How to choose office flooring

A vital part of any office is the flooring, both in terms of appearance and functionality.  Often, different types of flooring are suited to different areas of the office.  Here is our guide to choosing which is best for which area.

Carpet

Carpet has many advantages which make it ideal for an open plan office, break areas and meeting rooms.

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.

There is a wide range of carpet styles and colours available to fit your budget and complement brand colours and/or existing office decor.  Carpet looks good, it sets a great first impression for visitors and will last for decades when properly maintained.

Carpet tiles are an economic option and can easily be replaced individually if they get stained or damaged.  They are ideal for break rooms and open office areas.  A luxury carpet is best suited to meeting rooms where guests are hosted and there is lower footfall.

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Laminate

This durable and resilient flooring is suitable for nearly every area in the office, as it has so many practical qualities.

Laminate has a high quality wear layer that makes it scratch and dent resistant, perfect for high footfall areas and swivel chairs.  It is also stain resistant, hypo-allergenic and easily maintained, so works well in open plan and break areas.  For kitchen areas, it is important to choose a waterproof laminate.

This versatile flooring is shock absorbent which makes it comfortable underfoot.  If a quiet office environment is necessary, a quality underlay will provide extra sound insulation.

One of the most budget friendly options, laminate is available in realistic natural stone, ceramic or wood finishes at a much lower cost than the real thing.  It is also easy to install, so will cause the minimum of disruption.

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Vinyl & Luxury Vinyl Tile

Vinyl is one of the most cost effective choices.  Versatile and hard-wearing, it can stand up to high footfall and is one of the most popular choices for general office areas.

This resilient flooring is water-resistant, scratch and stain resistant and also slip-resistant.  Easy to clean and maintain, this is a tough and durable choice that is simple and quick to install.  There are many styles, colours and designs to choose from, including stone and wood effects in both plank and tile formats.

Luxury vinyl tile is also a popular choice as is it looks stunning and is incredibly versatile.  It is suitable for lobby and reception areas, kitchens, break rooms and open plan offices as well as meeting rooms.

For extra safety in the office (especially break and kitchen areas), this slip, spill and water resistant flooring is perfect.  It is easy to clean and maintain and keeps its finish well.

LVT has superior acoustics and excellent soundproofing qualities. This robust, tough flooring will stand the test of time while maintaining that luxurious look.

A wide range of design options are available, including realistic stone or wood finishes, in plank, herringbone and tile formats. This is a truly versatile choice that can fit in with any design scheme.  Where budget is a concern, LVT is best used in the areas where guests visit, complemented by a lower cost option like standard vinyl in higher footfall areas.

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Wood

Hardwood and engineered wood are the ultimate in luxury flooring for the office.  They are ideal for meeting rooms, lobby and reception areas that need to give a great first impression.

This classic look flooring has a warmth and natural beauty that is hard to beat.  Wood actually improves air quality as it does not harbour dust and allergens.  It offers durability and longevity with simple maintenance, plus it can be refinished to give it a new lease of life.

Engineered wood is another option with a long lifespan, that has a beautiful appearance thanks to its veneer of hardwood.  It is usually more cost effective than hardwood and is easier to install.  Due to its layered composition, it is also more stable in fluctuating temperatures.

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Whatever look you want to achieve in your office, 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 look after your carpet during winter

Winter can be a more challenging time to care for your carpets with the wet weather, Christmas tree and festive entertaining.  Just a few simple steps can make sure it stays looking its best though.

Regular cleaning

It’s always important to maintain a regular schedule of vacuuming to keep your carpet looking good and to prolong its life.  Vacuum all rooms with carpet once a week and twice for busy family rooms, especially during the winter months.

Use a vacuum that has good suction to get all the dust and dirt out from the fibres.  For cut pile carpets, use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a beater bar and/or brushes, and for loop pile carpets, use one without a beater bar or brushes.

Prevention is always better than cure, so keep outdoor shoes off the carpet as much as you can.  Our shoes track in lots of dirt, particularly during the wet and snowy winter months, so it makes sense to leave them by the door.

A professional clean once a year is recommended, to revive your carpets, deal with stubborn stains, banish germs and give your home that fresh feeling again.  Either have it cleaned before the festive season so it looks great for entertaining, or towards the end of the winter to get rid of any accumulated dirt.

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Deal with spills immediately

The chances of spills are much higher during the festive season as we all celebrate, so make sure you are prepared!  Keep one or two cleaning cloths to hand to dab any spills.  A stain remover is also a good idea to have, just make sure that any cleaner you have is right for your carpet, especially if you have a wool one.

