SarahBeenySpringIssue2017 - 142

LAY IT

DOWN
BOOTS WERE MADE FOR
WALKING... ALL OVER YOUR
FLOORS. SO WHAT IS THE
MOST BEAUTIFUL YET
PRACTICAL COVERING?

TILES

Once only a staple in bathrooms and
kitchens, tiles are now a legitimate
choice throughout the home, largely
because they are easy to clean and
work particularly well with underfloor
heating. High-traffic areas where lots
of people will be wearing shoes, such
as halls and conservatories, benefit
from this option's durability.
Modern tiles that imitate the look
of wood can be used on the walls as
well as the floor for a cohesive, rustic
look that is easy to maintain.
Their variety is surprising: square
and rectangular tile sizes range from
tiny mosaic to 600mm per side.
The top three materials for floor
tiles are ceramic, porcelain and
natural stone, although glass tiles are
also an option for mosaic designs.
South West-based retailer Tileflair
(tileflair.co.uk) recommends its
customers assess practical needs before
making a choice: 'One look that is
very fashionable at the moment is the
high-gloss finish. These are certainly
beautiful and chic, but are not such
a great option for a family kitchen
if they become slippery when wet.'
Natural stone tiles may require
special treatments to stay looking
their best, while companies such
as Specialist Stone Care (thomannhanry.co.uk/specialist-stone-care)
offer dedicated maintenance services.
DON'T FORGET Grout is the 'glue' that
holds tiles in place and it needs regular
cleaning and reapplication to stay
looking good. If you want less work,
opt for grey or beige rather than white.

142 | MAY 2017

Mural material
CARPETS

ANCIENT EGYPT
HAS THE EARLIEST
EVIDENCE OF
CERAMIC TILE ART
DECORATIONS.

There are two reasons
why carpets are a popular
choice in British homes: insulation
and soundproofing. They help keep
noise and heat inside the room and are
also pleasant to walk on barefoot.
The two main types are loop pile, in
which the carpet's fibres are wound
through the backing material in a
continuous loop; and cut pile, where
each loop is cut, creating a denser,
softer carpet because the fibres can
mesh into one another.
There are various subtypes, such as
multi-level loops that create an uneven
texture, and shag, which has very long

cut strands of yarn.
Prices can be as low as
£5 per sqm, common
materials being nylon
and wool, which can be
dyed practically any colour.
Patterns, which were de rigueur
in the 1970s, are making a comeback
due to their visual impact and useful
tendency to mask stains.
Established British brand Wilton
Flooring (wiltoncarpets.co.uk), for
example, now offers customised
designs created for customers.
DON'T FORGET Underlay is a layer
of foam, polyurethane or rubber that
is a vital part of ensuring the carpet's
bounciness, insulation and longevity, so
you will need to budget for this as well.
http://tileflair.co.uk http://wiltoncarpets.co.uk http://hanry.co.uk/specialist-stone-care
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SarahBeenySpringIssue2017
