Choosing weed matting is not simply a matter of picking a roll off the shelf. The best result comes from matching the matting material, weight and fixing system to the site, the planting programme and how long the weed suppression needs to last.
For landscapers, contractors and landowners, getting that combination right can reduce weed pressure, help retain soil moisture around planting and reduce ongoing maintenance through the warmer months.
Advance Landscape Systems offers natural fibre and synthetic weed-control options, along with a range of pins, pegs and staples. Here is what to consider when choosing the right system for your project.
What is the best weed matting for a landscaping project?
There is no single weed matting that is best for every site.
The right choice depends on five main factors:
- How long you need the matting to perform
- Whether a natural or synthetic material is preferred
- The slope and exposure of the site
- The soil and ground conditions
- How the area will be planted and maintained
A residential garden bed, a large revegetation project and an exposed roadside planting site may all need weed suppression, but they may require quite different products.
The first step is therefore to think about the site and desired outcome before choosing the material.
Should I choose natural fibre or synthetic weed matting?
Both can have a place in landscape projects.
Natural fibre weed matting
Natural fibre options are particularly useful where biodegradability, environmental objectives and integration with planting are important.
Advance’s range includes products such as EcoJute, EcoCoir and FuturFiber® natural fibre geotextiles.
These can be well suited to:
- revegetation and restoration planting
- landscape planting beds
- riparian and environmental projects
- slopes and exposed soil
- projects seeking to reduce reliance on synthetic materials
- areas where the matting is intended to break down as vegetation establishes
FuturFiber® made by Rubisco®, including hemp and wool options, provides a natural fibre pathway for projects where biodegradable weed suppression and plant establishment are important considerations.
Synthetic weed matting
Synthetic options may be appropriate where a longer-lasting separation or weed-control layer is required.
They can be useful where the project calls for:
- a longer service period
- greater resistance to ongoing exposure
- established landscape areas requiring longer-term weed management
- applications where biodegradation is not a project requirement
The key is not to assume that natural is always better, or that synthetic is always stronger. The appropriate choice depends on what the project needs the material to do.
How do you choose the right weight of weed matting?
Matting weight matters because different sites place different demands on the material.
A lighter product may be suitable for a protected planting area, while a heavier material may be preferable on a more exposed site or where greater durability is required during establishment. Heavier weights can also be more effective against aggresive weed types.
Consider:
Exposure: Is the site sheltered, or exposed to strong wind and weather?
Slope: Is the material being installed on flat ground or an incline?
Planting programme: Will planting establish quickly, or does the site require a longer establishment period?
Foot traffic and maintenance: Will crews regularly move through the area?
Site conditions: Is the surface smooth and prepared, or rough and difficult to cover?
Rather than selecting by gsm alone, consider the complete application.
If you are unsure, provide Advance with the project area, ground conditions and intended use and we can help narrow the options.
Why are the fixings as important as the weed matting?
A good matting product can underperform if it is not adequately secured.
Wind can lift edges. Uneven ground can create gaps. Water movement can shift material. Poor fixing around overlaps can expose soil and create opportunities for weed growth.
That is why weed matting and fixings should be selected as one system, rather than treating the pins or staples as an afterthought.
The right fixing helps the matting:
- maintain contact with the ground
- stay secure around edges
- hold overlaps in place
- follow changes in ground contour
- remain stable during establishment
- resist movement caused by wind or site activity
Which weed mat fixing should I use?
The best fixing depends primarily on soil type, matting type, slope and exposure.
Advance supplies a range of fixing options including staples, pins and biodegradable alternatives.
Staples
Staples are commonly used to hold matting securely against the ground.
They may suit applications where:
- reliable mechanical fixing is needed
- the ground accepts a staple readily
- matting must be held firmly along edges and overlaps
- the site has some exposure to wind
Longer or heavier-duty staples may be appropriate where additional holding strength is required.
Biodegradable pegs and pins
Biodegradable fixings can complement natural fibre matting where reducing synthetic materials is part of the project objective.
They can be particularly relevant for:
- ecological restoration
- revegetation
- environmental planting
- sites where leaving plastic components in the landscape is undesirable
The fixing still needs to suit the soil and site conditions. A biodegradable fixing should not be selected purely because the matting itself is biodegradable.
