Experts reveal how often carpets need replacing

Consumers considering purchasing carpets for their Chester and North Wales rooms often ask how long a carpet lasts. The answer is dependent on several factors, including the carpet material, the room the carpet is located in and how well it has been looked after. However, two carpet experts have agreed on an estimate of how long the average carpet lasts and have recommended ways to extend the life of a carpet.

In a report for Woman & Home, Scottie Hosie, a Head of Product and Innovation, and Rupert Anton from the Carpet Foundation both say that the average carpet lasts for seven years.

A carpet will function much longer than seven years, but in time it may begin to look worn, and the colours can fade. A condition known as tracking can develop, which Anton explains is:

“When part of the carpet seems to look ‘flat’ in terms of colour and pile and this is because if you walk on the same area every day it will naturally look worn and perhaps a different shade to the rest of the carpet.”

There are several ways the experts recommend to extend the life of a carpet. Regular vacuuming prolongs a carpet’s life by removing grit and dirt. In high-traffic areas, doormats and runners add an extra layer that protects the carpet. Stain blockers and repellent treatments can also help.

Though the average carpet may last seven years, an excellent-quality, well-looked-after carpet can last 20 years or more.

Study finds quarter of Brits don’t clean carpets

A new survey for home technology experts Proscenic found that over a quarter (27%) of people in the UK admit to not cleaning their carpets.

Dirty carpets can hold unseen germs as well as looking unsightly. It is especially important to clean carpets in households with children and pets.

TechRadar’s Home Editor, Jennifer Olsen, has a simple solution for those who are reluctant to clean their carpet – robot vacuum cleaners. These stay on charging bases until activated, then roam around the room cleaning the carpet automatically. They can be timed to clean the room when the house is unoccupied so that no one is disturbed. The only effort required is to remove any large debris, such as toys, books and clothes, from the floor. Of course, a robot vacuum cleaner does not empty itself, so that job still needs doing by hand

If the carpet smells, vacuuming alone may not be sufficient to remove the odour. This is simple to fix by spreading bicarbonate of soda on the carpet, leaving for 15 minutes and then vacuuming.

At least once a year, households should hire a professional carpet cleaner to deep clean their carpets.

Quality carpets in North Wales and Chester rooms have many benefits – they add luxury, have insulating properties to help keep rooms warm, reduce harsh sounds and are long lasting. They do need regular vacuuming, but this only takes a few minutes with a modern vacuum cleaner (or robot cleaner).

Poll reveals popularity of grey carpets

According to a poll by The Underfloor Heating Store, grey carpets are the second most popular floor covering.

Grey is a versatile colour for flooring that can be used in many different décor styles, from traditional to modern boutique chic. There are many ways to use grey carpets to improve the look of a room.

Dark grey carpets and grey walls provide the perfect contrast to neutral-coloured furniture, curtains and rugs. A monochrome colour room can look a little cold, but people can add textures for warmth and cosiness with deep-pile carpets, rugs and hardwood furniture with natural wood grains.

For those who prefer brighter rooms, a dark grey carpet goes well with bold colours, especially coral or shades of orange. A light grey carpet can make smaller rooms appear larger and reflects natural daylight. A grey stripe carpet adds subtle patterns to a room. For a more opulent feel, people can choose an ochre colour sofa and brass fittings.

In a room with grey carpets, experiment with bold wall colours, such as teal-blue or pink to create a vibrant style.

A quality grey carpet will last a long time. If a room needs a makeover, people can change the wall colours, furniture and rugs, but keep the grey carpets.

Grey carpets in Wrexham, North Wales and Chester are often chosen for a traditional subdued room style. They can also form a neutral backdrop in rooms that feature more vibrant colours to make a dramatic, modern style.

Carpet and rug market forecast to grow

Research by Transparency Market Research has predicted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% for the global rug and carpet market between 2022 and 2031.

The current estimated worth of this market is US$77.23 billion, and this is expected to increase to US$123.73 billion by 2031.

There are several reasons for the increase in carpet sales. There is a growth of new buildings, with many owners choosing carpets rather than alternative floor coverings. Carpet manufacturers are producing superior-quality carpets that last longer. Consumers are also becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, which has led to a higher demand for carpets made from more environmentally friendly materials and that are manufactured in factories with low-carbon footprints.

