• Call or Text: 303.788.0113
Sisal or Jute, Which Rug Is Best For You?
  • Home
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Our Showroom
  • Blog
  • About
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact
    • Write a Review
  • Home
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Our Showroom
  • Blog
  • About
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact
    • Write a Review

Sisal or Jute Rug

  • Area Rugs
  • September 14, 2021

Sisal or Jute, Which Rug Is Best For You?

When you decide to accent your home with a new rug, you have a lot of choices.

  • How big or how small?
  • Do you prefer bright colors or natural tones?
  • What type of fiber do you prefer?
  • Is eco-friendly important?

Stylish is a given. You want it to blend in with the rest of your decor, and showcase your individual personality.

For many homeowners looking for all that and more, they narrow their decision down to a sisal or jute rug. Natural rugs are growing in popularity because of all they have to offer. If you want green living, sisal or jute make good additions. They’re affordable, stylish, and provide neutral, earth-tone fibers that match decor in any room.

But if you’ve settled on sisal or jute, and aren’t sure which to select, we have a little advice for you. Either will make a great addition to any room, but each has its own list of pros and cons. Here’s our advice on each.

What is sisal?

Sisal is harvested from the Agave plant. While it is native to Mexico, because of its popularity, it can be harvested from many different countries around the world. Tanzania is one of the leading exporters of the Agave plant, and its fibers are used to make a variety of products, including:

  • Twine
  • Rope
  • Macrame
  • Baskets
  • Mats
  • Even mattresses and handbags

And of course, it’s a versatile fiber that can be used to create rugs.

Sisal began making its way into homes in the 1980s, and the design trend has continued ever since. Part of its appeal is it can be used in a casual way in the places you spend a lot of time, or change out the decor, and it instantly takes on a more sophisticated feel.

Sisal is a stiff fiber that is spun into a yarn-like fiber. Alone it has a natural white hue that makes it perfect for dying any color. It is one of the strongest fibers available, which makes it an ideal choice for high traffic areas such as hallways or entryways.

Sisal can be used alone, or combined with other fibers such as wool, to create a stunning appearance that works on both visual and functional levels. You’ll love the softness and durability if you move towards a sisal rug.

What is jute?

Jute is created from jute plants, with several different botanical varieties for different types of fiber. While cotton may be the most produced plant-based fiber, jute runs a close second. Jute creates a variety of everyday products, from burlap, bags, ropes, and canvas, to carpet, rugs, sweaters, and more. You’ll find jute out in the open and on display as often as you’ll find it in packing and agricultural uses.

If you want natural fibers, you’ll never go wrong with jute.

Like sisal, jute entered homes back when moving towards natural, earth-friendly designs became fashionable. India is currently the largest producer of jute rugs, with Bangladesh being a close second. In addition to being multipurpose, perfect for many different rooms in your home, they are also completely biodegradable, making their entire lifespan eco-friendly.

While sisal creates a stiff fiber, jute is on the other end as one of the softest fibers. It has a natural brown hue that also takes well to being dyed, yet you’ll find it just as often left in its natural shade. Although it’s soft to the touch, it’s still durable material. It looks great in a variety of places throughout your home, and can handle light traffic well.

Pros for using a sisal or jute rug in your home

As you learned more about both sisal and jute rugs, you may be gravitating towards one or the other. Here are some additional things to consider as you’re finalizing your choice.

When it comes to placing a natural fiber rug in your home, both sisal and jute can’t be beat. Sisal often in higher traffic areas, while jute makes a great addition to the lower traffic rooms in your home.

One of the biggest reasons people select sisal or jute is due to cost. Both are budget-friendly and give you the opportunity to change out your rugs on a frequent basis.

Because both sisal and jute are plant-based fibers, they are non-toxic and are a good choice if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma.

Sisal and jute are both considered green products, which means they are earth-friendly from beginning to end. When you’re through using your rug, they are biodegradable and will not live for an eternity in a landfill.

Because of their weaves, sisal and jute are both relatively low maintenance. Regular vacuuming is recommended to keep dirt away from the fibers. They are both considered to be natural dehumidifiers as each fiber is naturally absorbent. This can help keep your home cool on the hottest days of the year.

Cons for using a sisal or jute rug in your home

While sisal and jute have a wide array of advantages, because they are natural fibers, they also have a few disadvantages.

Because they are good at soaking up moisture, they don’t make a good choice for bathrooms or laundry rooms. You should never wash or steam either rug because added moisture can make them prone to mildew or mold.

While the fibers are sturdy enough for both indoor and outdoor use, you should place them in covered areas when used outside. They should never be allowed to soak when there’s rain in the forecast, or if your sprinkler system gets the flooring wet.

Neither sisal nor jute is known for its soft, cozy feel. If you combine sisal with another fiber such as wool, it will improve the softness.

Both sisal and jute have many similarities. When it comes to making your final decision, many often do so by looks. Consider your choices and lay them next to one another. Natural fiber rugs hold up well in many situations. So choose based on your preferences and what style will blend well with your personality. Whichever you choose, you’ll love the effect.

Read More
  • Area Rugs, Flooring
  • September 21, 2020

Is It Time To Buy a Sisal or Jute Rug For Your Living Space?

Homeowners are spending more time at home than ever before. And when you spend hours shuffling from room to room, you start to notice the little details you’re missing.

