Carpet tiles feature in sustainable office building

The recently constructed Powerhouse Telemark in Denmark is an office building that has been designed to be eco-friendly. Carpet tiles made from recyclable materials feature in this ground-breaking building.

The building and energy sector are responsible for 40% of industrial heat-trapping emissions. The architects who designed the Powerhouse wanted to tackle these issues by designing an energy-efficient building that uses recyclable and sustainable materials. The aim of building’s design is summarised as:

“Powerhouse Telemark aspires to be a model for environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable architecture, while also challenging our conception of what our offices might look like in the post-COVID-19 era.”

Solar panels on the roof generate 256,000 kWh per year, which is more than the office building requires. The excess is sold to the national energy grid. The roof is tilted to 24 degrees to make sure that the maximum amount of solar energy is harvested.

All materials used in the project have been chosen for their sustainable properties. The carpet tiles are manufactured with 70% recycled fishing nets, and some areas have wood flooring, which consists of planks made from ash timber debris.

Carpet tiles in Chester and North Wales are a popular floor covering choice. If users are concerned about the environment, they can buy carpet tiles made from recycled materials, which are available in the UK. At the end of carpet tiles’ life, they can be sent to organisations that recycle them, as opposed to throwing the tiles into landfill sites.

Advantages of installing artificial grass on outdoor decking

If you have timber decking on your property that has become discoloured or sustained damage overtime, artificial grass might be an ideal fix to enhance its appearance. Offering a labour-saving and attractive option, a synthetic grass solution may have multiple benefits for homeowners seeking a more convenient way to care for their outdoor area.

Hassle-free maintenance

Decking can be time-consuming to care for properly. When boards become broken, they may need repairing or replacing, and used outdoors, decking will need to be treated to protect it from pests and be sealed against the elements to avoid harm from sun fading and damp.

Alternatively, man-made grass offers a far easier to maintain solution. Requiring little more than an occasional brush or hoover, even spills and stains can simply be scrubbed away, making it ideal for families with children or pets.

Cost-effective solution

Outdoor maintenance costs can be high when maintaining decking. On top of the time it takes to perform such operations, sealant to safeguard your decking and high-quality paint to keep it looking perfect can sometimes be expensive.

Using artificial turf to cover your decking can reduce these costs, with no paint or sealant required to keep your outdoor space looking bright and clean all year round.

Tips before you fit artificial grass on decking

While artificial grass will be suitable for most decking, if your wooden outdoor area was installed incorrectly or is too damaged, it may need replacing before an installation can take place. While it’s often a task best left to professional installers, before fitting artificial grass the following are some points worth noting:

First, unroll your artificial grass and leave it to rest overnight, as this can help remove any unwanted creases. The next day, power blow or simply brush off as much moss and debris from your decking as possible. Then, you’ll need to lay down some board to avoid unsightly ridges caused by the decking, which would ruin the smooth surface of your artificial lawn. After this, a dedicated underlay product can be affixed securely for added comfort when using your outdoor area.

At this point, you’ll be ready to lay down your artificial grass. If you are confident you have the skills to perform the work, measure and cut your synthetic grass to suit your decking, with at least 50 millimetres of extra material on every side. Staple or tack down the grass into position and trim off any excess material for a precise fit.

Consulting an expert

If you are at all unsure about your ability to install your artificial grass, it’s well-worth seeking advice and assistance from a professional with extensive experience and skills. Experts in artificial lawns will be able to assess your decking and let you know if its condition makes it a candidate for your project and fit the grass properly. To get the most out of your investment, a correct installation is essential, and will make certain you’ll be able to enjoy your newly transformed decking for years to come.

Expert recommends carpet cleaning by hand

According to expert Izzie Deibe, writing for the Daily Express, deep carpet cleaning can be performed by hand.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, households have spent more time at home, and families with children and pets may find that their carpets become stained. In addition to vacuuming each day, carpets need regular deep cleaning to make sure all traces of bacteria and viruses are removed.

The typical method of keeping carpets clean is using a professional carpet cleaner with specialised machinery or hiring a carpet cleaning machine. This can be expensive, so Deibe suggests cleaning the carpet by hand to remove bacteria, stains, allergens and viruses.

Deibe recommends firstly scrubbing the carpet vigorously with a carpet brush, then using a vacuum cleaner to pick up the dislodged debris. Afterwards, the carpet should be covered with baking soda and left for at least half an hour before vacuuming it up.

