Flooring for your home office

With so many of us now working from home, and set to continue with some kind of flexible arrangement, the home office is more important than ever.  You want a functional space that is inviting and comfortable, that will last for years to come.  Flooring is an essential part of this, and there are options available to suit every style and budget.

Budget friendly flooring

You don’t need to break the bank to have flooring that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.  Vinyl is always a popular choice, as it is durable and low maintenance as well as low cost.  The protective top layer resists stains as well as scratches and dents, which is ideal for swivel chairs.

For colder houses, vinyl works well as it is a good thermal conductor, so will give you a much warmer floor all year round.  It also works well with underfloor heating, but it is temperature restricted, so should not be heated above 26°C.

If you need a quiet space for works calls, vinyl has good sound insulation so reduces noise.

Vinyl flooring is available in sheet, plank and tile formats.  If you want a stone or wood effect, plank or tile is ideal.  The different sizes and widths of vinyl planks also allows you to create the ideal design.  There is a huge range of colours, styles and patterns available, so you can find the perfect fit for your home.

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Laminate is another practical, hard-wearing type of flooring for your home office.

It has a high quality wear layer that makes it scratch and dent resistant.  In addition, it is stain resistant and hypo-allergenic.  Easily maintained by wiping clean, this flooring is shock absorbent making it comfortable underfoot.

Using a quality underlay with laminate will give you extra sound insulation, which is useful for a quiet environment.

If you want a realistic natural stone, ceramic or wood finish, there are many options available at a much lower cost than the real thing.

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Mid range flooring

Carpet will always be a popular option as it is warm and cosy underfoot.  Unlike most other flooring choices, you can always go barefoot with carpet.   As well as being a great insulator, it absorbs sound well which is perfect for your office space.

From the lower cost carpet tiles to a luxury velvet pile, there is an option for every budget.  Carpet tiles also give you the option of replacing individual tiles if there is any wear and tear.

It is easy to find a colour and design to fit in with your existing decor and furniture.  This is also a great choice if you want the carpet to match other rooms in the house.  Carpet is easily maintained with regular vacuuming.

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If you want the look of real wood flooring but at a lower cost, engineered wood still gives that stunning finish as it has a veneer of actual hardwood.  For a home office in an area that fluctuates in temperate, engineered wood is a smart option as it more stable and can withstand the changes better than real wood.

Keeping it clean is simple, regular sweeping and mopping is all you need to do.  This highly durable flooring can also be refinished over the years and you can choose to change the look of it.

There are many grades and species available and as it is so easy to install, you can have a style like a chevron floor laid very quickly.

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Luxury flooring

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring has a stunning finish and is highly durable.  A great choice for any home office, it has superior acoustics and excellent soundproofing qualities.  Other advantages are that it is easy to maintain, slip and spill resistant. This robust, tough flooring will stand the test of time while maintaining that luxurious look.

A wide range of design options are available which give a realistic look of natural stone or wood.  There is a huge range of patterns and designs to pick from, making it a truly versatile choice that can fit in with any design scheme.

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Last but certainly not least is possibly the ultimate is luxury, a real wood floor.  Nothing beats this classic look with its beautiful and natural warmth.

Many types of hardwood are compatible with underfloor heating if temperature is an issue, and you can always add an area rug if you want extra warmth and comfort.  This will also reduce any scratches on the floor from your office furniture.  An added benefit is that wood flooring is easy to maintain.

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Whatever look you want to achieve in your home, we can help with all your flooring and carpet needs.  Contact us here to book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!

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How to remove floor tiles yourself

When it is time to remove your floor tiles, you can do it yourself but be warned, it is a very messy and time consuming job.  This may be one you would rather call in the experts for!  Preparation is essential so make sure you have everything you need before you get started.

Tools you need

The odds are you have most of the tools you need already; hammer, chisel, pry bar and floor scraper.  They are easy to pick up at any DIY store if you don’t have them at home.  You can make life easier by hiring power tools; they’re a good idea if you are working on a larger area like a kitchen.

For the clean up, you will need a broom, vacuum, bin bags and possibly a wheelbarrow if you have a lot of tiles to remove.

Safety items are really important so make sure you have protective glasses, a dust mask, decent work gloves and overalls or something to protect your clothes.  These are all a must as you have to protect yourself from sharps of tile.  Knee pads are also a good idea as you’ll be kneeling on the floor for a long time.

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it may be a good idea to get the professionals in rather than tackle this yourself.

To protect the rest of the room, you will need some heavy duty plastic sheeting or dust covers and tape to cover over electrical outlets.