When a spill does happen, blot immediately (don’t rub) with a cloth. If you don’t have one just use a paper towel, but make sure sure it is a plain one as patterned ones might transfer colour onto the carpet.

If you don’t have any carpet cleaner,  you can make a solution yourself for most types of spills.  Use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water with a touch of baking soda.  Spray over the spill until the area is damp, leave for ten minutes and then blot again with a clean cloth or paper towels.  Repeat as many times as needed, then make sure the carpet is left to dry thoroughly.

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Take care with your Christmas tree

If you’re having a real Christmas tree this year, you want to make sure your carpet is protected from the water and needles.  Some 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.

Heavy trees can leave weight marks, especially with a deep pile carpet.  To prevent this, spread the weight of the tree by placing it on a piece of sturdy plywood.  This can also be covered with wrapping paper and a tree skirt so you don’t need to ruin the aesthetic.

Keep the needles at bay with regular vacuuming.  Any stubborn needles can be removed by using a narrow vacuum attachment or some duct tape.

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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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What is synthetic carpet?

Carpet can be manufactured with synthetic or natural materials, like wool, or it can be a mix of both.  So what exactly is synthetic carpet made of?

What is synthetic carpet?

Whereas natural materials are found in nature, such as wool, sisal and seagrass, synthetic materials are entirely man-made.  The vast majority of carpets are made with synthetic materials and the rest are predominantly made using wool.

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.

Nylon is by far the most popular as it is the most robust. It is resistant to staining and fading, has great appearance retention and holds its colour and styling.

Polypropylene is the second most popular as it is both fade and stain resistant.  It is not as resilient as nylon but is still a robust fibre.  There are less colour options with polypropylene as it must be dyed before being extruded (the is the process where pellets of the material are melted together) because it is water resistant.  However, this means it is moisture and mildew resistant.

Polyester is also stain and fade resistant and has good colour clarity, but is not as durable as nylon.  There is another man-made fibre available, Triexta, which is much newer and is made of a combination of polyester and sustainable materials such as corn sugars.  It is more durable than polyester on its own and possibly as resilient as nylon, but it has not been around long enough to know for certain.

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What are the advantages of synthetic carpet?

There are many advantages to having a carpet manufactured with man-made fibres.  For a start, they can be very cost effective and are cheaper than wool carpets. 

They are very family friendly as they are stain resistant and easy to keep clean.  They can withstand rigorous scrubbing on a stain and do not need specialist cleaning products.

Nylon is the frontrunner as it is so durable, it is perfect for the busiest family rooms. It is crush, wear and abrasion resistant and available in a wide variety of colours as it holds them so well.  It is also resistant to mildew, mould and rot.

Polypropylene is the most budget friendly choice, which will not stain or fade easily.  It does not absorb water and as its colour does not fade, it is ideal for bold and vibrant patterns.

For a more luxurious feel underfoot, polyester is a good option.  It is non-allergenic and highly stain resistant.  As it is not as durable as nylon, it is more suited to bedrooms and areas with lower foot-traffic.  Triexta is another very soft fibre which is very durable, so is ideal for busy living areas.

If you are looking to be more environmentally friendly, a more sustainable option is PET Polyester carpet.  This is commonly made with recycled materials such as plastic bottles, and is a soft, non-allergenic and stain resistant carpet.

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Is a mix of natural and synthetic a good idea?

The other option is to have a mix of both natural and synthetic fibres, to combine the advantages from both.  This is often called a wool blend, which is usually made of 80% wool and 20% synthetic materials.

Wool has many benefits, it is a very luxurious fibre which has an unrivalled softness underfoot.  It is a sustainable material so is better for the environment and is also durable and resilient.  Wool has a natural elasticity which means it springs back into shape, even after heavy furniture has been resting on it.  One of its great advantages is its natural flame resistance.  Another is its energy efficiency, it traps the heat so will actually reduce your heating bill.  It is also naturally non-allergenic and actually improves indoor air quality as it traps air-borne dust particles.

A blend of 80% wool and 20% nylon gives you added durability with all the luxury of wool, at a slightly reduced cost.

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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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Flooring trends for 2022

As we look forward to 2022, here are some of the flooring options which are set to be most popular.

Parquet flooring

Over the last few years, parquet flooring has become a firm favorite in interior design. Parquet flooring means wood (or imitation wood such as LVT) planks, which are laid in repeating patterns like squares, triangles and lozenges.  Herringbone and chevrons patterns are the most common.

Parquet can easily be customised to give either a modern or classic look.  It is more versatile and durable than traditional wood flooring as it has a top wear layer and 3 layers underneath that absorb impact.

