Carpet range named after singer goes viral

A flooring shop in Leven, Fife has named its latest range of carpets after Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, and news of the carpets has gone viral on social media.

Stewart Wallace Flooring launched its Capaldi carpet range on Facebook and received hundreds of shares and likes. The firm increased interest in the carpets by offering a prize of two tickets for one of Capaldi’s shows and a two-night hotel stay.

Sales of the carpets to fans of the singer took off as publicity went viral on social media and the story was picked up by newspapers.

The owner of the shop has hinted that the success of the campaign could lead to more celebrity-themed carpets being made in the future. Stuart Wallace said about his Capaldi carpets:

“It’s just a bit of fun. We promoted it and people have grabbed the opportunity to have a bit of Capaldi in their homes. It’s taken off more than I thought it would. It’s madness. Who would have thought a Leven carpet shop would end up in the papers and all over the internet?”

A carpet named after a favourite celebrity is certainly a novelty, but the majority of people consider its look, quality and price before coming to a carpet decision based on a name. Retails of carpets in Chester and Wrexham stock a wide range of quality option that look good and are designed to last – reassuring if you tend to change your mind about who your favourite singer is!

New underlays can reduce noise levels in commercial buildings

The trend for hard floor surfaces in commercial buildings has created the unintended consequence of an increase in noise. Business owners are feeling pressure to reduce noise, and already in 2019, a number of manufacturers have produced acoustic underlays to tackle this issue.

Noisy environments can be stressful and distracting, reducing worker productivity. Open plan offices with hard floors, glass walls and windows cause sound to bounce around the area. Restaurants appear to have got noisier. Noisy school buildings are not conducive to focused learning. Hard floors such as laminates and LVT on upper floors can transmit noise to the floor below. There have been studies that have found a link between high sound levels in hospitals and patient low wellbeing.

Many organisations have recognised the noise issue and have taken steps to reduce sound levels. Acoustical ceilings and textured walls can lessen noise levels. Thick carpets reduce noise, but if a business still wants hard floors, there are a number of new acoustic underlays and pads available. Even the adhesives used in floor installations can have acoustic properties that help dampen noise.

Technology has also been developed to tackle the noise issue, with speakers emitting sound-masking noise resembling soft rushing air.

Businesses installing commercial flooring in North Wales should talk to their flooring contractor about the best type of flooring and acoustic underlays to reduce noise. If you want a quiet working environment, start with looking how the floors can lessen noise.

Do I need carpet underlay?

Whether you need underlay depends on the type of carpet, but even with carpets where underlay is not a necessity, there are reasons why underlay is a good idea.

Carpet finish

If the carpet has a textile or latex backing, it does need underlay. Carpets with felt or foam backing do not require an underlay, but there are benefits from having one.

Underfloor heating

If you have underfloor heating, standard underlay can prevent warmth from reaching the room. Use specialist underlay that conducts heat.

Energy saving

Underlay has an insulating effect that prevents heat loss through the floor. This can save energy and fuel bills. Wrexham, Chester and North Wales are no stranger to cold days, so anything that can help keep rooms warm is recommended. There are specialist high-thermal varieties of underlay worth considering if your home gets cold in winter.

Acoustics

A carpet underlay reduces the noise in the room. Noise bounces off hard floor surfaces but is absorbed by carpets with underlay. Underlay that reduces noise is important for commercial rooms where employees need to concentrate on their work without noise disturbance.

It is a good idea to install acoustic underlay in carpeted bedrooms so that sound is dampened for the people in the rooms below.

Looks and wear

Quality underlay prevents the carpet pile from flattening, making the carpet look newer for longer. The underlay absorbs shocks and pressure and this can reduce wear so that the carpet lasts longer.

The carpet pile is protected by underlay and will also be easier to clean, with dust removed more easily.

Feel

Walking on a carpet with a thick underlay feels softer and more relaxing.

Types of underlay

Foam underlay made from PU foam is a popular underlay that makes the carpet feel softer. It is generally made from recycled furniture foam making it friendly to the environment. After use, it can be further recycled.

PU foam underlay is available in various thicknesses. Thicker is better, but more expensive.

If soundproofing is your main concern, go for rubber underlay. Sponge rubber comes in a waffle shape or flat. Waffle underlay can flatten over time, but both types provide excellent noise reduction.

Crumb rubber contains recycled car tyres, making it environmentally friendly. It has good soundproofing qualities, but compared to sponge rubber, it is harder.

The traditional choice of underlay is felt made from a high proportion of wool. It has excellent thermal properties to save energy.

You can get specialist underlay for underfloor heating and high thermal types for energy conservation.

Carpet underlay is not a luxury, it has many practical benefits and can extend the life of a carpet.

If you are not sure about what type of carpet underlay to use, or whether you need an underlay at all, carpet retailers and installers provide advice to help you choose. They will discuss your priories concerning comfort, acoustics, heat conservation and budget to suggest the best type of underlay for your home or business.

