How long will vinyl flooring last for?

Today’s vinyl options provide a stylish yet affordable solution for both homes and businesses. Perfectly presented to resemble tiles or planks, a wide selection of different woodgrains and styles of stone can be found that mimic natural surfaces. Alternatively, vinyl can also feature motifs and designs, allowing it to be laid out in eye-catching geometric patterns. This quality can make it ideal for a variety of spaces where a decorative look is desired, from foyers and hallways to elegant conservatories.

Vinyl is not only easy on the eye, but also incredibly hardwearing, making it a sound selection for those looking for a floor that lasts. A vinyl floor can last, on average, from 10 to 20 years, or even longer in some cases. This means property owners fitting vinyl can see a substantial return on their investment. However, there are some points that may impact the lifespan of vinyl flooring worth noting.

Picking a quality product

Vinyl flooring is available in a wide range of styles, but also in a diverse array of different qualities. Among the most economical of options for floor coverings, it’s still worth choosing a high-quality brand that comes well recommended when you purchase vinyl. There are multiple manufacturers to select from producing both vinyl and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) for an extensive range of applications, from kitchens and bathrooms to play areas for kids. As with any kind of floor, the quality of the vinyl you select will impact its longevity.

Professionally fitted flooring

While vinyl flooring is counted as one of the easier floor types to install, employing professionals to fit it can add to the length of time it lasts for. Incorrect installations can leave vinyl flooring vulnerable to potential damage, from exposed, poorly finished edges to tearing or improper subfloor preparation resulting in unwanted dents. With a flooring option as affordable as vinyl, it may be worth spending some of your savings on a professional fitting to ensure you get the most value from your new floor.

Wear and care

How much a floor is used will always be a factor when it comes to how long it can endure. Ideal for areas that see a heavy footfall in both homes and enterprises, vinyl is a durable option, but it will obviously last longer in areas that are seldom used. Fortunately, high-quality vinyl is typically designed with a dedicated wear layer, providing strong resistance to both scratches and stains, adding to its life span.

As with most other flooring choices, if left uncared for overtime, even a robust vinyl floor can have its life shortened. However, while failure to attend to spills and stains can cause damage in the long term, one major advantage of vinyl floors is that they are supremely low maintenance to look after. For the most part, you will find simple sweeping and light mopping is all that is required to keep your floor looking brand-new for many years to come.

Carpet manufacturers go green

Several carpet manufacturers are now creating more eco-friendly carpets.

Many people like the luxury of wool carpets in their homes. Wool is a sustainable material that is used to make premium-quality carpets. Though wool can be more expensive to buy than man-made fibres, it is much stronger, feels luxurious and will last a lot longer. Those buying wool carpets should look for The British Wool Foundation mark, which indicates genuine British wool carpets.

Some manufacturers are making carpets using corn glucose, which avoids the petroleum used in the manufacture of some man-made carpet fibres. Other carpet makers are using recycled materials. Discarded plastic bottles are used to make carpet backing and underlays, and old vehicle tyres can also be used in the production of underlays. Carpets made from discarded fishing nets are another innovative use of recycled materials.

High-quality carpets in North Wales homes should last for many years, but of course, no carpet lasts forever. Many in the carpet industry are concerned about throwing away carpets at the end of their life. A few years ago, most carpets ended up in landfill sites, but there are now organisations that take old carpets and recycle them. The raw materials in the carpets can be recovered and used in the manufacture of other products.

Many households in the North Wales and Chester areas are concerned about the environment. Carpet manufacturers share these concerns, which is reflected in the development of more eco-friendly carpets made from sustainable and recyclable materials.

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.