How to choose the best carpets for Chester buy-to-let landlords

The ideal carpets for buy-to-let property are easy to clean, durable and can be installed at a reasonable cost.

Easy to clean

Not all carpets are easy to clean. While tenants are expected to keep the carpets clean, a difficult to clean carpet could discourage them from regular maintenance. Any carpet damage can be taken off the deposit when a tenant leaves, and landlords may be able to claim for the cost of cleaning if the carpets are left in a dirty state when tenants leave. Ideally, tenants will leave a clean carpet when they vacate the property ready for the new tenants to move in without the landlord having to thoroughly clean or replace carpets.

Dark colour carpets will not show up dirt as much as lighter coloured ones, but this should not stop tenants cleaning them.

All carpets can be vacuumed, but this only removes loose dirt and debris. Deep down dirt and stains are not always removed by a vacuum cleaner.

Berber carpets are amongst the easiest to clean as they are often treated with stain resistant solutions. Nylon is tough and stain resistant and is relatively easy to clean, while polyester carpets share some of the stain resistant qualities of nylon but can absorb oils. After oil has been absorbed it is extremely difficult to remove. Other than that, polyester is easy to vacuum and clean.

Polypropylene carpets are made from oil-based fibres and resist stains. They are easy to clean and stains can be removed with a spot treatment.

Natural wool and cotton carpets are more difficult to clean and need more care. They are perhaps not the best choice for tenants who hold regular parties, so near this in mind if your tenants are University of Chester students!

A good vacuum will be more efficient at cleaning carpets. Tenants should be encouraged to use a Dyson or other premium make of cleaner, or landlords may supply one.

Durability

The strength of a carpet and how long it will last depends on a number of factors, including how tenants look after the carpet. Short and cut pile carpets generally last longer and show fewer signs of wear than long pile ones. Quality manmade and natural fibre carpets should both wear well.

The main criteria that affects how long a carpet will last is the quality of the carpet. Thin cheap carpets will not last as long as better grades.

Cost

Carpets vary considerably in cost. A top-quality wool carpet is perhaps the most expensive but may be suitable for a luxury home that attracts high rent payers. On top of the price of the carpet, there are fitting costs and underlay may be required.

For most properties stain resistant, durable carpets are best. It is worth paying a little extra for a better quality carpet that will last and can easily be cleaned after tenants leave.

Choosing the best carpets is not easy. A trusted carpet supplier will advise Chester landlords on the best choice of carpets to suit their properties and budget.

The advantages of LVT flooring for landlords and letting agents in Chester

Luxury vinyl tiles, or LVT, is a good choice for rented property because it is cost effective, easy to maintain and durable.

There are many reasons why people live in rented property in Chester. Students studying at the University of Chester require accommodation during the academic year, people saving up to buy their own home want temporary accommodation, whilst others prefer to live in rented properties rather than have the responsibly of property ownership.

There are many landlords and letting agents in Chester to cater to the high demand for rented accommodation. Though they expect tenants to look after the property, it helps to make their task easier by installing flooring that is not too difficult to clean and is strong enough to cope with a few parties.

There are five main reasons why LVT flooring is a good choice:

• Price

• Durability

• Room type

• Design

• Easy maintenance

Price and durability

Price and durability need to be looked at together. A cheap carpet or laminate flooring will not cost as much as LVT but will need replacing sooner due to its lack of durability. A good quality grade LVT should last over 25 years even in houses shared by many tenants. This means that the total cost of LVT flooring is cost effective in the long term.

The cost of installing LVT floors is not high. They can be laid over existing subfloors, but uneven floors may require a cement screed.

Manufactures of quality LVT will provide a guarantee for a period of up to 25 years if the flooring is installed in residential properties.

Room type

In some rooms such as living rooms and bedrooms, tenants may prefer a good-quality carpet for its warmth and comfort, but carpets are not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, so LVT is a good choice for these areas.

If lounges have LVT flooring, they can be made cosier with rugs.

Design

LVT comes in many attractive designs. The most popular designs look like wood or stone. Modern digital printing has made LVT stone and wood designs look realistic.

Landlords need designs that are attractive to all tenants. Neutral colours and muted patterns are preferred over bright colours and busy patterns. Your LVT supplier will have many tiles suitable for rented properties.

Easy maintenance

Landlords expect that tenants will keep properties clean, and LVT floors are easy to maintain. Vacuum cleaners with hard floor settings can pick up loose dirt and debris, while stains and spills can simply be mopped up. LVT is stain resistant and can stand red wine and other spills without discolouring.

