Negative carbon carpet tiles developed

Carpet tiles have been manufactured that have a negative carbon footprint.

Concerns over climate change have caused many industries to research ways to reduce their carbon footprint. The UK government wants to drastically reduce carbon emissions in homes and commercial premises. USA carpet tile manufacturer Interface claims that the process it has developed creates a carpet tile that saves 300g of carbon per square metre.

The tiles are made from vegetation and recycled nylon, and the latex in the carpet tiles is made from smokestack exhaust. This removes carbon from the atmosphere, which is a reason for the negative carbon claim.

In the mid-1990s, Interface calculated that 20 kilograms of CO2 was emitted in the atmosphere to make a square metre of carpet. Over the years, it has gradually reduced carbon emissions when manufacturing carpets, until it finally found ways to produce carpets with negative carbon emissions. There was no one breakthrough that happened to achieve this – thousands of small carbon-reducing changes were made to the materials used in the carpet tiles and the manufacturing process until the negative carbon figure was achieved.

The carbon reduction policies of the company are also seen in its factories, which use renewable energy sources. The machines that make the carpets operate at low temperatures to save energy.

Carpet tiles in Chester and North Wales buildings may not be carbon negative, but European carpet manufacturers are using recycled materials in their tiles to reduce their carbon footprint. Carpets made from natural, sustainable wool are also an environmentally friendly carpet option.

How do wall-to-wall carpeting and carpet tiles compare?

Whether you’re buying for your business or home, selecting floor coverings is an important decision. Representing a significant investment and making a substantial visual impact on the rooms it is fitted in, flooring is typically in place for many years before being changed.

For these reasons, it’s wise to select a solution that is suited to a room’s use. Carpet in its various forms is renowned for adding warmth, comfort and even a sense of luxury to living and office spaces. There are two main types that purchasers can pick from, and both have their own advantages.

Wall-to-wall carpeting is usually referred to as just “carpet”, and it is provided in long rolls to create a seamless surface. Carpet tiles, on the other hand, are modular, and they involve individual carpet squares that are laid down one at a time to cover the floor.

In the following passages, we’ll compare carpet tiles and wall-to-wall carpeting and see how they measure up.

Aesthetic appeal and comfort levels

In terms of appearance, carpeting in top condition will look more opulent than carpet tiles. However, carpet tiles can still be used to create a smart appearance and are easier to replace when they become damaged.

Many people enjoy the luxurious experience of sinking their feet into the thick fibres of a deep pile carpet. High-quality carpeting offers unrivalled comfort levels in comparison to carpet tiles, which tend to be far thinner and are often installed directly on concrete to create an even surface.

Costs

Carpet tiles are far cheaper than even the most affordable conventional carpet products. The affordability of tiles makes them a sought-after option for areas of buildings where wear is likely, from school classrooms and office foyers to conservatories and garden cabins around the home.

Ease of installation

Due to their modular nature, carpet tiles are quick and easy to fit. They are light to carry and simple to manoeuvre for fast and fuss-free installations. Fitting carpets, on the other hand, is a more complex process that is best left to professionals. Experience is especially important in oddly shaped rooms, where carpet must be cut to fit specific shapes.

Maintenance and durability

Carpet tiles are much lower maintenance. Light vacuum cleaning is all that is required to keep them looking in top condition, and if a tile becomes stained or damaged, it can easily be removed for cleaning, replaced with a fresh tile or simply relocated in a spot seldom seen. Due to its thicker nature, carpeting will need a more in-depth clean periodically, and a bad stain can ruin a whole carpet’s appeal.

Extremely hardwearing, carpet tiles are better suited to areas of heavy traffic than their wall-to-wall counterparts. Carpets can experience considerable wear in busier parts of room, but their life can be extended by adding mats by entrances and exits to protect them.

While it will always come down to a buyer’s preference, if you put style and luxury over practicality, carpets can provide exceptional comfort and aesthetics. However, if you seek an easy installation and a carpet that’s simple to maintain, tiling may be the option for you.

What’s the difference between solid wood and engineered board floors?

Having a wooden floor in the home is a coveted option for many property owners. While many modern flooring choices, like laminate and luxury vinyl, perform an impressive imitation of real wood using digital photography, the warmth and natural feel of true timber can’t always be replicated.

There are two main options to pick from when people want to install a wooden floor in their homes – solid wood and engineered boards. In the following sections, we’ll investigate how these two floor types compare, helping homeowners make their final selection.

Appearance

A hardwood floor and one with engineered boards look exceptionally similar in appearance, offering the same natural wood appeal on the surface. Where they differ, however, is in their construction. Solid wood floorboards are single pieces of timber cut into planks, and they can be made from oak, walnut or maple, among other types. Engineered boards, on the other hand, use layers of cheaper plywood that are topped with a layer of high-quality wood like those previously mentioned.

Durability

Both types of wood floor are able to withstand a high volume of human traffic, and unlike other flooring types, they often look better with additional wear. To protect excessive pressure in specific spots, it’s still worth considering using furniture pads under heavy tables and sofas.

