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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don’t cost the earth.
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.
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.
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.
or PEFC certified, and they have been FSC
floorboards are taking a backseat as we make our space homely and inviting.
toxic chemicals and what it is made from.
design in 2022.
It has great insulating qualities so holds warmth in well, and it is soft underfoot. For workers who are on their feet a lot, this makes a real difference. Another important benefit of carpet is that is absorbs sound well, so reduces general noise levels. This is perfect for meeting rooms and open plan areas.
kitchens, break rooms and open plan offices as well as meeting rooms.
office. They are ideal for meeting rooms, lobby and reception areas that need to give a great first impression.
Use a 
have is right for your carpet, especially if you have a wool one.
plastic sheeting underneath the tree can easily be covered up with wrapping paper and will prevent any water getting into your carpet. You can buy a special Christmas tree mat to protect against water stains.
Synthetic fibres are manufactured using a variety of chemical compounds like nylon, polypropylene and polyester. It is a similar process for each, involving oil and natural gas.
which is usually made of 80% wool and 20% synthetic materials.
planks, which are laid in repeating patterns like squares, triangles and lozenges. Herringbone and chevrons patterns are the most common.
materials and melamine resin, an image layer and a transparent wear layer. It is both scratch and scuff resistant as well as being budget friendly, ideal for a busy family household.
friendly
lot more of this type of flooring. Patterns like hexagons and drips are gaining traction, as they give a great sense of character and individuality.
during the winter. It will warm up faster and keep the heat in better than any other flooring. The softness under foot also makes a big difference during the cold winter days and nights.
resistant.
waterproof as it is made without wood, so it can be used in any room.
This is one of the toughest types of flooring you can get. The wear layer is difficult to pierce, so it is very scratch and scuff resistant. Laminate flooring is the ideal choice for a busy family home, especially one with pets.
Laminate flooring is one of the easiest to keep clean. It is hypoallergenic, it does not absorb moisture so no mold or bacteria can grow in it.
finishes. Almost every type of hardwood species can be imitated, giving you a budget friendly, easy to maintain option. There is a variety of styles and colours including on-trend designs available, so you can find the perfect fit for your home.
Firstly, measure the length and width of the room in metres (carpet is almost always priced per square metre). Measure to the back of the door frame so you have enough carpet to fit underneath the door. Then multiply these numbers together and you have the square footage of the room.
buying a new carpet. They can take care of everything for you, saving you the time and worry.
If you want a natural look but at a lower cost and with the added advantages of being waterproof and scratch resistant, LVT is the ideal flooring.
usually of limestone or PVC, mixed with plasticisers to give added protection and strength. As the tiles are laid next to each other, they need to be installed correctly to make sure no water can seep through the seams. They can last for decades as they are so resilient.
LVT flooring works in every room of the house, as it is both comfortable and warm underfoot and quiet. It is resistant to moisture, heat and scratches, so is a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens. It’s also ideal for the conservatory as it is slip and spill resistant, making it safer for coming inside in bad weather. It gives you the option of a real wood look without the cost or maintenance, or a stone look without the cool feel underfoot.
This flooring is resilient, low maintenance and waterproof, so it’s easy to 
engineered 
any effort on your part. They need minimal maintenance are they are self-navigating, self-cleaning and self-charging. You simply set them to spot, quick or scheduled cleaning. One of their great advantages is that they can maneuver themselves under and around most furniture. Some newer models also have double HEPA filters to pick up all allergens, which is ideal if you have allergy sufferers in the house.
mosaic. The wood slats are arranged in repeating patterns throughout the floor. These patterns can be squares, triangles, chequerboard, basket wave, lozenges or even sun effects.
hardwood plywood base, which are available in a wide variety of colours, finishes, textures and sizes, allowing you to choose a truly individual combination.