Curlex is the original erosion control blanket — a product made by American Excelsior Company from Great Lakes Aspen curled wood fiber (excelsior) that has been protecting disturbed slopes and channels since its introduction. When contractors, landscape architects, and DOT engineers specify "Curlex roll," they are referring to these aspen fiber blankets that arrive at the jobsite ready to unroll, stake, and seed.

This guide covers every product in the Curlex roll lineup available at Eastgate Supply, including dimensions, slope and velocity ratings, netting types, and how to choose the right roll for your application.

What Is a Curlex Roll?

A Curlex roll is a pre-manufactured erosion control blanket (ECB) consisting of:

• Excelsior fiber: Curled Great Lakes Aspen wood fiber that forms the bulk of the blanket. The natural curl of the fiber creates a three-dimensional structure that interlocks to hold the blanket together without adhesives.
• Polypropylene netting: One or two layers of netting stitched through the fiber matrix to provide additional structural integrity during installation and early vegetation establishment. Some variants use biodegradable netting instead.

The aspen fiber is naturally seed-free (unlike straw), UV-resistant, and hygroscopic — meaning it attracts and holds moisture from the surrounding environment. This moisture-retention property is why Curlex blankets significantly improve seed germination rates compared to bare soil: the microclimate beneath the blanket stays moist even during dry periods, giving grass seed the window it needs to establish.

Curlex Roll Product Lineup

Curlex I vs. Curlex II vs. Curlex III

The I / II / III designation reflects the density and fiber specification of the excelsior fill and the netting configuration:

Curlex I

The standard Curlex roll — single polypropylene net, moderate fiber density. Designed for slope applications up to a 1:1 gradient and channel flow velocities up to approximately 6 feet per second. The most widely used Curlex product for general construction site revegetation, highway shoulder restoration, and landscape erosion control.

Curlex II

A heavier-duty version using a double polypropylene net configuration for enhanced structural integrity on steeper slopes and higher-velocity flow environments. Curlex II handles flow velocities up to approximately 8 fps. The double netting resists displacement on steep slopes where single-net blankets can shift before vegetation establishes.

Curlex III

The highest-performance standard Curlex blanket. Curlex III uses a specific fiber cut with 80% of fibers measuring six inches or longer — the same specification used in Filtrexx SiltSoxx and other high-performance excelsior products. The longer fiber length means denser interlocking, greater structural performance, and better moisture retention. Curlex III is specified for the most challenging slope and channel conditions.

Specialty Curlex Rolls

Curlex NetFree

Manufactured without any netting — the excelsior fiber is held together entirely by the natural interlocking of the curled fibers. Required in applications where synthetic netting poses a risk to wildlife (particularly where small mammals, reptiles, or amphibians could become entangled). Specified by many state DOTs and wildlife agencies for stream bank and wetland restoration work.

Curlex FiberNet (Biodegradable Netting)

Uses a natural fiber biodegradable netting instead of polypropylene. Provides the structural performance of a netted blanket while fully biodegrading in the environment. Appropriate for projects with sensitive environmental requirements, organic certification considerations, or permit conditions restricting synthetic materials in certain zones.

Curlex High Velocity

Engineered specifically for high-flow channel applications where standard Curlex rolls would be displaced. High Velocity uses double-net construction with a heavier excelsior fill for maximum resistance to hydraulic forces. Designed for outlet protection, concentrated flow areas, and high-gradient channels.

Curlex Enforcer TRM

A turf reinforcement mat (TRM) variant of the Curlex system for permanent erosion control applications. Unlike standard ECBs that degrade after vegetation establishes, the Enforcer TRM uses a permanent polypropylene mesh backbone that remains in place to reinforce the root system of established vegetation against ongoing hydraulic and mechanical stresses.

Installation Overview

All Curlex rolls follow a similar installation procedure for slope applications:

1. Prepare the seedbed: Seed, fertilize, and lightly rake the slope before blanket installation. The blanket goes over the seed — not under it.
2. Anchor the lead edge: At the top of the slope, either dig a 6-inch anchor trench (Method A) and bury the leading 12 inches of the roll, or roll 3 feet of blanket back over the crest of the slope (Method B).
3. Unroll down the slope: Roll the blanket downhill, maintaining full contact with the soil surface. Do not stretch the blanket.
4. Overlap adjacent rolls: Overlap the edges of adjacent rolls by a minimum of 3 inches (6 inches in channels).
5. Stake: Drive stakes through the blanket into the soil at the specified pattern — typically every 1.5 feet along edges and every 3 feet in the field.
6. Anchor the terminal edge: At the base of the slope, bury the terminal edge in a trench or stake securely.

For channel installations, see the dedicated channel installation video below:

Frequently Asked Questions