What are carpet tiles?

Carpet tiles are square sections of carpet that are convenient to install and replace and come in a variety of colours and patterns They are a durable flooring solution suitable for both commercial and residential spaces.

Can I install carpet tiles myself?

Yes, you can install carpet tiles yourself as they are designed to be easily installed by most people without professional assistance. However, installing carpet tiles can be a long job for large areas, especially if the old floor covering is stuck down and difficult to remove. If the subfloor is uneven, this may need to be levelled before laying carpet tiles. For edges of the room that are not straight, the tiles will need careful cutting to fit around uneven edges

If you are not confident in your do-it-yourself (DIY) skills, then it's worth using a professional carpet installer. Using a fitter employed by the carpet retailer in Chester where you bought the carpet tiles should not be very expensive.

How long do carpet tiles last?

Carpet tiles are durable, and decent quality ones can last between ten and twenty years. However, several factors affect the lifespan of the tiles. Thin cheap carpet tiles will not last as long as thicker, better-quality tiles. Carpet tiles wear quicker if they are not maintained well with regular vacuuming and the occasional deep clean.

Carpet tiles can look worn in high-foot-traffic areas. A major advantage of carpet tiles is that you can easily replace the tiles in areas where people regularly walk without having to replace the whole floor covering.

Are carpet tiles waterproof?

Carpet tiles are generally not waterproof, as they are made from fabric fibres that can absorb moisture. Some types of carpet tiles have some water resistance but are still not suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms. If water is spilt on carpet tiles, it can be mopped up promptly. Wine and other liquids can stain carpet tiles unless you install tiles treated with a stain resistant barrier.

For rooms with doorways to the outside, place mats that absorb moisture from footwear and dripping clothes.

Moisture can come from underneath the tiles, which can be prevented by using tiles with a built-in water barrier or a water-resistant underlay.

Environmental consultants manage vinyl floor recycling project

Flooring manufacturers Polyflor and Altro have appointed Resource Futures to manage Recofloor, a national waste vinyl flooring recycling scheme.

Recofloor was launched in 2009 and has collected just under 63,000 rolls of vinyl flooring since then. Flooring companies have the sustainability challenge of dealing with waste, to avoid burning old floor coverings or dumping them into landfill sites. Recofloor is a solution to this challenge and has been recognised as a leading flooring recycling scheme, receiving many awards in 2024 including the Circular Economy Award and the Better Society Award. Its most recent award was the Green Apple National Gold Award for waste management in building and construction.

Polyflor and Altro are committed to environmental goals. The Director of Polyflor, Paul Smallman, said:

"Both partners are committed to continuing the great work of the Recofloor scheme and supporting the industry cost-effective and environmentally-sound decisions in vinyl flooring disposal."

The Recofloor scheme collects used and waste vinyl flooring from flooring contractors. Small volumes of waste are dropped off at various flooring distributors in many UK locations. Part rolls of vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl tiles and offcuts are collected and recycled to make new products, including new vinyl flooring.

For domestic or commercial flooring in Wrexham and the surrounding area, Polyflor is an excellent choice for those who want sustainable flooring. The manufacturer is known for its wide range of luxury vinyl with realistic surface textures that capture the look and feel of wood, stone or abstract materials.

Should you avoid these carpet colours in 2025?

Interior designers Emily Vaughan and Jill Greaves have named five carpet colours to avoid and have suggested alternatives.

1. Bold colours

Bright-hued carpets are a fun way to liven up a room, but designer Jill Greaves suggests better ways to make a space look bright. Hang brightly coloured wall art or fit earth-tone carpets with amber, russet, reddish brown, and gold tones.

2. Cool Greys

According to Jill Greaves, cool grey walls and carpets are no longer trendy. For those who like a grey style, go for warmer greys combined with neutral colours.

3. All white

White rooms with white carpets are considered outdated and can be replaced by natural warm shades. If a white carpet is not ready to be replaced, add seagrass rugs to add warmth.

4. Beige

Designer Emily Vaughan says that beige carpets are outdated. For those who still like beige, she suggests choosing one with subtle patterns that can include beige elements.

5. Black

Black carpets make a bold impact and were a 2010s design trend, but deep brown or charcoal carpets are alternatives that offer the same moody feel as black but with a more modern look. Another idea is to combine black with navy blue in a dramatic patterned floor covering.

Interior designers make suggestions, but the decision about carpet colours is best made by the people who live in the carpeted home. Visit a local carpet retailer in North Wales to see a wide selection of carpet colours and patterns.

What factors are causing the growth in the office carpet tiles market?

There has been a steady growth in the demand for carpet tiles over recent years.

According to a report by Wise Guy Reports, the global market is worth 1.68 billion US dollars in 2024 and is expected to rise to 2.37 billion US dollars by 2032. Several factors are driving this growth.

Carpet tiles fulfil the demand for flexible modular flooring solutions. They are both functional and aesthetically pleasing; they are also both hard wearing and easy to install and remove. Maintenance is straightforward and worn tiles are easily replaced without affecting the rest of the floor. These factors make them suitable for high foot traffic areas.

Interior designers like the wide range of carpet tile designs, the extensive colour palette and varied patterns. Floor layouts can align with company branding with different colour tiles mixed and matched to create custom themes. New digital printing technology and advanced dyeing processes have increased the range of designs and colours to choose from.

Biophilic design integrates natural elements in the office environment. Nature-inspired carpet tiles with leaf patterns and earth tones are in high demand for this popular design trend.

There is a growing range of sustainable and eco-friendly carpet tiles that appeal to companies with environmental policies. Recycled materials are used in many carpet tile ranges. Tiles that have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions contribute to the better indoor air quality requirements of modern offices.

To see the wide range of carpet tiles for Wrexham offices, visit a local commercial carpet supplier.

Inexpensive natural ingredient quickly cleans carpets

A carpet expert has shared his tip for using an inexpensive household item to keep carpets fresh and clean.

Over time, pet hairs, spills and other dirt cause a carpet to look shabby and smell unpleasant. This cannot be fixed with a quick vacuum. A normal deep clean requires a specialised carpet cleaning machine and takes a long time.

Carpet expert Paul Brewster has shared a tip on how a common household substance can banish odours and quickly refresh a carpet. He claims this ingredient is more effective than many expensive carpet cleaning products. The ingredient is baking soda, which has natural odour neutralising properties. The best way to use baking soda is to sprinkle it on the carpet and leave it for a quarter of an hour or longer before vacuuming. Carpet owners may also try mixing a few drops of essential oils like lavender or tea tree with vinegar and baking soda to add an appealing fragrance to the refreshed carpet.

Baking soda and vinegar are also good for removing stains. Create a paste with the two ingredients and apply it to a stain. Leave it for a few minutes then blot clean with a cloth,

Though baking soda is good for regularly refreshing a carpet, it's still recommended that the carpet be deep cleaned at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaning service to remove ingrained dirt and debris that gets trapped in the pile.

Regular cleaning of carpets in North Wales homes lengthens their life and preserves a carpet's good looks.