What are the different styles of natural flooring?

• How to choose natural flooring
• What are the different styles of natural flooring?
• Who should fit your floor?

Sisal
Sisal is usually suitable for most rooms, except kitchens because food could become caught in the fibres. Not all sisals are water-resistant enough for bathrooms, so check with the manufacturer before buying. Expect to pay between £20 and £70 per sq m.

• Suitable for: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and stairs. Not suitable for: kitchens.

Seagrass
Seagrass is fairly water-resistant, but prolonged damp will cause it to rot, so don’t use in a bathroom if it’s likely to get soaked daily – for example, in a busy family bathroom. It’s also too slippery for stairs. Expect to pay between £10 and £25 per sq m.

• Suitable for: living rooms and bedrooms. Not suitable for: kitchens or stairs.

Jute
Jute is made from the stems of a tropical herb. It’s soft underfoot but isn’t water-resistant and is less hardwearing than sisal or seagrass, so isn’t suitable for high-traffic areas. Expect to pay between £14 and £40 per sq m.

• Suitable for: bedrooms. Not suitable for: kitchens, bathrooms or stairs.

Coir
Coir is made from coconut husks. It’s cheap and very hardwearing, but not water-resistant. It can be used on stairs because its textured surface is non-slip. Expect to pay between £8 and £20 per sq m.

• Suitable for: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and stairs. Not suitable for: kitchens or bathrooms.

Paper
Paper makes a durable floorcovering. It’s made from softwood pulp, and has added resin to allow the fibre to repel moisture, but it’s not water-resistant enough for wet areas. Expect to pay between £50 and £78 per sq m.

• Suitable for: living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Not suitable for: kitchens, bathrooms or stairs.

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