FAQs

What is Sisal: Sisal is a versatile, strong white fibre extracted from the leaves of the Agave Sisalana plant, primarily grown in tropical climates like Brazil and East Africa. It is a renewable, sustainable resource.

Key Characteristics:

• Versatility: Being a white fibre, Sisal can be dyed into a vast spectrum of colours (including vibrant and metallic hues) without losing its integrity.
• Texture: Sisal fibre is spun into strong yarn that holds structure, allowing for complex, architectural weaves like Herringbones, Bouclé and Malay.

• Durability: Sisal is the most hardwearing of the natural plant fibres, offering excellent resilience for busy family homes.

Best Use: Sisal is ideal for high-traffic areas such as stairs, hallways and living rooms.

To explore our entire Sisal Collection of carpets, rugs and runners, click here. 

What is Jute: Jute is a natural, soft fibre sourced from the stalk of the tropical Giant Corchorus plant, mainly cultivated in India. It is one of the fastest-growing and most readily available natural fibres.

Key Characteristics:

• Feel: Jute is recognized for its luxurious, silky softness, making it the most comfortable natural plant fibre option underfoot
• Look: Jute has a soft, golden hue and is typically woven into fine Herringbone and Bouclé patterns, or into denser, chunkier designs. 
• Water Sensitivity: Jute is the most sensitive natural fibre to water and should be kept in dry spaces avoiding areas where spillages are more likely to occur.

Best Use: Jute carpets, rugs and runners are recommended for low-traffic, dry areas where comfort is paramount, such as bedrooms, dressing rooms or quiet studies.

To explore our entire Jute Collection of carpets, rugs and runners, click here.

What is Coir: Coir fibre is extracted from the husks of coconuts (Cocos nucifera), primarily sourced from Kerala, India. This process is highly sustainable, using a byproduct of the coconut industry.

Key Characteristics:

• Texture: Coir has a coarse, dense feel with a distinctly rustic, textured look.
• Durability: Coir is naturally tough and robust, offering high durability and scrub resistance.
• Moisture Tolerance: Coir is more tolerant of moisture than Sisal, Seagrass or Jute, though it is still best suited for indoor use and avoiding liquid spills as they may still leave a mark.

Best Use: Coir is excellent for use in porches, hallways, utility rooms and as durable area rugs where a heavy, rustic texture is desired.

To explore our entire Coir Collection of carpets, rugs and runners, click here.

What is Seagrass: Seagrass is a flowering plant that grows in clear, shallow, coastal saltwater meadows. There are over 60 varieties of seagrass, but the variety most often used in floor coverings is primarily harvested from river banks and estuaries in Vietnam and China.

Key Characteristics:

• Natural Colour: The fibre's natural colour is determined by the water level at harvest, ranging from a vibrant green to a pale yellow-brown. Due to its inherent characteristics, seagrass fibre cannot be bleached or dyed.
• Texture and Scent: It has a slightly waxy coating that gives it a subtle sheen and a mild, pleasant hay-like fragrance when first installed.
• Weave: Seagrass is often woven into a distinctive Panama or Basketweave designs.

Best Use: Seagrass is ideal for medium-traffic areas where its natural, unique colour and texture can be the design feature, such as dining rooms or lounges. Seagrass is not recommended for use on stairs or in high moisture areas. 

To explore our entire Seagrass Collection of carpets, rugs and runners, click here.

Choosing the right floor covering depends entirely on your room's function, traffic level, and desired aesthetic. At Alternative Flooring, we categorise our materials into three core areas, each offering unique benefits for your space.

*See 'Where to put me' suitabilities to check for specific designs. 

These plant-based fibres offer distinct textures and durability profiles, making them suitable for different applications and spaces. If you are searching for an organic, textured aesthetic, here is a breakdown of which natural plant fibre floor covering would be right for you:

Wool is the wonder fibre and remains the definitive luxury floor covering choice for the home. Wool carpets, rugs and runners offer unparalleled fibre characteristics which gives enhanced benefits for both comfort and your health. 

