Flooring that wows

Although flooring should be both practical and hard-wearing, we also want it to have the wow factor.  There’s nothing like walking into a room and seeing beautiful hardwood flooring, or a stunning pattern.  Here’s our guide to flooring that will never fail to impress.

Gorgeous natural wood

You’re always guaranteed the wow factor with a hardwood floor.  This beautiful, warm flooring is an investment which will last you for a lifetime if you maintain it well.

Whether you want a traditional look or the on-trend parquet, hardwood adds both character and depth to any room.  Choosing the species and colour allows you to get the perfect look for your home.  Hardwood can be refinished up to seven times over its lifetime, which means you have the choice of altering it.  When you have it refinished, you can change the colour if you would like something different to fit in with a change in interior decor.

Not only is hardwood a stunning, durable investment, it is also easy to keep clean.  Hardwood floors even improve indoor air quality as they do not harbour allergens or dust.

If you buy sustainable wood, it is one of the best eco-friendly floors, as it is made from a natural material and has longevity.  You can also buy reclaimed wood to be ultra sustainable, as it is has been used and repurposed.  This tends to have real character, as it has a tight grain.

Another option is engineered hardwood, which is made with plywood and a top layer of solid wood.  It is a very stable type of wood flooring which conducts heat well and can be used with underfloor heating.

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Just as good as the real thing

If you don’t want to have hardwood in your house, or you want a lower cost alternative, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a fantastic choice.

This stunning flooring is incredibly versatile and hard-wearing.  You can choose from a wide variety of design options from realistic stone or wood finishes (with the pattern of a wood grain), in herringbone, tile or plank formats.

LVT is slip and spill resistant, as well as scratch and water proof, making it an ideal option for busy family homes and bathrooms.  It has a strong core which makes it durable and long lasting.  Properly maintained, it should last up to twenty five years, giving great value for money.

Cleaning LVT is easy, as you can use warm water and liquid detergent.  It doesn’t warp so it can be left to dry with no issues.  This makes it easy to scrub clean and get rid of dust, dirt and allergens.

This is gorgeous flooring that is comfortable underfoot, keeps its beautiful finish and will stand up to family life over the years.

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How to do open plan flooring

With an open plan house, it’s usually best to use different types of flooring for each area according to how it will be used.  You can still have a great flow through the house, by choosing from the same colour family.

For example, you could have LVT or engineered hardwood in the kitchen for durability and hardwood in the hallway or study areas.  The lower the contrast, the less the change between flooring types will be noticeable.  It’s a good idea to use level changes such as steps to start a different type of flooring, especially if they are of varying thickness.

Bringing in some patterned LVT tiles in areas like the laundry allows you be even more individual.  Make sure the undertones match the other flooring and it will flow perfectly.  Natural stone tiles also provide a great contrast to wood flooring.

Flooring in neutral colours with plenty of texture is an easy way to make sure flooring in a open plan house both flows and looks amazing.

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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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Get cosy with carpet

You want your home to be cosy and welcoming, especially during a cold winter.  Carpet is perfect for that warm and inviting feel, plus it has many added advantages like its softness underfoot and natural insulating qualities.

Why choose carpet?

A plush, comfortable carpet can make all the difference to a room when the weather is chilly.  There’s nothing like a soft, cushioned feel underfoot on a winter day.

Wall to wall carpet, the most comfortable kind of flooring, has made a comeback recently and is much easier on the feet and joints thanks to its cushioning.  Whatever your budget, you can find a cosy carpet which looks gorgeous.

Having carpet keeps the room warmer as it is a great thermal insulator.  The room will warm up faster, with less energy than a hard wood floor, because carpet has a low density.  It can even help reduce your heating bills, as it traps and retains the warmth in the room.

Carpet also keeps your home quieter as it absorbs sound so well, ideal for not waking up the kids once you’ve finally got them to sleep!  It also gives a soft landing for any falls, especially on the stairs, which is great if you have young children or older people in your household.

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Which carpet is the cosiest?

Wool carpets are always a great choice for a cosy room, they are luxurious and indulgent.  They are soft underfoot, allowing you to go barefoot in the lounge or bedroom without feeling the cold.

This natural material is non-allergenic and actually improves the air quality by trapping dust particles in the air.  Although it can be more expensive than synthetic carpets, it is worth the investment as it is long lasting and durable.  Wool has natural flame resistance and energy efficiency, trapping the heat in the room to make it warmer.  Another advantage is that wool is eco-friendly as it is a sustainable material.

