Help & Advice

Q) Will you clean up and take away the rubbish?

A) Yes, if you chose our uplift and disposal service, we will remove you old flooring and dispose of this responsibly and any waste from your new flooring will also be dealt with in the same manner.

Q) What types of payment do you accept?

A) We accept cash, bank transfer or card payments.

Q) Can you give me design advice or advice on what products i should use?

A) Yes, our experienced team will visit you in your home and advise you on which products best suit your needs, budget and lifestyle.

Q) Are you insured?

A) Yes, we have professional indemnity and public liability

Q) Can you fit my flooring in the evening or at the weekend?

A) Yes, we can fit your flooring in the evening or at the weekend, if the job is a larger job it may require completing over a few days.

Q) Why do I have to pay a deposit?

A) We require a deposit to cover the cancellation charge we would incur from the manufacturers, if you were not to proceed once the order has been placed.

Q) Can I pay cash on the day?

A) Yes, you can pay the 50% balance in cash on the day of the installation.

Q) How soon after I order my flooring can I get it fitted?

A) This will depend on whether the item is held in stock and upon the availability of our fitters, but on average we can install within 5 days from order date.

Q) What guarantees do you provide?

A) All of our manufacturers provide guarantees with their products, the length of these guarantees vary with each product, please ask our advisor for the specific guarantee length once you have decided upon your choice.

Q) What are the different types of carpet?

A) The two main types of carpet are loop pile and cut pile.
Berber is the most common type of loop pile option, the fibres are bent into a series of loops. This establishes a durable carpet that resists stains although it does not have as much cushioning as others, it is a dense choice that offers a smooth tone and one which will not wear out quickly.
A level loop design uses short loops of the same length. This is a little stiffer but ideal for high traffic areas. The loops are made to be as symmetrical as possible allowing the carpet to not be complicated or rough. With a multi-level loop design, the tops of the loops are varied in height. This is different from a patterned carpet in that all the threads are made into loops instead of just with cuts. This creates a design where the variance in the textures on the carpet that can gradually change over time.
The most common cut pile is Saxony. The Saxony style is where the fiber ends are cut as evenly as possible and packed tightly together. This creates a smoother appearance.This is also known as a plush carpet for how soft and luxurious it feels.
The textured style is another cut pile choice. The yarn used is twisted and then cut. The carpet is soft while the surface is twisted enough to create a more casual appearance. The twists are tight enough to resist stains and should be easy to clean off. The individual fibers bend a little faster than what a Saxony carpet has but it can add a nice tone when used well.
Then there is the Shag pile/ frieze, this choice uses short fibres that can curl in many directions. This establishes a sturdy look that can hide footprints although it is not necessarily made with heavy foot traffic in mind as too much traffic can cause excess fatigue in the area. It is an attractive option that exudes a sense of luxury but you should be careful with handling items around it as you could have a rather tough time with trying to clean out anything you spill in there. Finally you have patterned carpets which use a mixture of loop pile and cut pile to achieve there desired affect. A pattern arrangement uses a mix of cut and looped yarn spots. The specific areas where the yarn is looped versus where it is cut can be planned out before the carpet is made. This is designed to establish a specific pattern and is often made with decorative intentions in mind.

Q) What are the benefits of Wool Carpet?

A) Other than being hard wearing and long lasting, Wool carpet retains its pile shape and height, recovers quickly from furniture compression and is naturally flame retardant. Other benefits are, it’s naturally warm and insulating, environmentally friendly and a sustainable fibre.

Q) Which type of carpet is best for my home, I have pets and children?

A) Once you have decided on the style of carpet you prefer, then your next question should be what type of material is best. This can be decided by considering the usage of the room and your budget. Natural fibres such as wool, bamboo etc are beautiful on the eye, soft , naturally hygienic, moth resistant and have excellent thermal and noise reduction qualities and are options that are kinder to the environment as they are sustainable products. Natural fibres will generally cost more however they do retain there appearance remarkably well. Therefore where budget permits the old adage of buy cheap buy twice should always be considered when planning the flooring of your home. You then have the option of a wool mix normally 80% wool 20% man-made fibres , this I considered by some to be the best choice for an all purpose carpet. You also have polyester, which is often used as a blend for textured carpeted and shagpiles. This has the most similar quality to wool in appearance and texture and is incredibly soft and stain resistant. Polyamide/nylon is an excellent choice for any family home. It provides the vibrant colours that just simply can’t be achieved with wool. A good quality polyamide carpet will have built in Stain resistant treatments and have good appearance retention and wearability. Another popular man made choice is polypropylene, due to its resistance to stains. It can be cleaned using part-bleach cleaning solutions however it is flammable and not self extinguishing.

