The terms "erosion control mat," "erosion control fabric," and "erosion blanket" are used interchangeably in casual conversation but describe fundamentally different products with different purposes. Using the wrong product — or assuming one substitutes for the other — leads to project failures. This guide clarifies the distinctions.

Two Completely Different Product Categories

All erosion control products fall into two fundamentally different categories based on where they are installed and what they do:

• Surface protection products (mats, blankets, TRMs): installed on top of soil to protect bare ground from rainfall impact and surface flow while vegetation establishes
• Subsurface filtration products (non-woven geotextile fabric): installed beneath drainage aggregate, riprap, or other protective layers to filter water and prevent soil migration underground

These are not interchangeable. A project may need one, the other, or both, depending on the erosion control challenges present.

Erosion Control Mats and Blankets

Erosion control blankets (ECBs) — also called erosion mats, erosion matting, erosion control matting, or slope protection blankets — are installed directly on bare soil surfaces after seeding. Their purpose is to:

• Dissipate raindrop energy before it hits the soil (reduces splash erosion)
• Reduce sheet flow velocity across the slope (reduces surface erosion)
• Provide a microclimate that retains moisture and aids seed germination
• Hold seed in place until germination occurs
• Eventually biodegrade as vegetation takes over the protective function

Types of erosion blankets

Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs)

Turf reinforcement mats are a permanent category of erosion control products. Unlike biodegradable blankets, TRMs are designed to remain in place indefinitely after vegetation establishes. They provide physical reinforcement to the root zone that allows established vegetation to withstand hydraulic shear forces greater than what vegetation alone could survive.

When TRMs are specified:

• Drainage channels where flow velocities exceed 4-6 ft/sec (where grass alone fails)
• Steep slopes (steeper than 2:1) where revegetation without permanent reinforcement would fail
• Channel liners where riprap is too aggressive but erosion blankets lack sufficient long-term protection
• Areas subject to periodic flooding or high-velocity storm flow

TRMs are typically made from polypropylene or nylon with a three-dimensional open matrix structure. After seeding, vegetation grows through and around the mat, creating a reinforced turf system.

Non-Woven Geotextile Fabric

Non-woven geotextile is installed underground — beneath drainage aggregate, riprap, gabion baskets, or other protective layers. It does not protect bare soil surfaces from rainfall. Instead, it:

• Filters water passing from native soil into an aggregate drainage layer
• Prevents fine soil particles from migrating through aggregate voids (piping erosion)
• Separates different soil or aggregate layers to prevent mixing
• Maintains the long-term drainage capacity of subsurface systems

Non-woven geotextile is essential under riprap slope protection: without it, native soil gradually migrates up through the rock voids under flow conditions, eventually causing the rock layer to subside and fail. It is also required behind retaining wall drainage aggregate and in slope drainage systems.

Full Comparison Table

Which Product Do You Need?

• Disturbed slope needing revegetation: Erosion blanket (straw for gentle slopes, coir for steeper)
• Steep slope or high-velocity channel requiring permanent vegetation: Turf reinforcement mat
• Under riprap or aggregate slope protection: Non-woven geotextile (8oz and up)
• Behind retaining wall drainage layer: Non-woven geotextile (4–6oz)
• Both surface erosion and subsurface drainage: Both products, each in its appropriate location

Frequently Asked Questions