How far apart should weed matting fixings be?
There is no universal spacing that suits every installation, and the Pin Quantity Requirements Guide provides useful guidance for securing natural fiber matting.
A sheltered, level site will generally place less demand on the fixing system than an exposed slope.
More secure fixing may be required around:
- outside edges
- overlaps and joins
- changes in ground level
- corners
- planting cuts
- exposed areas
- slopes
- drainage paths or areas affected by water movement
The steeper or more exposed the site, the more important fixing design becomes.
For larger or more challenging projects, talk to the Advance team about the installation conditions rather than relying on a generic fixing pattern.
What should you consider before ordering weed matting?
Before requesting a quote or placing an order, gather a few basic pieces of information.
1. What area needs to be covered?
Measure the approximate length and width, or provide the total square metre area.
Allow for overlaps, edges and irregular shapes rather than ordering only the exact ground area.
2. What is the site like?
Tell us whether it is:
- flat or sloping
- sheltered or exposed
- dry or frequently wet
- easy soil or hard ground
- a garden, commercial landscape, revegetation site or infrastructure project
3. What are you trying to achieve?
Is the main goal:
- weed suppression
- reduced maintenance
- moisture retention
- plant establishment
- erosion protection
- reducing synthetic materials
- longer-term ground separation?
The answer may change the product recommendation.
4. How long does the system need to perform?
Some projects need weed suppression primarily while planting establishes. Others need a longer-term barrier.
This is one of the most important distinctions when comparing natural fibre and synthetic products.
5. What fixings will be needed?
Do not leave the fixings until the end of the order.
Confirm the ground conditions, matting type and exposure so the fixing system can be selected at the same time.
What is the best weed matting for summer?
As temperatures rise, weed growth and moisture loss can both become bigger maintenance issues.
A suitable weed-control layer can help reduce light reaching competing weeds while also helping protect the soil surface around planting.
For spring and summer projects, it is worth considering the system before weed pressure becomes difficult to manage.
The best choice still depends on the site. For some projects that may be natural fibre matting such as EcoJute or FuturFiber®. For others, a synthetic product may better suit the required service life.
The important point is to choose based on site conditions and project outcomes, not simply product price.
Weed matting FAQs
Does weed matting stop all weeds?
Weed matting is designed to suppress weed growth by limiting light and creating a barrier at the soil surface. No system should be viewed as eliminating every possible weed indefinitely. Good ground preparation, correct installation, secure fixing and ongoing site management all contribute to the outcome.
Can weed matting help retain soil moisture?
A ground-covering layer can help reduce direct exposure of the soil surface, which can support moisture retention around establishing plants. This can be particularly valuable as conditions become warmer and drier.
Is biodegradable weed matting suitable for revegetation?
Natural fibre matting can be particularly useful for revegetation and restoration projects where the material is intended to support establishment and then break down rather than remain permanently in the landscape.
Can weed matting be installed on slopes?
Yes, but slope, soil conditions, water movement and fixing requirements become increasingly important. For steeper or erosion-prone sites, a dedicated erosion-control product may be more appropriate than standard weed matting.
Do I need special fixings for natural fibre matting?
The fixing should be chosen for the site rather than simply the fibre type. Soil, slope, exposure and mat weight all affect the amount and type of fixing required. Biodegradable fixing options can also be considered where they align with the project’s environmental objectives.
How much weed matting do I need?
Start with the total surface area, then allow for joins, overlaps, edges and site irregularities. For commercial or larger landscape projects, Advance can help check project quantities before ordering.
Choose the system, not just the mat
The most effective weed-control solution brings together the right matting, the right weight and the right fixing method for the site.
Getting those decisions right at the beginning can make installation easier, improve performance and help reduce avoidable maintenance later.
Advance Landscape Systems supplies a broad range of natural fibre and synthetic weed-control products, along with compatible fixing systems for residential, landscape, revegetation and commercial projects.
Need help choosing?
Send us:
- your approximate project area
- whether the site is flat or sloping
- the soil or ground conditions
- how exposed the location is
- the type of planting
- whether natural fibre or synthetic material is preferred
Our team can help recommend a suitable matting and fixing combination and check the quantities required for your project.
Talk to Advance Landscape Systems about the right weed-control system for your site.