Bio-based carpets sales forecast to grow significantly

A report by Coherent Market Insights titled “Bio-based Carpet Market” forecasts that sales of bio-based carpets will grow during the next five years.

Carpets come in two main types, synthetic and bio-based. Carpets made from synthetic materials include nylon and polyester. Bio-based carpets are made from natural fibres such as jute, wool and seagrass, and the report predicts bio-based carpets will have a compound annual growth rate of 5.45% during the period 2021 to 2026.

The sales growth is due to many consumers wanting more natural and sustainable materials in their homes. The recent COP26 climate change talks in Glasgow focused people on making more environmentally friendly choices when buying goods for their homes.

Wool carpets in Chester and North Wales properties are popular with people who want floor coverings made from environmentally friendly natural fibres without compromising on the look, durability and luxurious feel of wool. There are many pure wool carpets available that don’t use chemicals and additives during the manufacturing process. This makes them suitable for allergy sufferers with chemical sensitivities. Some wool carpets are coloured using dyes, but there are non-dyed wool carpets available.

Seagrass and jute carpets, for example, are available undyed. These bio-based carpets are eco-friendly and suitable for allergy sufferers.

Wool carpets are not suitable for high-moisture areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, where they could be infected by mildew and mould. They are suitable for living rooms, stairs, hallways and bedrooms.

There are some environmentally friendly synthetic carpets. For example, ECONYL fibre is made from a mixture of regenerated nylon and recycled waste materials.

Artist turns carpets into works of art

South Florida artist Florencia Clement de Grandprey is turning carpets into art by painting pictures on them.

De Grandprey takes large rugs and carpets and spends around a month creating a work of art. She also makes 3D paintings featuring paint, fabric samples and mixed media. Her carpet paintings were inspired by a desire to paint on a much larger scale, but using easily transportable media. Carpets and rugs were her solution, as they can be rolled up for transportation. She incorporates the patterns of the carpets as part of her art.

Though de Grandprey likes depicting faces, she is not available for commissions to paint family portraits on carpets. She has created a series of carpet paintings that she calls “Guardians of Sacred Space”, which features faces of people of different ethnicities. She told WSVN 7News that:

“I always try to represent different ethnicities, nationalities, just different looks, because I feel that everyone needs to be represented.”

The artist’s carpet paintings are inspired by a desire to empower people by reminding them of their inner warrior. The carpets are not for walking on, but are instead to be hung on the wall like other works of art.

If households are tired of either plain or patterned carpets in their Chester and North Wales homes, it’s unlikely that there are local artists willing to change them by turning them into works of art. An easier solution is to choose a new carpet from the wide range of patterns and colours available from a local carpet retailer.

Historic Chinese carpet on sale for $4.6 million

A rare Ming dynasty carpet made in the 16th century is set to be the star item in an auction in Paris this month. It has been valued at $4.6 million, but could sell for more.

The carpet was woven for the Imperial Palace located inside the Forbidden City in Beijing. It features a pair of dragons and a seed pearl at the centre. It was originally laid on an elevated platform that supported the emperor’s throne, which was known as the “Son of Heaven” and signified that the emperor was connected to both the heavens and the earth.

Measuring 20 square metres, the carpet’s original red colour has faded to golden yellow, but this has not diminished the carpet's value. Hundreds of carpets were woven in 16th century China, but only 39 have survived. Just 16 depicting Imperial dragons are in existence – nine in the Beijing Palace Museum and seven owned by private individuals.

The Head of Oriental Rugs and Carpets at auctioneer Christies, Louise Broadhurst, said:

“Standing before such a carpet one cannot help but be transported back to the impressive palace interiors of the Ming Emperors. For this carpet to have survived in such remarkable condition is in itself a rare feat and we are honoured to offer this eminent work of art for sale.”

Carpets in Chester, Wrexham and North Wales homes are very popular and can be purchased for cost considerably less than a Ming dynasty carpet.

Which wood floor is right for you?

Wood has enjoyed the status of being a favoured floor choice for hundreds of years. While the hardwood flooring industry dates back to the 1600s, engineered wood floors came much later, during the 1960s. Neither option is superior to the other, but both possess their own unique advantages. Read on as we explore the lasting charm of wooden floors and some of the reasons why people seek to install these different products in their homes and premises.

What is the difference?

