Which? publishes carpet buying guide

Consumer organisation Which? has published a comprehensive guide on buying carpets, from initial planning to final installation.

There is a wide range of carpets available from a local carpet retailer in Chester, made from various materials and differing in quality and price. Choosing the right carpet can be challenging, but can be made easier with professional guidance from industry experts.

The guide is written by Which? senior researcher Hannah Healey. She recommends starting by assessing specific needs. For example, is the carpet for a high-traffic area like a hallway, or does the home have pets? The answers to these questions influence the best type of carpet for each room.

Which? details common carpet materials and their costs. Polypropylene carpets are more affordable and stain-resistant. Polyester carpets are mid-range synthetic options. Wool is the premium choice known for its natural strength and luxurious feel, but it is more expensive.

The Which? guide emphasises the importance of quality underlay, which extends a carpet’s lifespan, provides heat insulation, and dampens sound. Premium underlay adds to the cost, but is well worth installing.

When choosing a fitting service, it’s important to check whether the quote includes moving furniture, removing the old carpet, or if trimming doors is needed for thick-pile carpets.

To get the best deals, Which? recommends buying during sales. For small rooms, look for remnant offcuts at discounted prices.

Which? points out that carpets enhance the look and feel of a home but do not add financial value, as homebuyers often replace them with carpets more suited to their style and taste.

Six flooring trends experts advise avoiding

Flooring experts have identified six flooring trends that are not aligned with popular 2026 decor styles.

1. Grey washed floors

Many households used to love grey wood floors for their fresh, modern look, but now they seem dated. Flooring expert Natalie Mudd recommends using warm natural wood tones instead.

2. High gloss finishes

Flooring with a high-gloss finish can look great in photos, but they tend to show up any dirt and can be a slip hazard. Designer Alison Lynch says homeowners should instead use a matt finish hard floor that does not have the harsh glare of high gloss.

3. Floors that match cabinets

People often think that kitchen floors should match the cabinets, but according to expert Alison Lynch, this creates a flat, unimaginative look. An alternative idea is to use a floor with a contrasting colour.

4. Whitewashed wood

Whitewashed, very pale wood flooring was popular for minimalist decor styles, but is now regarded as outdated by interior designer Barry Walter, who has seen a shift to more mid-tone wood.

5. Bold patterns in large rooms

Bold pattern floors in large spaces can dominate the room and overstimulate. Designer Damla Turgut suggest restricting bold patterns to small areas in large rooms.

6. Dark floors in small rooms

Dark floors look good in well-lit, larger rooms, but in dimly lit small spaces can make a room look dingy. Damla Turgut recommends lighter mid-tones.

To find the best flooring for your rooms, consult a local flooring company in the Wrexham area.

Lost carpets of King Louis XIV displayed in Paris

The Louvre in Paris is hosting an exhibition called “The Rediscovered Treasure of the Sun King”, which showcases the magnificent carpets commissioned by Louis XIV in the 17th century.

In 1668, Louis XIV aimed to transform the Louvre into a royal residence, a place of absolute power. He appointed the painter Charles Le Brun to design 92 grand carpets to cover the floors of the Louvre gallery. These were woven by the Savonnerie Manufactory and measured nine metres wide. However, the carpets were never installed in the Louvre, as by 1678, the King had moved his court to Versailles.

The carpets were dispersed to various government buildings, and during the French Revolution, many were destroyed. Of the 92 carpets, only 41 survived, with just 33 in complete condition. A collection of 30 of these magnificent carpets will finally be displayed at the Louvre, but only for this week, from 1 to 8 February.

The exhibition is curated by Wolf Burchard from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Emmanuelle Federspiel from the French government agency Les Manufactures Nationales. The carpets are exhibited in the Grand Palais, which features a glass-domed ceiling that allows natural light to illuminate the intricate patterns of the carpets, which include mythological scenes and royal emblems in the Baroque art style. The exhibition is said to offer a rare glimpse of Louis XIV’s vision of power and luxury.

For down-to-earth yet stylish carpets that make you feel like royalty in your own home, visit a local carpet retailer in North Wales today.

New carpet technology keeps bike trails open

A specialist in bicycle trails in America has developed a new technology for carpets that can withstand adverse weather conditions.

Joshua Cohan, one of the owners of Jarrod’s Place ouA specialist in bicycle trails in America has developed a new technology for carpets that can withstand adverse weather conditions.