A) Why are there different types of underlay?

Q) The main two types of underlay are foam and rubber. The type of underlay you require will depend on 3 factors; what type of flooring you are putting on top of it; what type of subfloor you have and your own preference. When considering a new carpet you should always budget for a quality underlay and choose one suitable to your floor type and needs

Rubber underlay was the more traditional option for the UK with foam underlay being introduced later by the US. It quickly took over in popularity due to its cheaper production cost and greater potential energy efficiency. When considering which type to go for it is always better to avoid paper backed foam underlays as the paper causes increased friction between the underlay and carpet. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the better, as it will support your carpet better, provide greater comfort underfoot and increase energy efficiency in your home.

Q) What type of vacuum cleaner do you recommend for my Saxony carpet?

A) An upright vacuum cleaner is considered the better type for carpets. However the main consideration is strength of suction and that it has a beater bar. The bar is specifically designed for fluffy carpets, it’s rotating brush helps you to reach deep into the carpet, dislodging any dirt and debris.

Q) What is the best carpet for allergies?

A) Short pile man made carpets are what we would suggest. It doesn’t matter how clean you keep your home or how much you Hoover some allergens will make their way in to your home. Once those allergens find their way in, gravity pulls them to the floor. There they become trapped in and around carpet fibres, so keeping those fibres short will help minimise the gathering of the allergens, this reduces the opportunity for those nasties to circulate in the air, where you can breathe them in all. Wool carpet is also one to avoid for those with allergies as the wool content very easily separates from the carpet causing more allergens and particles.

Q) Do I really need underlay with my new carpet?

A) Underlay should never be consider and optional extra, it is an integral component which shapes how the flooring feels, wears and looks. The right underlay will can increase the life span of your carpet by a huge 30-50% not to mention the increased comfort level. It acts as a barrier against noise as well as reducing your energy bills by trapping heat under your floor.

Q) Why are there different types of underlay?

A) there are 4 main types of underlay to chose from:
The most popular in the UK is PU (polyurethane). Made from 85% recycled material, it offers impressive heat and sound insulation and is great for the environment to. It’s available in varying thicknesses and densities to suit all budgets and floors.
Waffle underlay is named due to the waffle pattern on the underside. The construction uses inbuilt pockets of air to improve underfoot comfort and prolong carpet lifespan, in fact it can increase the durability of your carpet by as much as 40%. It’s made from rubber so it’s great for thermal and sound insulation, and the pocket design allows more air to flow when vacuuming, which actually keeps your carpet cleaner! Available in varying thicknesses and ideal for any room in your home including kitchen and bathrooms.
Crumb rubber is a dense and durable underlay made from 85% recycled materials, so another option that is kind to the environment. It’s ideal for throughout your home, in particular high traffic areas such as hallway,stairs and landing. It is made using recycled car tyres, which makes a very tough underlay which is extremely resistant to indentation marks from heavy furniture, therefore highly effective at protecting your carpet.
Rubber, your feet will thank you, your carpet will thank you and your family will thank you. It’s long lasting, protects your carpet and is a great insulator of heat and sound so saves you money whilst keeping you cosy and is suitable throughout your home.

Q) what type of carpet is best for high traffic areas?

A) Wool carpet retains its appearance best, or if considering a man made fibre then a shorter pile would be the most suitable, or a polypropylene carpet which is fully bleach cleanable would be another ideal choice to consider.

Q) how long will the LVT last
A) About 10 to 20 years on average, however with proper installation, floor preparation and daily maintenance your floor last well beyond its allotted timeframe.

Q) What’s better click or stick?
A) It is believed that the stick gives a more solid feel underfoot, however we will leave this up to you to decide.

Q) Do I have to level the floor if I’m using the stick down LVT or only if I use the click LVT?
A) Yes, floor preparation should always be carried out before fitting LVT this insures a much better finish and will make the floor look better and last longer.

Q) What is the difference between luxury vinyl tiles(LVT) and planks (LVP)?
A) They both imitate a natural product, however LVT, is actually made up of limestone, however the wear layer is completely vinyl, with both products. The main aesthetic difference is the shape, as LVT are tile shape and LVP are in planks similar the laminate flooring, both can be clicked together or stuck down.

