Floor manufacturer aims to make closed-loop system vinyl

Swedish vinyl floor manufacturer Tarkett is developing what it calls a ‘closed-loop’ system of vinyl floor covering.

The vinyl is made from recycled materials with a minimum of new raw materials. When a floor reaches the end of its life, it can be returned to Tarkett, which will recycle the old floor to make new vinyl flooring.

Currently, their IQ Surface vinyl range uses 25% recycled materials, but Tarkett hopes to increase the amount of recycled materials in its floor coverings to near 100%.

During Milan Fashion Week in 2019, Tarkett partnered with Note Design Studio to erect totem poles and other 3D shapes that were covered with IQ Surface to demonstrate the flexible qualities of this vinyl flooring, which can be laid around curved surfaces. Note Design Studio designed the colours and patterns of the vinyl to show off its versatility.

There are a number of vinyl floor manufacturers that, like Tarkett, use recycled materials in their floor coverings, but they are not all developing closed-loop system vinyl floor coverings. The closed-loop system is also known as the circular economy which uses the minimum amount of virgin materials to manufacture items then recycles the materials at the end of a product’s life to make new items.

For people concerned about the environment and their carbon footprint, installing vinyl flooring in Chester rooms that are made with recycled materials is one step that addresses their concerns. Organisations like Recovinyl collect old vinyl floor coverings for recycling.

Artificial grass transforms rooftops

Many business buildings have flat roofs that are never used, and in such cases, artificial grass can transform them into attractive gardens spaces.

Artificial grass can be part of an attractive rooftop garden for staff to use as a relaxation area. The Ikea store in Greenwich has artificial grass on its roof, which customers and staff can enjoy. Regular rooftop yoga classes are held there.

The Royal Exchange building in Manchester has a roof garden with an artificial grass lawn, decking and plants. Karen Monks from the Royal Exchange said:

"Most people I've shown around here have been quite surprised. It's lovely in summer and has been used a lot for barbecues this year with the lovely weather we've had."

Rooftop gardens are not new, the Midland Hotel in Manchester had one in 1903 where guests enjoyed afternoon tea. Fruit and herbs were grown for use in dishes served in the hotel restaurant. The hotel management hope to open the roof again one day, but without the soot that used to fall on the roof from the nearby steam trains.

To install artificial grass on roof spaces it must be secured so that it stays firm in high winds. The grass also needs to be fire resistant. Unlike artificial grass in a garden, rooftop grass needs very little surface preparation. The grass can be laid on an insulating layer that prevents heat escaping from the building for better energy efficiency.

Many businesses have artificial grass in Chester, but these are at ground level. Companies that have buildings with flat roofs should consider adding an attractive roof garden using artificial grass.

Buy-to-let carpeting advice

Carpets should be a good choice for buy-to-let properties, but there is some advice you should follow to ensure this.

Firstly, it’s not a good idea to lay the cheapest carpet you can find, as they will not last long and may need replacing between lets. Cheap carpets can last between three and five years, whereas a better quality one can last between eight and ten years. When making business plans for buy-to-let properties, factor in the cost of replacing carpets at the end of their life.

Avoid light coloured carpets that easily show stains. Wool carpets look good and have a luxury feel, but can easily stain. Stain-resistant carpeting is a better choice.

Carpets are not suitable for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms. They can be installed in kitchens, but it is better to use laminates or vinyl, which are easier to clean.

If carpets are in rooms that have doors leading to the outside, put a moisture-absorbent mat at the doorway to soak up mud and water drips from people coming in from rainy weather.

If underfloor heating is installed in the rented property, be sure to buy a carpet that is rated for underfloor heating use.

When tenants leave, expect normal wear and tear. Have the carpets professionally cleaned ready for new tenants. If the carpet has been damaged or has had excessive wear, you can charge the leaving tenants for the damage.

Carpet tiles are worth considering. If you buy a few extra tiles, they can be used to replace any damaged or stained areas without needing to replace the whole carpet.

Carpets are good for bedrooms, but many landlords prefer laminates or vinyl for living areas because they are easy to clean and do not stain. Tenants can always add rugs if they wish to make rooms feel homely.

What carpet is best for a rental property?

You need carpets for rental property that will look good and be practical.

Carpets may be subject to heavy use in rental properties, so need to be thick and durable. It is not advisable to go for the cheapest carpets, as they will more than likely not last long.

A carpet needs to look good, but don’t go for bold patterns. As a landlord, you may like a bright pattern carpet, but your tenants may not have your aesthetic taste. Choose a neutral design in either a plain colour or with a subtle pattern.

Tenants may not look after the carpet as well as homeowners would. They may spill things and not bother to clean properly, which is why stain-resistant carpets are recommended. It is more common for carpets to need replacing because of stains than through wear and tear. You might also want to avoid light-coloured carpets that show up stains.

Professional tenants renting more expensive properties expect premium quality furnishings. These tenants may love luxury wool carpets, but these are expensive and liable to stain more than stain-resistant carpets. If you are charging high rents, wool carpets may be worth investing to attract reliable and professional tenants.

When choosing carpets, look at the cleaning and maintenance requirements and consider ones that involve the least work. Encourage your tenants to regularly vacuum the carpets and deep clean at least once a year.

A good-quality carpet should last at least 10 years with normal wear and tear. A top-quality one may last longer. Cheap carpets may last between three and five years. You can consider carpet alternatives like wood, laminates and LVT that may cost more to buy and install, but can last longer than carpets.

If you install good looking and practical carpets and have tenants that look after them, carpets are a good floor covering choice for rented property.

Two thirds of families’ flooring damaged by clumsy kids

A survey by Selco Builders Warehouse found that two thirds of the 524 families questioned had their floors stained or damaged by children. The biggest cause of the damage was spilt drinks followed by craft materials like paint and ink.

Carine Jessamine, a member of the team who conducted the research, said that spillages can could serious damage to floors, and although such incidents are inevitable among children, some parents might not be prepared for the cost of repairs, which can run into four figures.

One in five parents surveyed said that they had paid up to £200 for floor repairs, and one parent even admitted to coughing up a £3,000 repair bill.

The most common floor to be damaged is in the children's bedrooms, where 39% of all spills happen. Hard-to-remove foods like peanut butter and beetroot are commonly spilt in dining rooms.

The study found that there is no difference between boys and girls when it comes to causing damage.

The research discovered that carpets are the worst flooring type for damage and stains. Laminates and luxury vinyl flooring are more kid-proof because they are easy to clean and are stain resistant. Some LVT flooring comes with a 20-year warranty, which is ideal for families with young children. It is advisable to buy extra laminate planks or vinyl tiles when installing new flooring, as they can be used to repair floors if they are damaged by adults or children.