Joshua Cohan, one of the owners of Jarrod’s Place outdoor bicycle trails in Dalton, California, was struggling to keep the mountain bike trails open due to weather-related erosion and heavy bike use. Resurfacing one trail costs £15,000.

Joshua Cohan and his team sought a solution to keep the trails open in both sunny and rainy weather. They tried standard household carpets, artificial grass, and other materials to cover the trails, but none proved suitable.

The solution was to develop their own type of carpet. They collaborated with local carpet manufacturers to create what they call Trail Armor, a specialised type of carpet that allows water to penetrate the surface and prevents erosion of the trail underneath. The backing of the carpet is made from marine-grade rubber, which securely grips all types of terrain. The carpet fibre is UV-stabilised yarn that does not deteriorate in strong sunlight. Trail Armour is extremely durable, and tests have also shown it is suitable for trails in snowy conditions.

Trails covered with Trail Armor can remain open even after severe storms, which normally force closure. Trail Armor has now moved beyond experimentation and has become a business selling this unique carpet to other trail owners who want to keep their trails open in all weather conditions.

Most carpets available from a local carpet retailer in the Chester area are for indoor use, but there are carpets and rugs suitable for outdoor patios and decks. However, cycling on them is typically not recommended. tdoor bicycle trails in Dalton, California, was struggling to keep the mountain bike trails open due to weather-related erosion and heavy bike use. Resurfacing one trail costs £15,000.

Joshua Cohan and his team sought a solution to keep the trails open in both sunny and rainy weather. They tried standard household carpets, artificial grass, and other materials to cover the trails, but none proved suitable.

The solution was to develop their own type of carpet. They collaborated with local carpet manufacturers to create what they call Trail Armor, a specialised type of carpet that allows water to penetrate the surface and prevents erosion of the trail underneath. The backing of the carpet is made from marine-grade rubber, which securely grips all types of terrain. The carpet fibre is UV-stabilised yarn that does not deteriorate in strong sunlight. Trail Armour is extremely durable, and tests have also shown it is suitable for trails in snowy conditions.

Trails covered with Trail Armor can remain open even after severe storms, which normally force closure. Trail Armor has now moved beyond experimentation and has become a business selling this unique carpet to other trail owners who want to keep their trails open in all weather conditions.

Most carpets available from a local carpet retailer in the Chester area are for indoor use, but there are carpets and rugs suitable for outdoor patios and decks. However, cycling on them is typically not recommended.

Do you need to level a floor before carpeting?

Homeowners and companies considering fitting new carpets in Chester, Wrexham and other areas around the UK often wonder if levelling their floor first is essential.

As a rule, for a professional looking carpet installation that offers years of use, it’s advisable to level the floor before adding carpeting. In the following passages, we’ll take a detailed look at why levelling is critical, the ways to level common sub floor types and the rare installation exceptions when you might not need to level your floors.

Why levelling floors before carpet is important

Appearance: Prevents visible bumps, dips and ripples in the finished carpet.

Comfort: Eliminates uncomfortable hollow spots or raised areas underfoot.

Durability: Stops uneven pressure points that cause carpet to stretch, wear out, or develop air pockets.

Safety: Reduces trip hazards from uneven surfaces.

Installation: Makes fitting easier and ensures grippers and underlay sit properly.

Purchasing quality carpet is a significant investment. Unfortunately, uneven flooring creates air pockets and pressure points that make carpets more susceptible to wear and irreparable damage, shortening their service. Luckily, levelling subfloors first helps buyers enjoy a better return by extending a carpet’s lifespan.

Levelling also enhances the appearance of carpeting, giving rooms a seamless and smooth finish without any unsightly bumps and humps. As well as ruining aesthetics they such eyesores also make floor less comfortable to walk on reduce the risk of trips and falls. For safety and floor stability, levelling is vital.

How to level different subfloors

Levelling all subfloors starts with identifying issues. A six-foot level is an ideal tool for finding low and high spots in the surface areas being carpeted. Afterwards, the subfloor requires a comprehensive clean that eradicates any debris. If the subfloor is concrete, imperfections can be evened out using built-for-purpose levelling compound from a trusted brand. However, for uneven wooden floorboards, you can sand down high spots and replace loose boards, or fit a thin layer of plywood or hardwood if dips exist.

When you might skip major levelling

Finally, there are instances when substantial levelling isn’t as essential. Examples include subfloors with minor imperfections and thicker underlay and carpet piles that can make them unnoticeable. However, for best results and a boost to longevity, levelling before fitting carpet is always recommended.