The Key Benefits of Wool

• Natural Resilience: Wool fibres have 'bounce-back-ability' and naturally 'bounce back,' making them highly resistant to crushing and flattening from furniture, vacuuming or foot traffic.

• Improved Air Quality: Pure wool fibres naturally filter the air and can help to regulate humidity, creating a better indoor environment. Check specific products for their 'Certifications' in relation to home health and indoor air quality. 

• Superior Feel: Cosy underfoot, plus wool provides exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation.

• British Wool Licence: Alternative Flooring proudly features collections, such as the Quirky patterned carpets, that have been designed in Britain and are woven on Axminster looms in Britain using Certified British Wool, ensuring a high-quality, traceable, and sustainable product.

• Moth Resistance: Most Alternative Flooring wool carpets have been treated with a moth-proofing chemical to deter the infestation of moths. For customers seeking a completely chemical-free option, the luxurious, deep-pile Barefoot Collection is specifically designed without chemical moth-proofing.

Recycled PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), used in the Alternative Flooring Anywhere Ca-rPET and Velvet Ca-rPET Collections, is a highly durable, innovative fibre made from discarded single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles.

• Sustainability: It is a leading example of circular economy design, diverting post-consumer plastic waste from landfills and oceans to create beautiful, long-lasting floor coverings. 50 plastic bottles are recycled to make enough fibre to weave 1m2 of Anywhere Ca-rPET; and 100 plastic bottles are recycled for every 1m2 of Velvet Ca-rPET. 

• Performance: These carpets are specifically designed to replicate the soft, luxurious feel of wool, or woven to replicate the textured look of sisal, while offering the practical benefits of a synthetic material.

• Durability and Care: Recycled PET is naturally stain-resistant, water-resistant and easy to clean, making it an excellent alternative to natural plant fibres in areas prone to moisture or spills, like kitchens, bathrooms and playrooms. The Anywhere Ca-rPET can even be used outdoors! 

We would be cautious about recommending the use of natural fibre floor coverings in these areas. Natural plant fibre flooring is inherently absorbent and can be sensitive to any change in the environment or atmosphere. If fitted in an area where there is constant change in temperature, such as a bathroom, kitchen or basement, the fluctuating temperatures and damp may result in shrinkage and/or mould or mildrew growth. We would also be cautious because natural fibre flooring can mark with liquid spillages. Our Anywhere range of Faux flooring coverings, woven from synthetic rather than natural materials, would be more suited to these areas. 

From our research, natural plant fibre floor coverings, made from materials such as coir or sisal, are 'naturally' moth resistant - moths just don't like the taste of coarse plant fibres. Most of our wool carpets have been treated with a moth proofing chemical to help with moth resistance; however to help identify those that are and those that are not we have a helpful 'Moth Resistant' field in the Product Information area of each of our beautiful floor coverings. Our luxurious deep pile Barefoot eco carpet collection has not been treated with moth proofing chemicals because it has been specifically designed to be chemical free.  

It would really all depend on the individual person and their sensitivities. Our natural floorings are made from 100% natural plant fibres and, although the sisal floor coverings are dyed, most are not treated with any further chemicals. 

However, you may find that sensitivity will occur with the latex backing that we use on all our natural fibre floor coverings. The latex is a mix of natural latex and synthetics. 

Most of our wool carpets are made from 100% pure wool but, again, may have been dyed or chemical treatments such as moth proofing may have been applied. There is also a chance that chemical adhesives have been used to secure the backing/s to the carpet fibre. We have tried to list as may of these as we can in the Product Information area of each individual product.

We want you to know exactly what goes into making each of our beautful floor coverings. However, chemical sensitivities are a very personal thing - and we cannot make any guarantees. Perhaps ordering a larger sample from Alternative HQ would be a good place to start? 

As far as we are aware, currently the only range we would suggest as 'breathable' would be our Anywhere Rope collection as this has an extremely thin latex backing, as opposed to a thicker latex compound or foam. 

