12 SepCompare Straw Wattles, Silt Sock and Curlex Logs

Posted at 15:52h in Erosion Control by colonial

Comparing erosion control wattles blog image

Compare Our Top Erosion Control Wattles

Straw Wattles, Excelsior Logs and Compost Filter Silt Sock are three of the most popular erosion control wattles. Wattles filter stormwater runoff and dissipate concentrated flow. Erosion control wattles and logs are deployed on almost every construction site including energy, infrastructure, environmental restoration, commercial and residential developments.

Although most erosion control wattles are deployed for similar applications, there are differences between each product that distinguishes one from the other.

This guide will compare several important properties for our three most popular erosion control wattles: Straw Wattles, Excelsior Logs and Compost Filter Sock.

Quick Glance: Straw Wattles vs. Curlex Sediment Logs vs. Silt Sock

How do Straw Wattles stack up against Excelsior Logs and Silt Sock? We directly compared features like matrix, netting and sizes to give you a product-to-product comparison guide. We also ranked the erosion control log 1st, 2nd or 3rd for several performance metrics like flow rating, longevity and ease of use.

Wattle Features	Straw Wattles	Curlex® Sediment Log	Compost Filter Silt Sock
Matrix / Fill	Agricultural straw fibers	Curlex® fibers	Shredded hardwood
Netting	Photodegradable multifilament polypropylene net	Degradable cotton or polyester net	Photodegradable multifilament polypropylene net
Sizes	7 sizes available	3 sizes available	6 sizes available
Average Cost*	$	$$$	$$
Flow Rating**	3rd	1st	2nd
Longevity***	3rd	2nd	1st
Ease of Use****	2nd	1st	3rd

Ranking system: 1 = Best , 2 = 2nd best, 3 = worst

This table is meant to be a comparison guide for popular erosion control wattles. It should not be interpreted as test data or replace any product specifications. There are a few things to note about our table:

*Average cost compares the average cost of a 12″ x 10′ wattle.

**Flow rating is a benchmark ranking that reflects how efficiently the wattle dissipates flow and retains sediment.

***Longevity is a ranking based on the wattle’s typical on-site functional longevity.

****Ease of Use is our interpretation of how easy it is to store, ship, deploy and remove the wattle.

Straw Wattles

Product overview

The Straw Wattle is a tubular erosion control wattle filled with weed seed free agricultural straw fibers. This wattle is lightweight, manufactured in a wide range of sizes and is easy to rapidly deploy on site. Our Colonial Straw Wattle differs from other straw wattles on the market because our version is encased in the same photodegradable polypropylene netting that wraps our Compost Filter Silt Sock.

Matrix: Certified weed seed free agricultural straw fibers

Agricultural straw is an economical fiber which is why the Straw Wattle is the most affordable of our three erosion control wattles. Although it is economical, the flat straw fibers are not as efficient at filtering runoff and retaining sediment.

Netting: Photodegradable multifilament netting with 1/8” opening

Our Colonial Straw Wattle is wrapped in the same photodegradable netting as our Compost Filter Sock. This feature greatly distinguishes it from other straw wattles on the market. The tight knit 1/8″ opening netting means the Colonial Straw Wattle won’t blow out after just one rain event.

Other straw wattles are encased in an open-weave multifilament netting, similar to the Excelsior Log’s netting. That netting allows straw fibers to spill out of the wattle which reduces the straw wattle’s efficiency and makes it more difficult to store and deploy.

Sizes: 7 sizes available

Our Colonial Straw Wattle has the widest range of sizes of our three wattles and is even manufactured in continuous pallets up to 200-feet in length.

9″ x 10′
9″ x 25′
9″ x 200′
12″ x 10′
12″ x 20′
12″ x 110′
20″ x 10′

Average Cost: the most economical option of our three wattles

Flow Rating: 3rd Place

Flat straw fibers don’t filter and trap sediment as efficiently as the curled and barbed Curlex® fibers. Although straw wattles capture some sediment laden runoff, we wouldn’t recommend them for high velocity or concentrated flow channels.

Functional Longevity: 3rd place

In the right conditions, Straw Wattles can last up to 18 months.

Ease of use: 2nd Place

We ranked our Colonial Straw Wattles second for ease of use. Although straw wattles are lightweight and easy to handle, they aren’t quite as light and user-friendly as the Excelsior Log.

Typical Applications

Slope interruption
Check dam in channels, ditches and swales
Outlet and inlet protection
Perimeter control

Curlex® Sediment Log, the Excelsior Log

Product overview

The Curlex® Sediment Log, sometimes referred to as the Excelsior Log, is a long standing industry favorite. This porous erosion control wattle efficiently filters stormwater runoff through its patented Curlex® fiber matrix. The Excelsior Log is lightweight, environmentally friendly, and adaptable to a range of erosion and sediment control applications.

Matrix: Curlex® fibers

The Excelsior Log is filled with Aspen Great Lakes excelsior wood fibers. Each wood fiber is at least six inches long is curled to create a soft interlocking matrix.

Netting: open weave degradable netting

The Curlex® Sediment Log has an open-weave degradable netting that is porous and flexible. The cotton-polyester netting is more environmentally friendly than our other wattles. Curlex® Sediment Logs are often deployed on environmental restoration projects like the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge Expansion.

Sizes: 3 sizes available

The Excelsior Log is manufactured in three diameters. The 9-inch and 12-inch logs are typically used for inlet protection. We often recommend the 20-inch Curlex® Sediment Log for slope interruption to manage and prevent rills and gullies on long slope runs.

9″ x 25′
12″ x 10′
20″ x 10′

Cost: the most expensive option of our erosion control wattles

Flow Rating: 1st place

Curlex® has a high flow rate of 35 GPM (ASTM D514).

Functional Longevity: up to 24 months

American Excelsior states the Curlex® Sediment Log has a functional life up to 24 months.

Ease of use: 1st place

We love that Curlex® Sediment Logs ship in shrink-wrapped pallets that are easy to store and ship. If you purchase a sediment log individually, you can pick it up and throw it in the bed of your truck. Curlex® Sediment Logs are also easy to install in a number of applications.

Typical Applications

Inlet protection
Slope interrupter
Check dam
Perimeter control

Compost Filter Silt Sock

Product overview

Compost Filter Sock is a tubular silt sock filled with shredded hardwood and wrapped in tight multifilament netting. Our Silt Sock is manufactured in continuous pallets up to 200 linear feet in length. Pallets of Compost Filter Sock are very heavy and typically require a machine for loading, unloading and installation. Filter Sock has a wide range of applications including inlet protection, check dam, slope interrupter and perimeter control.

Matrix: aged and shredded hardwood mulch

Our Compost Filter Silt Sock is filled with aged and shredded hardwood mulch. The mulch matrix adds a lot of weight to the log so you won’t have to worry about it being swept away in a heavy rain event. When the project is closed out, you can cut open the wattle and leave the mulch on site.

Netting: Photodegradable multifilament netting with 1/8″ opening

This netting is the same net that encases our Colonial Straw Wattles. The tight multifilament weave fully encases the mulch matrix and is sometimes offered in blue for greater visibility.

Sizes: 6 sizes available

Compost Filter Silt Sock is offered in four different diameters and many unique lengths. The 10-foot wattles are ideal for inlet protection and check dams. The larger diameters are typically deployed for slope interruption and silt fence reinforcement like at the Puller Solar Farm. You can custom cut the long runs to the size of your choice by cutting off a section and tying up the ends with zip ties.

8″ x 10′
8″ x 200′
12″ x 10′
12″ x 110′
18″ x 55′
24″ x 30′

Cost: Typically less expensive than a Curlex® Sediment Log but more expensive than our Colonial Straw Wattles

Flow Rating: 2nd place

Although mulch is not a very efficient filtration matrix, Silt Sock does typically trap and retain sediment better than the Straw Wattle.

Functional Longevity: 1st place

We ranked Compost Filter Silt Sock first for longevity because the heavy wattle stays in place and is not as prone to blow outs as the other erosion control wattles.

Ease of use: 3rd place

Although Silt Sock is effective for a wide range of applications, it is the most cumbersome wattle to ship and deploy. Full pallets cannot ship in a pick up truck and most installations require machinery.

Typical Applications:

Inlet protection
Slope interrupter
Check dam
Perimeter control
Reinforcement

Which erosion control wattle do you need?

We hope this guide helped you compare our top erosion control logs. If you need Straw Wattles, Silt Sock or Curlex® Sediment Logs for your next project, contact us for pricing.

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