Q) Can I use LVT on my staircase?
A) No, unfortunately not, LVT does not have as much grip as other types of flooring, so we do not recommend it for staircases.

Q) Can I damage or scratch my LVT?
A) Yes, it is possible to scratch LVT but it is scratch resistant so it would be quite difficult to do so.

Q) Is LVT waterproof or water resistant?
A) LVT is waterproof, making it the ideal for any room in your home.

Q) Does LVT need to acclimate to its surroundings?
A) Yes, just like Hardwood and Laminate, LVT does require some acclimation to ensure a long and productive life for your floor. 48 hours is the ideal amount of time for your flooring to acclimate.

Q) Can I use vinyl/linoleum in my kitchen or bathrooms?
A) Yes vinyl is perfect for these rooms as it is fully waterproof

Q) Can I use vinyl in my conservatory?
A) Yes, vinyl is perfect for conservatories and basements alike, as it is resistant to changes in temperature.

Q) How long should my vinyl floor last?
A) Vinyl flooring is extremely tough, if applied correctly and of decent quality you should expect your floor to last from 10-20 years.

Q) Is cushioned vinyl more environmentally friendly than LVT?
A) Yes, LVT is not biodegradable, however LVT is made up of more recycled material.

Q) What last longer cushioned vinyl or LVT
A) LVT is more durable and will perform better and last longer than cushioned vinyl.

Q) Is cushioned vinyl hygienic?
A) Yes it has an impervious top layer, which literally means there no where for the germs to hide, that is why it is the flooring of choice for hospitals throughout the country.

Q) can I use underfloor heating with a cushioned vinyl floor?
A) Yes, it can be used with either the wet or dry systems however. It can not be laid directly on top of the electrical floor mat systems.

Q) Is cushioned vinyl slippery?
A) No, the flooring is treated with a unique heavy duty surface layer to prevent slips and falls, you ideally want it to have a minimum grading of R10

Q) Can I use underfloor heating with engineered wood flooring?
A) Yes, unlike solid wood, it has been designed to withstand the changes in temperature, it’s is also moisture resistant so it can also be used in the kitchen and the bathroom too.

Q) How long does engineered flooring last?
A) Depending on the quality of your flooring, it can be one of the longest lasting floors you can buy. It can be sanded and refinished numerous times, meaning with the right care it can last decades.

Q) Can I use engineered wood on my staircase.
A) Yes, they are stable and have enough grip to prevent accidents

Q) Can I use engineered wood in my south facing conservatory?
A) Yes it’s clever multi layered design stops it from swelling or shrinking as the temperature changes, this is the same reason why it is suitable for use in basements.

Q) Is engineered flooring screwed down or glued down?
A) It can be installed both ways, it can even float if you wish to use underlay. It mainly depends on the subfloor type. If it is a concrete subfloor then you should glue it down, if you have a wooden subfloor then you can chose between the two, however if you are planning on having your hardwood floor fitted directly to the joists then it would need to be secret nailed to the joists. Regardless of which method you chose, you must check that the subfloor is dry, flat and level and ensure you leave a 12mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room.

Q) What’s the wear layer on an engineered floorboard?
A) The wear layer is basically the thickness of the hardwood that sits on top of the multi core layer. The thicker the wear layer, the longer the board will last and the more times it can be sanded and refinished.

Q) Why do you need to add a finish to the boards?
A) The benefits of adding a finish to your floor includes an increased lifespan and depth of colour.

Q) Can I install engineered wood flooring directly to the joists or do I need a subfloor first?
A) Yes, your hardwood floor would just need to be secret screwed into the joists.

Q) Can I have laminate wood in my bathroom?
A) No, not unless it specifically states it is suitable as laminate wood flooring isn’t waterproof and can bow and warp when wet.

Q) Can you lay laminate flooring on top of carpet underlay?
A) No, simply put it is too thick. Laminate flooring underlay is usually between 1mm and 3mm thick,if you reuse your carpet underlay the floor will be too bouncy and the locking system will become damaged. Always check the warranty of your product when choosing which type of underlay to install, as manufacturers will often recommend a type most suited to support their product.

Q) Can I have laminate in my conservatory?
A) Yes Laminate is resistant to temperature change so it is an excellent choice of hard floor.