Hardwood, often referred to as solid wood flooring, consists of planks of timber that are nailed into place to create a room surface. Unlike solid wood, engineered boards are manufactured quite differently. Instead of simply sawing of a slice of wood and cutting it to the desired shape to make a plank, more work goes into creating an engineered board.

Rather than a single piece of timber, engineered boards are made of many layers of wood. Cheaper wood is used to create the lower layers, while a piece of real hardwood is glued on top. Once installed, only the real wood is visible, creating a flooring that looks similar to hardwood in appearance.

A tell-tale way to spot which floor is which when installed is by the width of its boards. A real wood floor will usually have much narrower floorboards than engineered wood.

Longevity

Hardwood flooring will beat an engineered floor in terms of how long it will last. Those extoling the virtues of a real wood floor will often remind buyers that a solid wood floor has been known to last longer than the walls of the buildings they’re fitted in.

Crafted from a solid piece of wood, hardwood floors can be sanded down and refinished multiple times during service. This process can rejuvenate their appearance, restoring their original look and feel. Engineered wood cannot complete this trick as many times during its lifespan, but it can still be refinished using this method at least once or twice before replacing it is required.

Price

Engineered flooring provides homeowners seeking a real wood experience at a lower cost with an excellent alternative to timber-boarded floors. While presenting the natural warmth and regal appearance of a hardwood floor, engineered boards are available at considerably lower costs.

Conditions

Engineered and hardwood floors can cope reasonably well with heat, but too much moisture can be an issue for both. The layers of engineered wood allow it to cope better with fluctuations in temperature, while a rigid wood floor can sometimes experience difficulty under extreme heat. Water spilled on wood flooring of any kind must be absorbed quickly and dried out thoroughly. Prolonged exposure to moisture can warp wood, lessening its appearance and causing long-lasting damage.

To sum up, both hardwood and engineered board flooring have their own benefits and share some of the same weaknesses. Before buying a wood floor of any kind, always consult and expert on what type is best for your home or business.

How do you pick flooring for kitchens?

As the room where we cook, eat and clean, many kitchens see considerable use. Over time, this makes it necessary for this area of our home to need refreshing. While sometimes, new tile work or painting is all that is needed to improve them, other kitchen refurbishments require drastic measures.

Kitchen floors must cope with heavy traffic in family homes, and even smaller households will need to manage water and food spills, along with dirt trodden in. When these floors start to show signs of wear, and repair is impossible, getting a replacement may be the only option.

In the following sections, we’ll look at some crucial considerations for when you’re picking out a new floor.

Budget

Everyone has a dream kitchen in mind, but affordability is often an issue. While you might love the look of tumbled Dijon limestone, picking an option that matches your budget is important. Fortunately, flooring is available in a wide range of materials to suit different price ranges.

Vinyl provides the most economical solution for kitchen floors, while laminate and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are more upmarket yet affordable options. These last two solutions can be a suitable second choice when you have your heart set on wood or natural stone. Both LVT and laminate can perfectly mimic the look of these organic options – for a cost that’s considerably less.

Usage

How often your kitchen is used is also a factor. Busy homes packed with kids and pets will need a robust floor that can handle plenty of footfall. High-quality vinyl-based flooring is particularly hardwearing and can stand up to serious traffic while keeping its appearance.

If you rarely use your kitchen but want a stylish finish, you could opt for wood. However, kitchens must often cope with moisture, so consider engineered boards over hardwood. The multi-layer construction of engineered planks allows it to adapt much better when exposed to liquids, buts it’s still a wise move to mop any spills immediately to avoid damage.

Keeping it clean

Food is prepared and sometimes eaten in kitchens, requiring them to have high levels of hygiene. From everyday dirt dragged in on the feet and paws of family members to cooking stains and spills, kitchen flooring needs regular maintenance. With this in mind, it’s worth selecting a floor choice that’s easy to care for.

Vinyl is among the simplest to clean surfaces, as it requires no special cleaning fluids or equipment to maintain. Water-based cleaning completed with a mop is all that is required, as this option is entirely waterproof.

Style and colour

Laminate and vinyl are flexible options that offer an extensive selection of different looks. You’ll find intricate patterns, a rainbow of colours and even different textures and tones available. Having so much choice can be especially beneficial when you’re looking to match your new floor to existing units or appliances in a fitted kitchen.

With a wide array of possibilities offered, you’re sure to find just the right flooring required to suit your needs.