How transition engineering is making flooring more sustainable

Transition engineering is the process of moving to a circular economy by designing resource efficiency into products and systems.

Prof Susan Krumdieck of Heriot Witt University is researching how transition engineering works in different industry sectors including food, computing and flooring.

In the flooring industry, she studied Danish company Tarkett, which asked employees to suggest ways to make their business model more sustainable. The company specialises in commercial carpets that needed frequent replacing, with the old carpets disposed of in landfills. The way transition engineering works in its new business model is to lease, not sell, carpet tiles. When the carpet needs freshening up, only worn or damaged sections are replaced. This is far better than replacing the whole carpet. Krumdieck says:

“If you’re leasing, you’d rather just replace the worn bits than replace it all."

A few years ago, most carpets were thrown away in landfills after they needed replacing. Many installers of commercial flooring in the Chester and North Wales region are partners with Carpet Recycling UK, who reuse and recycle carpets, diverting them from landfills. In 2007, 2% of carpets were recycled or reused, but in 2021 this increased to 81%.

The carpet industry supports the transition to a fully circular economy in which the textiles in old carpets are extracted and made into new products. Another resource-saving initiative by carpet manufacturers is the increasing use of green renewable energy sources that reduce the carbon emissions of the manufacturing process.

Why floors are noisier in summer

During the summer season, wood and laminate flooring can become noisy with loud creaks and squeaks disturbing the peace and quiet.

Wood and laminate flooring planks creak if they move up and down, as they expand when hot. According to flooring expert Paul Hambridge:

"Most of the work needed to prevent squeaky floors comes during installation."

He names four factors for installing a floor to prevent noise. First, make sure that the subfloor is even. After this, leave the flooring material for around 48 hours in the room to acclimatise. Then, install a good quality underlay and, finally, make sure that there is a gap around the edge of the room that allows the flooring to expand.

Fixing existing noisy flooring is not easy. Sometimes the only solution is to rip up the flooring, level the subfloor and then reinstall it. If there is an insufficient expansion gap around the outside, this could also cause squeaking.

If wood or engineered flooring works loose because it hasn't been secured properly, this can cause noise. Remove any nails or screws and replace them with new ones and firmly reattach the floor. For a temporary fix, apply talcum powder between plank joints to dampen the sound.

This issue of noisy floors highlights the importance of using expert floor installers. For peace of mind, use a local independent flooring retailer in North Wales that employs professional experienced installers who will make sure your solid surface flooring remains quiet when the sweltering summer weather arrives.

How to install carpet tiles

Carpet tiles (or modular or square carpets) are square shapes cut from larger wall to wall rolls, and are commonly used to create a new floor design. These can present households with a more inexpensive option than a traditional carpet. It is more cost-effective to replace individual carpet tiles, which are also less likely to require professional support. This guide aims to simplify the DIY installation process. It is therefore important that you follow each stage carefully.

Can I install carpet tiles myself?

Whilst it can seem tricky, laying carpet tiles is easier than it sounds. You will require the following tools: chalk, a vacuum cleaner, a fixed-blade utility knife, double-sided tape, a metal ruler, a tape measure, and carpet tile adhesive. You may also wish to consider Tackifier adhesive for larger areas.

How to install carpet tiles on underlay

A suitable underlay firstly needs to be clean and level. There are different underlays which come in different styles, from rubber for carpet tiles to others with acoustic properties.

Before laying your modular tiled floor, carefully stack and air the tiles in piles around the room. They should acclimatise for at least 24 hours before being fitted. Check the sub-floor is sound and solid. Clean your sub-floor of any dust or dirt. Fill any cracks or holes, level uneven patches and dry any dampness with a damp proof membrane.

Pay attention to the ‘pile direction arrows’ on the back of your carpet tiles. These will help you determine if you prefer a more textured look or a chequered pattern effect.

Do you put anything under carpet tiles?

Foam underlayment is a popular choice due to its softness and comfort, also providing reliable acoustic and thermal insulation to reduce noise and trap heat.

How to install carpet tiles

Firstly, always start in the middle of the room in case the walls aren’t straight. Mark a chalk line outward from the centre of the room, loosely placing carpet tiles along it. Then repeat to the sides of the room. The two lines of carpet tiles should be neatly aligned and now resemble a cross. This is to achieve an even finish. Check for uneven gaps at the edges and untidy looking thin gaps or ugly seams by doors. Check the gaps at the edges are equal, which should ideally be no more than half a tile all around the room. Tiles must be snugly fitted so that carpet fibres aren’t trapped.

Your carpet tiles can be sealed in position with adhesive glue or double-sided tape. Before sticking them down make sure to check that the colour has turned from white to transparent. Spray adhesive can also be used but remember that this should either be on the back of the carpet tile or on the floor, but definitely not both, or you may have a problem lifting the tiles again. In larger spaces you may prefer to use a more cost effective liquid tackifier (applied with a foam roller).