How to lay solid wood flooring on concrete

Many people in Chester, Wrexham and North Wales install solid wood flooring because it looks beautiful and will last for a long time. However, it is important that wood flooring is laid correctly on concrete.

Preparation

The concrete subfloor needs to be prepared well. It must be clean, free of all debris and be completely flat. If you are in Chester, Wrexham or North Wales, there will be many days when there is high moisture content in the atmosphere. Wood can become warped if too damp. Moisture rises from a concrete subfloor, so to protect the wood, a damp proof membrane should be installed.

If the floor is uneven, a self-levelling compound must be used. Any paint or old adhesive should be removed either mechanically or using chemicals.

There are three ways to lay a solid wood floor – glueing, floating or nailing. Whichever method is used, a damp proof membrane should be first laid on the concrete to protect the wood.

Glueing

In the glueing process, an adhesive is applied to the subfloor and the planks laid on top of it.

The recommended way to lay wood flooring is to start with the longest wall, pressing the wood down on the adhesive. A 10mm expansion gap is laid around the room perimeter using spacers.

Parquet flooring uses a different method. First measure the centre of the room then lay out the tiles without adhesive to make sure they are in the correct position before glueing.

An alternative to glueing directly on the concrete is to use an adhesive backed underlay over a waterproof membrane. The wood planks are pressed onto the adhesive layer.

Nailing

Nailing involves attaching the wood planks onto wooden batons laid out at intervals of around 450mm. Wood batons should have a minimum depth of 40mm. The easiest way to fix the wood planks is by using a nail gun.

Floating

Floating means that the wood planks are not glued or nailed to the subfloor, though glue can be used in the tongue and grooves to keep the planks together. A floating wood floor should be installed over a padded underlay.

Use a quality North Wales, Chester or Wrexham installer

Unless you are skilled in installing wood floors, it is not recommended that you install wood floors yourself. A professional flooring installer makes sure that the concrete is prepared correctly and that the wood floor is laid well.

Laying solid wood floors over concrete is a skilled job. Done incorrectly, it may reduce the life of the floor. A wood floor is a considerable investment but is cost effective because the floor lasts a long time. If it becomes worn, it can be resanded to make it look like new again. Don’t try to save money by using a cheap inexperienced installer or doing it yourself without expert knowledge, as in the long term it could cost you more.

Properly installed, sold wood floors laid over concrete are beautiful options for homes and businesses in the North Wales, Chester and Wrexham region.

Is underlay required for hardwood flooring?

Strictly speaking, you don’t have to have underlay for hardwood flooring, but there are a number of reasons why underlay is recommended. Whether you are using solid wood or engineered wood flooring, underlay performs a number of functions.

Long-lasting

Hardwood flooring is expensive compared to other floor coverings, but it is designed to last a long time. Underlay can help protect the wood floor and increase its lifespan. For a little extra cost, it’s a good investment.

Many floor companies will not provide a guarantee for the life of the hardwood floor without underlay.

A hardwood floor needs regular cleaning to preserve the floor in a good condition whether it has an underlay or not.

Subfloor imperfections

The subfloor on which the wood is laid needs to be even. Major dips and flaws in the subfloor have to be filed in. However, if the subfloor has only minor imperfections, a good quality underlay will provide the stability the wood floor needs, and this will also extend the life of the floor.

Noise reduction

Wood does not absorb sound. People walking on wood floors create noise that can disturb people in adjacent rooms or areas underneath wood floors. An underlay with acoustic properties will significantly reduce this noise, creating quieter spaces.

Warmth

A good quality underlay keeps damp and cold away from the wood floors. This makes the floor feel warmer so that people can choose not to wear footwear when walking on the floor.

Underlay reduces the amount of heat escaping through the floor and this can save on energy bills, as well as keeping your feet warm.

If there is an underfloor heating system, it is essential to have underlay under a hardwood floor.

Moisture resistance in Wrexham, Chester and North Wales

An underlay with a vapour barrier keeps moisture rising from the subfloor affecting the wood. Under prolonged damp conditions, wood can warp. This is particularly important if the subfloor is concrete which is subject to damp.

The Wrexham, Chester and North Wales region has a high annual rainfall. People coming from outside with muddy shoes and wet clothes will make a wood floor damp. This is not a problem as long as any moisture is wiped up promptly.

Cushioning

Underlay can provide a cushioning effect that makes the wood floor feel more comfortable when walking on it. Cushioning means that when you walk on the floor, there is less impact on the subfloor. This protects the wood floor to make it last longer.

Getting the right underlay

The are several types of underlay available. A hardwood flooring supplier and the installer will recommend the best one suitable for the type of subfloor. Concrete floors will need an underlay with a moisture barrier, or a damp-proof membrane. Wood subfloors will require underlay suitable for the type of wood, or engineered wood planks being used.

These are some of the reasons why it makes sense to spend extra for underlay when installing hardwood flooring in Chester, Wrexham and North Wales rooms.