Maybe it’s time to add new decor, something that makes your rooms feel homier.

Or maybe it’s time to get rid of the synthetic look, and select something more natural instead. Natural area rugs are growing in popularity for a good reason. It’s a great way to bring style and sustainability back into your modern home.

Both sisal and jute are eco friendly, sustainable, and biodegradable. We’ve seen them added into homes and bring on a country, minimalist, or even modern look, one that has homeowners raving about it for years.

There’s just something about bringing natural fibers into your home. And both sisal and jute rugs can do the job quite nicely.

Yet before adding a sisal or jute rug into your home, it’s important to understand the differences. They may have a similar appearance, but they are distinctly different in durability, softness, and texture.

What is sisal?

Have you ever toured the tequila farms in Mexico? Sisal is created from the agave leaves used in tequila production. The leaves are spun into a yarn-like material, and then weaved into fibers, rope, and twine. If you have a natural scratching post for your cat, in many cases, it’s made from sisal.

Sisal isn’t soft, but has a more coarse texture. It’s one of the strongest fibers you’ll find in nature, which is why they’re perfect for the busiest place in your home. Use sisal in entryways, hallways, and stair steps, and you’ll have a long-lasting effect.

Sisal fibers are woven together, bound by a cotton canvas that helps continue sustainability. You’ll usually find it sticking close to nature, with colors ranging from cream, wheat, beige, and greys. Sisal does hold pigment better than jute, so that the occasional color may be mixed in.

Because of the rough texture, they are not well-suited for areas where you spend a lot of time. If young kids play or crawl around on sisal, it can be rough on hands and knees.

They also tend to absorb moisture, so you should avoid areas where they will be in constant contact with moisture.

And you should never place them directly on hardwood, or any other surface that is easily scratched. Even with an underlay, sisal is rough enough that it will eventually wear through the pad, and possibly damage the floor as you walk on it.

Yet in the right place, they are simply stunning. Every single sisal rug is unique in its own way. You’ll find traditional textures and patterns such as herringbone, basketweave, and zigzag patterns. Select the right color for your home based on your needs. Lighter colors will show dirt easier. A mix of dark and light color patterns will wear better over time.

What is jute?

Is It Time To Buy a Sisal or Jute Rug For Your Living Space?Like sisal, jute is made of natural fibers derived from Jute plants. Jute is grown mainly in Bangladesh and India from a tall, spindly plant that is also used to produce burlap. It comes with a natural light brown hue that can be dyed. But because of the color and texture, the hues will take on a more muted, earthy tone.

If you’re debating between sisal and jute for living spaces, you might move towards jute because it’s softer to the touch. Because jute comes from a plant stalk rather than leaves, it’s more flexible, softer, and has a cozier feel. You can walk barefoot across it and not feel a thing. That makes it a better choice in a busy household, for adults, kids, and your furry friends.

Because of both its texture and feel, it works well in all kinds of living spaces, including bedrooms, dining rooms, and family rooms. You won’t have to worry about jute scratching hardwood floors. And because of the natural earth tone, it can be a beautiful contrast against darker hardwood.

What we love the most about jute is it’s imperfect look. You’ll never find two rugs that look exactly the same, and it will give you a down to earth feel. Whether you create a rustic cabin in the woods, or prefer a beach house vibe, a jute rug may just be the perfect choice.

Is sisal or jute the right choice for your home?

Sisal and jute are both created from different parts of the plant. They are also harvested differently, resulting in different degrees of softness.

Sisal is derived from a stiff plant, its fibers are going to be significantly rougher and more durable than its counterpart, jute.

If you’re looking for softness, jute will meet your expectations. That’s why you’ll find it used quite commonly in decor materials for your home. It has a way of creating a cozy feel that homeowners love. Plus it has a soft texture, and equally creates a warm and comfy look and feel.

If you want rugged beauty in your living space, you’ll never go wrong with sisal.

If you prefer coziness and ease when you walk upon it, look more towards jute.

Of course, you can use both in different areas of your home, and love the results from both. Both are a great way to bring natural good looks to any room in your home.

It’s impossible to say which material is best. Because they are distinctly different, and it’s up to your preferences and needs that can push you towards one or the other.

Sisal rugs are durable and stiff, the perfect choice for high traffic spaces. If you want to install them onto stair steps, it can be the perfect way to make your home a little safer.

Jute rugs add a certain finesse to any living space. We love how the soft look yet bold designs give a sense of richness and depth wherever it’s laid into place.

Plus, both offer you a way to remove synthetics from your home once and for all. Both are eco-friendly, safe, healthy options you can use on your quest for greening up your home.

What’s the right choice for you: sisal or jute?

Read More

Recent Posts

  • The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Carpet Choices
  • How Flooring Can Transform Your Home’s Entryway
  • Choosing Flooring That Adds Depth to Small Spaces
  • The Role of Flooring in Boosting Energy Efficiency
  • How to Coordinate Hardwood Flooring with Cabinet and Countertop Colors

Categories

  • Area Rugs
  • Carpet
  • Flooring
  • Flooring
  • Hardwood Flooring
  • Tile Floors
  • Uncategorized
  • Vinyl Floors

Copyright © 2023 PRO! Flooring. All Rights Reserved.