Top 5 Essential Carpet Care Tips

When you first have your carpet installed you expect it to be comfy, cosy and clean. Beyond that you’d like to retain the quality of the carpet, but it can be hard to keep your carpets looking fresh when feet trample over them on a daily basis. That’s why we have chosen five of our best carpet care tips – some are cleaning tips but some are more preventative measures you can take.

Clean Spillages Pronto

When disaster strikes it can be easy to panic, but that panic could make things worse in the long run. No carpet will be free from spillages and accidents do happen so it’s better to keep your cool and react quickly. Have a damp cloth and a dry towel handy before you begin, dab gently at the liquid to lift most of it, if you press down too hard it will soak into the fibre even deeper.
If you catch a spillage early enough you stand a better chance of stopping it becoming a stain, but if it does stain then you might want to take tips from family members, such as baking soda to lift a stain.

Steer Clear Of Dirt

With something seeing high traffic, like carpets, you need to create some house rules. Make sure you don’t wear shoes indoors and be firm about this rule with family and friends, they don’t need to keep their footwear on and you’ll be amazed at how much better your carpets will look for it. Even the rubber sole of a shoe can create a scuff mark on tougher fibre carpets.
To minimise the amount of dirt in the house have a mat outside and one inside so that you lower the risk of dirt being trampled. In bad weather it is unlikely that your shoes won’t pick up any kind of dirt or debris.

Make Vacuuming A Habit

It can be a real pain but someone has to do it, if you make vacuuming your carpets a regular thing then your carpets will be consistently clean. Make sure you get into those awkward spaces too – more dirt accumulates in the areas under furniture and in tight corners. Every nook and cranny should be vacuumed at least once a fortnight to keep your carpets fresh.

Rotate Your Furniture

The pressure placed on your carpet by heavy furniture can ruin the thread of the material, you’ll notice flattened spots and grooves. If you rotate your furniture not only can you avoid this but you make sure that all areas of the carpet get vacuumed easily at some point.

Special Carpet Protectors

You can get permanent carpet protectors for vulnerable areas or temporary ones for when you’re doing any DIY work or painting. Dust, paint, residue and other annoying substances will ruin your carpet unless you have something to cover the floor. If you don’t want to invest in a protector then old bed covers will suffice, lay them down before you start any DIY or painting and you will catch any mess before it hits the floor, you can even reuse these.

If you need professional carpet care advice or would like to hire a carpet cleaner, then give us a call at Pyramid Carpets. Our friendly staff will be happy to offer you advice on maintenance and installation.

The Complete Guide To Flooring For Your Home

Whenever you consider new flooring options for your home it is always best to weigh up your options. While price can be a deciding factor for a lot of people there are other issues to think about, such as the traffic the surface will see, and whether your new floor will match your existing décor.
There are so many different flooring materials to choose from however, that it can be hard to know which one will work best for you and your home. Below you will find a handy guide to the main domestic flooring options available, what they’re best suited for and what they’re not suited for.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has grown in popularity in the last few decades and is formed from fibreboard with a photorealistic wood print laid on top to make it fairly indistinguishable from real timber in its appearance. This is a durable choice which fits in with most existing decors so can be used in almost any room including playrooms and the kitchen if it has a waterproof core.

Pros

Cheap Solution
Simple To Install
A Number Of Styles And Shades

Cons

Not Natural Wood
Poorly Laid It Is Unattractive
Swells In Heavy Moisture

Hardwood Flooring

With a hardwood floor you know you are getting both natural beauty of the real wood you choose (maple, oak etc.) and the durability which comes with it. This is a long lasting solution and can be recoated for different finishes over time.

Pros

Multiple Refinishes
Stands Up To Wear
Great Range Of Natural Materials

Cons

Difficult To Install If Boards Change Shape
Swells Or Contracts In Extreme Temperatures
Could Be From Non-Sustainable Source

Linoleum Flooring

Better known as “lino” in some areas, this is a sheet flooring which is made from oils and natural substances to make it a renewable and natural solution. It’s available in a wide range of colours from the neutral and unassuming to bright, jazzy and patterned designs.

Pros

Easy Glue-Down Installation
Special Coating To Prevent Wear
Easy To Clean

Cons

Needs To Be Sealed To Prevent Water Damage
Ages Over Time If Not Looked After
Scratches Or Dents Are Hard To Hide

Vinyl Flooring

A close relative of the linoleum already discussed, it is made from man-made products with a chemical production. It is often made to be softer underfoot by adding a cushioned layer on the underside and comes in a range of styles and designs.

