Can you install a vinyl floor by yourself?

Today’s vinyl options offer a versatile flooring solution available in multiple colours and styles, suiting a wide variety of tastes and applications. Sometimes crafted to accurately resemble wood and stone, luxury vinyl tiles can also add a natural look to living spaces, while new water proofing technology makes vinyl an excellent option for both bathrooms and kitchens. However, many considering a vinyl flooring option wonder if you can avoid labour costs and fit it yourself.

The pros of hiring a professional floor fitter

Installing vinyl floor solutions is among the most common DIY projects tackled by homeowners, but this doesn’t mean it’s the right option for you. Using a professional to fit any type of flooring can save you time and energy, and it can be affordable if you do your research. Some suppliers will even offer a free fitting service.

One advantage of having a professional floor fitter take on the job is the peace of mind it brings, as you know that your floor has been installed correctly. A vinyl floor that has a professional installation will typically last far longer than many DIY projects, offering you a return on the investment you stumped up to hire a qualified contractor.

Preparation involved and cost considerations

It’s worth considering all you may need to pay for and the time it will take to complete the job if you handle it yourself. First, you’ll need to track down the following tools or buy them if necessary – a carpenter’s square, a tape measure, utility knife, adhesive, if required by your chosen vinyl, and a floor roller, which can also be rented.

After you’ve selected the style of vinyl you want, your next job is to measure the space and work out how much flooring you’ll need. If a room is an odd shape, break your floor into areas you can measure separately, then add them together to find the total square footage of vinyl tiles you require. Purchase extras to cover accidents.

Before buying vinyl, ask yourself what thickness you will need and if an underlay is required. Thicker floors are suitable for high-traffic areas of your home, with more durable solutions holding up better under frequent use. If you’re adding flooring to a room you use less, such as where you sleep, a thinner option will usually fit the bill.

Not all floors require an underlay. In fact, there are products available designed to fit straight onto the subfloor. Underlay can be useful, however, if you want additional comfort levels or wish to raise the height of your floor slightly.

Full spread, floating, loose lay, glue down and peel and stick are all different approaches to fitting vinyl flooring. When your new vinyl tiles arrive, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation method to the letter when you start your project.

In summary, if you’re confident in your DIY abilities and want to fit a floor while you have time on your hands, make sure you’re prepared with everything you need. Otherwise, wait until lockdown lifts and have it professionally fitted to keep life simple.

Is artificial grass suitable for cats?

The advantages of artificial grass for the people at your property are manifold. A far lower maintenance option, it can help homeowners decrease their gardening duties considerably. Its all-year-round attractive appearance is always welcome, and it can provide a comfortable and cleaner environment for relaxing on than natural grass. However, households that include a feline member of the family may wonder how an artificial lawn might measure for their four-legged friend.

In the following passages, we’ll look at some benefits of synthetic lawn when you have a cat and answer some common questions and concerns.

Safety first

While you should always check a product’s certification before buying, leading manufacturers create artificial lawns free from toxic substances, ensuring they are safe for all to use, including your cat. This means that whether they play on your lawn or nibble on the man-made fibres, no harm will come to them. The same can’t always be said for real grass lawns, which are often sprayed with chemicals to help them grow or pesticides to kill unwanted insects, which can lead to cats becoming sick after eating it.

Additional comfort levels

Cats will play happily on synthetic grass, just like the natural version. Artificial turf can often feel softer and springier for them than the genuine counterpart, especially during dry months when grass can sometimes lose its lustre and become sparse.

Will cat mess stain artificial grass?

Artificial grass can be a far better option than natural grass when it comes to unwanted mess. Whereas real grass will discolour, burn or stain from cats using it as a toilet, artificial grass will not. This being said, it’s always wise to tackle any solid mess straight away, with natural rainfall taking care of the rest in most instances. If necessary, you can use some simple detergent and a cleaning cloth to remove any mess from the fibres of your artificial lawn.

Can artificial grass also work indoors for cats?

Many parents find that synthetic grass can make an excellent play area for their children, as it provides a safe and clean space for them to enjoy. The same can be said for cat owners, who will discover an area of indoor artificial grass area may prove popular with their feline friends for all the same reasons and more. Cats are intrigued by different textures and the way they feel on the sensitive pads of their paws, making the fibres of man-made grass ideal when they must stay indoors.