For 2022, the trend is for parquet with planks of different widths.  This eye catching look is gorgeous and has the environmentally friendly benefit of creating less waste, as the planks do not all have to be long.

The popular colours in parquet for next year will be cooler; basic grey and ‘greige’, a combination of grey and beige.  These are easy to combine with both cool and warm coloured walls and furnishings.

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Laminate

Thanks to advantages in technology, laminate has come a long way since it was first introduced in the 1970s.  This tough flooring is made up of multiple layers with an inner core of fibre board 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.

Laminate flooring can imitate many different types of hardwood species, with a wide selection of grain and colour choices, at a much more affordable price than real hard wood.  As it is such a durable and family friendly choice, its popularity has been steadily increasing.

Next year, we will see more semi-gloss laminate flooring.  This has a gloss of 45-55% which gives a sleek, modern appearance.  It is ideal for kitchen and bathroom areas and makes the room seem brighter.

Whitewashed and aged plank effects will be on-trend, giving the flooring more depth and character, without making it the dominant feature of the room.

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Bleached wood

As the world becomes more aware of the need to be environmentally friendly, an emphasis on sustainability and natural products will feature heavily in interior design for the foreseeable future.  The look is simple and natural, with a sense of outdoors in the home.

The latest twist is to have natural materials that have been treated to give them a more individual appearance, like bleached floors and smoked wood.  This lighter colour is easy to match with the walls and furnishings, as it will complement both warm and cool colours.

If you like this colour but feel it might be a little cold for the winter, an area rug is a great way to provide warmth and save some wear and tear from the flooring.

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Large patterned tiles

Large, shaped tiles are going to be on-trend in a big way.  Whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom or even living room, you’ll be seeing a 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.

Large, stone effect tiles will continue to be in style.  These can now be textured thanks to technology advantages, which gives the floor much more depth and visual appeal.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and laminate are both ideal for these patterned tile looks. These versatile, durable flooring options are available at a variety of price points in a huge range of colours and finishes.

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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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Low maintenance flooring for your second home

A second home should be a place where you can relax and unwind, with as little maintenance as possible.  Here are the best flooring options to suit.

Carpet

Carpet is always a great option as it keeps the warmth in, which is ideal if you are not heating a home every day 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.

To maintain carpet well, you just need to vacuum it thoroughly.  Ensure that any spills are dealt with immediately and consider a darker colour to help to hide any potential stains.  You can also use rugs to take some of the wear and tear if you want to get the longest possible life from your carpet.

There is a range of price points for carpet, from budget friendly tiles to luxury velvet pile.  Loop pile and berber carpets are two of the longest lasting types as they are tough and durable.  They hide footprints well and are easy to maintain.   A nylon or nylon mix is also a good choice for longevity as it is such a strong fibre.  It has excellent resistance to stains, repels allergens and keeps its shape and colour well.  This type of carpet can last for up to twenty five years.

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Laminate

This low cost, durable flooring is a great way to get an imitation wood, stone or ceramic finish.  Laminate is super tough, both scratch and scuff resistant and also water resistant.

Cleaning laminate is easy, it just needs to be swept with a soft broom regularly and mopped once a month or once every other month.  This flooring is hypoallergenic, no mold or bacteria can grow in it as it does not absorb any moisture.

However, you do need to make sure that water does not seep into the seams as it is not waterproof.  Clean up any spills straight away and mop with a nearly dry microfiber mop.

Click-together laminate flooring is quick and easy to install, at a lower cost than many other installations.  It also means you can replace individual planks should they get damaged over time.  A good laminate floor should last for around twenty years.

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LVT

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is another great option for a second home as it is low maintenance and durable.  It also has a luxury feel as it is soft and quiet underfoot.  A strong core makes LVT very damage resistant, combined with a tough surface and a protective top layer which is resistant to scratches and chips.  LVT is waterproof as it is made without wood, so it can be used in any room.

This is one of the best ways to have flooring that looks exactly like wood or stone at a cheaper cost.  Technology has even enabled manufacturers to print with the actual pattern of wood grain.  There are a huge number of patterns and designs available, in tile, herringbone and plank formats.  It has excellent image retention, so will still look stunning for years to come.

Cleaning LVT is easy as it just needs to be swept or vacuumed then mopped.  You can simply use warm water and liquid detergent when mopping as it doesn’t warp, so can get wet and dry naturally.

Propertly installed and well maintained LVT can last for up to twenty five years, making it a sound investment for second home flooring.  Plus you don’t need to compromise on finish as it looks gorgeous.

