Published March 2024 | Updated February 2025
Welcome to your ultimate resource for understanding the diverse world of rug fibers! Whether you’re a design professional, a homeowner looking to spruce up your space, or simply curious about the materials underfoot, you’ve come to the right place.
This post is your gateway to our series of comprehensive guides on the most popular rug fibers, including sisal, seagrass, polypropylene, nylon, and many others. In these popular resources, you will learn about the durability, sustainability, cost, design qualities, and use cases so you’re empowered to pick the right rug for your room.
Why Rug Fibers Matter
A rug’s fiber not only determines its aesthetic appeal but also its durability, feel, and maintenance requirements. A rug enhances the comfort of your home, complements your interior design, and can improve indoor air quality, so selecting the right rug material for you is important.
Whether you’re drawn to the natural elegance of sisal, the coastal charm of seagrass, or the lasting durability of a synthetic fiber, understanding the characteristics of each fiber is key to making an informed decision.
Our Guides
Below, you’ll find links to our popular “Everything You Need to Know” blog posts designed to demystify the vast array of rug fibers available in the market. In addition, we share our favorite designer-focused posts and educational articles to help you discover the right rug for your project.
Natural Fibers
Sisal
The long leaves of the agave sisalana plant make a durable, naturally beautiful fiber for floor covering.
Explore the sustainable beauty of sisal, a fiber extracted from the Agave sisalana plant.
Learn about sisal’s durability, why it remains a favorite amongst our design clients, and how it contributes to a healthier home environment.
Seagrass
Seagrass leaves are smooth, non-porous and deepen in color over time. An eco-friendly, renewable product.
Read about the unique qualities of seagrass rugs, known for their water-resistant properties and subtle, natural hues.
Discover how seagrass can add an elegant design element into your home.
Jute
The silky fibers and natural color variations of jute create multidimensional rugs with rustic texture and rich hues.
Delve into the world of jute rugs, cherished for their softness, textural aesthetic, and design flexibility.
Learn about different styles of jute rugs, if a jute rug is right for you, and how to best take care of a jute rug.
Abaca, Coir & More
What are the differences between sisal, seagrass, jute, coir and abaca?
In this overview, learn about the different characteristics of each natural fiber and how a natural fiber fits into your lifestyle and your design style.
Wool
Wool is a renewable fiber with warm colors, insulating qualities and limitless designs.
Durable and comfortable wool means long-lasting, well-loved rugs. This post highlights the myriad styles, colors, patterns and structures of today’s modern wool rug.
TENCEL™
A silk-like botanic fiber made from wood pulp that originates from sustainably-grown forests.
TENCEL™ brings a lustrous shine, rich colorways, soft texture, and high tensile strength to heirloom quality rugs. Discover Jacaranda Carpets and their collection of stunning, sustainable TENCEL™ rugs and carpet.
Synthetic Fibers
SynSisal®
More forgiving than sisal but just as elegant, SynSisal® is a synthetic flooring option rich in sisal beauty but without the maintenance.
In this post, you will discover everything you need to know about Synsisal®, a synthetic sisal flat weave carpet that boasts beauty, classic sisal structures, and contract grade ratings.
Woven in Europe from regenerable ECONYL® fibers, SynSisal® brings the natural-look to any setting.
Nylon, Polyester & Polypropylene
Variety is the hallmark of synthetic rugs. With distinct patterns, rich colors and various textures, synthetic rugs are durable and often outdoor-friendly and contract grade.
Synthetic rugs are easy to clean and ideal for families with kids or pets, plus these rugs have designs styles for every room in the house, including natural-look.
Learn about the pros and cons of synthetic materials plus a comparison chart to help you decide which material is best for your project.
Rug Materials Comparison Grid
A pdf version of this table is viewable here.
| Material | Usage | Durability | Texture | Cleanability | Sustainability | Design Versatility | OK for Pets? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sisal | Indoor | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Coarse | Dry Clean Only | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Neutral Palettes & Myriad Textures | Owner’s Discretion |
| Jute | Indoor | Low to Medium Traffic | Thick & Soft | Dry Clean Only | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Natural Foundation, Texture Rich | Owner’s Discretion |
| Seagrass | Indoor | Medium to High Traffic | Smooth & Firm | Limited Stain Resistance | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Natural Foundation, Texture Rich | Owner’s Discretion |
| Coir | Indoor | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Coarse | Dry Clean Only | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Natural Foundation, Texture Rich | Owner’s Discretion |
| Wool | Indoor | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Soft | Naturally Stain-Resistant, Cleanable | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Array Of Colors, Patterns & Styles, Soft Texture | Yes |
| Leather | Indoor | Medium Traffic | Smooth | Professional Cleaning | Natural Material | High End, One Of A Kind | Owner’s Discretion |
| Abaca | Indoor | Low to Medium Traffic | Thick & Soft | Professional Cleaning | Sustainable & Renewable Fiber | Luxe, Natural Foundation | Owner’s Discretion |
| SynSisal® | Indoor | High Traffic, Contract Grade | Soft | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Upcycled, Made From Recovered Materials | Classic Sisal-look & Versatility, Home or Business | Yes |
| Recycled PET | Indoor/ Outdoor | High Traffic, Contract Grade | Smooth & Soft | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Upcycled, Made From Recovered Materials | Classic Sisal-look, Array Of Colors, Patterns & Styles | Yes |
| Polypropylene | Indoor/ Outdoor* | High Traffic, Some Contract Grade | Smooth | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Synthetic, Not Natural | Array Of Colors, Patterns & Styles, Soft Texture | Yes |
| Woven Vinyl | Indoor/ Outdoor | High Traffic, Contract Grade | Smooth | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Synthetic, Not Natural | Hard Wearing, Subtle Colorations, Everywhere Foundation | Yes |
| Poly Silk | Indoor/ Outdoor* | Medium to High Traffic | Soft | Easy To Clean, Stain-resistant | Synthetic, Not Natural | Wool-like Feel, Subtle Colors, Patterns & Styles | Yes |
Need more resources?
In addition to our material guides, we also cover how to buy and install rugs, carpet tiles and wall to wall carpet:
Carpet vs. Carpet Tiles
When should I use carpet tiles instead of carpet?
What is the difference between a carpet tile and a sisal tile? Here we discuss different applications for modular tiles and compare carpet tiles with sisal tiles.
Rug Buying Guide
How do I buy a rug online?
It’s convenient to buy a rug online, but also a little intimidating.
This guide walks you through material selection, swatch ordering, what size rug to order, how to ship and receive your rug or carpet, and more.
Carpet Installation
From picking the right material to working with an experienced installer, carpet installation can be an overwhelming project.
We specialize in flat weave carpet and love its sophisticated, elegant look.
Installing flat weave carpet takes special attention, so we outlined all the details you need, plus links to helpful videos.
Making the Right Choice
Rugs are more than just floor coverings; they’re an expression of your style and a crucial element of your living space’s comfort and ambiance. Choosing the right rug fiber for your space involves considering several factors, including foot traffic, exposure to sunlight, potential spillages, and, of course, your personal style.
Our guides aim to equip you with all the information you need to navigate these considerations with ease. If you find you still have questions or need support, we would love to talk with you!