If heavy objects are dropped on the floor, they could cause dents and marks in the tiles, so it’s a good idea for landlords to keep a few spare tiles to replace any damaged ones.

To find out more about the benefits of LVT flooring for landlords and letting agents in Chester, talk to your local LVT flooring supplier.

Artificial grass market predicted to grow due to innovation

A report by Transparency Market Research has predicted that the artificial grass market will grow due to innovation.

Artificial grass is widely used in sports grounds and schools but is becoming an increasingly popular choice to replace lawns in residential gardens.

Investment in research has resulted in the development of new forms of artificial grass. These include hybrid grass that mixes synthetic fibres with natural grass. In the past, there have been concerns about health hazards associated with laying artificial grass, and this has resulted in natural material infills and manufacturers making sure that no toxic materials are used in manufacturing artificial grass.

Climate change may continue to produce extreme dry hot weather and this could result in water shortages. Artificial grass does not need watering and this benefit is another reason why there is increased demand for natural grass.

An additional benefit of artificial grass is that it can be used all year round. This is an advantage for sports grounds and school playing fields, as users do not have to wait for a muddy field to dry before using it. Many schools and homes are installing artificial grass in Chester so that they can enjoy it on wet or dry days.

The report recognises that the initial cost of installing artificial grass is high, and this could result in cheap substitutes being developed for people and organisations with restricted budgets. This can be a false economy, however, as quality grade artificial grass will last a lot longer and can work out cheaper in the long term.

Wood flooring in wetrooms possible with new technology

Up until recently, it has not been advisable to install wood flooring in wetrooms, but new waterproof membrane technology is changing this.

Wetrooms are shower rooms that do not need shower screens or trays, as the water can freely flow in the room. The main concern when installing wetrooms is to make sure that the floor covering is weatherproof and any water can drain off. This has ruled out using wood floors, as wood is not fully waterproof. However, advances in water drainage and waterproof membrane technoplogy means that wood floors are now a practical option for wetrooms.

Before installing flooring in wetrooms, there needs to be a drainage system. A screed can produce a gradient floor that guides water to a drainage outlet. New advanced waterproof membranes must first be laid before the wood floor covering is installed. Wood flooring will last a long time, so it helps to install a membrane that is guaranteed to stay waterproof throughout the floors lifetime.

For more environmentally friendly membranes, homeowners can choose a butyl-based membrane that is environmentally sustainable.

Natural solid wood flooring by itself is not waterproof, and prolonged exposure to water can cause timber to warp. To make wood water resistant, a polyurethane or resin-based solution needs to be applied. A good drainage system makes sure that the water is quickly dispersed and does not damage the flooring.

Solid wood flooring is popular in Chester, and perhaps it need not be restricted to dry rooms.

How to find the best flooring company in North Wales

If you need new flooring and you have not used a flooring company in North Wales before, how do you find the best one?

Length in business

The best flooring companies have been in business for many years and have built a reputation for supplying quality floor coverings at good prices. Look for testimonials from satisfied customers, or if you know someone who has dealt with the company, talk to them about their experiences.

Growing a successful business is difficult and many fail after a year or two. If a flooring business is a few decades old, it must be doing something right.

Cost

Finding the cheapest quote should not be the only reason for choosing a flooring company, but you should expect value for money. Many flooring companies have large showrooms, which are expensive to run and staff. There are flooring companies that do not have shops with expensive overheads. The money they save is passed on to their customers in reduced prices.

When comparing quotes, make sure that you are comparing like with like. Some quotes include free fitting and underlay. Does the quote cover plates and grippers, or are they extra?

Availability

Many people live busy lives, which restricts the time they have available to shop for floor coverings. If you are not available during normal business hours, look for a flooring company open at weekends or in the evening.

It saves time if a representative of the flooring company visits your home or business premises. They will measure the area to be covered and provide accurate quotes for various types of floor covering. Some locations in North Wales are remote and off the main roads. Expect the floor covering company to cover all areas of North Wales.

Many North Wales businesses want flooring for busy areas and need a flooring company to work overnight to minimise business disruption.

Customer service

You need a flooring company to provide first-class customer service. Representatives and fitters should be punctual for appointments. If the company tells you how long fitting takes, they should not significantly exceed that time without good reason. Unexpected issues can crop up along the way, but the company should address them efficiently and promptly.

There are many good flooring companies in North Wales. Knowing what to expect from a flooring company, plus doing your research, will enable you to find the best.