Pros

Easy To Install
Resilient To Moisture
One Of The Cheapest Flooring Materials

Cons

Once Top Layer Degrades It Fades Fast
Not As Environmentally Friendly
Doesn’t Last As Long As Linoleum

Engineered Flooring

This particular wood floor is created from layers of cheaper wood placed at right angles under a quality veneer. The overall effect is that you get both the durability of the layers with the quality finish of the real wood veneer.

Pros

Hard Wearing
Resistant To Temperature Fluctuations
Cheaper Than Real Wood Flooring

Cons

Tougher To Install
More Expensive Than Laminate
Scratches Take Their Toll (But Can Be Sanded Back)

Clearly there are a range of fantastic flooring solutions available for your home, but if you need more advice, or would like to see a full range, then contact Pyramid Carpets today. Our team of professionals will be able to advise which flooring works best in which rooms and find a solution to suit your budget.

Home Improvements: Carpets vs. Flooring

Spring is just around the corner, and for many people it will be the perfect time to get some renovations done around the home, giving you a fresh décor for the year ahead. There’s the perfect combination of holiday time and decent weather which makes the months ahead ideal for getting things done such as replacing your flooring and choosing a nice new carpet or floor.
Each material has its benefits and its limitations so it is better to establish which one will work better in your home from both a practical, as well as a décor viewpoint.

Flooring

Let’s start with the pros for flooring, though it might seem like a throwback to a bygone era the vinyl and linoleum flooring is actually available in a range of styles and colours, so no matter what room you’re laying it in there will be a style to suit. When you choose a harder flooring you get the practicality of an easy to clean surface as well as something robust which can stand up to the punishment of heavy foot traffic over long periods. All this reduces the amount you spend on replacing the surface and the amount of time you spend tending to it as well.
Now let’s talk about the con’s, the first of which should be fairly obvious, these surfaces might be more durable but that in turn leaves them a little less comforting underfoot, they also leave people prone to slipping if they get wet for any reason, posing a danger if you don’t clean up any spills quickly. The initial amount you spend on this type of flooring could be more than a carpet so although you won’t need to replace it as often as with carpeting you will spend more to begin with.

Carpets

The pros for carpets are pretty straightforward and part of the reason we have had carpets in our homes for centuries – it’s the most comfortable thing to have underfoot. As a by-product of this benefit you also reduce noise, so ideal for those who like to stomp around their home. For those who like to ensure their carpets tie in with the rest of the room you will also get the benefit of a range of styles, colours and patterns, with neutral tones available which suits any home.
There are a few cons however, with wear and tear being one of them. Not only will the fibres of your carpet not stand up well to high traffic they will also not react well to spillages. You have to know exactly the right technique to lift or prevent stains on your carpet and liquids such as wine and cola are difficult to get rid of. Pets aren’t good to have around your carpets either, not only can they track mud but their hairs will become embedded in your carpet, and the only way to get rid of it is to have regular deep cleaning services.
As you can see there are plenty of differences for the two types of flooring materials, now you should weigh up these factors, consider your budget and your taste in interior decoration. Remember – you don’t have to have the same flooring throughout the house, you can mix it up with vinyl in the kitchen and carpets in your bedroom!

Whatever you decide, for the best quality products in either hardwood and laminate flooring, or carpeting, make sure you contact Pyramid Carpets today. Visit our showroom to view our fantastic array of flooring materials, our staff are always happy to help you find the perfect solution for your home.

 

10 Tips For Taking Care Of Your Hardwood Flooring

A beautiful hardwood floor can be the pride of any home, offering prestige and character, but for many people it is a challenge to keep their hardwood flooring looking as healthy as it did the day it was installed. That’s why we have put together our top 10 tips for keeping your wood floors looking reliable and attractive in your home.

Don’t Slide Furniture

Whenever we move our furniture it always seems easier to slide things around, this is especially true on wood flooring as it makes it smoother and quicker to change the furniture round. This can be avoided by lifting, protecting your floor from scratches and scuffs which are unsightly and spoil the unique look.

Use Felt Pads On Feet Of Furniture

Felt pads are cheap to buy and easy to apply, put them on the feet of all your furniture to stop general wear and tear when the furniture is nudged, pushed or dragged on your floor.