As a result, the carpet should be clean and odour free. This procedure should be performed at least once every week. For areas such as the hallways that have a lot of foot traffic, it is necessary to do the cleaning at least twice a week.

If baking soda doesn’t get the carpet clean enough, lemon juice can remove stubborn stains and dirt. Sprinkle the carpet with lemon juice and leave for around two hours. Wash it off with a damp sponge and wait until it dries before walking on the carpet.

Alternatively, people save can themselves the time and trouble of cleaning their carpets in Chester and other regions by purchasing a carpet cleaning machine.

Five benefits of carpet tiles for your home or business

Carpet can add warmth to both living and working environments, but there’s no doubt installing it can sometimes be a cumbersome task to complete. For those hunting for an option that’s not only less hassle, but less expensive too, carpet tiles may be just the solution. The following are five advantages of this versatile flooring option worth considering:

1. Stress-free installation

Perhaps one of the most useful qualities of carpet tiles as a flooring solution is just how convenient they can be. With a modular design, carpet tiles are easy to buy in smaller units, making them simple to store away, handle and transfer from place to place. Arguably, when it comes to fitting carpet tiles, an installer will have little trouble putting them in position, as they are incredibly simple to assemble. This means that an installation will take less time to complete and those working or living in the rooms where fitting takes place will suffer a minimal amount of disruption.

2. A versatile choice

Simple to handle when working in a small space, carpet tiles are also a swift and easy solution to install over a larger area, making them an exceptionally versatile flooring option. Available in a wide range of shapes, designs and materials, these varied products offer carpeting to suit a diverse selection of areas in homes and commercial properties, from offices to living rooms.

Today’s offices often require cables to be concealed beneath floors while remaining accessible. When this is the case, carpet tiles can be an excellent answer. Simple to cut to any size, areas can be accessed with ease without needing to damage the flooring in place.

3. Hardwearing

Well-known for possessing a long lifespan, carpet tiles can cope with heavy footfall in busy areas. This high performing option typically features low pile, which is looped tight for durability. However, this adaptable flooring is also produced for different purposes and is readily available in a wide selection of pile weights and yarn fibres to vary its feel and look.

4. Cost-efficient

Low on wastage and needing little storage space due to their modular and stackable nature, carpet tiles are easy to transport, making them a cost-effective choice. Significant savings can also be made on installation costs, as a professional installer will take far less time to fit carpet tiles than a roll of wall-to-wall carpet. For enterprises carpeting their workspaces, carpet tiles can be installed far faster than ordinary carpet, leading to less downtime from disruption, adding up to far lower associated costs as well.

5. Easy to care for

Simple to both clean and, if necessary, replace, caring for carpet tiles laid in a property is a smooth and easy process. Floors tiled with carpet are extremely low maintenance as this low-pile solution generally collects less debris and dirt and responds well to routine vacuuming. If a particular problem occurs, such as a stain from a spill or water damage from a leak, individual carpet tiles can simply be removed and replaced.

With a whole host of benefits, carpet tiles are worth considering in any home or workplace.

Carbon neutral vinyl flooring options now available

Today, many people are concerned with choosing products that have fewer carbon emissions, and a US flooring manufacturer has now ensured all its flooring is carbon neutral.

Many people considering installing vinyl flooring in Cheshire homes are concerned about its environmental effects. Vinyl flooring is an environmentally friendly flooring option, and many manufacturers have sustainable processes and often include recyclable materials in their tiles. Vinyl is also recyclable after use and lasts a long time.

However, Interface, a flooring manufacturer based in Atlanta, USA, now claims that all its products, including vinyl tile, are carbon neutral. To achieve this, the company is using more recycled materials and has ensured it is implementing manufacturing efficiencies. It also takes part in a carbon credits scheme that funds carbon-reducing projects, including tree planting and biogas plants. Interface says that its carbon neutral range is no more expensive than normal flooring.

Interface claims that by using environmentally friendly flooring, a homeowner is taking:

“One bold step to reduce your carbon footprint. You’re choosing to reduce the carbon footprint of your space and help improve the health of the planet.”

Other manufacturers are also producing more eco-friendly vinyl flooring, and they are doing this without compromising on looks and quality. Eco-friendly vinyl is stylish and durable, and is suitable for both domestic and commercial use.

There are many eco-friendly options available for flooring nowadays, including wood flooring made with timber sourced from sustainable forests, and vinyl or laminates with high recycled material content.