Karndean introduces new herringbone flooring range

Karndean Flooring has expanded its Van Gogh collection with six herringbone designs that are inspired by the timeless elegance of oak parquet or herringbone pattern wood floors.

This range features a selection of oak styles, including Antique French Oak, Hayfield Oak, Aviemore Oak, Canadian Nude Oak, Glenmore Oak and Croftmore Oak.

Floors can be made with a single oak style or an assortment of different oak designs from the collection that can be combined for a bespoke appearance. This Karndean luxury vinyl flooring is an excellent substitute for wood, offering natural wood-like aesthetics, durability and easy maintenance.

The Van Gogh oak collection is a versatile flooring option that comes in two different plank sizes, 18” x 4.5” and large 56” x 9” planks. The planks are designed to be easily installed by glueing them directly onto the subfloor. Karndean vinyl flooring can be easily cut to fit around fixtures and fittings. The planks are waterproof to withstand spills and moisture without warping or deteriorating over time.

The herringbone range provides a contemporary take on classic styles that complements traditional room designs, while also allowing for bolder two-tone patterns when mixed with other oak styles to match more modern interiors. They are suitable for both residential and commercial properties.

To see examples of Karndean Flooring, visit a retailer of vinyl flooring in the Chester and North Wales area. Request to take home herringbone sample tiles so that you can assess how they look within your home.

Synthetic carpet imitates natural sisal material

Curran, a carpet design firm based in the United States, has created a nylon carpet that emulates the appearance and texture of authentic sisal. This unusual product is known as Synsisal.

Sisal carpets are fashioned from robust fibres that are extracted from the leaves of the sisal plant. Their sturdiness makes them ideal for high-traffic spaces, although they do come at a premium price. For consumers seeking opulent floor coverings crafted out of eco-friendly materials, sisal carpets are seen as a wholly valid option.

Although nylon may not initially seem like an environmentally conscious option, Curran's carpets are crafted from 100% EConyl nylon. This innovative material is derived from discarded fishing nets and other plastic waste, which are transformed into five unique carpet designs that draw inspiration from traditional weaving techniques. These carpets seamlessly blend the natural appearance and texture of sisal with the strength and durability of synthetic nylon. They are primarily marketed towards commercial customers in the United States seeking a long-lasting, visually appealing and low-maintenance flooring solution.

In the United Kingdom, there are many options for floor coverings that prioritize sustainability, such as those made using recycled materials or natural sheep's wool carpets.

A local flooring company in the Chester and Wrexham region has an extensive selection of more environmentally friendly flooring made from natural or recycled materials. There are also a number of schemes in the area that take old carpets and extract their materials for reuse in a variety of products.

Growth to carpet tile market forecasted

It is estimated that the global value of the carpet tile industry in 2023 was $50 million, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% between 2024 and 2032.

This growth is driven by organizations seeking versatile, sustainable and stylish flooring that requires little maintenance. Additionally, there has been growing interest in carpet tiles for residential properties.

Carpet tile manufacturers have implemented innovative technologies to enhance sustainability features in their products. These developments align with consumer demands for eco-friendly options. New modular design tiles offer more personalized and stylised spaces.

Another advantage of carpet tiles is that there is less waste compared to installing roll carpets. If an area is damaged, the carpet tiles in the affected area only need replacing rather than the whole flooring.

Wool carpet tiles are preferred over synthetic ones due to their luxurious texture and insulating properties.

There are many challenges facing carpet tile manufacturers, such as the preference among some consumers for hard flooring surfaces which are believed to be easier to clean and maintain or more suitable for minimalist décor styles. Raw material costs of carpets fluctuate leading to potential rises in carpet tile prices.

Despite these challenges, it's expected that the carpet tile industry will continue adapting through new technological advancements aimed at maintaining its appeal amongst both commercial and residential consumers.

Carpet tiles in the Chester and North Wales region are popular and available in a wide range of colours and designs to suit all decor styles.

Five top 2024 flooring trends

Quality floor coverings last a long time, so the colour and style must be one that the household will love to see every day. Flooring experts have identified some of the flooring trends in 2024.

Though plain colour carpets and vinyl flooring remain popular, design experts are seeing a trend for the return of complex patterns. House Beautiful magazine talked with floor companies about seeing a demand for wood floors made from planks from a variety of light to dark colour wood blocks that form intricate patterns.

Chequerboard black and white pattern vinyl tiles are a classic style that is making a comeback in 2024.

Nature inspired shades of blues and greens are popular colours for tile or vinyl pattern floors. Kirtsy Froelich of The Tile Shop was quoted:

“Those are easy colours to incorporate into your design aesthetic because, of course, they're colours you find in nature.”

Luxury vinyl flooring made with extra wide planks makes rooms look larger. This is also why very wide vinyl tiles are popular.

Minimalist designs favour exceptionally light or dark flooring tones. Many are moving away from minimalism by using mid-tones that harmonize with elements in the room, allow patterns to feature and give visual depth to the space.

Trends can inspire flooring choices, but the type of flooring materials and design chosen is up to individual tastes. Visit your local flooring company in North Wales to see their full range of flooring options for 2024.

Huge bespoke carpet fitted to world’s largest cruise ship

The Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International, has been fitted with an impressive 55,000 square meters of custom-made carpet. The vessel set sail on its inaugural voyage from Florida with a crew of 2,350 and 7,600 passengers.

A Northern Ireland-based carpet company was commissioned to design and produce this massive flooring. The project required a staff of 660 skilled individuals who crafted bespoke carpets for each of the ship's 2,805 staterooms and 40 dining establishments. There are a total of 75 distinct designs throughout the ship - significantly more than found in other cruise ships. The designs range from sophisticated dark patterns in dining areas to bright blue and white ones in children’s play areas.

This undertaking was a significant challenge to the workers responsible for creating intricate patterns that adorn various sections within the massive ship. The company’s bossed believe the team delivered outstanding results that serve as a testament to Northern Ireland's exceptional talent in carpet making.

The average home in the Chester and North Wales area is considerably smaller than a cruise ship, but can also benefit from quality carpets that both look good but are also practical to keep clean and maintain. Like Royal Caribbean International, households can commission bespoke unique carpets, although these come at a higher cost than standard carpet options.

A local carpet retailer in North Wales or Chester offers a wide selection of luxury carpets in shades and patterns to suit every décor style.