Advantages of wool carpets and sustianable flooring
WOOL 80/20 CARPETS
The benefits of underlay to your floor and your home
The benefits of underlay to your floor and your home
Why Wool?
Sustainable, efficient, luxurious… wool is a natural truly wonder when it comes to carpets. Below are some of the key features.
Wool carpets are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they are also intrinsically practical. The integral characteristics of the fibres; warmth, durability and insulation, are carried through from field to floor. Here we discuss the many benefits associated with opting for a wool carpet.
Sustainable & Renewable
With regular shearing being a crucial part of caring for sheep, it means that there is a fresh supply of 100% natural wool available every year for the carpet industry. Wool is sustainable and biodegradable as well as recyclable, so it won’t spend centuries taking up space in a landfill, making wool carpet not only a great choice for your home, but also the planet.
Durable & Resilient
Our wool carpets are all extremely hard-wearing and all are suitable for heavy domestic use. Wool has a natural ‘crimp’ in the fibre meaning that a wool carpet has the ability to bounce back after being trodden on, allowing the carpet to retain its original appearance and reduce wear and tear, perfect for a busy home! You can also be assured that all wool carpets are moth resistant for added peace of mind.
Breathable
As a natural ‘smart’ fibre, wool helps to create a balanced atmosphere in the home. It absorbs humidity in the air, releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry and helps improve air quality. Wool carpets also serve as a natural filter, trapping allergens and removing them from the air you’re breathing.
Moth Resistant
All wool-based ranges are treated with a moth resistant agent during the yarn production process, giving you extra peace of mind when choosing your new carpet. If fitting a carpet at premises where a moth infestation already exists, the treatment will not prevent further attack. Therefore we advise that the infestation is thoroughly removed in situ before fitting a new carpet.
Soil Resistant
Wool contains natural oils that are resilient to dirt and other household soiling; ideal if you have little ones around the house. This results in less time and money being spent on cleaning products, meaning that with regular vacuum cleaning, your carpet will look good for many years to come.
Warmth & Insulation
Investing in a quality wool carpet for your home can save you money over time, as a natural insulator, wool carpets help keep your home warm and cosy; a pleasure to have during the cold winter months!
Comfort
There's nothing more luxurious than the comfort and warmth of a wool carpet. Another major advantage of a wool loop and wool twist carpet is the high-quality feel and texture, as well as the vast range of colour choices available.
Naturally Safe
As well as being kind to your feet, wool carpets are also naturally flame retardant. Wool has a higher ignition point than other synthetic options, making it more resistant to dropped matches and other sources of fire. The natural coil and softness of wool carpets also acts as a cushion, preventing any serious injury from falls.
The benefits of underlay to your floor and your home
The benefits of underlay to your floor and your home
The benefits of underlay to your floor and your home
So, you’ve taken the plunge and decided to re-carpet your home. The perfect carpet has been picked out, the room’s been measured and you’re ready to go — but what about underlay?
From why it’s an essential component to how to choose the best underlay for your individual rooms, here’s our guide to understanding carpet underlay.
What is carpet underlay?
Put simply, underlay is the material that’s placed underneath carpets before they’re laid down. It has numerous purposes and is an essential part of carpeting a room.
Why is underlay important?
Underlay isn’t just crucial for comfort underfoot, but it also drastically helps maintain your carpet as well as providing extra protection against moisture. It is also a great shock absorber, meaning it’s ideal for reducing noise from things like footsteps, voices or moving furniture.
In general, carpets without underlay have a much shorter lifespan and are more at risk of rapid wear and tear. Underlay is especially important if you’re planning on laying carpet over concrete as it will help make walking across the room much more comfortable.
Aside from the obvious comfort benefits, UK carpet underlay manufacturer Ball & Young, have shared some lesser known benefits; Many people don’t know that good quality underlay can actually save you money, with a reduction in heat loss resulting in lower energy bills. Furthermore, underlay can play a role in reducing noise transfer, which results in an overall reduction of noise levels. Underlay is also critical in protecting the carpet pile, which in turn, makes cleaning easier and leaves your home more hygienic.
In short, if you’re looking for longevity, luxury feel and want your carpet to last, always ensure your carpet is fitted with a quality, new underlay underneath – carpets fitted without underlay may also invalidate your guarantee or warranty, so it’s a wise investment long-term.
Are there different types of underlay?
Yes, just like carpets, underlay comes in a range of different types. These include:
Foam underlay – Typically made of PU foam, this is one of the most versatile types of underlay. It’s soft and lightweight as well as being good for insulation and noise reduction. Foam is also a very easy underlay to fit, making it fantastic for difficult areas like staircases or hallways.
Sponge rubber underlay – Sponge rubber underlay is very durable and great for sound reduction which makes it one of the best carpet underlays for concrete floors. It’s also the best carpet underlay for underfloor heating as it allows heat from the underfloor panels to escape into the room efficiently.
Felt underlay – This is a more traditional form of underlay that provides excellent cushioning as well as a reasonable level of noise reduction and warmth. Felt underlays are typically made of wool, making them cheaper and easier to lay.
Crumb rubber underlay — This form of underlay is made mostly from recyclable materials that are densely packed together. It’s great for rooms with heavy furnishings as it will protect your carpet from indentations.