It’s worth remembering that just like us, all cats are individuals, so be sure to acquire a sample of artificial grass first before purchasing a large quantity to ensure your cat responds well to it.

Easy to clean and safe to use, artificial grass is ideal both indoors and out for both cats and their owners. Whether you want a protective area for play or a comfortable new sleeping spot, artificial grass may be just the solution you and your cat seek.

Experts say room design should start with flooring

According to interior designers, homeowners should start the design process for a new room with the floor.

As reported by the Independent, designer Michelle Ogundehin explained this by saying that both visually and literally, a floor is the foundation of a room. This does not mean that the floor should be installed straight away, but that you should choose the carpet design and colour first, then match everything else to it. Carpet swatches should be carried with you when you visit paint, wallpaper and furnishing shops.

Some people start with a neutral-coloured carpet, as they think it goes with almost all colour schemes. However, Charles Annable, who works in the carpet industry, disagrees with this approach. He says that more and more people are opting for a bold look for the colour and pattern of their carpets, and that 2021 is a time for “bolder and better”.

Interior designer Matthew Williamson is also a fan of bold colours, and says:

“Colour and pattern can speak to us at aesthetic and emotional levels, elevating our homes, infiltrating through the walls, the furnishings, and of course, the floor.”

Designer Jodie Hatton says that it is worth investing in a high-quality, hardwearing carpet that will last a long time. If you have a hard surface floor, a colourful rug can elevate the look of a room.

When choosing carpets for your North Wales home, consider bold colours and then paint the room in shades that complement the carpet. This will completely change the look and atmosphere of the room.

White House spends thousands on inauguration carpet cleaning

In preparation for the inauguration of a new president, it is customary for the White House to clean all the residential and work area carpets. The website TMZ has reported that federal documents reveal the upcoming inauguration carpet cleaning will cost $44,000.

For the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, the carpets must be cleaned more thoroughly due to extra hygiene measures that prevent the spread of COVID-19. President Trump, his wife and several White House staff contracted the virus in 2020.

The White House has 132 rooms with 55,000 square feet of floor space, which contains a lot of carpets. A team of carpet cleaners is required, as the cleaning has to be done in a five-hour period between the official departure time of President Trump and the arrival of President Elect Biden on inauguration day.

Furniture, doorknobs, windows, handrails, countertops, light switches and other items in the White House will all also be thoroughly cleansed. It is also expected that some rooms will have new carpets installed.

People living in smaller homes with carpets in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales areas are advised to clean their carpets regularly, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike the White House, there is no need to wait for a special occasion. Regular vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning with a carpet cleaning machine are recommended. Professional carpet cleaning companies in the region will deep clean carpets to remove all debris, bacteria and viruses.

Pantone names 2021 colours of the year

The Pantone colour system has announced that its colours of the year for 2021 are “Ultimate Grey” and “Illuminating”, which is a shade of yellow.

Pantone colour recommendations influence graphic artists, fashion designers, interior designers and floor covering manufacturers. They are predictions of the colours that will be popular with consumers in the year ahead.

There has been some criticism about the colour choices for 2021, with some likening Illuminating to the colour used for hi-vis vests. Fashion magazine Vogue described the choice as “really weird.” Other have said the combination of the two colours resembles a mixture of cement and cold sunshine.

Pantone compared Ultimate Grey to natural elements like pebbles on a beach. It has described Illuminating as bright and cheerful, expressing reassurance and hope.

Normally, Pantone chooses one colour for its colour of the year, but for 2021, it selected two. The trend forecasters at Pantone said that one colour was not enough to express everything about the times we live in. Instead, they wanted two independent shades that work well together.

The colour trend forecast for 2020 was Classic Blue, which was chosen before the first cases of COVID-19 were discovered. The choice was not, therefore, influenced by Classic Blue’s resemblance to the colour of medical scrubs worn by doctors treating COVID-19 patients.

If Pantone’s colours prove popular, flooring services in North Wales will likely offer carpets in shades of grey and yellow. Many homes and commercial property owners are not influenced by colour trends, however, preferring carpets that feature their personal favourite colours.