Architect lines walls with carpets

A new bar in Warsaw has carpets hung on the walls as part of its luxury style.

When architect Kacper Gronkiewicz was asked to design the new Aura cocktail bar in Warsaw, he decided to use Morcooan carpets in an unusual way. Instead of placing them on the floor, he hung them on the walls.

The bar is in a 19th-century house and the design brief was to create a luxury space. In order to create the illusion of expensive gold, several polished brass fixtures were installed, including brass shelves, tables and light fittings, with the top of the bar also being made from brass.

Gronkiewicz loves traditional Moroccan design, so purchased several traditional Moroccan carpets in red hues. The hard surface floor is also red to complement the carpets. The decor of the bar is a luxury style that reflects traditional design values. There is a trend in Warsaw for bars that feature bold and vibrant designs.

Another unusual feature of the bar is the round tables which are supported with a single leg that is slotted into the floor and can be placed at various heights. During the day, the bar is a cafe with low tables, and in the evening the tables are high with people sitting on bar stools.

Many people in Chester like carpets with bold patterns. A well as covering the floor, a rug or carpet hung on the wall is a design idea if you want something different without the need for regular vacuuming.

Carpet tiles or vinyl flooring which is better for me?

Carpet tiles and vinyl flooring are both good choices for floor coverings for business premises and in the home. Which one is better depends very much on the type of room, the budget and the style that appeals to you. Each type of floor coverings has its pros and its cons.

The pros of vinyl

Vinyl is inexpensive flooring that is quick to install. It is suitable for both commercial and domestic flooring. The two main grades of tiles are the more affordable vinyl composite tiles (VCT) and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).

Easy to install, vinyl can be laid down in tiles or strips which are usually glued, but loose lay vinyl is available.

Vinyl is easy to keep clean and maintain, In busy areas, it will get dirty but can easily be mopped clean.

It’s a durable floor covering too. In high-footfall areas use tiles, with PUR coating that provides extra scuff and scratch resistance.

Hygiene is a consideration too, and vinyl will not trap dirt. This makes it suitable for food preparation areas and health centres. There are many vulnerable elderly residents in Chester, North Wales and Wrexham who need floors that can easily be kept clean and hygienic.

Reassuringly for people living in wet or flood-prone areas, vinyl is more water-resistant than carpets but, like all floor coverings, it may get damaged if immersed in water for prolonged periods. It is fine in bathrooms and entrances where people come in from rainy North Wales and Chester days.

Vinyl cons

A sticking point for some is that vinyl does not feel as warm as carpet tiles and feels harder underfoot. Although vinyl does not absorb noise like carpets, an insulating underlay can be used for some sound insulation.

Vinyl can look like stone or wood but is not available in as many colours and patterns as carpet tiles.

Carpet tile pros

Carpet tiles are popular in offices as they feel warmer and look and feel like carpet. They are suitable for rooms where some areas have more footfall than others. When an area becomes worn, you can simply replace it with new carpet tiles.

Tiles have insulating qualities that improve room acoustics and can contribute to lower heating bills.

A big plus for many is that carpet tiles are available in a wide range of colours and patterns. Rooms can feature one colour, or contrasting colour tiles can create bold patterns.

Carpet tile cons

Carpet tiles are not as easy to clean as vinyl. Regular vacuuming is required along with an occasional deep clean. Some carpet tiles will stain if liquids like coffee or wine are spilt, but you can purchase stain-resistant carpet tiles.

Tiles need to be laid expertly otherwise seams will be more visible. Cheaper carpet tiles will not last as long as vinyl, but commercial grade tiles will last significantly longer.

Which is better?

Carpet tiles and vinyl both have drawbacks and benefits. Which one is better depends on your personal taste and what type of activity takes place in the room. You can use both in a commercial space, perhaps plumping for vinyl for active areas and carpet tiles for more relaxed zones.

Carpet Recycling UK defends its recycling achievements

Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) has disputed claims made by UKWIN, Changing Markets and Zero Waste Europe that the carpet industry has a poor record on carpet recycling.

CRUK responded by quoting statistics showing that 98% of carpets used to be dumped in landfills, but the percentage is now 56%, with over 35% of carpets being recycled. Although these statistics mean that the carpet industry has a way to go before all carpets are recycled, CRUK says that it is proud of the progress it has made. It is stepping up its efforts to divert more used carpets from landfill sites.

Carpet recycling is voluntary, as there is no legislation that makes it compulsory. Some carpets are manufactured in ways that make them difficult to recycle, but CRUK is working with carpet manufacturers to make carpets easier to recycle. CRUK admits it does not yet have the ideal solution for recycling all carpets and ways to deal with the waste they produce. It is advising all sections of the carpet trade about the best ways to recycle used carpets.

Many carpets are made from synthetic materials like nylon, polypropylene and polyester. Some carpet manufacturers are making carpets from recycled plastic. At the end of the carpet's life, the plastic can be extracted for use in manufacturing new carpets. They can also be recycled to form part of composite lumber used in building construction.

