Top Sisal Carpets for Beauty, Warmth and Toughness

by Carpet Express Carpet Express, Inc.

Soft and maze-like, Sisal is more durable and resilient than many other artificial flooring materials. The tough and beautiful nature of Sisal carpets makes it suitable for any place, whether it is a living room, office, staircase, hallway etc.

Sisal area rug and carpets are made out of natural plant fibers. Their origin is attributed to the long spiny leaves of Agave sislana, a cactus plant that grows in Brazil, Florida, Tanzania, Caribbean, Kenya and Africa. It is believed the Sisal originated in Mexico. Being a cactus, it is found in arid desert climates where there exists an obvious scarcity of all other kinds of fibers.

Agave sislana has been produced for a long time because of its tensile fibers and high levels of functionality. Its strength, along with the resistance to damages by seawater, makes this useful fiber suitable for being developed into rope and twine to be used in the marine industry. It also depicts wide ranged usage in agricultural and industrial fields.The fibrous stems are cut, dried and treated into tan-colored lengths. These twines are also woven into a variety of products that are more popularly known as Sisal carpet flooring.

Sisal carpet is an ecofriendly choice since it is a 100% biodegradable sustainable resource. It uses minimal amount of pesticides or herbicides during growth; hence, the damages caused to the environment is further reduced. Since Sisal based products are made entirely of natural plant fiber, the irregularity found in nature is reflected in the same to impart a unique look. Natural Sisal fiber cannot be drawn into a perfectly uniform covering. The range of weaving patterns that are used with Sisal area rugs are slubs, knots and lines.

The Sisal Plant

Sisal has a typical life span of 7 to 10 years. On an average, about 200 to 250 commercially usable leaves can be created by a plant. About 1000 fibers are produced by each leaf which are up to 3 feet in length and are harvested by hand. The suitable climate for their growth is 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Being from Agave family, Sisal can also be distilled to produce tequila like liquor. So, if you have been looking towards making an investment in Sisal carpets, then, be assured that it is the right way to go forward.

Advantages of Sisal Rugs & Carpets

There are a number of advantages that come your way if you plan to buy Sisal carpet over the other carpets made of synthetic materials.

Stain resistant: The stain resistant properties of such carpets make them suitable for use around pets or children; and without the need for any chemical treatments.
Durability: Sisal is one of the toughest natural plant fibers. Sisal rugs and carpets last longer and do not compress or wear out as much as wall-to-wall carpeting do.
No static electricity: Carpets usually build up static electricity on dry and windy days, but this is not the case with a Sisal carpet. This property makes this flooring idea highly advantageous to be used in offices where there are computers. Also, the same characteristic makes them less likely to attract dirt.
Versatility: These carpets come off as a smarter choice, even when compared to natural fiber rugs. Their extremely tough and versatile nature makes them ideal for hallways, staircases, and other such high-traffic areas. Another unique property of Sisal fiber is that it can be woven and mixed with other textiles like wool and sea grass; thereby giving the perks of both the fibers. Wool Sisal carpeting, which has 60% of Sisal and 40% wool, is a preferred rug as it gives forth warm, soft and durable properties. Sisal is malleable and can be easily woven into smooth and decorative rugs.
Customizability: The edges of Sisal made rugs can be trimmed in various fabrics, as desired by you. Manufactured rugs often feature a thick blue or black canvas border or a natural unbleached fabric. Even left-over materials from curtains, table cloths or other complimentary fabrics can be easily stitched onto the fabric.
Sound absorbent: It has a dense molecular structure, so, its ability to absorb sound is better than that of other carpet types.

Disadvantages of Sisal Carpet

The benefits of using a Sisal carpet are certainly numerous, however, there are some things you need to be careful about when using this rug.

Roughness: Some buyers might find the texture too coarse for their feet, but, the surface is likely to soften with regular use and vacuuming.
No water resistance: These rugs are not supposed to be used in moist areas like bathrooms since they are made up of organic materials and are prone to water stains. But then, the organic nature of these floor solutions make them regulate the amount of humidity by absorbing moisture on moist days and releasing the same during the drier ones.

Tips for Installing Sisal Carpeting

The best options are using glue down Sisal, a double sided carpet pad or a thin felt carpet directly to the floor. This way, the Sisal fiber will be held in a secure place and there would not be any issues pertaining to the padding underneath.
Cross seams should be avoided as they are quite visible.
Installation of Sisal is tricky, it would be best to have it done by a professional.

Cleaning and Maintenance

No excessive care is required as the carpet is naturally resistant. However, it should be noted that Sisal carpets are not stain proof. As they are non-static fibers, dirt does not stick too hard to them, so cleaning does not require too much effort. Regular vacuuming would ensure that they are kept clean. Spills can be removed promptly by blotting liquids and scraping up solids; which should then be dabbed with a wet piece of cloth.

White vinegar can also be added to the cloth in order to cut grease. A hair blow dryer or a cloth can be used for drying purposes. By initiating such processes, dirt particles will be dissolved in water and brought to the surface. This might result in forming water stains. This is why, spilled water needs to be absorbed immediately through floor fans, or a hair dryer, or absorbent cloth. You can also use an absorbent powder for the purpose.

Apart from the making of an area rug, Sisal can also be used as a wall to wall carpet. Sisal rugs and carpets are preferred because of their earthy tones and the high end “Berber” look and feel. Not just that, they are known to hold less allergens too. Their sophisticated yet homely feel makes them a desirable choice for home owners. Go for wholesale Sisal rugs to get the best carpets at a reasonable price. Also, do check the carpet quality before you go for discount Sisal carpets.

Happy home décor!