Only cut around the edges of the room once the carpet tiles have all been laid and you are satisfied with the layout. For the tidiest finish, use a profile gauge when trimming neat edges. Be careful with your cutting knife blades, and remember to change them after every 5 to 6 cuts.

How to install carpet tiles over carpet

Carpet tiles can be fitted on both thin and thick pile materials. In each instance, make sure you comprehensively clean the established carpet area beforehand. When using a liquid or steam cleaner, the carpet should be left to totally dry. It is usually fine to install the carpet tiles straight on top of a thin pile carpet, but with thick pile carpet it is strongly recommended you place plywood underlay boards on the floor or else risk leaving a potentially uneven surface.

Carpet tile longevity

New carpet tiles are designed to last for many years but certain measures should be taken to ensure they remain in the best condition, primarily daily vacuuming and periodical deep cleaning. Additionally, they may suffer from curling caused by carpet fibre tension, or not align as they should. During winter, they may arrive cold from warehouse or depot storage and if laid straight, there is the risk of expansion in a centrally heated room. If this happens it may be necessary to contact the manufacturer.

If you are based in the Chester, Oswestry, Wrexham or wider North Wales area and require flooring services, carpets, vinyl, wood or laminate, then contact us to get professional advice and an estimate from a member of the team.

Best floor covering for concrete flooring

A popular option for commercial flooring in Chester and other parts of the country, concrete also provides a firm foundation in many homes. Extremely durable and with excellent thermal characteristics, concrete is ideal for construction and works well with innovative underfloor heating. However, while some people enjoy the modern appearance of polished concrete, others seeking to create a specific look and feel choose to top it with a floor finish.

A diverse array of floor coverings work effectively with concrete flooring and in this guide, we’ll examine some of the best. Read on to discover which is right choice for your home or business.

Carpet

While concrete has many outstanding qualities, comfort is not among them. As a result, many commercial and domestic property owners opt for wall-to-wall carpet or carpet tiles. An average- to thick-pile carpet can add a soft and warm layer between occupants and the hard, cold concrete below in homes. However, thinner carpet tiles can be ideal for commercial use. An easy-care option, they can increase the appeal of flooring but can easily be swapped out when worn or damaged, saving the expense and disruption of recarpeting the entire area.

Engineered wood

Handsome to look at and sturdily constructed, engineered wood is an excellent floor covering for concrete floors. Adding both warmth and character to concrete, installations are also compatible with level substrates. Orderable at a fraction of the price of solid timber, engineered wood appears like the genuine article. This is because the top-most layer of its construction is high-quality hardwood. However, multiple layers of plywood are included below which allows the engineered boards to cope well with changes in temperature and moisture, avoiding unwanted warping.

Laminate

A cost-effective alternative to wooden or tiled flooring, laminate comes in a wide range of colours or can be designed to mimic natural wood or tiles. Constructed similarly to engineered wood, laminate is a multi-layer product with the top layer featuring a high-resolution image of a wood grain or tile type, or in some cases, simply a solid block of colour.

Eco-friendly businesses and homeowners will be happy to hear that many laminate flooring options are created with composite materials, so no tress are felled for their production. Laminate is works as a floating floor which can be useful when concrete flooring has imperfections or an uneven surface.

Vinyl

Softer than tiles to walk on, but water resistant, hardwearing and easy to care for, vinyl is a popular floor choice to deploy on concrete flooring. It can be bought in sheet form or as tiles and planks. This latter format is referred to as Luxury Vinyl Tile, or LVT for short, and is constructed using the same multi-layered technique as laminate to mirror more expensive floor finishes like engineered wood, porcelain and natural stone. Vinyl also includes transparent layers of protection which defend flooring against stains and scratches, making it exceptionally durable.

Finally, it’s worth noting that waterproof membranes and cushioning underlay are advised additions to enhance comfort and protection before softer floor finishes are fitted.

Carpetright appoints advisers on cost cutting

One of the UK's largest carpet retailers, Carpetright, has appointed advisers, Teneo, to look at ways of reducing costs. Carpetright has recently experienced a downturn in sales.

Following Teneo's examination of the business, there could be closures of unprofitable shops and rent reduction negotiations.

In a 14-month period up to January 2022, the company had revenues of £372.6 million, down from £493.2 million the previous year. Carpetright lost £23.4 million pre-tax during the period to January 2022, which was less than the previous loss of £53 million.

Most Carpetright shop locations have several competitors close by. Martin Harris, the son of Lord Harris of Peckham, Carpetright's founder, has opened rival carpet shops close to many of Carpetright's stores.

Carpetright's longstanding business model has been to heavily discount carpet prices and offer money off larger orders. There has been less demand for high value premium quality carpets, which is one reason for the drop in the company's sales.

While at first customers may be under the impression they can find bargains at Carpetright, shoppers who compare prices can often find that the same quality carpets can be found at a similar or cheaper price at a local independent carpet retailer. Many prefer shopping at an independent carpet retailer in Chester or North Wales as they feel they get better customer service.

Though some consumers choose hard flooring rather than carpets, there is still a large demand for traditional carpets that add luxury and warmth to a room.