Published January 2018 | Updated April 2024
Have you ever wondered what causes sisal carpet to ripple after installation? If your sisal is buckling, lifting, or waving across the surface, you’re not alone—this is a common question we receive, and there are a few key reasons it happens.
Why Sisal Carpet Ripples
The most frequent cause of rippling is stretch-in installation. Flatwoven, natural fiber carpets like sisal should never be stretched over tack strips the way synthetic broadloom often is. When sisal is pulled too tightly—or not tightly enough—its natural expansion and contraction can cause it to lift or release from the tack strip.
Other factors that contribute to rippling include:
- Temperature changes
- High humidity or moisture
- Improper cleaning methods
- Dragging heavy furniture
- Lack of acclimation before installation
Because sisal is a plant fiber, it naturally responds to changes in environment. Even small fluctuations can cause movement if the installation method isn’t correct.
What to Do if Your Sisal Is Buckling
Not all may be lost if your carpet is buckling. A professional installer should evaluate the carpet to determine the cause. Depending on what they find, the solution may involve:
- Stretching and trimming areas that have expanded
- Re-gluing or re-securing sections
- Addressing moisture or humidity in the room
- Correcting installation issues if the carpet was stretched in
In many cases, rippling can be corrected—but the long-term solution depends on proper installation and stable environmental conditions.
How to Prevent Sisal Rippling in the First Place
One of the best ways to avoid rippling is to let your carpet acclimate before installation. Sisal and any natural fiber carpet needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home, especially after traveling from a warehouse or another climate. Allowing it to rest and relax ensures a smoother, more stable installation.
Other prevention tips include:
- Installing sisal using the double-stick or glue-down method—not stretch-in (see installations guidelines here)
- Avoiding heavy furniture dragging across the surface
- Keeping interior humidity consistent
- Ensuring spills or moisture are addressed promptly
If you aren’t sure how your carpet was installed, or you’re seeing early signs of buckling, we’re always here to help.
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6 comments
Thanks for suggesting that a professional installer examine your flooring to determine the actual cause. From the installation into the maintenance of your carpet, you should consult only on a pro. They know how to handle your carpet problems since they are trained in this area.
Hi there . We have had sisal fitted up our stairs (2 flights) and on our landing . The stairs have been edged and with the exception of one step look really good. The landing looks terrible . We got the fitter back and he restretched it . 6 months on its looks absolutely dreadful . So many ripples and bumps it actually looks like we have just thrown it down ourselves .
The carpet shop refuse to accept anything is wrong and say it’s our fault for not understanding the risks of installing sisal !
We have obviously paid them and have no recompense with them at all now.
Any advice please? I’m tempted to rip the whole thing up and start again , although my husband may well divorce me given the cost of the sisal!
Many thanks for your help
Hi
I want to use sisal to carpet a van. They say the carpet needs to be a four way stretch material. Is sisal going to be a suitable material please? Thanks
Hi Adam,
Thanks for reaching out. Sisal is inherently absorbent and can show water marks, so keep this in mind when considering carpeting options for your van. That being said, you can find the details for our natural fiber sisals on each collection’s page. Just click on a weave that you like and then navigate to the Specification tab to find the backing material and the Installation tab to read about recommended installation options. Most of our natural fiber sisal products have a natural latex backing which is not suitable for stretch installation.
We do offer an unbacked sisal wallcovering that is better suited to stretch installation and might be a good option for your van. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact our customer service team or follow up in this comment thread.
Best,
Patrick
Hello,
My sisal rug has ripples in it,down the sides
It is bound around the edge.
Is there anything I can do to get rid of the ripples?
Many thanks Be.
Dear Christopher,
I just took over the blog writings for sisalcarpet.com and saw your sisal rug ripple inquiry. I know it has been some time ago and you might have found a solution following our blog suggestions in the meantime. If not feel free to write to one of our knowledgeable customer service people in as much detail as possible. Sometimes photos of your sisal rug might help them too to better evaluate your problem. Please contact us and you should get an answer within 2 business days.
Best,
Martina
Martina Guttenberger
Marketing & Content
curranonline.com
sisalcarpet.com
+1 206 441 2721