suitable carpet for dining room

[jmck66]

I've decided not to have laminate flooring in my dining room but want a floor covering that is hard wearing and doesn't show table/chair leg marks or any spillages. I was thinking of sisal. It's a natural flooring. Does anyone know anything about it and would it be suitable.

[WendyS]

It is extemely hard wearing and will last for ages. The only drawback I can foresee, because some types t can be rather loosely woven, is bits of dust and food crumbs can get themselves buried deep down in the material. You will need a vacuum cleaner with a very strong suction to suck up these bits, but apart from that it should be OK. although it may be a little rough on the feet if you want to pad around barefooted. It won't feel as soft as a wool based floor carpet.

[jmck66]

Thanks for that Wendy. That was a good point about food crumbs getting stuck - I hadn't thought about that one. Would there be a similar type that would be more suitable then?

[Ethel]

I have an 80/20 wool carpet. It wasn't cheap but is now 10 years old.

It wasn't scotchguarded but over the years has had red wine (many times), baileys, curry sauce (once) and the usual spilt on it.

A wipe with a slightly damp cloth and there is not a stain to be seen. This is in my living/dining room so has constant use.

You get what you pay for.

I hate that sisal stuff - hugely uncomfortable underfoot and a demon to clean.

[Alibobs]

Sisal looks good to start with but soon wears and pulss. My sister has cats and they have ruined hers. Agree with the other posts about it being a pain to clean.

I have a cheap laminate floor in my dining room covered with an even cheaper huge jute rug from Ikea. The rug is ready fro replacing now but it only cost about �20, 6 years ago and boy has it seen some fun!

I've got quite a lot of laminate in my house but agree it's a bit passe now. Rugs do make a difference

[barb1314]

I have Seagrass and it's brilliant.Easy to hoover you just have to be careful not to spill anything too major on it. I love the hard feel under my feet but maybe I'm weird! The best thing for me is that it doesn't show any furniture marks.I had Coir in my old house which wasn't as good.Sisal is more expensive and shows more marks.If you're interested Google for Crucial Trading...they have all the natural floorcoverings.I find laminate a bit cold...

[WendyS]

In two previous houses we have used Tretford cord which which has worn very well indeed. In fact we still have some in one room in our current house which has been down for nearly 30 years. This room doesn't have any underlay - it wa stuck to the chipped board floorboards and at this rate it will probably outlive us. Because it's a firm, and not a "fluffy" carpe tit doesn't show decompression marks from furniture easily. Don't know whether it's still available but worth checking. It's only available in single colours - not patterned. It also shampoos well.

[WendyS]

Yes - Tretford cord is still available. Checkout this website:

http://www.tretfordcarpets.com/index.asp

[jmck66]

Thanks everyone for your views and advice. I've really got something to think about now. I love this site !!!