No Heavy Mopping

Tempting though it may be, you should avoid heavy mopping of your wood floor. Use a minimal amount of water – preferably a damp cloth or mop – to ensure you can still clean but that there isn’t moisture soaking into the cracks or pooling on the surface.

No High Heels

If you’re the kind of person who likes to keep footwear on indoors then at least outlaw one piece of footwear – high heels. The heels, especially stilettoes, put all the pressure on the one pointed element meaning it’s easy to leave dents and impressions that will damage your floors.

No Grit/Mud

The one thing you don’t want to let into your home is grit, followed closely by mud. These substances can easily wear and scratch your hardwood flooring over time, they grind away in crevices and are travelled by feet until your floors become unrecognisable.

Use No-Wax Wood Floor Cleaner

A no-wax floor cleaner should be kept handy at all times, it helps to protect the floor and means you can avoid using liquid based products which would be soaked into your flooring. Whether you’re cleaning up moisture or mud, always use a no-wax product.

Use Large Doormats/Rugs

At the entrance points to your home you can place large mats or rugs, these extra long door mats reduce the amount of shoe-based traffic your hardwood floor sees. This way you can ensure that people either take off their footwear or that their feet are relatively clean before they walk on your floors.

Avoid Moisture

We’ve already talked about moisture from cleaning but it’s worth repeating that moisture should be avoided at all costs. This includes spilt liquids and rainwater if your floors are exposed when doors are open. Liquids can penetrate into your hardwood flooring and leave a stain if not dealt with quickly.

Sweep Regularly With Soft Broom

If you like to regularly clean your floors then it might be worth investing in a soft broom, this way you can sweep the floor and maintain it whenever you like without scratching or marking it, as you might with a hard bristled brush.

Avoid Prolonged Sunlight Exposure

We all love the feel of warm sunshine pouring in through the window but your hardwood floor will definitely not appreciate prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sun damage will cause fading and discolouring in patches but you can protect it by simply installing blinds, this will allow you to let light into a room without excessive UV rays hitting your hardwood floor.

To learn more about how maintenance and protection can keep your wood floors healthy then don’t hesitate to contact Pyramid Carpets. We are experts when it comes to all manner of flooring and will happily pass on our knowledge to your when fitting your new hardwood floor.

Commercial Flooring Solutions In The Hospitality Industry

In the hospitality industry the practicality and the aesthetic aspect of your flooring is key. The floor forms part of a customer’s first impression when they walk into your building, regardless of whether you operate a hotel, restaurant or cinema. The last thing you want is for people to turn around and leave as soon as they catch sight of your floors. Below we discuss the types of commercial flooring available to your business.

Cleanliness

At the core of your values you will want to present a clean and tidy place for visitors and customers, in order for this to happen your flooring needs to be easy to clean. The best kind of flooring in this instance would be rubber flooring. When food or any other messy substance hits your surface you immediately need to have it cleaned up, and staff will find it much easier to clean and maintain this style of flooring as it wipes clean in an instant, with no stain or residue left behind. Operating in any kind of food industry will make this hygiene factor ten times more vital as customers will balk at the first sign of poor cleanliness.
The slip resistant vinyl sheet flooring is also a perfect material for areas in which moisture is likely to be present, the bar area is a prime example of where the safety and cleanliness is most important both for your staff and your visitors.

Style and Design

For many industries the impression you make in terms of style and design is of utmost importance. Hotels and leisure industry premises will want to attract customers and keep them for repeat business and with luxurious carpets you can achieve both a practical and elegant interior. Considerations need to be made for the existing décor and the suitability for different areas of the building.
For many people there is nothing better than the soft feel of a plush carpet beneath their feet and this could make all the difference in certain areas of the hospitality industry. For others, the laminate flooring route provides both the style and the practical element needed.

Toughness

Some industries see more footfall than others and that traffic over favourite areas – such as entrances and waiting areas – will cause wearing and discolouration over time if you don’t have a sturdy and toughened flooring solution. Hard wearing, wooden materials such as engineered wood flooring give you the opportunity to protect your floors and present a sophisticated atmosphere. This kind of flooring will last much longer than a carpet or laminate floor and can be an excellent jumping off point for your interior design.

At Pyramid Carpets we can provide a fantastic range of commercial flooring solutions regardless of which industry you operate in with linoleum, rubber flooring and wooden flooring all available. Contact us today and we will help you find the perfect floor for you and your business.

