Products
At our shop in Gravesend we have over 4000 carpet samples to choose from and a large range of vinyl cushion flooring and laminate flooring. Your selection will depend on a number of factors including - price, quality, colour and style, wear, and location.
Carpets
Stain Resistant Carpets
The vaste majority of manmade carpets are now made from a synthetic fibre called Polypropylene. This is an inherently stain resistant fibre that gives the carpet excellent resilience against stains - even meaning the carpet is bleach resistant and bleach cleanable.
" We have 1000's of carpets, laminates, vinyls, and rugs... to suit every taste and budget. "
Polypropylene is a strong fibre that can be used for carpets in high traffic areas such as the lounge or the hall, stairs, and landing carpet, and used in many commercial contract carpets.
Wool Carpets
Wool carpets being made of a natural fibre can be slightly more expensive than manmade carpets. However the price is far outweighed by the quality and wearability of wool carpets. The most common wool mix for wool carpets is 80% wool and 20% synthetic (usually a nylon or polypropylene to give the carpet added stability and strength), this is considered the strongest mix for wool carpets.
Wool carpets are very strong and are usually naturally fire retardant, meaning they are a good choice of carpet for high traffic areas and where fire regulations are of key importance such as hotels.
Wool carpets do vary in quality depending on the wool used and the type of yarn. British wool and Newzealand wool are considered the finest quality wool carpets. For even more strength wool carpets can be made with a two-ply or a three-ply yarn.
The weight (or density) of wool carpets can vary dramatically, ranging from 30oz up to 70oz or more. When choosing a wool carpet it's important to choose the right weight - higher weight carpets for higher traffic areas and for added luxury, and lower weight carpets for lower traffic areas.
Carpet Underlay
Because carpet underlay is hidden under the carpet, the carpet underlay is often out of sight and out of mind - and therefore often an after-thought when selecting a new carpet. This can be a mistake and false economy in the long run as the new carpets wear will depend on the stability and cushioning of the carpet underlay. Some of the manufactures use the slogan - every new carpet deserves a new underlay - and this is very true.
" Every new carpet deserves a new underlay... it will extend the life of your new carpet and help it keep it's appearence for longer. "
Carpet underlay is designed not only for added luxury and comfort, but primarily to take some of the wear off the carpet. The carpet underlay acts as a cushion and allows the carpet to give under traffic, adding bounce underfoot, and extending the carpets lifetime and recovery rate after crushing or flattening.
Polyurethane Foam Carpet Underlay
Different types of carpet underlay are available, rubber and polyurethane foam carpet underlay. The leading carpet underlay and the preference for most installations is polyurethane foam carpet underlay. Made from recycled foam not only is it friendly on the environment it's also very luxurious underfoot.
Polyurethane foam carpet underlay comes in different thickness, commonly from 7mm up to 11mm. 7mm or 8mm carpet underlay would usually be used for low traffic areas, and thicker carpet underlay from 9mm to 11mm would be used for higher traffic areas or for a more luxurious plush feel underfoot.
Flooring
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring gives a stylish finish to the modern home and modern way of living. Being easy to maintain a good quality laminate flooring can keep it's appearance for many years. Although laminate flooring is easy to maintain, it does need regular cleaning to keep free of dust and dirt, and liquid spillages must always be avoided on laminate flooring.
Quality of laminate flooring varies significantly as does price. Many very cheap laminate floorings do not wear very well over time, and defeats the object if you are thinking of switching from carpets to laminate flooring. Therefore it's important to investigate the quality of the laminate flooring - not just the price.
For quality assurance it's best to stick to the branded laminate floorings - two of the leading brands are Quick-Step Uniclic and Balterio. These manufactures put wear guarantees up to 25 years on their laminate flooring, and use the best materials in manufacturing.
Laminate flooring varies in thickness - starting from 6mm and go up to 10mm. The thickness of the laminate flooring makes a big difference to its lifetime. We recommend looking at 7mm and above for quality. 8mm and 9mm laminate flooring usually offers superior durability and an extended lifetime.
Vinyl Cushion Flooring
Vinyl Cushion flooring or linoleum is the flooring of choice for wet areas in the home, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Resistant to water vinyl cushion flooring is easy to wipe clean when there are spillages. Vinyl cushion flooring is available in a huge choice of colours and styles, from authentic rustic looking tiles and wooden flooring designs, to modern abstract patterns.
Vinyl cushion flooring comes rolled up like a carpet, usually available in multiple widths (2, 3, or 4 metres), and is fitted in a similar way to a carpet. However no underlay is used so when fitting vinyl cushion flooring the subfloor must be flat and free from indentations or bumps, as these will show through the vinyl. To overcome this hardboard or a screed can be used to level the subfloor before installation of the vinyl.
Domestic vinyl is cushioned to add a little comfort underfoot, hence the well known name vinyl cushion flooring, and the popular brand Cushionflor. Commercial grade vinyl has limited cushion but has a thicker top layer, or wear-layer, the durable top layer that takes the wear.