Both are made from coir and both protect bare soil. But they are built differently and do different jobs. Choosing the wrong one is a common reason erosion control underperforms.
How they differ
| Woven coir netting | Coir blanket | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Twisted coir yarn woven into an open grid | Loose coir fibre held between light netting and stitched |
| Ground cover | Open: 39–65% open area depending on grade | Full, even cover |
| Strength | High: minimum 7–15 kN/m across grades | Low: one published stitched blanket tests at 0.14 kN/m |
| Best at | Holding slopes, banks and channels | Shielding seed and soil for even germination |
Netting open area: Caltrans. Strength figures: Technical Textiles.
Choose netting when
- The slope is moderate to steep.
- Water will flow along the surface, as in ditches, channels and riverbanks.
- Plants or plugs will be set through the mesh.
- The cover needs to last more than one season.
Choose a blanket when
- The slope is gentle and the main risk is rain splash on newly sown seed.
- You want even germination across a large area, such as a road verge.
- The site is hot and dry, so the seedbed needs shading and moisture.
Check the netting on any blanket
Many blankets use plastic netting to hold the fibre. The California Coastal Commission reports that plastic netting can entangle wildlife and may persist for years, and recommends netting of 100% biodegradable material such as coir. If wildlife is a concern on your site, ask what the netting is made of.
Using both
On some sites the answer is both: a blanket for even cover on the gentle upper slope, and woven netting on the steeper lower slope or along a ditch where water concentrates.
Compare our woven geotextile and blankets and mats, or ask us which suits your site.