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Prepare the room

Removing floor tiles is a messy job, so protect the room and the space around it before you do anything.  Move furniture out of the room where possible or if not, cover it very well with dust sheets.  If the floor is in the bathroom, cover the bathtub, sink and toilet.  Using cardboard underneath the dust sheets gives them another layer of protection from tile shards.

Cover the walls with plastic sheeting and make sure it is well taped down, to protect it from all the dirt and tile shards.  Painter’s tape is a good idea to make sure you don’t accidentally take any paint off the walls.

Seal the doorways with plastic sheeting and cover electrical outlets and drains.  Also, open windows where possible so the dust can escape.

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Remove the tiles

Now it’s time for the hard work! Remove or loosen the grout – set your chisel and use the hammer to tap it out.  If you are working on a large room, you may want to hire power tools to make this easier and quicker, like a grout saw or rotary tool.

(You can try removing tiles straight off, by identifying a weak spot in a tile like a crack or some damage.  If the tile comes up easily using the hammer and chisel, just carry on from there and save yourself some time.)

After you have removed the grout, you need to separate the tiles from the mortar underneath using the pry bar.  This may need some force and you might not be able to save any of the tiles if they do not easily come away whole.

Work from one end of the room to the other and get rid of the debris into the big bags or wheelbarrow as you go.

Once the tiles are all gone, you will need to work on the mortar with the hammer and chisel to remove that as well.

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Then it’s clean up time, to remove all the shards and dust.  Be really thorough here, as you want a clean surface so the new flooring can properly adhere to the surface.

Whatever look you want to achieve in your home, we can help with all your flooring and carpet needs.  Contact us here to book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!

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How to keep your carpet looking great

You’ve had a gorgeous new carpet installed, now how do you keep it looking great?  It’s important to clean it thoroughly and often, and know what to do when something gets spilled on it.  Carpet should last well over a decade if you look after it well.

After installation

It’s always best to have your carpet properly installed by professionals, as they will make sure there are no ripples and any seams are properly matched.

Ventilate the room well for around 72 hours, with open windows when practical.  Then give the carpet a thorough vacuum as there will be dust around from the installation.  New carpet will shed, especially if it is wool and/or cut pile, so it is normal to see excess fibres.

Then you can place your furniture in the room and enjoy your gorgeous new carpet.  (You can walk on it as soon as it has been laid, but do wait 72 hours before putting furniture down.)

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Regular maintenance

This is essential for any carpet to prolong its life and make sure it looks good.  Vacuuming at least weekly is a must, with the right vacuum. In a well used room of a busy family home, you will need to vacuum a minimum of twice a week.

For large rooms, an upright vacuum is ideal, while a cordless handheld one makes cleaning stairs and hard to reach areas a lot easier.

For cut pile carpets, a vacuum cleaner fitted with a beater bar and/or brushes is recommended and for loop pile carpets, one without a beater bar or brushes is most suitable.  Make sure the height is set correctly before starting.

Professional cleaning is a great idea, around once a year, to ensure your carpet is properly maintained.  It will revive your carpets, deal with stubborn stains, banish unwanted germs and give your home that fresh feeling again.

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Spills & stains

It’s inevitable that something will spill on the carpet sooner or later, so be prepared! The quicker you can deal with it, the better your chances of not ending up with an unsightly stain.

Blot the spill (don’t rub it) as soon as possible with some paper towels or a cloth to soak up as much of the liquid or food as possible.  Only use white paper towels as patterned ones may leave some colour transfer on the carpet.

If you don’t have any carpet cleaner to hand, for most types of spills you can use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water with a touch of baking soda.  Spray the mix over the spill so it is damp, leave for ten minutes and then blot again with paper towels.  You can repeat the process as many times as needed. Make sure the carpet dries thoroughly afterwards.

Never use bleach on your carpet as it may alter the colour.  For really tough stains, you may need to get some stain remover.  Make sure you have checked the manufacturer’s instruction before using any chemicals.  An odour neutraliser might be necessary as well if there are any unpleasant smells.

If you have a busy household with lots of foot traffic, children and pets, it’s a good idea to use rugs to take some of the wear and tear.  This also means the carpet has protection from any spills and they add more personality to the room.  Ahead of any messy playtime, put down an old shower curtain or anything you have to hand, that can catch any liquids.

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Carpet Dents

It’s a good idea to use furniture coasters underneath the legs of heavy pieces like the sofa, to lessen dents in the carpets.  These are usually made from plastic and are easy to buy online or in shops.  They spread the weight which means less pressure on the carpet.

An alternative is to keep leftover squares of the carpet and use them instead of furniture coasters.  This is a  free option, with the added bonus of being a perfect colour match to the carpet.