Rugs and carpets are suitable for home and business properties. Consumers recognise that carpets have many benefits. A carpet improves the interior design of a building, and a cushioned carpet is comfortable to walk on. Carpets also have up to 10 times more heat insulation than hard floors, which helps improve a building’s energy efficiency. As well as this, carpets dampen sound and reduce echoes to create a quieter environment, making them ideal for office spaces.

The report reveals that consumers are willing to spend more on aesthetic improvements to homes and business properties. This should fuel demand for wool and other luxury carpets.

The Transparency Market Research report on the future of the carpet industry predicts worldwide growth. This should be reflected in increased demand for carpets in the Chester and North Wales region.

What you need to know before buying vinyl flooring

Vinyl is one of the most popular forms of flooring material around. The primary reason for this is that it offers a hard-wearing choice that will not stretch the budgets of most home or business owners.

Vinyl is also a material that is quite easy to keep clean. This saves on both money and time, regardless of whether it is for a house or commercial premises. Then, there is the fact that it comes in many different designs depending on your taste. There are some points that you should know before buying vinyl flooring – read on to discover them.

What is vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is made out of a material with the name polyvinyl chloride resin, and it is completely synthetic.

You may have heard that this contains elements that can be a health risk, but that is not true. Those were removed from the formula a long time ago. It is now completely safe to have fitted in a home or the premises of a business, as well as being environmentally friendly.

What kinds of vinyl flooring are there?

By this we do not mean the design of the vinyl, but the type. Essentially, there are two basic kinds of vinyl for floors – tiles and sheets – and it will be important to figure out which is most suitable for your needs.

Sheet vinyl tends to be a single piece of flooring that is cut and fitted to the room it is going in. By contrast, tiled vinyl floors involve laying each tile individually, and they simulate the appearance of a ceramic tiled floor.

On the whole, a sheet vinyl floor is both cheaper and quicker to install. Thus, if getting the floors in place as quickly and cost-effectively as possible is your primary consideration, it will be the most suitable choice.

What’s the quality like?

Vinyl is a fairly durable flooring material, but better-quality vinyl will obviously last for longer. Fortunately, there is an easy way to establish its quality.

To do so, look at how thick the vinyl is. High-quality vinyl flooring should have a minimum thickness of around 3.5mm.

Cheap vinyl will be a lot thinner than that, often no more than 1.1mm. A floor like that will not last very long, especially if the room it is fitted in is used a lot.

The thickness rule applies equally to tiles and sheet vinyl. Luxury vinyl tiling (LVT) is a more expensive variation that guarantees quality and durability.

Where do you purchase vinyl flooring?

It will always be the most sensible option to buy your vinyl floors from a specialist flooring provider. When you’re choosing which company to buy from, look at how long they have been in business and what previous customers have to say about their services.

Availability should also be a consideration, as you want to be able to contact them and get a quick response if there any queries or issues.

How is it fitted?

If you have chosen sheet vinyl flooring for your home or commercial space, the job of fitting it will be quite simple. The pieces of vinyl are usually cut to fit the shape and size of the room using something like a Stanley knife.

Tiled vinyl is also not particularly difficult to install, but does take a bit longer because each tile must be fitted individually. As with tiles made of ceramics, vinyl ones generally have click-fit edges, but if that is not the case, wet adhesive is the best way to stick them to the floor.

Another point to bear in mind is that vinyl must be fitted on completely flat floors. If the floor surface is uneven, it can either be fixed using levelling compound or an underlay can be put down before the vinyl.

The company you buy the flooring from should be able to install it for you.

What styles are available?

A big reason for the widespread use of vinyl on the floors of both homes and businesses is the number of different styles that are available. Vinyl can simulate almost any other surface material.

One example of this is wood-effect vinyl. This accurately replicates the look of a wooden floor, but is much cheaper and more resistant to damage. Both dark and light wood styles are available.

How can it be cleaned?

Vinyl can be cleaned very easily and quickly. Either a vacuum cleaner or a mop will deal with most marks and stains, as long as you buy good-quality flooring.

These are the points that you need to be aware of if you are considering opting for vinyl floors. There are flooring firms that have served the North of England and Wales for years that you can speak to for more guidance.