Seagrass is grown is SE Asia in paddy fields, after harvesting the long strands of seagrass are dried and spun into yarns. Then the yarn is woven into a variety of designs to produce an excellent smooth long lasting finish.

Sisal fibre is obtained from the Agave Sisalana plant which grows in sub-tropical regions around the world. Once extracted, the fibre is processed, dyed and spun into yarn which is woven into silky hardwearing floorcoverings.

Coir fibre is obtained from the husks of the coconut. The husks are softened by soaking for about six weeks before being beaten to remove the pith, combed and either left in its natural colour or bleached before being spun into yarn and woven into wonderful hairy floorcoverings.

Jute comes from the inner bark of an Asian annual plant of the Corchorus family. As with coir after harvesting the plant is steeped in water until it is soft enough to remove the inner fibres. Jute is a much softer fibre than either sisal or coir and as so is really only suitable for use in bedrooms or less frequently used drawing rooms, it is too fragile for use in heavily trafficked areas such as stairs or family living rooms.