An excelsior blanket is the professional standard for temporary slope and channel erosion control on construction sites, highway projects, and restoration work. Understanding how to match the right excelsior blanket to your specific application — slope steepness, channel shear stress, environmental requirements — is the difference between a BMP that works and one that fails or is replaced before vegetation establishes.

This guide covers the full Curlex excelsior blanket lineup with selection guidance for every scenario.

What Is an Excelsior Blanket?

An excelsior blanket is a pre-manufactured erosion control blanket (ECB) of curled Great Lakes Aspen wood fiber bound by polypropylene or biodegradable netting. Curlex, manufactured by American Excelsior Company, is the original and leading brand — available at Eastgate Supply, an authorized Curlex distributor, in multiple configurations for slope and channel applications.

The blanket is installed over a seeded soil surface, where it:

• Absorbs raindrop energy to prevent splash erosion
• Slows surface runoff velocity to reduce sediment transport
• Retains moisture at the soil surface to support seed germination
• Physically holds topsoil in place until roots anchor it permanently

Slope Selection Chart

The primary selection criterion for slope applications is slope gradient, expressed as horizontal:vertical (H:V). Each Curlex blanket carries a maximum rated slope. Use this chart as a starting guide:

For slopes steeper than 1:1 or permanent channel/slope lining, step up to the Curlex Enforcer TRM (a biocomposite turf reinforcement mat rated for slopes up to roughly 0.5:1). These are general guidelines — local climate, soil erodibility, expected time to vegetation establishment, and project specifications may override slope-based selection. Use the Erosion Control Product Finder for a project-specific recommendation.

Channel Applications

Excelsior blankets are suitable for channel lining when hydraulic forces are within the product's permissible shear stress. Above those ratings, Curlex High Velocity or the Curlex Enforcer TRM should be specified:

Channel installations require a center anchor trench along the bottom of the channel and terminal anchor trenches at the upstream and downstream ends. Blankets in channels are overlapped in the downstream direction (downstream roll is placed first; upstream roll overlaps on top) to prevent hydraulic uplift at seams.

Netting Options

The netting configuration of an excelsior blanket affects both structural performance and environmental suitability:

Single Polypropylene Net (Curlex I)

One layer of stitched polypropylene netting on top of the excelsior fiber. Provides adequate structural integrity for gentle to moderate slope applications up to 2:1. The netting degrades slowly over several years as vegetation establishes.

Double Polypropylene Net (Curlex II, III, High Velocity)

Two layers of polypropylene netting — one on top and one beneath the fiber layer. Provides significantly greater structural resistance to hydraulic displacement on steep slopes and in channels. Curlex II is rated to 1.5:1, and the high-density Curlex III to 1:1.

Biodegradable FiberNet (e.g., Curlex III with FiberNet)

Replaces the polypropylene netting with a natural fiber net that biodegrades along with the excelsior fill. The right choice for projects with permit conditions or environmental specifications restricting synthetic materials — while keeping the higher structural rating of a netted blanket.

No Net (Curlex NetFree)

No netting of any kind — the erosion control industry's first 100% biodegradable ECB. The correct choice where any netting poses a wildlife entanglement risk, particularly stream bank and wetland restoration. The interlocking excelsior fibers provide erosion protection on gentle slopes up to 3:1 and low-velocity channels (about 3 ft/s, ~1.0 lb/sq ft shear). For steeper or higher-flow wildlife-sensitive sites, use Curlex FiberNet (biodegradable netting) on a higher-rated Curlex.

Installation

All excelsior blankets follow the same basic installation procedure:

1. Prepare seedbed: seed, fertilize, rake lightly
2. Anchor lead edge at slope crest (trench or 3-foot rollback)
3. Unroll downslope maintaining full soil contact
4. Overlap adjacent rolls 3 inches (6 inches in channels)
5. Stake along edges every 1.5 ft; field stakes every 3 ft
6. Anchor terminal edge at slope base

Accessories

Curlex excelsior blanket installations require staking:

• Curlex Biodegradable E-Staples — fully biodegradable stakes for applications requiring a fully natural installation. 1,000 per carton.
• Wire staples (6-inch, 11-gauge) — standard metal staples for most slope and channel installations
• Landscape staples (6-inch) — alternative staking option for lighter-duty slope applications