A more cost effective alternative to pure wool is a wool mix carpet.   Usually, this is a mix of 80% wool and 20% synthetic, which adds durability.

Synethic carpets can also be super soft, like those with polypropylene fibres.  These are great for family homes, where there is likely to be heavy foot traffic, but you still want that indulgent feel.  Robust and durable, they are easy to keep clean and retain their appearance well over the years.

Cut pile carpets are the softest, especially velvet (also known as plush) and freize.  This means that the loops of fibre attached to the carpet backing are cut at a length and/or angle rather than left intact, which is called looped pile.

Make sure you check the Tog rating, which is the thermal insulation, to get an idea of how warm the carpet will be.  Underlay also gives an extra layer of insulation and makes the carpet even softer underfoot.

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How to keep them at their best

Once you have your perfect carpet installed, you want to keep it looking and feeling like new.  Carpet is easy to maintain with regular vacuuming, at least once a week.  Make sure you have a vacuum cleaner with decent suction, so it has the power to suck dirt and dust out from the carpet fibres.  Use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar and/or brushes for a cut pile carpet, but for a loop pile carpet, you need one without a beater bar or brush.

It’s also a good idea to have some clean cloths, white paper towels and stain remover to hand in case of any spills. The sooner you can deal with them, the less likely they are to stain (see here for our guide to dealing with stains).

Yearly professional cleaning will also help maintain your carpet, get rid of any germs and stains, and bring back that fresh feeling.

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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 tackle stubborn carpet stains

We all know that feeling when you spill food or drink on the carpet.  It’s usually the red wine and not the water that spills!  These things are inevitable though, so it’s best to be prepared.  If you need to tackle stubborn stains there are various methods you can try.

Plan for the worst!

Always keep a few things to hand so you can deal with any spills immediately.  Some clean cloths, or white paper towels (avoid patterned ones as the ink might stain the carpet) are always useful for soaking up liquids.  It’s a good idea to have a carpet cleaner and stain removers ready as well, so you can start dealing with the problem immediately.  Make sure any cleaner or remover is suitable for your carpet, especially if you have a wool one.

Alternatively, you can make your own carpet cleaner with a half and half mix of vinegar and water, with a small spoonful of baking soda. Spray over the spill until the area is damp.  Leave for ten minutes, then blot with a clean cloth.  You can repeat this as needed, then leave the carpet until it is completely dry.

As soon as an accident happens, blot the spill on the carpet.  Don’t rub it, as this can make it sink further into the carpet fibres.  If you are using shop bought cleaner, follow the instructions.

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Tackling stubborn stains

There will always be times when you can’t deal with a spill immediately, or you find a stain that you weren’t aware of.  You can try commercial cleaners, many of which are designed to tackle specific stains, or make your own solution.  The really difficult, stubborn stains like blood, ink and nail varnish may take some trial and error.  It’s a good idea to try any home-made solution on a small area of the stain first to see if it works, and to make sure it doesn’t damage your carpet.

Here are some things you can try for the most common household stains:

Coffee

It’s easy to spill coffee in that morning rush for caffeine.  Blot it as soon as you can with a clean cloth or white paper towel.  A solution of water and white vinegar (three cups of water to one of vinegar) with a tablespoon of washing up liquid may well get the discolouration out of the carpet.  Blot from the edge of the stain, moving towards the middle.

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Wine

Probably the most common of all the stains is wine, especially red wine.  For a home-made solution, you will need two cups of warm water, a tablespoon of washing up liquid and a tablespoon of white vinegar.  Blot the mixture onto the stain until it lifts.

Candle wax

If you have wax on your carpet, scrape up what you can first with the edge of a blunt knife.  Then place a clean white towel over the wax.  Set your iron to a low heat setting and iron over the towel.  This will melt the wax and it will be absorbed into the towel.  You may need to do it a few times in order to get rid of all the wax.

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Nail varnish

One of the most stubborn, and common, stains is nail varnish.  If it is still wet, blot it to get as much as you can off the carpet.  When it is dry, scrape with the edge of a blunt knife first to remove what you can, then apply a little nail varnish remover, but make sure it is an acetone free one.  Blot with a clean cloth after.

Bear in mind that it can take time and repeated efforts to get really stubborn stains out.

Top tips

There are plenty of tips online for dealing with stubborn stains.  They are easy to find with a simple Google search, or try Pinterest or Instagram cleaning pages.

