DIY Tips

In a list of most popular flooring, carpet and wooden boards would almost certainly take the top two spots. But in a very close third, would come natural floorings like sisal, coir and jute.
PA Photo/thinkstockphotosPA Photo/thinkstockphotos
PA Photo/thinkstockphotos

They are easier to source and often cheaper than wooden floorboards . So, if you’re tempted to ‘go natural’, here are the most popular floorings:

Coir is a good value and hardwearing alternative to carpet. Made from coconut husks, it is coarse and durable and perfect for floors that get lots of use, such as halls and stairs. Its highly textured finish and strong fibres stand up well to wear and tear, but water can mark coir, so it’s not a good idea to lay it in kitchens and bathrooms.

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In contrast, jute is fine, soft and silky, making it suitable for rooms with light foot traffic, like bedrooms. It’s not recommended for use in bathrooms and kitchens (it can shrink after absorbing water), on stairs (it can be slippery and isn’t particularly hardwearing) and in areas of bright sunlight (it can fade). The most popular options are chunky tweeds and fine herringbone and tight boucle weaves, available in a wide range of natural shades.

Sisal is a strong, versatile, hardwearing and anti-static natural fibre and can be used in most rooms, although it’s not suitable for high-moisture ones. It can be woven into a huge range of patterns, weaves and colours (because it can be dyed, unlike most natural flooring), and can even become metallic: shimmering strips of sisal make a stair extra special. Some popular weaves are Panama and herringbone