The Most Expensive Rugs In The World

We all know how luxurious a rug can feel under our feet, that’s why they’ve remained so popular throughout the ages. Some people however, have expensive taste when it comes to getting the best rugs around, and the price of many antique rugs keeps rising by millions of dollars each year.
Here in this article we have collected some of the world’s most expensive rugs to give you an idea of just how far back the tradition of rug making goes and how prized some rugs can be.

The Pearl Carpet Of Baroda

This particular carpet was most recently sold for $5 million dollars back in 2009. It is so highly priced because of the many thousands of individually set pearls, diamonds, rubies and emeralds. It was originally intended for the tomb of the prophet Mohammed and was commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda around the 18th Century. This is probably one of the most written and talked about rugs of all time.

The Persian Silk Rug

Persian rugs are often heralded as some of the best in the world, due to the craft being so traditional and refined. This particular rug fetched $4.45 million dollars in 2008, at a time when the financial crisis hit, making you wonder how much it might go for if sold today. It is prized due to its intricate colouring and knot density along with the fact that it was made over 500 years ago.

Kirman ‘Vase’ Carpet

Going for a price even beyond that of the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, this exquisite piece of Persian craftsmanship sold for $9.6 million dollars, smashing the record previously held. The rug was created in Kerman in Iran and is yet another example of how skilled the industry is in the region.

Ancient Persian Rug

It’s hardly surprising that another Persian rug is the current record holder. This 17th Century rug is also from the Kerman region in Iran and was sold in a bidding war for $33.8 million dollars. It was originally homed in a museum but had been sold to raise money with the aim of making future purchases.

These rugs will likely bankrupt most people in the world bar the elite, super rich, but if you’re looking for something just as luxurious for a more reasonable – and down to earth – price then why not check out the great range we offer at Pyramid Carpets. We have thousands of varieties to choose from and you can see all of them in our showroom, so visit us today or call our team for advice or to discuss your requirements today.

 

Your Guide To Buying Carpet Underlay

The comfort and feel of your carpet underfoot is important whatever style you choose, it helps to complete your home and make it welcoming for visitors. For businesses it’s important to have a carpet which will last and stand up to heavy traffic, but whether you’re buying carpet for a domestic or commercial property you need to think about what kind of underlay you need.
That’s why we’ve created a short guide to buying carpet underlay, including advice on which kind of underlay is best for you. Many people think that there is one standard kind of underlay but there are actually several options to choose from, all with their own benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Underlay?

Clearly the main benefit of underlay is the comfort you get underfoot, providing a protective layer for your feet between the hard surface of the ground beneath and the carpet on top. The carpet itself also benefits from this layer of protection, without which it would wear far quicker.
If you need better thermal protection or you want to insulate from sound below then underlay has added benefits in these areas, as an absorbent layer it can keep the cold out from the ground and is acoustically beneficial. While you might not be pounding around the room, any heavy movement on your carpet can also be absorbed with the shock-absorption properties of the spongy material.

What Are The Different Types Of Underlay?

Waffle – the name relates to the look of this popular type of underlay, its bumpy features help to provide air pockets which offers greater comfort and shock absorption.
Flats – flat underlay is far more compact and therefore more stable and hard wearing, there are usually still rivets and air pockets but far less than the waffle style.
Crumb – made from a rubber and felt crumb this style is far less common than the usual rubber waffle but is hardier.
Felt – felt on its own is good for sound insulation and it the most environmentally friendly style of underlay.

Which Type Of Underlay Is Best For My Floor?

Depending on the style of room and carpet you have, as well as the purpose of each room, there are particular types of underlay which will suit best. For homes the waffle and flats are the best option with flats better suited for wooden and laminate floors. If you have a high traffic area such as in a shop or in the entrance area of your home then the crumb underlay gives you the longevity you need. Felt is less resilient and will compact more easily but is a greener option for those rooms which might see less use than others such as spare rooms and study rooms.
Clearly there are a variety of underlay options available for any kind of room, but if you’re still a little unclear as to which will best suit you then don’t hesitate to contact the expert team at Pyramid Carpets. Our professional and friendly team will happily make the best recommendation on underlay when you purchase carpets and flooring from us to ensure the best results.

