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The use of natural materials for floorcoverings tends to be regarded as a modern phenomenon created by increased consumer desire for environmentally friendly products, when in fact the idea has been around for centuries. Ancient Egyptians and medieval Britons both learnt the art of weaving rushes into mats. Coir, jute and sisal yarns have been around for nearly 200 years, although initially they were mostly used to make twines and ropes.
In the late 1980s heralded a huge increase in public demand for these natural materials which lasted a decade before wood and laminate floorings became widely available. The natural floorcoverings industry is still very strong, particularly in the south-east of the country, although prices are much more competitive due to an increasing number of overseas suppliers in the market. As a result the variety of patterns and material blends is increasing as manufacturers seek to make it more difficult for consumers to make a direct price comparisons.
The traditional herringbone, diagonal and square designs remain, but new products seek to introduce a textured look by combining different yarns such as sisal and coir or varying yarn thickness. While some manufacturers have introduced bright colours, others concentrate on enhancing the natural look with designs incorporating a number of light and dark shades.
Installation and maintenance
Natural floorcoverings should be laid by a specialist fitters who understand how these materials react to different humidity as coir, jute and sisal are hygroscopic. Coir floorcoverings will wrinkle and buckle when damp. All three fibres will shrink when drying. Seagrass might be affected by mould or mildew in damp areas. It is recommended that all natural floorcoverings should be allowed to condition for 48 hours where they are to be installed, first being unrolled and cut oversize by 60cm to allow for any change in dimensions. If seagrass is to be laid on concrete or a cementitious subfloor then the relative humidity should be checked to ensure it is below 75 per cent.
Underlays are recommended by using the double stick system where the underlay is stuck to the sub floor and then the floorcovering is stuck to the underlay. The specified adhesives should be used.
Although some fibres are naturally stain resistant it is generally recommended that installations be sprayed with a stain guard finish for added protection against dirt and spillages. Day to day care should involve brushing to remove the dirt between the woven strands, then vacuum cleaning with a suction type cylinder machine as those with rotary brush may damaged the pile.