Installation

As hardwood boards must be nailed into place, while engineered floors use tongue and groove assembly, many DIYers find the latter an easier project to complete. Those using a professional service may also find that contractors can install engineered wood faster and more quietly, causing less inconvenience.

Care

Cleaning both types of floors is comparable. Light sweeping and vacuuming is all that’s required day to day, with a more comprehensive clean occurring each month. An approved wood cleaner should be used with no excessive moisture, as water can cause damage to both types of flooring over time.

Longevity

Solid wooden floors are famous for often living longer than the actual buildings they’re installed in. Hardwood boards can last anywhere between 30 to 100 years, as they can be sanded down and refinished periodically, rejuvenating them and restoring their original appearance.

Due to its design, engineered wooden flooring cannot be sanded and refinished as many times, reducing its lifespan compared to hardwood. However, engineered flooring still provides plenty of value, with boards that last anywhere between 20 to 30 years, and sometimes even longer, depending on usage and care.

Cost

In terms of price, a solid wood floor to cover an area of five metres by five metres will cost approximately £1,250 to £2,000 here in the UK. Engineered wood floors can be far less expensive, with prices to cover the same sized living space estimated between £500 to £2,750, depending on the wood grade used.

As you can see, both types of wooden flooring will offer a robust solution that is easy to care for and will look exceptional. If longevity is key, hardwood is a better choice, but if price is a concern and you want an easy installation, engineered boards might be the flooring for you.

Carpets set to make comeback

During the past 20 years, hard surface flooring has become more popular than carpets, but this could be changing.

The pandemic has meant more people spending time at home. This has focused their minds on the need to make their homes more comfortable, and carpets make a room feel very warm and cosy.

One argument made against carpets is that they are difficult to keep clean. However, advancements in fibre technology have made carpets easier to clean and maintain.

According to Kevin Brasler, writing for The Washington Post, wall-to-wall carpets are making a comeback in the USA. Design trends that start in America tend to then influence Britain.

Brasler recognises that buying a carpet is a major decision, as:

“Unlike most redecorating projects, buying carpet is a major commitment. Because carpeting dramatically affects the look of a room, lasts a long time and can cost thousands of dollars.”

Brasler recommends taking time to choose the best carpet. There are important decisions to make about the style, pattern, colour and texture of the carpet.

For carpets in the Wrexham, Chester and North Wales area, visit a local carpet retailer and installer to see carpet samples and to find the one best suited for your home decor.

Many households are looking at ways to upgrade their homes to make them more comfortable and luxurious. A quality new carpet is a simple way to transform a room from an ordinary room to a luxurious one, fit for relaxing and feeling at home in.

Which floor choice is suited to kitchens – LVT or laminate?

Out of all the rooms in the house, kitchens can see a lot of action, requiring them to have robust floors. From family members of all ages to their four-legged friends, kitchen flooring has to handle some serious footfall. Fitted in what is often the hub of the home and is the dedicated room for cooking – and sometimes dining – kitchen floors must cope with spills and splatters from food, drink, oils and greases. This makes it vital that they’re easy to clean, and as kitchens are rooms with regular water use, they’re also required to hold up well when wet.

Two popular choices floor choices are luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and laminate, and in the following sections, we’ll look at how these two options measure up against each other for kitchen use.

Appearance and price

Both laminate and LVT can look like natural stone tiles or planks of hardwood, but at a fraction of the price. This ensures you can have a high-end and stylish appearance for your kitchen without it costing the earth. You’ll find both products available in a wealth of different styles, tones, textures and colours, so you can easily match them with your existing fittings and fixtures. Pricewise, these two high-quality products are roughly comparable, and as aforementioned, are far more affordable than the natural floor coverings they imitate.

Hygiene and maintenance

LVT is exceptionally easy to care for. Entirely waterproof, it can be washed using a mop, with no special cleaners required, and it’s also hardwearing, so you can also vacuum it when necessary. Any cleaner can be used on this flooring, making it easy to shop for supplies, and no waxes or polishes are ever required.

Laminate flooring requires slightly more care. Excess water is unwise, as it can cause damage like warping, and vacuuming with a soft brush attachment is recommended to avoid chipping the corners of planks and tiles. Laminate flooring can lose its lustre in time, but specifically designed cleaners are available that help restore their shine.

Pet friendliness

Both LVT and laminate are well-known for standing up well against the claws of cats and dogs, but where their mess is concerned, LVT has the edge. When pets that aren’t housebroken have an accident, it can seep into laminate, while the impermeable nature of LVT ensures no liquids can penetrate the floor’s surface. Being easier to clean than laminate, LVT is also better suited to mopping up after messy eaters and their muddy paw prints.

Durability

Laminate and LVT are designed to be durable and cope with a lot of traffic. However, based in a kitchen where water spills are a common occurrence, LVT is better able to cope and less likely to be damaged than laminate.

As you can see, LVT and laminate floor coverings can appear like the same product, and even have similar costs. While both are hardwearing solutions, when it comes to the kitchen, LVT may be the better option, as it’s waterproof and easier to clean.