Professional cleaning is always an option for stubborn stains.  It’s a good idea to do this annually anyway, to revive your carpets, kill germs and give your carpet that fresh smell and feel.

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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 find your perfect lounge carpet

With a new year fast approaching, you may be thinking about changes you would like to make in your home.  If it’s time for a new lounge carpet, the choices available can be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider from cost, appearance and durability to materials and pile.  Here is our guide to finding the right carpet for you and your family.

Where do I start?

The first things to consider are what the carpet will need to stand up to.  If you have a busy family lifestyle, young children and/or pets then you need a durable carpet that can keep its appearance without too much maintenance.  A carpet that can repel liquid is always good if there are likely to be spills on a regular basis.

On the other hand, if there is not likely to be a great amount of footfall in your lounge, then you may want luxury over practicality.  A super soft, indulgent carpet always enhances the living room, where you can make the most of it.

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Which material is best?

You have a choice of three materials with carpet; man-made (or synthetic), wool and wool mix.

Synthetic carpets are the most popular on the market, as they are highly durable and often very budget-friendly.  The most popular type of synthetic carpet is nylon, as it robust, resistant to stains and fading and also keeps its appearance and colour well.  Ideal for a family environment, nylon is also crush resistant so it keeps its original look for much longer.  It is also a great choice for allergy sufferers, as it repels allergens.

Second in popularity is polypropylene, which is also stain resistant and durable.  It does not come in as many colours, but it is moisture and mildew resistant which is useful if you are not a ‘shoes off’ household.  This is the most budget-friendly choice and keeps its colour very well.  Another option is polyester, which is not as durable as nylon but has stain and fade resistant qualities.  It is very soft underfoot and hypoallergenic.

These are all easy to clean carpets, which can be scrubbed if necessary and do not require any special cleaning products.  Nylon is the most popular choice for the lounge in a family home, as it can withstand heavy footfall and the inevitable spills and accidents.  Where cost is the main concern, polypropylene is often the best choice for a robust carpet.

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If a beautiful appearance with a luxurious feel underfoot is what you are looking for, you are unlikely to find anything better than a wool carpet.  Wool has many natural qualities like its durability and natural elasticity, which enables it to spring back into place.  It is also a good material for safety as it has a natural flame resistance.  It is non-allergenic and actually traps air-borne dust particles, so it will improve the air quality in your lounge.

Another great advantage of wool is its energy efficiency, it traps heat so will actually make the room warmer and in turn reduce heating bills.  In a time where we are all concerned about the rising cost of energy bills, this is an ideal material.  Wool is also eco-friendly as it is a sustainable material.

A wool mix carpet, most often 80% wool and 20% synthetic, gives you all the wonderful natural qualities of wool with added durability.  This is often the best option when you want a more luxurious carpet that can stand up to family life, at a lower cost than pure wool.

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What else do I need to consider?

It’s not just the material of the carpet that you need to choose, but also the pile and colour.  Carpet pile refers to how the loops of fibre are treated.  These are attached to the back of the carpet and either left as they are (loop pile) or cut at an angle and/or length (cut pile).  The most robust choice is loop pile; the tighter these loops are the, more they resist being crushed underfoot.  It will also hides any dirt and stains well too.  Alternatively, cut pile gives a much softer carpet and is best for pets as their claws do not snag on the loops.

There are also carpet ratings to consider.  UK manufacturers gives their carpets ratings according to their durability, so you know which can stand up to more foot traffic, ie an extra heavy domestic usage rating.  Also bear in mind the Tog rating which gives you the thermal insulation, meaning how warm the carpet will be.

You will also need underlay, which supports the carpet from below helping it retain its appearance.  It give you a softer underfoot and provides an extra layer of insulation.  Some carpets now come pre-treated with Scotchgard or Teflon as well, which prevents spills from soaking into the carpet and staining.

When choosing the colour of your carpet, you need to bear in mind which ones will help hide any stains and what will complement your existing decor.  Neutral carpets are always popular as they fit in so easily with the colours of your walls, soft furnishings and furniture.

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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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Guide to kitchen flooring

With so much choice available from materials to finishes, and of course cost, how do you pick the right kitchen flooring?  Here is our guide to making the best choice for your home.