Top Tips: How To Lay Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is an excellent flooring material for many different rooms in the home, including living rooms and hallways. Laying your own laminate flooring is a fairly big task, but if you have decent DIY skills then you should be able to get the job done for yourself.
We’ve put together a rough guide to help you when you take on the laying of you own laminate flooring. Remember, not all laminate flooring materials are the same and the size and shape of a room can factor into how hard a task it will be to lay.

Gather Up Your Tools

To ensure your DIY project gets off to a good start you need to ensure you have all the right tools to hand. It’s no use ordering lots of flooring panels if you have nothing to secure them with. Throughout the process you will need:
Masking Tape
Hammer
Knee Pads
Craft Knife
Spirit Level
Jigsaw
Mallet
Saw
Combination Square
Tape Measure

Measuring

To know how much flooring you’ll need for your room, you’ll have to do some measuring. The best formula to use for your calculations is width x length of the room (in metres). You should then add an extra 10% to cover for any wastage. Once you have this number you should divide it by the pack size of the flooring you wish to use – this number will be in m2. You will most likely get a decimal point so round the number up to the nearest whole and that’s how many packs you need!

Level Your Floor

Before you lay anything you need to make sure your floor is level throughout the room. To create a smooth surface you can use a self-leveling compound, and after your sub-floor is completely dry you can put underlay into place. You can choose from a variety of underlay, including Polyfoam, Combined and Wood fibre boards. If you have a concrete floor then you’ll also need to put in a damp-proof membrane before the underlay.

How To Lay The Boards

You need to first decide in which direction to lay your boards. The best way to lay them is in the same direction as your longest wall, but if all the walls are the same length then simply lay them in the direction of the light coming through the window.
The best place to start laying is in the corner, working your way up along the wall with spacers laid out around the wall to give the boards room to expand later. Most laminate materials will lock together, but they will need to be cut down in places to fit – you also need to cut out spaces for pipes on radiators.
Push completed rows together and tap gently with a rubber mallet to ensure they are tightly interlocked. If you need to get your boards under the architraves of your doors then work out the thickness of your board, saw out a space at the bottom of the architrave and slot your board underneath.

Here at Pyramid Carpets, we provide high quality laminate flooring to suit any home – simply contact us today and we’ll help you find the right style and quantity of flooring for your requirements.

What Flooring Is Suitable For Underfloor Heating?

Many people see underfloor heating as something as a luxury but it is becoming more and more popular in homes as people see the benefits. It’s long been a great option for bathrooms but it can also be useful in any room where the floor is cold or the room is susceptible to the cold. Kitchens, living rooms and even bedrooms can benefit from the added heat which flows through the floor to keep a room nice and toasty.
As we edge towards the autumn, and an inevitable drop in temperature, we thought now might be a good time to discuss the different types of flooring materials which work with underfloor heating.

Carpets

You might think that carpet isn’t compatible with underfloor heating, and while it isn’t the best suited, it can still be utilised if you get the right kind of quality carpet. You’ll need to look closely at the thermal resistance, with anything below 2.5 tog being the best – this is important to check, although most carpets should be less than 1 tog anyway.

Stone

Generally considered to be the best flooring material for compatibility with underfloor heating, there are many different kinds of hard stone which you can use. Slate, ceramic tiles and even marble can all be cold, making standing in any room with this kind of surface unbearable. By installing underfloor heating you get the benefit of a solid floor and the look you want but with all the comfort of comprehensive heating.

Wood

If you’re considering having a wooden floor with underfloor heating then you need to take care that you use the right kind of wood and that you get the thickness and width of the boards right. Engineered timber performs very well and hardwood also allows for good thermal conductivity, but the boards should be narrow for the optimal performance.

Vinyl, Laminate & Rubber

Finally, the laminates and vinyl flooring materials common in most homes can also be used to help heat up a room. These flooring types are usually deployed in the kitchen or bathroom, making underfloor heating advantageous for the colder months. Due to the thin material, all linoleum and rubber flooring options conduct heat well but will heat up and cool down a lot quicker. You should check with the manufacturer as to how much heat they are able to withstand, although most materials can handle up to 27°C of heat – this should be plenty to heat your room and keep your feet toasty.
No matter which material you select for your home to go with underfloor heating, you should always consult the experts to avoid disappointment. Manufacturers and suppliers will have a much better idea of which flooring style is best suited to you and your home.

Pyramid Carpets

Here at Pyramid Carpets we supply a range of carpets, wooden and vinyl floors. Simply contact us today to find out more information about which materials will work best with underfloor heating and their thermal properties.