Sisal vs. Jute Area Rugs
Products with essentially natural ingredients have rising popularity in today’s world. A significant reason why this is so, of course, is that these products are healthier for us and also the environment. In this sense, most of us search for natural goods, from cosmetics to food.
You may be one of those people interested in natural alternatives to home decoration pieces because, in addition to being a healthier choice, such natural elements add unique beauty to interior design. In that case, you may want to learn about popular natural area rug materials that will perfectly complement your home décor. Sisal and jute area rugs are two trendy natural rugs mostly confused with each other. Although they share some common features, there are also some essential differences that you should keep in mind before making your choice between them. Keep reading to learn about sisal and jute area rugs and their fundamental differences to decide which one fits your expectations.
Sisal Area Rugs
Sisal is extracted from the Succulent plant Agave Sisalana, found mainly in Mexico, Brazil, Kenya, China, Madagascar, and Cuba. Agave has a resilient nature because it can endure extremely hot climate conditions. Its leaves are cut and crushed to get firm fiber, called sisal. Besides being converted into area rugs, sisal is also used to make rope, twine, macrame, etc. Sisal has started to be used as area rugs in the 80s, and since then, it has become one of the favorite rug materials. To get a softer natural area rug, the material can also be mixed with other natural materials, like wool.
Jute Area Rugs
The origin of jute is Corchorus, a spindly and flowering plant. Corchorus requires humidity and frequent rainfall, growing better in Monsoon weather. The plant is primarily found in India and Bangladesh, and after harvest, its bundles are soaked in slowly running water for days to melt the sticky material that keeps the fibers together. Once this process is completed, this fiber is turned into jute yarn to be utilized to make curtains, bags, and area rugs.
Similarities between Sisal and Jute Rugs
As having plant-based materials, sisal and jute rugs have some fundamental similarities, consisting of their pros and cons. First of all, these two natural fibers are non-toxic and excellent choices for people with allergies also families with pets or kids. Also, both of them are budget-friendly alternatives compared to most natural rugs. When it comes to the downsides of sisal and jute rugs, they are both absorbent fibers because being plant-based, making them prone to mold and mildew caused by moisture.
Differences between Sisal and Jute Area Rugs
Along with their similarities, there are also some essential differences between these two natural rug materials, making one of them preferable in terms of your expectations. These differences can be listed as follows:
- The durability of sisal and jute rugs — Although both rugs are durable, one is more sturdy than the other, that is, sisal rugs. Even sisal is one of the strongest natural area rugs available in the market.
- The feel of sisal and jute rugs — If you have a baby crawling on the ground or like to sit on your rug without feeling uncomfortable, it would be better not to choose them because they have a rough texture. On the other hand, jute is softer than sisal and gives no feeling of discomfort under your barefoot.
- The lifespan of sisal and jute rugs — Although the lifetime of any area rug depends on how you maintain them, under normal conditions, sisal will have a longer lifespan compared to jute.
- The appearance of sisal and jute rugs — While jute has natural yellowish-brown colors, sisal has creamy-white tones. Although both can be dyed with different colors, neither should be exposed to direct sunlight because their color can fade.
- The cost of sisal and jute rugs — Let us assume you purchase both sisal and jute of the same quality; in that case, probably, you will spend less on the jute because its overall manufacturing cost is lower than the sisal.
Now that you have all the information you need about sisal and jute area rugs, you can now pick the right one suitable for your preferences and interior design. Do not forget to check Antep Rugs’ collection to browse area rugs that will perfectly complement your home decoration.