Family and budget friendly

Choosing a budget friendly floor does not mean that you have to compromise on quality or appearance, as there are some great options to pick from these days.  Laminate and vinyl flooring are both practical, hard wearing choices that look great, stand up to a busy family life and don’t cost the earth.

Laminate flooring is made by fusing together multiple layers in a lamination process; an inner core or base layer, which is usually composed of fibre board materials and melamine resin, an image layer and also a transparent wear layer.  This super tough flooring is both scratch and scuff resistant, so is a great choice for any household with pets.  Waterproof laminate is ideal for the kitchen as it can be a humid environment, where spills are bound to happen.  Laminate is easy to install which helps lower the cost, and you can have an imitation wood, stone or ceramic finish.

Alternatively, vinyl is a great low cost flooring for the kitchen.  This tough material is constructed of layers of different synthetic materials, available in either sheets, planks or tiles.  If you want a stone or wood effect, choose planks or tiles.  For a really budget friendly choice, sheet vinyl is the best and is also completely waterproof.  Vinyl is also really easy to keep clean by sweeping regularly and mopping once a week.

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When looks matter

If your main concern is the appearance of the floor, wood and LVT (luxury vinyl tile) are both stunning and easy to maintain choices, each with their own advantages.

It’s hard to rival the look of a stunning hardwood floor, with all its warmth and character.  Properly maintained, a hardwood floor can last you for a lifetime and even add value to your home.  Engineered hardwood is also a great choice, which is more stable due to its layered construction, so is also very practical for the kitchen.

LVT is an ideal choice if you want a natural looking floor but at a lower cost.  It is available in a wide range of colours and finishes, designed to perfectly imitate wood, ceramic and stone flooring.  The 3d and embossing techniques that are used now mean the design layer can actually have the pattern of a wood grain, which makes it hard to tell it is not real wood.  LVT has the added advantages of being durable, waterproof, scratch resistant, and slip and spill resistant for safety underfoot.  It also has great image retention so will look stunning for years to come.

Whether you choose real wood or imitation wood flooring, there are different styles that you can pick from.  Parquet flooring is the on-trend style, which means the planks are laid in repeating patterns like squares, triangles and lozenges.  Herringbone and chevrons patterns are the most common.

Wood and LVT are also the best choices for asthma and allergy sufferers, as they are both hypoallergenic.

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Ideal for the eco-friendly

If you are looking for eco-friendly flooring, wood is again one of the best options.  This natural material is long lasting and it is recyclable.  Many manufacturers, like Ted Todd, use sustainably sourced wood from forests that are environmentally conscious, responsibly managed and socially beneficial.  Check for FSC certfication, as this guarantees the wood is sustainably sourced.  Not only is wood eco-friendly but it is also a great investment for any home and one of the most beautiful types of flooring.

Reclaimed wood is another option, this is wood that has been repurposed, so it is not only reused but also no extra trees need to be cut down.  Ethically sourced reclaimed wood has a tight grain, which means it is highly durable and also gives a great deal of character to a room.

Engineered hardwood is also eco-friendly if sustainable wood has been used to make it.  The manufacturing process is incredibly efficient, using plywood and a top layer of solid wood, which produces very little waste.  It can be used with underfloor heating, conducts heat well and is more stable than hardwood flooring, which is ideal for the kitchen.

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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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Why we love hardwood floors

For a beautiful, luxurious floor, you can’t get better than hardwood.  This traditional, natural choice stands the test of time and has always been a popular choice.  Here are some of the advantages of choosing a wood floor for your home.

They stand the test of time

Hardwood floors offer durability and longevity with simple maintenance, and they can be refinished to give them new lease of life. 

It is quick and simple to maintain a hardwood floor, just sweep or vacuum it regularly. Plus any spills can be easily wiped up with a microfiber cloth.  Mopping is only needed around once a month, with hot water as it evaporates quickly.

They do not harbour dust or allergens, so have the added benefit of actually improving indoor air quality.  It is the ideal flooring for any allergy sufferers.  This highly durable flooring doesn’t scratch or dent easily, is resistant to everyday wear and tear, and can be refinished if needed.  They are great for acoustics too, as wood absorbs sound well and evenly distributes it around the room.

Hardwood flooring is a great investment, which should last for a lifetime when properly looked after.  After twenty or thirty years they may need refinishing, but unlike some other flooring choices, they will not need to be replaced.  They can be sanded and refinished six or seven times over their lifetime.  Over time they will increase in worth, and can add value to your home.

