Budget friendly flooring

Good flooring is the foundation of interior design. Different rooms have different functional requirements, and the flooring must meet their needs to avoid future problems or further costs. High footfall areas like hallways or kitchens need to be highly durable to withstand the traffic.

The good news is that decent flooring doesn’t have to cost you the earth. With over 50 years of family history in the trade, Home Style Carpets and Flooring can offer a wide range of durable, comfortable and affordable flooring options.

Carpets

Carpets offer a range of benefits including insulation, energy savings and underfoot comfort.

Carpets reduce noise pollution as the soft surface acts as a barrier, particularly on the upper levels, reducing impact noise for people on the lower floors.

Up to 10% of heating can be lost through a floor if it doesn’t have adequate insulation - carpets can help retain warmth in your home.

Risk of injury by falling can also be reduced by carpets as the softer surface can reduce impact and is less prone to slipping hazards making carpets a great choice when considering infants or others who are less able to walk.

To see our full range of carpets and related services we offer such as fitting, underlay and door trimming, click here.

Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are individual squares of carpet that can be slotted together to add texture and warmth to your living space. Installation can be tailored to meet your budget and a professional installer from our team will get the job finished with minimal disruption.

Compared to other flooring options, carpet tiles can save money thanks to the relatively short installation time and will also save on waste and area easy to transport.

Carpet tiles are highly versatile and can be used for virtually any space from the living room to the bedroom and there are dozens of designs and potential combinations to choose from, whatever your style.

Carpet tiles are known for their long lifespan and hardwearing nature. Because they are low-pile and tend to attract less dirt, cleaning them is as easy as regular vacuuming.

You can look at our range of carpet tiles and designs and sizes here.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is made of several different layers that are pressed together and have a durable, photo-realistic surface layer.

Laminate flooring is hard-wearing and can withstand the heavy footfall wear and tear that comes with a busy house, the top layer protecting against scratches and scrapes.

It is very easy to maintain and clean. Sweeping regularly and using a damp cloth or laminate floor wipes will ensure your laminate flooring stands the test of time.

Laminate flooring gives the impression of a wooden finish at far less cost than real wood and is well known to be very easy to fit.

Our range of vinyl flooring options and services, including fitting, design advice and no-obligation quotes can be found here.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a type of synthetic flooring composed of several layers of different materials, such as PVC, plastic and fibreglass. The layers are sandwiched together and form a highly durable, hard-wearing and aesthetically pleasing floor surface.

It is widely considered to be a highly durable material, making it a great choice for a high quality floor in a high-traffic space.

Compared to other options and because of its layered construction, vinyl floor is more comfortable underfoot with a more padded feel compared to hardwood or stone. It can also help rescue echo and noise.

Because of its insulative properties, it can help retain heat and help maintain consistent temperature throughout the home regardless of the time of year.

As it is composed mainly of PVC, vinyl flooring is waterproof, making it perfect for areas prone to spillages such as kitchens and bathrooms but with a number of designs available to choose from such as wood and stone effects, it can add a great new look to any room of your choosing.

Vinyl flooring is so easy to install that you can do it yourself and potentially get a room finished in a few days. To reduce disruption further and get the job finished quickly and to professional quality, we can fit it for you.

You can browse our range of vinyl flooring designs here.

With a range of over 3,000 products, Home Style Carpets can help you achieve the perfect floor for your needs. If you’re looking for stylish and affordable carpets, vinyl flooring, carpet tiles or laminate flooring around Chester, Wrexham and North Wales, call us for a no-obligation quote today.

New carpet recycling collaboration needed

Speakers at the Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) annual conference in July 2024 discussed the need for more collaboration between members of the flooring, construction and waste management industries to find better ways of recycling textile flooring waste.

In 2020, 200,000 tons of textile flooring and carpet waste was diverted from disposal in landfills and used in energy generation. Adnan Zeb-Khan of CRUK said that this is an important use of waste carpets, but other ways of recycling carpets are needed.

The conference heard about research into using flooring waste in cement and other construction products. Details were also given about a pilot scheme in Northampton which is the first UK dedicated recycling centre that recycles polypropylene from synthetic carpets into beads to be used in the manufacture of new products.

Artificial intelligence is helping waste management companies discover different chemicals in carpets to show what they are made from to assist the recycling processes.

