Coir rolls are biodegradable erosion control products made from coconut husk fibre, available as flat matting rolls for slope coverage or cylindrical logs for waterway stabilisation.

If you have searched for coir rolls, you have probably seen two different product types come up. Coir matting rolls are flat woven blankets that peg over exposed soil. Coir logs (sometimes called coir fibre rolls) are dense cylindrical tubes that sit along waterways and drainage lines. Both are made from the same coconut fibre material, but they solve different problems on site.

This guide covers both types of coir rolls, the sizes and weights available in Australia, how to pick the right one for your project, and where they fit alongside other erosion control products.

Two Types of Coir Rolls and When to Use Each

The term coir rolls covers two distinct product formats. Understanding the difference saves you ordering the wrong one and having to wait for a replacement delivery.

Coir Matting Rolls

Coir matting rolls are flat woven blankets of coconut fibre twine. They come in 2m x 25m rolls (50 square metres of coverage per roll) and are available in three weights: 400gsm, 700gsm and 900gsm. You unroll them over prepared soil, pin them down with biodegradable staples, and seed through the weave.

Use coir matting rolls for:

• Slope stabilisation on embankments, cuttings and batters
• Revegetation projects where seed needs a protected germination bed
• Council and civil specs that require a Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP)
• Mine site rehabilitation and dam wall coverage

Coir Logs (Coir Fibre Rolls)

Coir logs are cylindrical tubes of densely packed coconut fibre wrapped in coir netting. They sit along waterway edges, drainage channels, and the base of slopes to trap sediment and slow water velocity. Common diameters are 150mm, 200mm and 300mm, in lengths of 2m or 3m.

Use coir logs for:

• Creek bank and shoreline stabilisation
• Sediment barriers around construction sites
• Drainage channel lining and stormwater management
• Base-of-slope anchoring before matting is installed above

On many projects, both products are used together. Coir logs anchor the base of the slope and trap run-off, while coir matting covers the slope face above to hold soil and support revegetation.

Coir Roll Sizes and Specifications

Choosing the right size and weight depends on slope gradient, water flow conditions and how long the stabilisation needs to last. Here is what is available.

Coir Matting Roll Specifications

The GSM (grams per square metre) rating indicates fibre density. A 900gsm roll is more than twice the weight of a 400gsm roll, lasts longer in the ground, and handles steeper gradients and heavier water flow.

Coir Log Specifications

Larger diameter logs trap more sediment and handle higher water volumes. The 200mm x 3m size is the most commonly specified for general erosion control work across NSW and Queensland.

How to Choose the Right Coir Rolls for Your Site

Four site factors determine which coir roll product you need. Getting this right before you order avoids wasted product and re-work.

1. Slope gradient. Slopes of 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) or gentler suit 400gsm coir matting. Steeper than 2:1, step up to 700gsm or 900gsm. If the slope is near vertical, you may need a geotextile backing as well.
2. Water flow. Sheet flow across a slope face is handled by matting. Concentrated flow in channels, creeks or drainage lines needs coir logs to slow velocity and trap sediment.
3. Required lifespan. Coir matting lasts 2 to 5 years depending on weight. If you need coverage for one growing season only, 400gsm is sufficient. For multi-year revegetation, use 700gsm or heavier.
4. Project specification. Many council and government contracts specify IECA-compliant Rolled Erosion Control Products. Check whether the spec calls for matting, logs or both before ordering.

Installing Coir Rolls on Site

Installation methods differ between coir matting rolls and coir logs. Here is a summary of both approaches to help with planning and quoting.

Coir Matting Roll Installation

1. Clear the slope of loose debris, rocks and existing vegetation that would prevent the mat lying flat
2. Dig a 150mm anchor trench at the top of the slope and bury the leading edge of the roll
3. Unroll the matting down the slope, keeping it in contact with the soil surface
4. Pin with biodegradable staples or U-pins at 1m intervals across the mat and along overlaps
5. Overlap adjacent rolls by at least 100mm and pin the overlap seam
6. Seed through the weave openings or hydroseed over the installed matting

Coir Log Installation

1. Dig a shallow trench (roughly one-third the log diameter) along the contour line or waterway edge
2. Place the coir log in the trench, pressing it firmly into the soil
3. Drive hardwood stakes through the log at 1m intervals (closer on steep sites)
4. Butt adjacent logs end-to-end and tie together with coir twine for a continuous barrier
5. Backfill behind the log with local soil and compact
6. Plant native species along and around the logs to establish permanent root stabilisation

For detailed step-by-step guides with photos, see how to install coir matting and how to install coir log silt berms.

Why Biodegradable Coir Rolls Are Replacing Synthetic Alternatives

Coir rolls are 100% biodegradable. They break down into organic matter over 2 to 5 years, leaving nothing behind except healthier soil. This matters for three practical reasons.

• No retrieval costs. Synthetic mesh and plastic netting need to be removed after the vegetation establishes. Coir breaks down on its own, saving a return trip to site.
• No wildlife entanglement. Plastic netting traps snakes, lizards and small animals. Coir netting degrades before it becomes a hazard.
• Specification compliance. NSW, Queensland and Victorian council contracts increasingly mandate biodegradable erosion control products near waterways and in ecologically sensitive areas.

The natural lignin in coconut fibre also resists fungal decay better than most plant-based alternatives. This gives coir rolls a longer functional lifespan than jute products while still fully biodegrading.

Order Coir Rolls for Your Next Project

All Stake Supply has supplied erosion control products to Australian landscapers, civil contractors and councils since 1976. Coir matting rolls and coir logs are held in stock at the St Marys NSW warehouse, ready for fast dispatch to any site in Australia.

• 1,000+ erosion control and landscaping products in stock
• Complete delivery guarantee on every order
• Trade pricing available for bulk and repeat orders
• Product advice from a team with 48 years of experience in Australian conditions

Browse the full erosion control range online, view the complete product catalogue, or contact the team for a quote.