Carpets are a popular form of floor covering for Wrexham, Chester and North Wales homes. CRUK and carpet manufacturers are developing ways to make carpets more environmentally friendly.

Carpet tiles vs. carpet for businesses

Carpets are a popular choice for floor covering for business premises in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales area. There is a choice of installing carpet on a roll or carpet tiles, but which is best? This guide will help you decide between the two types.

The difference

Carpets come in wide rolls and have a backing, but may require an underlay. Carpet tiles are square 18” x 18”, 24” x 24”, or smaller one-foot square. Tiles come with their own padding on the back and are generally short pile,.

Patterns

If you want to use large-scale patterns, roll carpets are best. You can create patterns with carpet tiles by using different colour tiles or ones with varying patterns, but if you want a non-repeating large pattern, roll carpet is better

The pile

Carpet tiles are usually short pile, while carpets have a wider range of pile options from short to long. Long pile wool carpets are luxury carpets suitable for lounges or other rooms in which people relax. Short pile carpets are best for high footfall areas and offices.

Carpet tiles are available with cushioned backing and this can help reduce muscle fatigue for workers who work standing up.

Installation

Carpets come on large rolls and are cut to fit the room, but this can result in wastage between 5% and 25%. At room edges, carpet tiles need to be cut to fit, but expect less to be wasted.

Carpets are more difficult to fit than tiles and can take longer. Subfloors need to be clean, smooth and level, otherwise concrete scree or plywood sheets may be needed.

Some roll carpets come with backing, or you may need to purchase an underlay, whereas carpet tiles almost always have a backing. Carpets are loose-laid on the floor and required no adhesives, while carpet tiles can be loose laid or fixed with adhesive.

Carpet tiles are installed so that there is no gap between them, but the seams between tiles will be seen. If the width of roll carpet is wider than the room, when it is cut to fit there will be no visible seam.

Maintenance

Neither carpets nor tiles are high maintenance. They just need regular vacuuming to remove dirt and debris. Occasional use of a carpet cleaning machine is recommended for a deep clean.

Some rooms may have uneven wear to the floor. Worn carpet tiles can be replaced with new ones, whereas the only remedy for an unevenly worn carpet is to replace it.

Both carpets and carpet tiles can be treated with a stain resistant process that means most stains can easily be wiped up.

Durability

Quality carpet tiles are manufactured to last a long time. Carpets are also durable unless you buy very cheap ones. In a commercial building, carpet lifetime depends on the footfall level, so in busy areas, carpets or tiles will need replacing sooner than carpets in a home.

If deciding between carpets and carpet tiles, consider the above factors and make the choice which is best for your particular business location.

How are carpet tiles fitted?

Laying carpet tiles is a skilled job best left to professional carpet fitters.

How is the subfloor prepared?

The sub-floor needs to be level, clean, smooth and dry. If the floor is not level, cement scree can be used. Very rough and uneven floors may require plywood sheets under the carpet tiles.

If the floor is damp, the cause of this needs to be investigated first. A damp course may be needed if water is leaking through the brickwork of the building.

Several areas in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales areas are at risk of flooding. If a room is flood damaged, any existing floor covering will probably need to be replaced. Carpet tiles should not be installed until the sub-floor has been thoroughly dried. A fan heater can speed up the drying time.

A building that is subject to damp could need a damp-proof membrane on the subfloor before the carpet tiles are laid.

The cost of installing carpet tiles, and the time it takes to lay them, will be affected by how much subfloor preparation is needed. A team of carpet fitters can lay tiles in a room in a few hours. To prevent disruption in the workplace, many fitters will work overnight to complete the job before workers and members of the public enter the area.

Do carpet tiles need to be glued?

Carpet tiles can be loose laid or fixed to the floor with adhesive. Time needs to be allowed for the adhesive to dry before walking on the floor. Some tiles come with adhesive on the back. A paper layer is peeled off to uncover the glue.

A skilled fitter will make sure that the carpet tiles butt tight together with no gaps between them. Perimeter tiles will need cutting to shape.

Loose laid carpet tiles can easily be moved. If some areas wear more than others, you can swap worn tiles with non-worn ones.

Do tiles need underlay?

Carpet tiles generally do not need an underlay ,as each tile will have some padding. This can range from a thin layer to much thicker padding that has a cushioning effect

The padding on the back of carpet tiles can be made from polyester, fibreglass or other materials. There are even tiles available that incorporate recycled materials in their padding.

The type of padding affects the durability of the carpet tiles. For high-traffic commercial areas, choose carpet tiles with high quality padding for longevity.

Can you replace worn or stained tiles?

Quality carpet tiles are as good as many roll carpets, but they have the advantage of easy replacement. It’s a good idea to buy spare ones so that if area of tiles is stained or worn, you can simply replace the tiles with new ones. This can be done with both losoe laid and stuck tiles.

Carpet tiles are a popular choice of floor covering in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales areas because they look attractive, are hardwearing and can be fitted quickly.