New Carpet Range
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Castletown Weave
Just in for 2013 this new range of luxury carpets ideal for all areas in your home, available in a variety of vibrant colours to liven up your room.
This quality carpet range is very hard wearing and easy to keep clean.
In a felt backing this carpet can be fitted direct to the floor
This loop pile carpet is extremely durable, making it perfect for hall stairs and landing and sitting rooms
Call to our showroom to experience firsthand this quality carpet
Click on image to enjoy this exciting range
How to Maintain Your Vinyl and Wood Floors
The quality of our flooring and surface treatments they have, make them very easy to look after but a little care and attention will keep them looking good and lasting longer.
The finishing touches
Once you’ve finished installing the floor it just needs a final clean before you start to move in the furniture. For vinyl that means a wipe with a damp cloth, warm water and a natural detergent. For laminate and wood just brush off any remaining dirt or dust and rub all over with a dry cloth to remove the last little bits. Then you’re ready to move in.
A clean sweep
For most of us there’s always a temptation to leave cleaning the floor until it really has to be done. But the longer everyday dirt and stains are left and walked into the floors then the harder they become to remove. So a quick regular clean will be less work in the future and more effective than a once-a-month blitz and it will keep your floors looking like new and lasting longer.
Vinyl
Keep the floor in top condition by sweeping with a soft brush or vacuuming and regular cleaning with warm water and a neutral detergent.
Laminate
Vacuum or wipe with a dry mop. Ideally, you should wipe the floor all over every couple of weeks with a damp (not wet) mop sprayed with a laminate cleaning solution. Finish with a quick wipe with a dry mop or cloth.
Wood
A wipe with a buffing cloth or sweeping with a broom is all you need to keep the floor looking good. From time to time clean with a damp (never wet) cloth and with a suitable environmentally friendly wood cleaning product.
Spot on
Unlike some types of floor covering such as carpet, it is easier to remove household stains from vinyl and wood flooring, but it is recommended that you clean any spillage immediately. The best way to do this is with a dry cloth and a recommended cleaning agent. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using cleaning solutions and never spray them directly onto the floor.
Wood scratches, gaps and cracks
After extended periods of wear, even the tough lacquers on our wood floors may start to show scratches. A lacquer Refresher will rapidly bring a glow back to your floor.A badly scratched floor can be made as good as new with light sanding and a new coat of lacquer.If cracks or gaps appear they can be filled with putty, or wax bars for larger gaps.
The right products
Of course, sometimes the floor will need a more thorough clean. You should only use the cleaning products specifically designed for vinyl, laminate and wood and always follow the instructions on the container. Most important, never drown the floor – use a damp cloth, mop or sponge, never a wet one.
Easy tips
- Use a doormat at the entrance to stop dirt being brought into your home.
- Felt or plastic protection on the bottom of furniture legs will prevent dents, scratches and marks.
- Lift rather than sliding heavy furniture to move it.
- Never spray cleaning products straight on to the floor.
- Don’t use polish or wax.
How To Install Laminate Flooring
STEP 1
Before installation, store and acclimatise the boards inside the room on a flat surface to avoid warping and expansion. Read instructions for length of time, maybe 3 to 4 days.
If you plan on finishing the laminate flooring with a trim, there is no need to remove the skirting boards and this will make the job a lot easier. Now is the perfect opportunity to clean down and paint your skirting, if required.
STEP 2
Choose your underlay based on the surface you are working on. For a wooden floor, use an acoustic / foam underlay to reduce impact sounds downstairs. Remember to read manufacturer’s instructions.
Roll out the first strip of underlay and cut so it’s flush with the opposite wall.
Cut around any pipes or obstacles so that the underlay fits snugly against all wall edges.
STEP 3
Lay your first board in the right hand corner of the room and leave 10-15mm expansion space from any board that touches a wall edge. Use spacers as required
Place the board with the tongue edge facing away from the wall.
Cut around any pipes or obstacles using a jigsaw and click your boards together following manufacturer’s instructions.
STEP 4
Use a combination square to get a straight line.
Cut the final board of the first row using a handsaw or jigsaw. It is very important to ensure the first row is straight so that the joints will fit together tightly
(If using a jigsaw use a specific laminate cutting blade as it cuts on the down stroke and does not damage the surface of the board.)
STEP 5
If the off-cut from your last row is more than 30cm use it to start the next row, otherwise cut a board to 50cm to start the row. Remember to check the installation instructions for your specific flooring. Remember to use spacers to keep your expansion gap. Make sure to stagger your joints for a natural effect.
(Don’t try to force your boards together. If they are not clicking, stop and make sure your boards are straight, the joints are secure and then try again.)
STEP 6
Continue with this method for each row as you continue to lie across the floor. Roll out strips of underlay as required. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions for how underlay should be joined
STEP 7
If laying laminate around corners, mark the depth & width of the corner on the board and trim off using a jigsaw.
When fitting boards around doorways, use a piece of underlay and an off cut of the laminate as a ‘depth gauge’ to judge the amount to be trimmed from the bottom of the architrave. Place a multi-saw or a fine-toothed saw on your ‘depth gauge’ and trim the required amount.
Test with a board to make sure it fits. If your door has a saddle, you need to remove it.
STEP 8
When the room is completed, screw or stick your door trim in place on the door threshold. If screwing, check the area with a multi-purpose detector, and don’t use very long screws.
Remove all spacers from around the room.
STEP 9
To finish off the floor use beading to disguise the expansion gaps between the floor and the skirting boards. Start on your longest wall. Use a mitre box to saw mitre joints at either end of your first strip with the long end of the joint going into the corner.
Glue in place with an adhesive and then use panel pins for extra security. For corners, use a mitre box to create a 45-degree angle at the end of each length of beading.
As a final touch place radiator pipe rosettes around the bottom of any radiator pipes in the room.
