Coir matting is made from the tough, fibrous husks of the coconut palm, which grow in abundance in many of the world's tropical and sub tropical areas. The husks are taken and dried out before being bundled in to threads. These threads are then woven in to the matting that you would recognise in a shop.
These natural fibres are strong and hardwearing, so it's no surprise to learn that people indigenous to areas where the coconut palm grow have been using them for domestic uses for centuries. Along with coir matting , the fibres can also be used as building materials to lash down a roof or attach walls. They can also be used in boat building.
In most places coir matting is used as a cover or lid for food storage containers, it's only since it was introduced in the west that it has become widely accepted as a floor covering. As the space age dream of unlimited natural resources enters its death throes, people are left to ponder alternatives to their oil based synthetic carpets or flooring. Against this backdrop, the popularity of coir matting will only continue to grow as a naturally sourced but cost effective replacement. Now it is up to the savvy consumers amongst us to spread the word about this wondrous fabric and get them to give up their wasteful choices of fully carpeted rooms and lino in the kitchen. Not only will coir matting save your friends money, it'll save the planet.