Move the furniture regularly to relieve the pressure on the carpet.  It doesn’t need to be much, just an inch or so.  If you choose a high density carpet, it will be able to withstand the pressure of heavy furniture better.

If you do find you have carpet dents, there are few ways to deal with them.  Use a coin to rub the fibres, this lifts them up again.  You can also give the carpet a quick blow dry with your hairdryer: spray some water on the dent then dry the damp area with your hairdryer and fluff it with your hands as you go.  This will give it some life back.

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If you’re looking for your perfect and easy to maintain carpet or flooring, contact us here to book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!

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Flooring ideas for your conservatory

The best flooring ideas for your conservatory will depend on what you are planning to use it for; relaxing, a dining area or a workspace.  The most popular options include laminate, vinyl, carpet and engineered wood, all of which come with different advantages.

Laminate

Laminate is a great choice for any busy family home, as it is resilient and hard-wearing, so it can stand up to high foot traffic. Thanks to a high-quality wear layer, it is both scratch and dent resistant.

It is also easy to maintain, hypoallergenic and stain resistant.  Thanks to its shock absorbent qualities, it is comfortable to walk and stand on.  Another advantage is that laminate does not absorb moisture so no mold or bacteria can grow in it.

This type of flooring is a very affordable option for achieving a wood, ceramic, or stone look that is less likely to get scratched.  A wide range of finishes and colours are available.  It can withstand the rays of the sun, so is unlikely to fade if you have a lot of natural sunlight in your conservatory.

If the conservatory will be a well used area, choose laminate flooring with an AC4 or AC5 rating.  When properly installed and maintained, laminate flooring can last for up to 25 years.

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Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular options as it is low cost, resilient, low maintenance and in many cases, waterproof.  This makes it ideal for a busy traffic area, especially with people coming in from a wet and muddy garden.  The slip-resistant finish is another advantage for extra safety and it is pet friendly.  Vinyl has good sound insulation, it minimizes noise, which is great for the conservatory.

This durable flooring is firm with a bit of spring, making it comfortable underfoot.  Properly installed and maintained, it can last for a couple of decades or even longer.

A wide range of high-quality finishes are available, from striking designs to realistic wood and stone imitations.  Not only is it much more budget friendly than a natural material like stone, it is much warmer and works well with underfloor heating, as it heats up and cools down fast.  It is temperature restricted though, so should not be heated above 26°C.

Vinyl flooring is available in sheet, plank and tile formats.  If you want a stone or wood effect, plank or tile is ideal.  Printed vinyl sheet and tiles have a clear wear layer on the top that acts like a barrier to stop stains and spills from being absorbed.  It is therefore very easy to clean and keeps its finish well.  Sheet vinyl is a very low cost option, and is waterproof as there will be few or no seams.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring has a stunning finish and is durable.  It has superior acoustics and excellent soundproofing qualities.  Easy to maintain, scratch, slip and spill resistant and extremely hard-wearing, it stands the test of time while maintaining a luxurious look.

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Carpet

Carpet may not be the first thing you think of when you are choosing flooring for the conservatory but it really is a viable option.  If your lounge leads to the conservatory, having the same carpet in both rooms looks stunning and gives a great flow to the space.  Some brands offer stain and UV resistant ranges which are perfect for this area.

Carpet tiles are becoming increasingly popular for conservatories. They come in a wide variety of styles, textures and colours and can be installed and replaced easily. They are an affordable option and you can change individual tiles when wear and tear occurs as opposed to replacing the whole lot.

If you want that luxurious feel underfoot, a soft carpet is the best choice and enables to can go barefoot. There will also be extra warmth and a cosy, relaxed mood to the space. This type of flooring is ideal if you will be using the space as an extra dining or lounge area.

Carpet always works well for hiding dirt and dust and absorbs sound well.  An entrance mat or rug will save a lot of the outdoors moisture from getting in. Just make sure you have maintain is regularly to keep it looking good.

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Engineered wood

If you want a real wood look, engineered is a much better choice than hardwood for the conservatory.  Hardwood will expand and contract due to the temperatures in this area, which can result in a damaged floor.  UV laquer will add protection, but engineered wood is much better suited to the environment.  It is more stable and able to cope with differing temperatures.

Engineered hardwood is constructed of thin, glued-together layers of derivative wood products.  As it has a veneer of actual hardwood, it can look just as good as solid wood and is much more cost efficient.  Regular sweeping and mopping is all you need to keep it maintained.

Whatever look you want to achieve in your home, we can help with all your flooring and carpet needs.  Contact us here to book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!

 

 

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