Exposed soil is at its most vulnerable between earthworks and the moment vegetation takes hold. Heavy rain, snowmelt and wind can strip topsoil from a new embankment in a single storm, filling drains and watercourses with silt and leaving the slope to be reworked. Erosion control matting, also called erosion control blankets, protects that ground while grass and planting establish, and in some settings provides permanent protection on its own.
Stratec supplies biodegradable and permanent erosion control matting for civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and environmental projects across the UK, alongside the wider geosynthetics that often sit with it on site.
How erosion control matting works
Erosion control mats are laid over prepared, exposed soil and pinned in place. They work in three ways:
- They slow the rate at which water runs across the surface, so rain is less able to pick up and carry soil away.
- They hold moisture against the soil, which helps seed germinate and vegetation establish faster.
- They shield the surface from direct weather, including heavy rain, snow and wind.
The aim on most projects is to re-establish vegetation, because a healthy root system is the most effective long-term protection a slope can have. The matting bridges the gap until that happens, and in harsher conditions it reinforces the vegetation once it has grown through.
Biodegradable erosion control matting
Biodegradable mats are the usual choice where vegetation is expected to establish within a few seasons and long-term reinforcement is not needed. They break down naturally once their job is done.
- Type 1, jute matting. A low-cost biodegradable mat made from woven jute, which breaks down over one to two years. Suited to gentler slopes and exposed ground where vegetation will establish quickly.
- Type 2, coir mesh. Made from coir (coconut fibre) mesh and degrading over two to three years, giving a longer protection window than jute.
- Type 4, coir or coir and straw blankets. Thicker blankets made from 100% coir, or a coir and straw mix, stitched between two binding layers of photodegradable polymer mesh. These last two to three years.
Permanent erosion control matting
Where vegetation will be slow to establish, where flows or slope angles are higher, or where protection is needed for the long term, a permanent mat is more appropriate.
- Type 3, turf reinforcement mats (TRMs). Typically made from polypropylene, with a closely packed matrix of fibres thermally bonded together into a tough, flexible mat. They are designed to be backfilled with soil after installation so that vegetation grows through and is reinforced by the mat. These are permanent, non-biodegradable solutions; longevity depends on the product specified and site conditions.
Most permanent mats have netting on both sides with the fibre material held between the layers, which keeps the fibres securely in place.
Choosing between biodegradable and permanent matting
The right mat depends on the site rather than a single rule. The questions we usually ask are:
- How long does the ground need protecting? If vegetation will be established within one to three years, a biodegradable mat is often enough. If not, consider permanent reinforcement.
- How steep is the slope and how much water reaches it? Steeper slopes, channels and areas that take concentrated run-off generally need a more robust product.
- Is the area next to a watercourse? High-energy river and stream banks may need rock rolls or rock bags rather than matting alone (see below).
- What are the environmental constraints? Biodegradable natural fibres leave nothing behind once vegetation has taken over.
- What are the programme and budget? Biodegradable mats usually cost less initially; permanent mats can reduce later maintenance.
Our guide Should I use permanent or biodegradable erosion control? covers this decision in more detail.
Where erosion control matting is used
Typical UK applications include:
- Highway and rail cuttings and embankments
- Steep slopes and exposed ground after earthworks
- SuDS detention basins, swales and pond margins (see SUDS Geosynthetics UK)
- Watercourse and riverbank margins, alongside bioengineering solutions
- Landscaping, restoration and renewable energy sites
- Temporary works where disturbed ground needs protecting during construction
On construction sites, matting is often specified with silt control measures such as silt fencing, which stops sediment reaching drains and watercourses while the ground is still bare.
When matting is not enough: rock rolls and rock bags
In high-energy watercourses, a purely biodegradable approach may not be adequate. Stratec also supplies:
- Rock rolls, made from a 3 mm high-strength polyethylene braided knotted net formed into tubular bags and filled with 40–75 mm weather- and frost-resistant granite. They can be used on their own for ongoing erosion protection, or as part of a bioengineering solution to create a fully vegetated revetment.
- Rock bags, synthetic mesh units filled with aggregate stone, used to protect riverbanks, coastal areas, bridges and monopiles from scour.
See Rockrolls and how they work in riverbank scour protection.
Installation essentials
Good results depend on preparation. The soil surface should be graded smooth and free of large stones and debris so the mat is in close contact with the ground. Seed is normally applied before the mat is laid. Mats are unrolled down the slope, anchored at the top, overlapped and pinned according to the manufacturer’s guidance and the design. Poor contact with the soil is the most common reason matting underperforms, so take care on uneven ground.
Talk to Stratec about erosion control matting
Tell us about the slope, the soil, how much water reaches the area, and your programme, and our team will help you choose the right matting and supply it for your project anywhere in the UK.
- Phone: 020 7887 2999
- Email: enquiries@stratecgroup.co.uk
- Or use the contact form
Frequently asked questions
What is erosion control matting? A mat or blanket laid over exposed soil to protect it from rain, wind and run-off while vegetation establishes. Biodegradable versions break down over time, and permanent versions reinforce vegetation for the long term.
How long does biodegradable erosion matting last? On Stratec’s current range, jute matting breaks down over one to two years and coir-based mats over two to three years.
What is a turf reinforcement mat? A permanent, non-biodegradable polypropylene mat with a thermally bonded fibre matrix, backfilled with soil so vegetation grows through it and is reinforced. Longevity depends on the product specified and site conditions.
Do I need matting or rock rolls on a riverbank? It depends on flow energy. Matting suits slopes and lower-energy margins, while rock rolls or rock bags are used where scour risk is higher. Ask our team to review the site.