Find Samples
To add to your samples basket, simply navigate to a product you're interested in, select the colour you like and press the + icon on an empty sample slot.
Book an appointment
Smart ways to shop with Tapi. Book a convenient appointment online.
Book a Free Home Visit
Our flooring expert will help you find your dream floor in the comfort of your home
FREE
Book a Free Home VisitAvailable 7-days a week, some evenings. Approx. 90 minutes.
Book a Store Appointment
Grab time with our flooring experts and all our samples to help you choose
FREE
Book a Store AppointmentAvailable 7-days a week. Approx. 45 minutes.
Your Baskets
Natural materials are a key feature in modern home designs, with their organic look and feel and they tend to have a lot of beneficial features too. Sisal, seagrass, and jute are some of the most common organic materials used in modern floor coverings – even though they’ve been used in flooring for centuries.
This guide will explain what each of these materials is and their properties, and then will explain the differences between them to help you pick which material you’d prefer to have in your home. We also have some style advice, and you can look at our flooring inspiration page to see how our customers are styling natural materials in their homes.
The luxury, hand-woven quality of natural fibre, along with neutral colour schemes and textures, makes them a must-have for contemporary, eco-friendly homes. The sustainable fibres of jute, sisal, and seagrass are most commonly used for these types of carpets, as they can grow extremely quickly and can be harvested all year round too.
To start with, we’ll explore each of these natural fibres to help you determine which one would work best for you and in your space, by finding out how each one is created, and what they’re made of, too.
The jute plant grows in tropical, humid climates in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar. A natural material, jute doesn't require fertiliser or pesticides to grow, it just needs natural humidity and plenty of rainfall, which is easily achieved in these humid countries with frequent monsoon seasons - this makes it one of the most eco-friendly materials available. Besides being 100% biodegradable and recyclable, jute – a relation of mallow – is also durable, chemical-free, and reusable.
Seagrass is the only flowering plant to grow in water. It’s found throughout the world, but the material used specifically for weaving natural fibre carpets and rugs is best grown in the wetlands of Asia. It’s collected, dried and spun into yarn for weaving and is one of the sturdiest materials of the three fibres. It’s not dyed in any way. Although it comes out of the water with a green tinge, seagrass fades to a natural light brown colour during its drying and cleaning process.
Sisal is made from the agave plant, most commonly found in the south of Mexico and East Africa. There are subtle differences between the plants grown in these two locations, with Southern Mexican agave plants growing shorter and stouter, while East African agave plants grow longer and thinner – this makes the Eastern African variety easier to colour with dye. Although you may like the natural look as it adds a neutral element to any room and you can personalise it with your own colour scheme and accessories. You can find out more in our guide to 'what is sisal?'.
When it comes to identifying what makes these natural fibres different from each other, we need to look at their properties – their look, feel, durability, and additional benefits.
Although both jute and sisal are materials woven from plants, they have some significant differences. Jute is grown in extremely humid environments, and as it’s a very porous material it can stain easily. In this way, it’s similar to sisal, which is also prone to staining. Both can be protected with a stain-prevention sealant, however, a job that’s best done by a professional.
The biggest difference between jute and sisal is its durability. The fibres of the sisal plant are extremely strong and are excellent for busy areas of the home like your hallway or kitchen. Tapi sells three different collections made from 100% sisal. In particular, the Havana carpets have been created in herringbone patterns in a variety of colours, which look smart and create movement as well as adding texture in any room.
Jute has a lot of versatility and can come in many design styles, so are great for less busy areas like your bedroom or living room. Jute is also softer, which makes it a great pick for areas where you want a soft sensation under your bare feet.
The biggest advantage that seagrass has over sisal is its resistance to staining. This is because it has natural stain-resistant properties, thanks to its saltwater habitat. Sisal, as we’ve mentioned, is prone to staining. Both materials are hardwearing and are great for busy areas, and a seagrass carpet or rug is great if you want a natural-coloured flooring that can also stand up to the tests of daily life.
Sisal is much easier to stain than seagrass, so it can also be dyed in many different shades and colours, so this is a great choice if you want something more colourful, but just as tough.
Seagrass is much more durable and tough than jute, because while jute is made from the stalk or stems of the jute plant, seagrass fibres are made from the leaves themselves. Seagrass can also handle moisture well, making it a good choice for areas like kitchens and bathrooms where humidity can be higher.
Jute is much softer in comparison to both seagrass and sisal rugs, which makes it perfect for areas where you want to add a little more warmth and comfort. The best thing about all of these types of rugs is that they are eco-friendly, easy to produce and look naturally beautiful in your home, whatever your style may be.
If you would like to pick a natural fibre flooring for your home such as sisal carpet, why not speak to one of our flooring experts about your options, either by booking a free store appointment or getting in touch with our team? Did you know you can also make your own rugs from different carpets in our range with our carpet whipping service? Give it a try today.
Published: 04-01-2023
Find out more about underfloor heating, why it’s such a great way to keep your home cosy, and which flooring it works best with.
Carpet stains can be a real pain, but if you know how to deal with each different kind of stain, you will never have to worry about replacing your carpet.
Are you looking for a cleaning solution for your carpet that fits your budget and carpet type? Check out our guide to carpet cleaners to find the right cleaner for you.
We’ll take you through the different ways in which your carpet pile can be flattened, and then how to lift a carpet to make it look good as new.
Wondering if you have what it takes to fit your own laminate flooring? We believe in you – and our step-by-step guide to laying laminate flooring too.
Find out the different ways you can reduce heat loss through your flooring this winter with our tips and tricks.