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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 laminate flooring is a great choice

If you are looking for a long lasting, affordable floor that can withstand a busy family home, laminate flooring is always a great choice.  Here are the reasons it’s such a popular option.

It’s extremely durable

Laminate flooring is a composite material, 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 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.

Although it is a tough flooring, the base layer gives it a softer feel underfoot.  Underlay can be added to increase this softness (if one is not already built in) and will also reduce noise.

Laminate is water resistant but there are also waterproof options available, and some come with a plastic underlay to protect against moisture.  The waterproof variety is suitable for anywhere in the home including kitchen and bathrooms.

Laminate flooring can also be used with underfloor heating.

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It’s one of the most affordable choices

Laminate is a very economical choice that still offers a stylish finish.  You can have a floor that looks like wood, stone or ceramic that fits in your budget and and stands up to a busy life with pets and children.  Installation is also cheaper than with wood or stone tiles, as it is quicker and easier to install.

As it is so durable, laminate flooring keeps its new look for longer.  Properly installed and looked after, it can last from one decade to three.  If you want a solid wood floor but not the price tag or maintenance, laminate is a great option.

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It’s easy to clean

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.

Simply use a soft broom or brush to sweep, or a vacuum with no attachments.  Mopping only needs to be done once a month or every other month.  This helps to stop water seeping into the seams.  A microfiber mop is best, but if you have a normal mop, just wring it out until it is nearly dry before using it on the floor.  Avoid any oil based cleaning products and never wax laminate or use polish on it.  There are special laminate cleaning products available.

As laminate cannot be refinished, so it is important to prevent damage from occurring.  Don’t let spills sit, clean them up immediately with a cloth.  Also it is best not to  wear high heels on the flooring.  Although laminate is less susceptible to scratching, it is hard to get rid of any marks.  If they do happen, try using a tennis ball to try and remove them.

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It looks good

Gone are the days of artificial looking laminate flooring.  Advances in technology have enabled manufacturers to create realistic, stone, ceramic and wood 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.

It is also easy to install meaning the minimum of disruption to your home.  There are a few types of laminate installation like stapling, gluing or click-together.   With click-together laminate flooring, it does not have to be attached to the sub-floor which means it can be moved in future and planks can be replaced easily if necessary.

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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 measure for carpet

If you are looking for a new carpet, you may want to know how much you will need to get an idea of the cost.  So how do you work it out?

How do I measure my rooms for carpet?

With rectangular rooms, measuring is straightforward, just make sure you have a decent tape measure which will stretch across the room.

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.

For example, if a room is 10m by 15m, the square footage is 150.  That is how much carpet you will need.

Not all rooms are perfectly rectangular though, so the chances are you will need to do a few more calculations.

If there are any indentations in the room, ie a fireplace, measure the room as though they were not there.  Then calculate the square footage of the indentation and deduct it from the total.  With angled spaces, measure as though they are rectangular (ie twice the size) and half the square footage.

These calculations are the same if you are measuring any rooms for LVT or laminate flooring.  There are plenty of instructional videos on YouTube if you want to watch one before you begin and some free online calculators as well.

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How do I measure the stairs?

The staircase is always trickiest part of the house to measure, so it will take a bit more time to work out.

Measure the tread, this is the part of the stair that you step on, from the back to the front to get the depth.  Then measure the riser, this is the height from one step to the next.  Then add these two measurements together, ie 15cm + 15cm = 30cm.  Add an extra 5cm per step to account for underlay and covering edges.  Then multiply this number by the width of the step to get the square footage. Multiply that by the number of steps and you have the total you need.

Always measure a few different steps to check they are the same size.  If they are not, either use the largest as a rough guide, or you can work out the square footage of each step and add them together.

To get the width of a winding stair, measure at the widest and deepest points, to make sure you will have enough carpet to cover the step.

You will also need to measure hallways and landings if they are being carpeted.  Make sure you account for all the doorways too.

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Things to remember

Measuring yourself just gives you a rough idea of the cost when you are look at carpet initially.  The carpet fitter will need to do exact measurements before the order is placed anyway.  It’s usually best to get the professionals in to handle the whole job when you are buying a new carpet.  They can take care of everything for you, saving you the time and worry.

If you are choosing a patterned carpet, you may well need extra to account for matching the pattern across rooms.

If you are carpeting more than one room, it’s a good idea to make a rough plan on paper.  Then you will know what areas you have accounted for, and all your measurements will be in one place. Measure everything twice as you go along to ensure your calculations are correct.

A good rule of thumb is to add in an extra 5% to your total to account for any waste.  Also, don’t forget to factor in the cost of underlay and fitting so you can budget accordingly.

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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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