Unfortunately, not at the moment. All of our natural plant fibre, wool and faux floor coverings have a backing as they are made with the intention of being fully fitted as wall-to-wall carpets. These backing range from latex compounds, jute to man-made woven fabrics such as Action Bac. We have highlighted the backing/s used in the Product Information area of each product. 

Show Me My Room is an easy to use, online visualisation tool where you can quickly see and get a feel for any one of our carpets in your own interior space, even on your stairs. There are only four simple steps with no fiddly masking or technical photo editing required – Show Me My Room does it all for you.

Unfortunately, natural fibre floorings, such as sisal and seagrass, are inherantly absorbent and may mark if water is spilt on them. The degree of mark that is left will depend on what is spilt and how quickly it is treated. We would always suggest having one of our Natural Flooring Care Kits to hand in case of any spillages.

As natural plant fibre floorings do not 'like' water, we would always suggest using dry cleaning methods. These floor coverings are delicate, they need care, attention and the right cleaning products. The great news is that our Natural Flooring Care Kit has been tested and approved as safe to use on delicate fibre floor coverings by WoolSafe. So you can be confident to use this on any spots and spills on your sisal, seagrass, jute, coir or even pure wool carpet. For more information see our Product Care Tips here. 

Intec Stain Inhibitor is a solvent free, environmentally friendly solution which, if requested, is applied to our carpets, rugs and runners in our warehouse before dispatch*. Intec has been specifically developed for natural floor coverings and will reduce the impact of liquid spillages while also prolonging the life of your flooring.

However, even if your floor covering has been treated with Intec, we would still recommend that any spillages are treated as soon as possible with one of our Natural Flooring Care Kits to avoid a mark being left.  

*Please be aware that this is a chargeable service.  

Each of our floor coverings will have different recommendations when it comes to vacuuming. Some will require suction only vacuum cleaners, others will stand up to the more rigorous vacuums with a beater bar and some will need a mix of both. We have given a suggestion to help you when it comes to your choice of vacuumming routine in the Product Information area of each product.  For further information on vacuuming please see our Product Care Tips. 

We understand that every situation is different and our Product Care Tips may not cover all eventualities. Therefore if you have an urgent question relating to the care and cleaning of your sisal, coir, jute, seagrass, wool or synthetic carpet, please speak to the experts at WoolSafe on 01943 850 817 or an email to office@woolsafe.org, they will be more than happy to help. 

It's best to use a professional fitter for both home and commercial fitting. Using a recommended underlay is also a good idea. Leave your natural flooring to acclimatise for at least 48 hours before fitting; this can be loosely rolled as long your new flooring has been un-wrapped and the air can flow around and through it. See our Installation Tips here. 

Attempting to join or seam a flatweave wool flooring, such as our Wool Iconic, Wool Herringbone or Wool Hygge, is not recommended. Where possible we would suggest only installing as a single width. 

The joy of carpet is having warmth and texture underfoot.

Underfloor heating can make your carpet extra snuggly, but there are things to consider when choosing your flooring.

The main thing to consider is tog value of the carpet. The tog is a measure of thermal insulation also known as thermal resistance. The tog value of the carpet plus the tog value of the underlay need to be considered as a combined tog. 

Therefore, your choice of carpet and underlay are important factors when discussing installation plans with you selected retail partner.

We do, however, also suggest that you contact your underfloor heating manufacturer for their recommendations, and to ensure that the combined tog value of both the carpet and the underlay is suitable for your chosen heating system.

Where possible we have included TOG ratings in the Product Information area on each individual product so you can check with your underfloor heating manufacturer whether your chosen flooring will be suitable.

Seagrass contains its own natural oils so, when it's used on stairs, it could become slippery. It's also not the most hardwearing of natural fibre floor coverings and, therefore, may not last as long as sisal or coir.

To start, find your perfect flooring and border combination using our Make Me A Rug online designer; we know it says 'rug' but any flooring and border combination that is possible here can also be turned in a runner or stair runner. Of course, make sure the floor covering you choose is suitable for stairs too! 

Once you have an idea of what you would like, we would suggest contacting your local Alternative Retail Partner. Each of our retail partners will be able to discuss your flooring and border choices in more detail, supply samples, visit your home to measure your staircase (again checking suitability), discuss installation options and of course provide estimates. Contact your local Alternative Retail Partner using our handy Where to buy. 

The 'Waterfall' method involves bringing your chosen floor covering over the edge of the stair tread (step) and straight down the riser to meet the next tread (step), without molding it to the riser, which creates a waterfall effect. It is the most common installation method because of the clean look. This method is more appropriate for thicker carpets that are more difficult to wrap around and mold to the edge of the tread.

The 'American' style, also known as the 'Hollywood' style, refers to a specific installation method. Your carpet fitter will tack down the carpet directly to the staircase and as they do this they mold and wrap the floor covering around the edge of the tread, contouring the nosing to meet the riser. The carpet or runner gets stapled and is secured under the nose of the stair.

Before deciding which look your prefer, we would always recommend discussing options with your carpet fitter as each floor covering will look different depending on your particualr staircase, the carpet material, thickness and construction. For some carpets you may not have a choice! All of our Alternative Retail Partners are fully conversant with our products and will be more than happy to discuss options for your particular needs further. Contact your local Alternative Retail Partner using our handy Where to buy. 

Make Me A Rug is our online bespoke rug and runner designer. You choose any one of our carpets or floorings, pick an available border style, pick a border fabric, colour and then finally enter your bespoke size. This handy feature offers the chance to mix and match from all our collection, border styles and border combinations, then create and view the results on screen. You can choose to add INTEC, a Natural Flooring Care Kit and Wunderlay, then simply Click 'n' Collect from your local Alternative Retail Partner - all from the comfort of your own home. Start designing your own personalised rug or runner now with Make Me A Rug. 

Although our online Make Me A Rug can only create square or rectangular rugs and runners under 6m long; we can handle bigger rugs, runners and unusual shapes, such as over 4 mitres/corners or one with internal mitres (such as an ‘L’ shape), depending on the size and dimensions. We can also make circular rugs.

However, all unusual requests would need to be discussed with your local Alternative Retail Partner and they would price on request. Contact your nearest retail partner to discuss your options further using our Where to Buy. 

The best way to hold a rug or runner in place is by using a rug underlay. Rug underlay will stop your rug or runner from moving on smooth floors or creeping on carpet, while also reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls from rugs or runners; plus it adds some extra cushioning underfoot. There are a lot of benefits from investing in a good quality rug underlay.

Our Anywhere floor coverings are the perfect choice as a bespoke rug or runner for outdoor living spaces; however please bear in mind that if you leave your Anywhere flooring outside all year round, exposed to prolonged extreme weather conditions, this may limit the life of the product.

See our full collection of Anywhere faux rugs here. 

Ceneva® is the world’s first carpet backing containing no styrene-butadiene (SBR). Instead, Ceneva® uses a compound based completely on vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE). VAE provides a number of advantages to the final product and is the solution for those who are environmentally conscious.

The fire ratings displayed on our Alternative Flooring products provide critical safety information confirming the carpet's performance under fire conditions. These ratings ensure the floor coverings meet the strict CE Certification standards required for the European market.

The classification is based on two separate, mandatory tests: Ignition (Flammability) and Smoke Production.

Classification for Ignition (Flammability)

This is the primary test that determines how easily the floor covering ignites and how quickly the flame spreads. The results are classified using the letter 'fl' (for floor) and run on a scale from Afl to Ffl:

Solution Dyed is a premium manufacturing technique used for synthetic fibres (such as polypropylene, polyester or nylon) that dramatically improves a carpet's resistance to fading, sun damage and staining. It is the gold standard for colour-fastness in synthetic flooring, which is why it is often used in performance-focused products like the Alternative Flooring Velvet Ca-rPET and Echo-CoRE collections.

How Solution Dyeing Works

Unlike traditional dyeing, where colour is applied to the fibre's surface after it's made, Solution Dyeing integrates the colour pigment much earlier in the manufacturing process -

1. Pigment is Added: Dry colour pigment is added directly to the liquid polymer solution (the 'solution') before the fibre is spun into yarn.

2. Colour Integration: The resulting fibre is solidified with the colour running through the entire strand - like a carrot, not a radish.

3. Permanent Colour: The colour is locked deep within the fibre structure, making it permanent.

Key Benefits

• Exceptional Fade Resistance: Solution Dyed carpets are highly resistant to UV rays, meaning the colour is less likely to fade from exposure to direct sunlight in conservatories or south-facing rooms.

• Superior Stain Resistance: Since the fibre itself is coloured and not just coated, it is non-porous and incredibly difficult to stain. This allows for the use of stronger cleaning agents (like diluted bleach) without damaging the colour.

• High Durability: The process of dyeing strengthens the fibre, leading to a long-lasting and resilient carpet, ideal for high-traffic domestic use and demanding commercial environments.

Some our floor coverings have a GUT Licence displayed in 'The technical stuff...' section of their website page, but what does this actually mean? Well, in short, these are carpets tested for a better living environment. 

A GUT Licence is an official quality mark and environmental certification specifically for textile floor coverings (carpets, rugs, and runners) from the Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher Teppichboden (Community of Environmentally Friendly Carpets). It is a highly respected European standard that gives consumers confidence in the health and safety of their floor coverings.

Key Purposes of GUT Certification

The GUT Certification ensures that a carpet product has been rigorously tested and meets strict criteria across three critical areas - 

1. Low Emissions (VOCs): This is the most important aspect. GUT sets stringent limits for the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde and styrene, which ensures better indoor air quality and a healthier home.
2. No Prohibited Substances: The product is tested for a comprehensive list of harmful or hazardous substances, including pesticides, heavy metals and chlorinated phenols.

3. Low Odour: GUT testing includes sensory analysis to ensure the carpet does not emit an intense or unpleasant smell, which is often related to off-gassing.

How to Identify a GUT Licensed Floor Covering

Every GUT Licenced product carries a unique, registered licence number and barcode that verifies its origin and compliance. This number confirms that the specific carpet roll, piece, or product has been manufactured under an environmentally responsible quality management system.

• Trust Signal: If a carpet holds the GUT Certification and Licence, it signifies that the manufacturer is committed to environmental protection, health, and consumer safety throughout the entire production lifecycle, from raw material to finished product.

To find out more about GUT, or to check the test results for a specific floor covering, please click here. 

The Eurofins Gold Certification is one of the most stringent and respected voluntary quality labels in Europe for product emissions, setting a very high bar for indoor air quality. It is granted by the independent testing organisation, Eurofins Scientific, and focuses specifically on ensuring that interior products, including floor coverings, release minimal levels of pollutants into the air.

Some Alternative Flooring collections have achieved the Eurofins Gold Certification such as Velvet Ca-rPET and Echo-CoRE.

Key Aspects of Eurofins Gold

• Focus on Low VOCs: The certification requires extensive testing for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Products must demonstrate ultra-low emissions across a wide range of regulated and unregulated VOCs for the certification to be awarded.

• Strictest Standard: The Gold label is the highest level of the Eurofins certification schemes. It is often necessary for products aiming for credits in major green building rating schemes like BREEAM (as seen in the HEA 02 credit) and LEED, which makes it a crucial signal for architects and commercial specifiers.

• Consumer Confidence: When you choose a carpet, rug or runner that holds the Eurofins Gold Certification, you have an independent guarantee that the product, contributes to a healthier and safer indoor environment with cleaner air.

• Formaldehyde Testing: A major part of the testing process is verifying extremely low or negligible release rates of formaldehyde, a common concern in building materials.

The Blue Angel (Der Blaue Engel) is the official environmental label of the German Federal Government, making it the oldest and most trusted environmental certification worldwide. Established in 1978, it is not just a commercial label; it is a government-backed mark for products and services that meet high standards for environmental protection, health, and usage characteristics.

Key Focus Areas for Floor Coverings

Unlike certifications that focus only on emissions, the Blue Angel label takes a holistic view of a product’s entire life cycle. For floor coverings, it signals that the product is - 

• Low-Emission: The carpet or floor covering strictly limits the emission of harmful substances, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), contributing to better indoor air quality.

• Environmentally Friendly: It ensures the product minimizes its environmental impact during manufacturing, usage, and disposal. For example, it restricts the use of certain heavy metals and chemical flame retardants.

• Health and Safety Tested: The label verifies that the finished product is safe for consumers and that the manufacturer adheres to responsible environmental practices.

Why the Blue Angel Certification Matters

When you see the Blue Angel symbol on a carpet, rug or runner it confirms that the product - such as select collections from Alternative Flooring like the Velvet Ca-rPET and Echo-CoRE - is not just low-VOC, but is also a demonstrably eco-conscious choice that has been vetted by an official, independent body throughout its entire production and life cycle.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gasses emitted from certain solids or liquids used in the manufacturing of many household items, including paints, furniture, and floor coverings. These gasses can be released into the air over time, a process known as "off-gassing."

• Impact on Health: High concentrations of VOCs can negatively affect indoor air quality, potentially leading to headaches, nausea, or long-term health issues.
• Low-VOC Importance: Choosing low-VOC or zero-VOC products, such as many of the natural and eco-conscious collections from Alternative Flooring, ensures better air quality and a healthier living environment for your family and pets.

The most reliable method to confirm a carpet's low-emission status is to look for independent, third-party certifications that specifically test for VOC levels and restricted chemicals. These certifications provide trust-building authority signals that go beyond mere manufacturer claims.

Key certifications to look for include:

• GUT Certification (Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher Teppichboden): A comprehensive European standard that sets strict limits for VOCs, formaldehyde, and pesticide residues in carpets, ensuring environmental and health compatibility.

• Eurofins Gold: One of the most stringent and recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) labels in Europe, requiring extremely low emission levels across a wide range of VOCs.

• Blue Angel (Der Blaue Engel): The German government's environmental label, which rigorously tests products to ensure they meet high standards for environmental protection, health, and usage properties, including minimal emissions.

• Oeko-Tex Standard 100: Primarily focused on harmful substances, this certification ensures the textiles used in the carpet, from yarn to finished product, are free from a list of over 100 regulated and harmful substances

To see if a specific Alternative Flooring carpet has been tested by one of these independant, third parties, simply check the 'Certification' under 'The technical stuff' section of the product. 

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's leading sustainability assessment method for infrastructure and buildings. It sets the standard for environmentally sound and high-performing assets.

HEA 02: Indoor Air Quality is the credit under BREEAM's Health and Wellbeing category that specifically addresses pollutant levels within a building. Its purpose is to recognize and encourage the creation of a healthy internal environment for occupants.

What HEA 02 Covers for Flooring

HEA 02 is a broader requirement than a single product certification, covering the entire construction process. For interior finishes like carpets, it specifically awards credits for Emissions from Construction Products.

• Focus on Low VOCs: To achieve the available credits (up to two, plus one exemplary level), all five major interior product types (including flooring materials and adhesives) must meet strict emission limits for Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Formaldehyde.
• Compliance: BREEAM does not issue its own product label. Instead, it recognizes and accepts evidence from established third-party schemes like GUT, Eurofins Gold and Blue Angel as proof that a product (like a carpet, rug or runner) meets the required low-emission criteria for the HEA 02 credit.

• The Big Picture: Achieving HEA 02 means the entire design team has actively specified low-emission materials, ensuring that the Alternative Flooring floor covering selection contributes positively to the building's overall environmental and health performance rating.

Yes, the material your floor covering is made from can significantly impact potential VOC emissions.

• Natural Plant Fibres (Sisal, Jute, Coir, Seagrass): Materials like the ones used in the Alternative Flooring Natural Carpets collection generally have inherently lower VOC footprints compared to some synthetic options, provided the backings and adhesives are also low-emission.

• Wool Carpets: High-quality wool is a sustainable natural fibre known for low emissions and even the ability to absorb certain air pollutants. Look for wool carpets that use natural latex or felt backings, which further reduces chemical exposure.

• Faux Fibres and Synthetic Carpets: While some traditional synthetics may have higher initial VOC levels, modern, high-specification synthetic carpets (like the Velvet Ca-rPET and Echo-CoRE collections) often meet the stringent GUT and Eurofins Gold testing standards, confirming their safety.

To preserve the low-VOC status of your certified floor covering:

• Use Low-VOC Adhesives: If installing wall-to-wall carpet, ensure your Retail Partner uses a certified low-emission adhesive and if using the double-stick method to install, they use a certified low-VOC underlay.

• Choose Safe Cleaning Products: Avoid harsh chemical cleaning agents, bleach, or solvent-based spot removers. Stick to certified low-VOC carpet cleaning solutions or simple, effective methods like dry-powder encapsulation cleaning.

• Vacuum Regularly: Consistent vacuuming, particularly with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, helps remove dust and particulates, contributing to overall better indoor air quality.

Cuts of the same flooring allocated to different widths are not guaranteed to be a colour match, as they will have come from different production batches. With some natural-fibre floorings, there can also be a textural and construction difference as they will have been made on different looms. These differences could be significant. If colour/batch match is crucial, we would suggest taking all cuts from the same width.

Natural floorings' charm lies in it's texture. A majority of our products are made from natural sustainable fibres; that means that slubs, tufts and irregularities in the weave are to be expected. 

Some of our floor coverings are completely hand crafted, such as our eco Barefoot collection. However, hand crafted carpets are not for everyone. The process means the carpets are not uniform and do not display a machine made finish. Gorgeous but not perfect! 

Natural plant fibre flooring, such as sisal, has anti-static properties. It's not prone to the off-gassing that aflicts many man-made fibre carpets. 

Please be aware of the specific product's suitability. Certain products aren't recommended for heavy-traffic areas, stairs or damp areas such as bathrooms. Please refer to the Production Information area on each individual product, on our samples or in our latest brochure for advice.  

We can send swatch samples of any of our carpets or border fabrics*. You can request these through our website, popping us an email to hello@alternativeflooring.com or giving us a call on 01264 335111. 

*A charge may be applicable. 

We do not issue refunds for paid swatch samples; but don't forget if you have paid for your samples and ultimately purchase one of our floor coverings, you qualify for a free Natural Flooring Care Kit worth £40.50. Just complete the form that was sent with your samples and return to us with proof of purchase to 4 Stephenson Close, East Portway, Andover, Hampshire SP10 3RU.

Although we will not issue refunds on samples, we are Planet conscious and once you are finished with your samples if you would return them to your local retailer for re-use it would be appreciated. You can find your local Alternative retail partner here.

Alternatively pop them in to a local nursery or pre-school as the textures are great for arts & crafts and sensory activities! 

You can buy Alternative Flooring products through a network of reputable specialist retailers. Visit our Where to Buy to find your local Alternative Flooring Retail Partner. 

If you need to dispose of an old carpet, rug or runner from your home, try the following:

• Check with the retailer you bought the item from – they may offer a take back scheme
• Contact your local council to see if they offer a recycling service
• Give your carpet away via Freecycle or a similar local group
• List your carpet on Facebook marketplace or local group pages
• Check the Reuse Network to see if there is an organisation in your area that takes used carpet
• Carpets can be made into rugs by binding or whipping the edges, ask your local Retail Partner about this service.
• Contact your local animal rescue shelter – carpet pieces make good mats and help keep animals warm
• Use it in your garden or allotment (or offer it to friends) – wool-rich carpet can help keep weeds at bay and insulate both soil and compost heaps. The nitrogen content can also help soil fertility.
• Use a piece of the carpet as an anti-frost windscreen cover
• Line a pond!

If the above options don’t work for you, then taking it to the local council recycling centre would be best – ask them if there is a recycling container for carpet waste.

If you decide to use a skip or waste company, please ensure to ask what they do with carpets and textile flooring waste, as some do send it for recycling/energy recovery. 

If you have any great ideas for re-using carpet, please let us know at hello@alternativeflooring.com