New way to deal with carpet tile waste developed in New Zealand

New Zealand company SaveBoard, in partnership with American industrial manufacturer Milliken, has developed a new way to recycle carpet tiles that uses recycled plastic packaging.

When carpet tiles need replacing, there are different ways to dispose of the old, worn tiles. They can be simply thrown away in landfills, but this is not very environmentally friendly.

Several schemes collect waste carpet tiles, then separate the fibres from the backing. The separated yarn can be used in the production of new carpets, and the backing material used in various applications, including roofing and roads.

In SaveBoard’s process, carpet tiles and used soft plastic packaging are shredded and then compressed together to form new carpet tiles. This does not require additional chemicals.

The technology took more than two years to develop. Saveboard's founder, Paul Chateris, said that it was a major challenge to find the best formulation for the waste mix.

“For over two years, the team trialled and refined different formulas, balancing strength, flexibility, and finish. A key breakthrough came in developing a scratch-and wear-resistant top layer that could be applied mechanically – without the need for glue or chemical bonding agents.”

The recycled carpet tiles have a distinctive multicoloured look. They are being sold in New Zealand at a premium cost. If demand is high, they may be made available internationally.

Carpet tiles sold by Chester flooring retailers are available that contain recycled materials, which are suitable for domestic and commercial use.

Factors influencing carpet lifespan in rentals

Multiple factors impact the active service life of carpets in lets. These include quality, footfall, tenant behaviour, maintenance and reports.

Carpet quality

When considering the lifespan of carpeting, choosing high-quality carpets in Chester and other cities for rentals always offers a better return. While other factors must be considered, low-quality carpeting will typically only last between two to four years, while a higher quality carpet can endure for between eight to 15 years offering substantial value in the long term.

Foot traffic

The more carpets are walked on, the quicker they wear out. Consequently, foot traffic is a factor. Renting to multiple occupants can speed up wear, as can letting to someone who socialises more frequently.

Tenant behaviour

The personal habits and lifestyle of tenants can also impact carpet wear. For instance, tenants wearing outdoor shoes inside can bring dirt and debris indoors, putting extra stress on carpets, and those who eat and drink in carpeted rooms can cause spills and stains.

Maintenance

Carpets last longer when well maintained. Without regular care like vacuuming and instantly addressing accidents like spillages, the longevity of carpets is curtailed.

Check-in and check-out reports

In rental properties, check-in and check-out reports should document carpet conditions and include existing wear and tear and damage. This establishes a baseline to assess damages when tenancies end. These reports determine when damages exceed a fair amount of wear and tear or if deposit deductions are justifiable.

Considerations for landlords

While landlords are responsible for maintaining their properties which includes carpets, if a tenant causes damage to them beyond what is considered reasonable wear and tear, the landlord can seek compensation.

Normal wear and tear is classed as the gradual deterioration that occurs to carpets over time. Carpets are considered a short-term asset. This is because they have a depreciation life of between five to seven years.

Legally, landlords aren’t entitled to become materially or financially better off after a tenancy ends. As a result, when damage exceeds normal wear and tear, landlords must not improve upon the value of their property, referred to as betterment.

Disputes over damage can be mitigated with effective check in and check out reports signed and dated by tenants, as well as routine inspections.

What flooring options make a room feel bigger?

Interior design experts have revealed what flooring options make a small room appear larger.

Stephen Nash, from All&Nothing studio in London, recommends avoiding narrow timber planks or small tiles with numerous joints, as an uninterrupted, uniform floor makes a room appear larger.

Romanos Brihi from Studio Vero agrees that small tiles should be avoided, as continuity is the key to a room feeling bigger. If using tiles, choose large carpet, timber, or stone ones to make a room look larger.

Lay carpet or other tiles parallel to the longest wall. For narrow spaces, consider laying tiles diagonally to make the space appear longer and wider.

For wood flooring, don't use herringbone or chevron patterns, as, according to Designer Ali Childs :

“Laying floorboards vertically naturally leads the eye forward, drawing you into a space, and making even modestly sized rooms feel longer and more open, as though they are unfolding in front of you."

Colour makes a big difference to how expansive a space feels. Kirsty Barton from Alternative Flooring says that light shades make a room look bigger, whereas dark shades make the room feel smaller but cosy. She recommends beige, cream, or pale grey shades that reflect light and create the illusion of open space. Use flooring that is a lighter shade than the furniture for a grander feel.

For more advice on flooring options that make rooms appear larger, talk to a local flooring retailer in the North Wales and Chester region.

Tarkett launches its Acczent Chambray collection

Tarkett flooring has expanded its vinyl sheet flooring collection with the addition of the Acczent Chambray range, a new offering that features 22 colours inspired by Europe’s countryside, including Sunshine, Citrus, Vine and Terra.

Omoleye Simmons, Tarkett's vice president of design said:

"Chambray fabric has been cherished for centuries for its durability, lightweight comfort and timeless elegance. Inspired by this iconic French textile, Acczent Chambray brings a sense of familiar warmth to any space."

The Acczent Chambray collection is both visually appealing and extremely practical. It features a 32-millimetre wear layer, alongside Techtonic XD protection, an coating cured by excimer that resists scuffs, stains and scratches. It requires no further protective finish to be very hard-wearing and easy to maintain.

This vinyl flooring range is quick to install and is attached to the subfloor via RollSmart adhesive. Thermo-fused welded seams create a smooth, even surface.

The Acczent Chambray flooring is allergy and asthma-friendly and easy to clean, making it ideal for use in hospitals, healthcare and educational environments. Once the flooring reaches the end of its life, Tarkett's ReStart program will collect the worn flooring for recycling. Tarkett is committed to sustainability, the circular economy, preventing waste and reducing the environmental impact of its products.

Tarkett's floor coverings range is available from a local flooring retailer in the Chester and North Wales region. Tarkett flooring looks good whilst being very hard-wearing. Their vinyl flooring is ideal for commercial use in high footfall areas, but is also suitable for residential properties.

How the sun-baked carpets of Antalya perfect their colours

Outside the coastal city of Antalya in southern Turkey, thousands of carpets and rugs are left exposed on the bare ground during the hot summer months (from June to September). This dries out the vegetable dyes in the fabric, which helps to achieve the desired colour.

The wool-knotted carpets arrive from all over Turkey to be washed, trimmed and left out to dry. The morning dew and the heat of the day soften the tones of the vegetable dyes, transforming them into attractive pastel shades.

Each year, up to 60,000 carpets and rugs are left to dry on a 100-acre site. Around 15,000 of them are stored side by side at a time for drying. Around 50 workers are required to turn over the carpets each day, and if it rains, 100 people from the local villages run to fold the carpets and take them to a shelter until it stops.

As soon as the carpets reach the required shade, most of them are transported to Istanbul's Grand Bazaar to be sold, with many of them exported to other countries.

This colourful display of carpets and rugs has become a tourist attraction, attracting visitors from many parts of the world.

When you purchase a new wool carpet from a flooring retailer in Chester and surrounding areas, there is no need to wash it and leave it out to dry in the garden. Modern wool carpets are manufactured with dyes that stay bright and don't fade over time, meaning you’ll get to enjoy their colourful appearance for longer.