If you’re thinking of switching up your old bathroom for a trendy wet room, then we have written this guide just for you – check out the best flooring ideas for your new wet room.
Stair runners aren’t just a stylish accessory for your stairs, they can also be a practical one.
Picking new flooring for your home should be fun – there are so many gorgeous choices! If you’re struggling to decide between vinyl or carpet, this guide is here to help you make up your mind.
Our nautical navy lookbook is perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms alike. Check out our interior and décor ideas for this serene colour palette.
Thinking about getting a new carpet and considering sisal? Check out our guide to ‘what is sisal carpet’ for everything you need to know.
The luxurious feel of a natural fibre carpet – without the price tag! Polypropylene carpets are a popular choice for modern and traditional interiors alike thanks to their stylish looks and easy-to-clean practicality.
Today wool carpets remain a classic interior design feature for a reason – they suit both modern and traditional homes alike!
Here’s the inside scoop on which flooring finishes work best on different flooring types, what the different types of flooring finishes are, and which one will be best for you.
We’ve come up with some of the ways you can get creases out of rugs and how to flatten a rug that’s been rolled or folded when it was delivered to you.
If you want to pick the best flooring possible for your new home office, then you’ll want to know all the options available to you! Read through our list of different flooring types and why they might be great in your space to help you make the right decision.
We’ve got a host of tips that’ll help you become a legend in the art of layering rugs, from colour combos to the different layering techniques you can use in different rooms.
Wondering which type of flooring is the best for a smaller kitchen and what designs will work best? Check out Tapi Carpets’ ideas for a small kitchen for more..
Cleaning vinyl flooring can be a daunting task when you don’t know what to do – read our guide to caring for vinyl flooring for all our insider tips and tricks!
While herringbone and chevron patterns may appear to look similar, some key differences between the two are important to know. If you want to opt for patterned wood in your home, read this guide to find out more.
Wondering if it’s worth investing in new home features if you want to sell soon? Find out how upgrading your home can actually help you sell for more!
Want to create a cosy bedroom in your home and need somewhere to start? The best place to begin is with our guide to creating the perfect cosy bedroom.
Create beautifully bespoke pieces from preloved furniture and household accessories.
Are you hoping to refresh your home in the new year and want to know more about the latest wallpaper trends? This guide explains how you can embrace all the freshest ideas to create contemporary and stylish rooms
Find out all our tips and tricks on how to fix a squeaky floor in this helpful guide, from humidifiers to powdered graphite.
Are you searching for the underlay that will go perfectly with the brand-new LVT or vinyl flooring you’ve just picked out? Our guide has all the information you need.
Are you hunting for the perfect underlay to go with your brand-new carpet and you’re not sure where to start? Our guide to finding the best carpet underlay takes you through all the different types of underlays you could choose between.
Heat your home and warm up a cold room with our tried and tested tips.
Are you wondering if engineered wood is suitable for your kitchen? There are so many gorgeous options to choose from that are hard-wearing and stay looking good.
If you’re having the flooring in your home replaced, then you may not be sure of what steps to take to make sure your room is ready for new flooring coming in – our guide has all the steps you need to take to prepare your room for new flooring.
Find out some of the different style ideas you could try on your staircase this Christmas to add some extra tinsel and baubles to your home’s festive flair.
If your carpet is looking a little worse for wear, there are plenty of small fixes you can do yourself. Learn how to repair carpet and patch up damage.
Learn how to lay vinyl click flooring properly in our step-by-step guide with lots of guidance and Tapi top tips.
Find the best way to remove old carpet on your stairs and flooring.
Check out our guide on how to protect your floor at Christmas when you have family and friends visiting or you’re thinking of putting up a tree.
Do you want to make your living room a stylish haven? Start with your coffee table and this really handy guide to styling it perfectly.
Find all the information you need to properly dispose of and recycle old carpet, including the typical costs you could expect to pay.
Are you looking for ways to style tiled flooring in your living space? Check out our guide for plenty of ideas and styles of flooring you could try if this trend is one you’re desperate to try.
Discover how to host the perfect dinner party with our guide, including the food, the decor, the games and, of course, the post-party clean-up.
Blush pink is all the rage in interiors. Our guide will give you ideas on how to have this chic shade in your bathroom.
Discover the best reading nook ideas so you can curl up and get cosy at home and enjoy your favourite book.
Find a purpose for your spare room with our handy guide – from top tips you can try or trends that you’ll love to follow, we’ve got all the inside knowledge on what to do with your spare room.
Discover Christmas table décor ideas that won’t cost a fortune in our guide to dressing a table for Christmas.
Discover how to install commercial carpets in your space with our comprehensive, step-by-step guide.
Looking for ways to decorate your home on a tight budget and wondering where to begin? Our guide is packed full of helpful top tips on ways you can make your home feel rejuvenated, for less.
Our guide to child-friendly flooring is packed full of insightful information you can use to pick flooring for your family home that suits all your little one’s needs.
This step-by-step guide to fitting LVT flooring has everything you need to fit your own luxury vinyl tiles and get perfect flooring every time.
Create the Parisian apartment style of your dreams by following all our tips and tricks to really embrace French style in your space.
Read our guide to laying herringbone flooring, and all the steps required to ensure you get your herringbone flooring perfect every time.
Read our guide to Victorian kitchen style to get all the inspiration and tips to pull together your own Victorian-style kitchen design.
Looking to design a white kitchen? Discover the latest trends in modern and traditional white kitchen décor, colour palettes, and flooring options in this comprehensive guide.
Receive the latest offers, promotions and Tapi news delivered straight to your inbox with our exclusive email newsletter.
Please confirm you would like to subscribe to our newsletter?