Building managers have diverse demands for flooring

Managers of buildings in North Wales have varying demands for floor covering.

Areas that have heavy foot traffic require floor coverings that are robust and easy to maintain. In 2024, interior designers have been asked to incorporate floorings that have additional properties such as waterproofing and contain recycled materials.

In schools and healthcare facilities, noise is a potential issue that should be considered with flooring. This has driven demand for flooring with acoustic properties like rubber, carpet tiles and luxury vinyl flooring that reduce sound levels.

Many organisations have different floor coverings to mark distinct areas. For instance, in schools, quiet areas are marked with carpets to separate them from the rest of the classroom that has a hard floor surface. An issue with this for less able-bodied students is that the difference in height between the two flooring types is a trip hazard. To reduce floor transition differences, manufacturers are producing portfolios of differing floor covering designs that have the same thickness.

Facility managers are asking questions about sustainability, health and wellness. These figures are likely to prefer eco-friendly, non-allergenic floor coverings that reflect their organisation's values.

Though modern floor coverings are made to last a long time, high-traffic areas wear unevenly. Manufacturers are transitioning from large sheets and rolls to modular flooring such as carpet tiles and luxury vinyl tiles. Instead of replacing whole floors, only the worn areas need new floor coverings installed.

To see the wide age of options in commercial flooring in North Wales, visit a local flooring retailer.

How do old carpet fibres enhance the durability of concrete flooring?

Numerous households and commercial properties have carpets installed on concrete subfloors. Recent research conducted at RMIT University in Australia suggests that concrete floors could include materials derived from carpets in the future.

One of the primary challenges with concrete flooring is cracks, which weaken the concrete and pose a safety hazard due to compromised structural integrity. Dr Chamila Gunasekara, the lead researcher at RMIT University School of Engineering, asserts that by incorporating fibres from discarded carpets into concrete, its strength can be enhanced by up to 40% and prevent premature cracking.

Field studies are currently underway to evaluate the performance of concrete slabs mixed with these added fibres. Additionally, fibres sourced from worn-out clothing are being seen as another viable option for concrete reinforcement. Dr Shadi Houshyar, a textile and material scientist at RMIT University, estimates that 70% of textile waste could be repurposed into valuable fibres for various new products.

Disposing of old carpets in landfills is not environmentally sustainable. In North Wales, initiatives have been implemented to recycle carpets by extracting reusable materials for new product manufacturing. The key challenge lies in discovering additional applications for discarded carpets to increase recycling rates. While burning carpets is an alternative to landfill disposal, it is discouraged due to the emission of harmful toxins.

Concrete floors, unless equipped with underfloor heating systems, can feel chilly underfoot during cold weather. Adding carpets to North Wales floors adds warmth to areas with concrete subfloors, adding to a growing list of benefits for this application of carpets.

119-year-old carpet restored in Turkey

A carpet that was first created well over a century ago has undergone some much-needed restoration work.

The average life of a carpet is between five and fifteen years, depending on traffic and the carpet quality, but this does not apply to all carpets. The largest carpet in Istanbul, Turkey, is in the Dolmabahçe palace, the residence of the crown princes during the Ottoman Empire. This 124-square-metre carpet was woven at the Hereke Imperial Factory 119 years ago during Sultan Osman Abdülhamid's reign.

The carpet, which weighs around one ton, has sections that have been damaged by the sun. Restoration work on the carpet was started by eight expert carpet restorers, who are meticulously repairing the carpet at the Yıldız Şale Residence Carpet Workshop Restoration. Work started several months ago and is expected to take around a year to complete. After the work has finished, the carpet will be returned to the palace, where it should last many more years.

Carpets in Wrexham homes are unlikely to last for a century or more, but there are things that can be done to extend a carpet's life. Regular vacuuming stops dust and dirt from settling in the carpet and causing wear that reduces the carpet's lifespan. When spills occur, it’s important to clear them promptly with a clean cloth or kitchen roll and avoid excess moisture.

Every twelve to eighteen months, carpet owners are advised to deep clean the carpet using a cleaning machine or professional carpet cleaning service.

Are carpets in bedrooms an outdated style?

Paris Forino, a New York interior designer, has said that bedroom carpets are "dated and suburban".

However, many others believe that carpets do belong in bedrooms. Those who prefer carpets in their bedrooms say the pros outweigh the cons.

The main benefit of using bedroom carpets is that they make the space cosy. A lot of people enjoy the soft feel on their bare feet when they get out of bed in the morning. Emma Breislin, interior editor of Livingetc summarises this view:

"Softness and comfort outweigh all else, so why would you want to step onto cold timber floorboards when you could sink into a plush carpet?"

You don't have to sacrifice style by choosing carpets. There is an abundant selection of patterns, colours and textures available. Visit your local carpet retailer in North Wales to see their extensive carpet range. Done right, bedroom wall-to-wall carpets can make a striking visual style statement.

Wall-to-wall carpets are more difficult to keep clean than hard surface flooring, requiring regular vacuuming and an occasional deep clean.

Carpets are available in many materials from natural luxurious wool to synthetic fibres. For an environmentally friendly option, install wool carpets and arrange for the old carpets to be sent to a recycling centre which extracts the materials for use in new products.

An alternative to carpets is to place deep pile rugs on hard floors to add softness to the bedroom.

Many owners of carpets in North Wales firmly believe that carpets are far from outdated and unstylish.

Should you avoid vinyl flooring in wet areas?

There is a common misconception that laminate and vinyl flooring should not be installed in wet or high humidity rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility areas.

This is the result of a range of videos posted on social media showing mould and mildew on vinyl and laminate flooring in wet or high-humidity rooms. The truth is that vinyl and laminate flooring is fine for wet spaces, as long as it is the right type and installed correctly.

Solid vinyl made of wood or stone plastic composite is waterproof and ideal for high-moisture areas. Luxury vinyl plank and PVC vinyl are water-resistant, making them suitable for kitchens and utility rooms where liquids can be easily mopped up, but may not be best for wet bathrooms.

Laminate flooring is water-resistant and can typically stand being covered in water for up to a day. As long as the water is removed in time, they won't get damaged.

The main risk of mould is when water gets underneath the floor covering. A decent quality moisture barrier underlay is recommended before installing vinyl or laminate flooring. Wet areas should be well ventilated with a fan or window that opens to reduce the risk of water accumulating.

If correctly installed in wet spaces, good-quality vinyl and laminate flooring should last between ten and twenty years as long as spilled liquids and excessive amounts of water are removed quickly.

For further advice on installing vinyl or laminate flooring in North Wales homes and business premises, talk to a local flooring company.