natural fibres may darken and, in very harsh conditions, ultra-violet rot can occur.

Using rugs as floor coverings, the choices are infinite, as they can be tailor made to your taste by combining your preferred natural flooring material and binding. Wall-to-wall coverings can be laid in a number of ways, but for stability and softness ‘dual bond’ installation, where a rubber underlay is glued to the floor and the cover is then glued to the underlay, is probably best.

For natural fibres underfoot in your home, find your nearest carpet and flooring retailer: