natural fiber rugs
Our commitment to using natural, sustainable and renewable fibers for our natural rugs guides our business practices and keeps us mindful of our environmental footprint. Our natural fibers are selected from trusted partners who produce the finest materials available resulting in the finest natural fiber rugs available.
We are proud to craft natural rugs from these fibers. Our natural area rugs are made from rapidly renewable materials that come from plants (sisal, jute, abaca, seagrass, coir and paper) and animals (wool) due to the many advantages they have over synthetic rug materials (read about sustainable rugs).
natural area rug collections by fiber
- Core Natural Rug Collection: Sisal, Jute, Paper, Coir, Seagrass and New Zealand Wool Fibers
- Tufted Wool Rug Collection: New Zealand Wool Fibers
- Viewpoint Wool Rug Collection: New Zealand Wool Fibers
- Sweater Rug Collection: New Zealand Wool Fibers
- Veledo Leather Flooring Collection: Recycled Leather (96% Natural Leather)
- National Geographic Rug Collection: Sisal, Jute and Abaca Fibers
natural abaca rug fibers
Part of the banana family, abaca is considered the strongest of all natural fibers, and we harness that strength in our Merida natural area rugs. The dramatic range of natural colors – from the glossy, white inner fibers to the dark, coarse outer fibers – and variation in texture make abaca uncommonly beautiful as natural fiber rug. There are no dyes used in our abaca products and no backing material. Merida's abaca area rugs are 100% natural.
natural jute rug fibers
Jute is a soft, flexible and hard wearing fiber that is well-suited to a natural area rug or floor covering material. Merida Meridian's distinctive 100% jute natural fiber rugs are woven in India and will resist wear and tear thanks to the abrasion-resistant properties of the fiber. Jute fiber is considered an eco-friendly material that is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. Jute yarns used in Merida's natural fiber area rugs are not dyed.
natural paper rug fibers
As a truly innovative use of a familiar material, Merida's distinctive paper products begin with virgin wood sourced from sustainable, managed forests in the U.S. The paper yarn is created by twisting strips of paper on a high speed twister that produces firm and strong paper cord that is then woven together to create a beautiful yet natural rug. During this process, a wax emulsion is applied to the paper to help it spin smoothly, also adding to the yarn's water resistance. This construction results in an uncommonly strong, durable natural fiber rug that is smooth and soft underfoot.
natural wool rug fibers
Wool is a renewable, biodegradable natural fiber that has natural insulating properties to help retain heat and increase cooling effectiveness. Merida Meridian's wool yarns are made from a blend of different New Zealand wools in order to incorporate all the characteristics of the best carpet yarns: crimpy wools add resilience and bounce to the carpet, while the longer, coarser wools contribute character, luster and abrasion resistance.
Among the natural rug fibers, wool stands out as the classic rug material, being tough yet flexible and resilient, soft underfoot, and easy to dye any color in the world. As an innovative rug company, Merida prides itself on its environmentally responsible production methods: no internationally banned pesticides are used on the New Zealand sheep farms where Merida's wool is obtained from, and the scouring process employed to clean the wool is extremely energy efficient.
natural grass rug fibers
Seagrass can be found around the world and is known for retaining its fresh, grassy scent long after it has left the field. The natural fiber is rarely dyed, partly because its natural colors are so varied and attractive, but also because it effectively repels moisture. When seagrass is woven into a natural rug, the result is a highly spill-resistant, durable, resilient natural fiber rug that is comfortable underfoot and retains the fresh look of the outdoors. Merida's seagrass products bring a touch of exotic elegance and unusual texture to any room.
Hemp can grow to between 2-4 meters high, making its fibers among the world's longest soft natural fibers, perfect for natural fiber rugs. Hemp is a long, strong and durable fiber that can be made into fabrics, textiles, paper, plastics, fuels, detergents, cosmetics and foods. Because it does not attract pests, hemp does not require the use of pesticides, making it a very environmentally-friendly crop.
natural sisal rug fibers
Sisal fiber is obtained from the agave plant, and Merida Meridian sources the world's highest quality sisal, the longest, finest, and whitest fiber, from the agave plantations of East Africa. Merida's superior spinning capability results in strong, lustrous yarns. Sisal natural fiber rugs are naturally sound-absorbing, antistatic, and extremely durable due to the inherent qualities of this tough, hard wearing fiber.
Sisal is a sustainable and renewable source of woven floor covering material and is a more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic substitutes. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used in sisal production, and most weeding is done by hand rather than through the use of herbicides.
