As spring arrives and the Easter hosting season draws near, our homes naturally begin to extend beyond their walls – opening up to a more relaxed, indoor-outdoor way of living as the weather warms. Thanks to faux fibres, creating a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors has never been easier, especially when it comes to durable, easy-clean carpets, rugs and runners that can handle everyday life and the occasional spill.
If you’re considering faux fibres for your home, we’ve answered the most common questions to help you choose the right options, from outdoor rugs to beautifully textured carpet.
What are faux fibres?
Faux fibres are man-made materials designed to mimic the look and feel of natural fibres such as wool, sisal and jute, while offering an increased sense of durability and stain resistance at an affordable price point. This makes them an increasingly popular choice for busy homes and indoor-outdoor living.
Polyester is one of the most widely used faux fibres within the carpet industry. Often referred to as the PET fibre, it’s known for its softness and comfort underfoot. Either used on its own or blended with natural fibres, polyester is generally considered hypoallergenic – making it a great option for allergy sufferers, or for those who love the look of natural carpets but need something more practical.
Polypropylene is another popular man-made fibre, ideal for modern family living and spill prone areas. Exceptionally hardwearing, it’s designed to resist stains, moisture and colour fading, therefore well suited to high-traffic spaces and indoor-outdoor areas.
Are faux fibres sustainable?
With the introduction of recycling programmes and the recycled rPET fibre, those conscious of their eco-footprint can rest assured thanks to the new advances in the market.
One of our latest launches Echo-CoRE, is a beautifully soft carpet crafted from 100% Polyester, where the yarn, fibre and backing are all made from one material that can be recycled again and again into a new product. Marking a breakthrough in the carpet industry, it’s the UK’s first fully recyclable carpet for the home, demonstrating that comfort, sustainability and stylish design can all coexist.
In addition to this, at Alternative Flooring our Anywhere Ca-rPET and Velvet Ca-rPET collections are made from the recycled PET fibre, also known as rPET, which is a fibre made using 100% recycled plastic bottles.
The journey starts with the collection and thorough cleaning of post-consumer plastic bottles to remove any nasties before they are then shredded into small flakes to prepare the material for further production. These tiny flakes are then melted down and pressed through spinnerets to form long strands of the rPET fibre. This is such an important step as it transforms the material into a usable form for yarn production. Each fibre is then carefully made to be stronger with enhanced durability by aligning the molecular structure. Finally, the fibres are spun into a yarn to be used for all different purposes – in our case beautifully crafted carpets, rugs and runners!
With 50 bottles needed to produce 1kg of yarn, and 1kg of yarn being enough for 1m2 of Anywhere Ca-rPET, this innovative solution is both efficient and sustainable. To date, we have saved over 5 million bottles and counting from ending up in landfill, continuing to revolutionise the flooring industry and the way we shop for our carpets, rugs and runners, one plastic bottle at a time!
What makes faux fibres suitable for indoor and outdoor living?
Faux fibres are expertly engineered for outdoor living, offering exceptional durability and moisture resistance. Unlike natural fibres, which can absorb water, faux fibres provide a practical, low maintenance solution for outdoor rugs and high-traffic areas exposed to comings and goings from the outdoors.
Available in a variety of weaves and textures, they can beautifully mimic the look of natural fibres while offering enhanced resilience. This makes them an ideal option for adding texture, personality, colour and comfort to your outdoor space, helping to anchor and define the area. With a selection of ready-made faux fibre indoor/outdoor rugs available on our website, your outdoor transformation is simpler than ever.
They also work beautifully in entryways, hallways and boot rooms, where they can be used as a rug, runner or fully fitted carpet, perfect for wet shoes and muddy paws, all while warmly welcoming guests as they arrive
Can faux fibres get wet?
Yes, faux fibres like polyester and polypropylene can be exposed to water as they are highly water resistant, non-porous and are designed to dry quickly. They’re great for the outdoors, and also as bath mats or in the kitchen, where spillages and exposure to water is frequent.
Now that you know a thing or two about faux fibres and their versatility for both indoor and outdoor living, head over and explore our Faux Collections and their endless possibilities. Just in time for the warmer weather.
