By interiors expert Liz Dennys, October 2009
Carpets – Liz discusses hardwearing alternatives for a young family.
We’d all like that extra space in our homes but it is all too easy to get the conservatory wrong. So often we visit homes where the conservatory was meant to add all year entertaining with stunning glass roofs to allow as much light as possible but in reality have turned to be a cold damp place in the winter and a sauna in the summer condemning the area to a no go zone.
Carpet is available in a huge range of colours, patterns, designs and yarns - 100% wool or blended nylon, wool, polyester or polypropylene. The yarns used will affect durability, cost and performance.
The most expensive is 100% wool, then 80% wool with 20% nylon or 80% wool with 20% polyester – cheaper carpets are 100% polyester. Wool will feel warmer, softer and give a more luxurious feel to a room; polyester will be tougher, coarser in feel and is not usually used in domestic environments. There are 2 main types of carpet: woven and tufted. Woven means one continuous thread stitched into a natural jute backing and tufted is where fibre has been glued into a polypropylene backing.
A dense short pile (tufted) creates a smooth surface and is easy to maintain whereas a deep pile (tufted) is great for sinking your toes in but will need extra TLC! Loop pile carpets give a more contemporary look and come in different size loop – the chunkier tends to be more expensive.
Natural flooring coverings made from materials such as sisal, coir, jute and seagrass are also a great choice for living areas, though should be avoided on stairs as they can become slippery over time. Coir is made from coconut husks and is very tough and coarse to touch. Jute is made from Corchorus plant and comes mainly from India and Bangladesh and is softer, the fibres smoother – this is used in light traffic areas. Seagrass is suitable for most areas and its fibres come from a tropical plant grown in China and Vietnam. Sisal is from Agave sisalana plant which is grown in Brazil, East Africa and Mexico and has smooth white fibres – this too can be used in most areas.
Underlay is essential when fitting a new carpet and a top quality underlay can prolong the life of your carpet by 40%. My advice is use the most expensive underlay available, even if you have chosen a mid range carpet – you really will feel the difference underfoot. Check that the carpet retailer and fitter is a member of Contract Flooring Association (CFA) or National Institute of Carpet and Floor layers (NICF) Good installation is imperative if you want your carpet to look and feel good for a long period of time and it is worth paying extra for a good and where possible, recommended carpet fitter.
For more information visit www.mottraminteriors.co.uk.