It was suggested that partnerships are needed to create an Extended Product Responsibility (EPR) scheme to develop a circular economy for floor coverings. Jane Gardner of the European Resilient Floorcovering Manufacturers’ Institute (ERFMI) said:

“Sustainability is becoming mandatory in the European Union and our strategy recognises the need for waste management companies, recyclers and raw material suppliers to collaborate to ensure a workable solution for all stakeholders.”

Each flooring company in North Wales is aware of its responsibility for sustainable business practices. Old carpets can be taken away for recycling after new carpets are installed.

Biophilic inspired carpets bring nature indoors

Biophilic design brings nature into indoor spaces, often achieved through numerous house plants that mimic the outdoor environment.

This design approach has gained popularity for its ability to create a sense of tranquillity and connection to the natural world within interior settings. Biophilia is a Greek word that means ‘For the love of nature and living things.'

Inspired by biophilic design principles, carpet manufacturers have started to incorporate natural materials like wool, jute and silk into their products. These carpets are left undyed to maintain a natural colour palette, reflecting the raw materials' beauty. Not only do these carpets enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space, but they also contribute to reducing environmental impact due to their sustainable production methods.

To further enhance the biophilic environment, homeowners can try adding solid wood furniture and an abundance of house plants. Plant shelves can be attached to walls to display greenery, while plants can even be integrated into pendant lamp shades for a unique touch. For a striking visual impact, create an indoor green wall that is completely covered in plants, transforming the space into a lush and vibrant oasis.

While biophilic-inspired carpets may not be widely available yet, there are plenty of alternative options offered by flooring services in Wrexham and North Wales. For those looking to add biophilic elements to their homes or business spaces, carpets made from natural sisal or seagrass can be a great starting point. To create a more inviting and luxurious atmosphere, it might make more sense opt for a pure wool carpet.

Tarkett relaunches IQ Optima range

Swedish vinyl flooring manufacturer Tarkett has refreshed and relaunched its best-selling range of IQ Optima vinyl flooring with new designs and an extended colour palette.

The IQ Optima moving nuances range is designed great design and technical performance, with colours and patterns inspired by soft watercolour washes. The collection has four distinct colour palettes, Argil, Basalt, Oxid and Lichen. A room or space can contain different coloured tiles to create harmonious areas that promote comfort and well-being. Flooring can be made dementia-friendly and can be installed in combination with Tarkett's anti-static and non-slip ranges that help protect the vulnerable.

IQ flooring is very hard wearing, typically lasting around 30 years. The tiles are suitable for dry buffing, which is a hygienic, no-detergent process that uses mechanical friction to smooth flooring and remove wear patterns, making tiles look their best for longer. IQ Optima vinyl flooring is ideal for heavy foot traffic spaces.

Tarkett has a circular economy approach to producing vinyl flooring by using around 25% recycled materials and manufacturing flooring using 100% renewable energy. Tarkett's take back program recycles offcuts from installations and recycles worn tiles. IQ Optima tiles are made from materials that have extremely low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to improve indoor air quality. The tiles are suitable for residential use or commercial buildings and in construction or renovation projects that want to decrease their carbon footprint.

Tarkett luxury vinyl tiles are made in Sweden but available from flooring services in North Wales.

Sofa Carpet Specialist ceases carpet sales

Retailer ScS, whose initials stand for Sofa Carpet Specialist, has stopped selling carpets online and in its shops.

Flooring accounted for only 8% of the retailer's group revenue and this has not grown during the last few years. Poltronesofà, the new ScS owner, made the decision to stop selling carpets. ScS will continue to specialise in selling sofas.

This news came after Carpetright, a major competitor of ScS, recently announced its intention to appoint administrators, which could mean the closure of all its stores unless a buyer can be found.

Though carpets may no longer be available from ScS and Carpetright, this does not mean there is little demand for carpets or a shortage of carpets available. Carpet sales have declined slightly over the past few years as hard flooring has become more popular. However, the UK carpet industry revenue in 2024 is estimated to be at a healthy figure of £2.3 billion.

Independent retailers of carpets in the Chester and North Wales region report that there is still a high demand for quality carpets with consumers particularly liking luxury wool carpets.

The government has a target of 300,000 new homes each year to address the housing shortage. This will positively impact demand for floor coverings including carpets. While companies such as ScS may be turning away from carpet sales, other independent providers are more than capable of meeting the demands of homeowners up and down the country, as these homes are built.