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Buyer's Guide · Erosion Control
Erosion Control Blankets vs. Turf Reinforcement Mats: How to Choose
Bare soil on a slope or in a channel won't stay put. The right erosion control product holds the soil, protects your seed, and helps vegetation take over — the question is whether you need a temporary blanket or a permanent mat.
Here's how the two main families differ, what each is made of, and how to match one to your slope and water flow.
Erosion Control Blankets
Temporary — breaks down
Biodegradable or photodegradable cover that protects seed and soil while grass establishes, then breaks down as the new turf takes over. Best for slopes and low-to-moderate flow. Made from straw, coconut, or excelsior (wood) fiber.
Turf Reinforcement Mats
Permanent — stays put
A long-term, three-dimensional matrix that won't break down — it reinforces mature roots for steep slopes, banks, and high-flow vegetated channels where a blanket won't hold and riprap would be overkill.
Every erosion control job comes down to the same goal: keep soil in place long enough for vegetation to establish and do the job permanently. The difference between the two product families is simply how long they need to last — and that depends on how steep your slope is and how much water moves across it.
What Erosion Control Blankets Do
Blankets roll out over a freshly seeded slope.
An erosion control blanket (ECB) is laid over a freshly seeded slope to shield the seed from wind and birds and to hold the soil while grass germinates. It gives seedlings a structure to grow up through, then gradually breaks down as the established turf takes over the work of holding the soil. Depending on the fiber and netting, blankets range from short-term to longer-functioning — a great fit for slopes and areas with low to moderate water flow.
Blanket Materials: Straw, Coconut, and Excelsior
Fiber type sets how long a blanket lasts and how much it can handle.
Three fibers cover most projects. Straw blankets are the economical choice for shorter-term cover on milder slopes. Coconut blankets use a longer-functioning fiber that holds up in wetter conditions and on steeper ground. Excelsior (curled wood fiber) forms a springy matrix that nestles tight to the soil and resists movement. Our excelsior line steps up by slope — Curlex I for gentler grades, Curlex II for moderate, and Curlex III for steeper ground — while Curlex NetFree removes the netting entirely for mowing- and wildlife-sensitive sites. Nettings come in photodegradable and biodegradable options, which control how the blanket eventually breaks down.
One important note: these blankets do not come pre-seeded. You choose your own grass seed — ideally a native variety approved by your municipality — and seed before the blanket goes down.
What Turf Reinforcement Mats Do
A 3-D matrix interlocks with soil and roots for permanent reinforcement.
When a slope is too steep or a channel carries too much water for a temporary blanket, a turf reinforcement mat (TRM) is the answer. TRMs are permanent — a three-dimensional matrix (woven polypropylene, or 100% recycled fibers) that interlocks with soil and roots, slows water at ground level, and reinforces vegetation for the long haul. High-performance mats like Pyramat carry design lives up to roughly 25 to 75 years, withstand high shear stress and flow velocity, and are recognized by the EPA and FHWA as a best management practice for water quality.
Matching the Product to Your Slope and Flow
Steep banks and vegetated waterways call for a permanent mat.
Two factors drive the decision: how steep the slope is, in degrees, and how fast water moves across it. A gentle slope with light flow needs only a temporary blanket while grass establishes. As the slope steepens and flow picks up, step up to a longer-functioning coconut blanket — and for steep banks, shorelines, and vegetated channels with sustained flow, move to a permanent TRM. The steeper and wetter the site, the more permanent the product needs to be.
Neither blankets nor mats come with seed. Prepare a fine, compacted seedbed, sow a native grass variety approved by your municipality, and then install the blanket or mat over the top so vegetation grows up through it. The product protects the seed; the grass provides the permanent hold.
Installation Basics
Trench the top edge, overlap seams, and anchor per spec.
Install runs the same way for both families. Roll the product down the slope, or in the direction of flow in a channel. Trench in the top edge so water can't get underneath, overlap seams about 6 inches, and staple or anchor per the manufacturer's spec — with denser anchoring at edges, seams, and transitions. For TRMs, you can lay the mat directly over the seedbed or use the soil-fill method (a thin soil veneer over the mat before seeding) to drive fast, dense vegetation.
Quick Decision Checklist
1. Temporary or permanent? Blanket if vegetation will take over; TRM if it needs lasting reinforcement
2. How steep is the slope (in degrees)? Steeper ground calls for a stronger product
3. How much water flow? Channels and sustained flow point to a TRM
4. Seed first with a municipality-approved native grass
5. Anchor per spec: trench the top, overlap seams 6", staple edges and seams
We carry a full erosion-control range — from Curlex excelsior blankets and the net-free Curlex NetFree, to permanent turf reinforcement mats including Pyramat, Recyclex, Landlok, and Curlex Enforcer — covering everything from a quick straw blanket to a 75-year high-performance channel mat.
Not sure which one fits your site? Answer a few quick questions in the Erosion Control Product Finder above and we'll match your slope and flow to the right blanket or mat — every order ships free.
