Carpets in North Wales – still as popular as ever

There was a time when every North Wales home used carpets, but a few decades ago they because less popular after the introduction of better quality laminates and vinyl. Carpets sales in Wales have increased over the last few years, however, signifying something of a comeback.

Though some carpet manufacturers have closed, there are still over 100 UK carpet companies that have seen an annual growth of 1.8% from 2014 to 2019.

Many Welsh households and businesses have installed new carpets over the last year or two. Newly built commercial and residential properties are often fitted with carpets.

Why carpet?

There are many reasons why Welsh people choose carpets. Solid wood, tiles, laminates and vinyl are still preferred for kitchen and bathroom areas, but people love the feel of walking and sitting on a soft carpet. Even if they don’t have carpets in the downstairs area, carpets are usually chosen for the bedrooms.

A good quality carpet has insulating properties that keeps the home warmer and saves on electricity. Carpets have acoustic attributes, deadening sound and preventing echoes.

Carpets come in a variety of colours and patterns to suit all styles of décor. They trap allergens so that they don’t circulate in the air and affect people with allergies. This makes carpets suitable for hotels, offices and other busy areas where there may be a few allergy sufferers.

Additionally, carpets are recommended for rooms in which elderly people live, as the cushion-like texture can prevent serious injury from falls.

The love of wool

North Wales is known for its sheep and this has prompted the Welsh to love natural wool. The wool from most Welsh sheep is the wrong type for carpets, though you can purchase Welsh sheepskin rugs. Carpets need specialist breed sheep. There are some in Wales that are used to make rugs and small carpet, but most wool carpets sold by Welsh retailers are made from Asian or New Zealand wool, and sometimes blended with other fibres to improve durability and stain resistance.

Many carpets are made from synthetic fibres and can be long-lasting and suitable for commercial use. However, for a carpet that looks and feels like a luxury product, many people in North Wales prefer to go for top-quality wool.

Finding a quality carpet

Whether you want a wool or synthetic fibre carpet, it is better to pay a little extra for a quality carpet manufactured to last. If you bend a carpet sample and you can easily see the backing, it’s a low density grade and lower quality. A quality carpet will have a 34 to 40oz face weight which is a measure of the fibres per square yard. Look for a ‘twist’ of four or more – he twist is how many times the carpet tufts are twisted together.

If a carpet has a warranty of 10 years or more, this should indicate good quality.

Carpets in North Wales rooms are a good choice if you want a practical and stylish looking floor covering.