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They look stunning

Hardwood flooring has a warmth and natural beauty that is hard to beat, it is the ultimate in luxury.  It will complement almost every style of interior design and add depth and character to any room.

One of the most on-trend styles right now is parquet.  This refers to wood planks, laid in repeating patterns like squares, triangles and lozenges.  Herringbone and chevrons patterns are the most popular and feature heavily in interior design photos.

There is a huge variety of styles, colours, species and stains available.  Hardwood flooring often makes the room appear larger too. This versatile choice looks stunning in both modern and traditional homes, it really is suitable for any style.

Another advantage of hardwood floors is that you can refinish them, either to bring them back to their original look or with a different colour if you would like.  Hardwood also keeps its colour well, it maintains a consistent appearance.

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They’re an eco-friendly choice

These days, we are all thinking more about how we can choose sustainable and eco-friendly products to help the environment.  Wood is a great option, as it is not only a natural material, but because it is so long lasting and it can be recycled.

Many manufacturers now use 100% sustainably sourced wood.  Look for FSC certified wood, as it comes from forests that are environmentally conscious, responsibly managed and socially beneficial.  For example, we work with Ted Todd who are FSC or PEFC certified, and they have been FSC compliant since 1997.

Reclaimed wood is another option, this has been used previously as flooring or in structures like historical buildings.  It is then repurposed to make stunning flooring for the home.  Not only does this reuse an old product but it also means less trees being cut down.  Reclaimed wood has a tight grain which makes it even more durable and hard-wearing, plus it gives the floor depth and character.  Ted Todd offer a range of ethically sourced reclaimed wood including oak and pine.

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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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2022 carpet trends

Next year will see a return to a cosier style of interior decoration, as opposed to the stark minimalism that has been popular over the past few years.  This means carpet is back on trend in a big way.

Wall to wall is back

With a return to cosy, welcoming interiors comes the resurgence of wall to wall carpets.  Partly carpeted rooms or completely bare floorboards are taking a backseat as we make our space homely and inviting.

Wall to wall carpet gives you that softness and warmth underfoot.  It is also a great way to tie the colour scheme of a room together, whether you have a neutral carpet and coloured furnishings or vice versa.  It sets the tone for the room and can be as muted and chic or as individual and vibrant as you like.

On a practical note, it keeps your room warmer as it is a great insulator, which actually saves you on your heating bills.  It makes the house quieter as well as it absorbs sound so well.  Wall to wall carpet makes the whole room more comfortable, and is much easier to stand on for any period of time than most other flooring types.  Cleaning and maintaining carpet is simple with regular vacuuming and acting quickly when spills occur.

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Keeping it natural

Every feature of interior design is now heavily influenced by sustainability and environmentally conscious choices, including carpet.  There are a few factors to consider when choosing an eco-friendly carpet; how it was manufactured, if it can be recycled, if it contains toxic chemicals and what it is made from.

Wool is always a great choice when it comes to an eco-friendly carpet, as it is luxurious and made from a sustainable material which can be sourced in the UK.  This natural fibre is highly durable, and also insulates, absorbs sound and offers warmth.  It is naturally flame retardant and significantly improves indoor air quality, by absorbing common pollutants. Wool is renewable, biodegradable and has an unrivalled softness underfoot.  Herts Carpets work with a number of wool carpet specialists like Axminster Carpets, who source local wool to further reduce any environmental impact.

Other sustainable carpet fibres include seagrass, organic cotton, jute, bamboo coir and sisal.  We also work with Alternative Flooring, who have a great range of carpets made from ethically-sourced, natural fibres.

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Going bold

Textures, vibrant colours and bold patterns will all be featured heavily in interior design in 2022.

For a neutral colour scheme, choosing a textured carpet gives character and style to the room.  Varied pile heights give the carpet its textured, 3d appearance.  Think wool carpets with a high pile so you can see the loops.

Patterns are also increasing in popularity as advances in technology have enabled designs and colours to be sharper and better than ever before.  On one end of the spectrum, you have subtle, elegant patterns using geometrics and squares, and on the other, bold animal prints, stripes and tartan.

The sky is the limit when it comes to stamping your personality on a room through carpet.  Deep jewel colours remain popular along with rich terracotta shades and sophisticated pinks.

An added bonus is that carpet which is both textured and patterned is ideal for hiding foot prints and marks.  Many patterns highlight a lighter colour at the same time as concealing stains with a darker colour.

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Whatever you’re looking 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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