15 FLOORING THOUGHTS

Flooring is a major investment. Think what each room does in terms of daily wear and balance your choice and budget with a combination of underlay, product, its composition and the look you want to achieve

1. One happening necessary. man’s ceiling in the room is another below man’s and use floor. acoustic Think underlay about what’s where 2. Like insulation duvets, but carpets when and it comes underlay to under have floor a tog heating rating. Flooring the tog rating is of maximum carpet and benefit. underlay combined should be kept below 2.5 for 3. The thickness average of 9mm thickness makes of sense underlay – both is 11 it or and 12 the mm. carpet On stairs have a to be bend into the angle of the stair. 4. The crumb most rubber popular and underlays felt. Foam in is common favourite use for are stairs; foam, sponge sponge rubber rubber, for cement friendly floors and watch and under out for floor felt heating; if there is crumb someone rubber allergic is the to most wool. eco 5. The thicker the underlay the more luxurious the carpet will feel. Work to achieve a perfect balance between type of carpet, depth of pile and underlay. That is why it pays to buy from a specialist. 6. It is false economy to lay a new carpet on old underlay. 7. Carpets fall into the basic types of Saxony, deep and soft; twist, smooth hardwearing; loop, pet claws catch, especially cats; cut and loop mainly for patterns; Berber cut and loop with a knot, and velvet, dense, short pile. The most common materials are nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, and wool. 8. Think blend of materials, colour and style for the needs of each room, balancing your budget as you go. 9. In natural flooring wool is king but remember sisal, sea grass, coir and jute. Each of the later can be woven into varying patterns and used in underlay or rugs. Can be expensive, looks striking; the great eco statement. 10. The ultimate eco flooring is good old fashioned linoleum, famously pioneered and manufactured here in Scotland. Tiles or roll, which has to be fitted by specialists. 11. Bamboo the other natural is becoming ever popular as a hard wood floor; the best manufacturers can offer soundproofing and under floor heating underlay. 12. Wood always looks good, salvaged old floor boards are worth searching for; get the under floor insulation and finish right. Engineered wood is an easier option; parquet always looks classy. 13. Stone, slate, ceramic tiles have their place in kitchens, bathrooms, utilities and hardworking areas; buy wisely, maintain well and you never buy again. 14. Your floors are an art gallery and rugs are the paintings; go for an old master, with an oriental or Persian – auctions are great places. Go natural with sheepskin and other hides; or fibres like coir or sisal or choose contemporary, the choice is staggering and covers all prices. Make the ultimate statement with handmade or bespoke from Scottish master craftsmen like Turnberry. 15. The most common – and costly – mistake made is falling to maintain this investment. A good vacuum cleaner and mop, the right cleaning product, knowing the best way to treat a stain and a regular visit from professional cleaners will keep them good for years to come.