Q) Can I put laminate in my kitchen?
A) Yes Laminate is ideal for kitchens, as it can withstand everyday splashes and is tough enough to resist scratches.

Q) Does laminate flooring need to acclimate?
A) Your laminate flooring needs to acclimate (adjust) to the moister and temperature conditions of the room you wish to have it installed in, 24 to 72 hours (depending on the product) prior to installation.

Q) Why is there such a huge price difference in laminate floorings? Aren’t all laminate floors the same?
A) When choosing your laminate flooring there are two main factors which will effect the price and ultimately the quality of the board. The first being is what the board is made from. If it is MDF (medium density fibre) then it will be weaker than a board made from HDF (heavy density board). The second factor is the thickness of the board, which can vary from 6mm right up to 12mm, normally the thicker the board the more expensive, however this does not mean the thicker the board the better the board as it is the wear layer which will determine the longevity. The thicker the wear layer the longer the board will last.

Q) Will laminate flooring fade or change colour over time or in direct sunlight?
A) No, laminate flooring does not fade in the sun, nor does it change colour over time, most manufacturers will offer a warranty against such things.

Q) Why has my laminate flooring started unlocking, does all laminate flooring do this after a couple of years?
A) No, a quality laminate flooring laid correctly should never unlock through normal usage.Laminate flooring locking mechanisms differ hugely, and the type of lock it has will illustrate the quality if the board

Q) How hard wearing is solid wood flooring,
A) Solid wood flooring is very hard wearing, however it will possible to scratch it and it will show wear and tear over time in high traffic areas. Fortunately it can be sanded and stained many many times.

Q) I having underfloor heating installed, can I use solid flooring on top?
A) No, solid wood flooring will expand and shrink with the change in temperature,

Q) Can I damage my wooden floor?
A) Hardwood is susceptible to scratching, can get damaged from excessive moisture.

Q) Is solid wood suitable for my kitchen?
A) You can have solid wood for the kitchen, however because of the constant change in temperature and the regular moister in the air of a kitchen, your floor may start to swell and bow. We would recommend engineered wood for kitchen as this is designed to withstand the temperature change and moister.

Q) Will solid wood flooring add value to my home?
A) Yes, not only does it look and feel great, solid wood floors will add value to your home.

Q) Can you sand and stain my laminate floor?
A) No, although laminate flooring looks like wood, it cannot be treated in the same way. We can however offer this service for engineered, solid wood floors and original floorboards.

Q) How long would it take to sand and varnish my original Victorian floorboards, it’s an average sized lounge?
A) An average room say 14ft by 12ft (4.5m x4m) without gap filling will take a full of day. However, depending on the condition, amount of repairs required and if you wanted gap filling then this could take up to 2 days.

Q) I’ve already moved in but want my floorboards sanding and staining, will all my furniture get covered in sawdust?
A) No we will always try to keep all mess to a minimum. The rooms that are being sanded will need the be cleared to allow for us to work, however we will sheet the entrance way and there are sawdust collector bags fitted to the floor sanders to minimise the dust created in the process and the floor is fully vacuumed prior to staining/ varnishing.

Q) Do I need to clear the room beforehand?
A) The room will need to be fully cleared, this is a service we can offer or you can clear the room before our arrival, whichever you would prefer.

Q) How long after can walk on the floor?
A) As most of the varnishes we recommend are quick drying, you are able to walk on the floor after approx 8 hours after its final coat, however it takes an extra couple of days for the varnishes to fully cure to their peak hardness, so we advise waiting this period before placing furniture on the floor.

Q) Can you fill in gaps between my original floorboards when you sand and varnish it? I love the look but it is cold in the winter!
A) Yes we can and its a great way of eliminating draughts. A high percentage of homes have air bricks at ground level, which create a continuous flow of air passing under the house. When you remove the carpet, the air bricks suck the warm air from the room above, by filling in the gaps it prevents this from happening and maintains the room temperature.

Q) How do you fill in the gaps between the floorboards?
A) We use a mixture of 3 different methods depending on the gap size and desired finish. The first being, sticking strips of wood in the gaps. We also use gap filler and a

Q) How long can I expect the varnish to last before I will need to get it sanded again?
A) This will depend on the general footfall however the average time you should expect the floor to last should be between 5-10 years, however this will depend greatly on your maintenance & cleaning routine.