Stain Protection Technology and Spill Shield

Lano SmartStrand Forever Clean technology combines built-in stain protection technology with a nanotechnology spill shield and has been increasing in popularity since first brought to the market in 2005.

These are the only carpets with a permanent built-in stain and soil protection that won’t eventually wear away or wash off. This protection means they are exceptionally durable and can last for many years whilst still looking and feeling brand new.

So, how does SmartStrand stain protection with nanotechnology work? Ultra-fine nanoparticles bond together and encapsulate the SmartStrand fibres within the carpet, creating a spill and soil barrier superior to any other on the market.

Other manufacturers use temporary, topical protections that wear and wash off over time. So, whilst carpet protection is a worthwhile investment as it keeps carpets looking cleaner for longer, other brands don’t last as long as Lano SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets.

Fibres Hold Less Dirt

In addition, Lano SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets don’t hold dirt within their fibres as other carpets do. Independent vacuum testing has shown that Lano SmartStrand carpets release up to three times more dirt than other carpets when vacuumed. Homeowners can relax knowing that their carpets are as clean and as safe as possible for those suffering from conditions like dust allergies.

Long Lasting

As well as being incredibly easy to clean, Lano SmartStrand carpets are made with advanced fibres designed to resist matting and crushing, meaning the fibres will bounce back, and carpets will maintain their new look and great appearance over time.

Eco-Friendly

Another thing we love about the Lano SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets is that they are made partially from annually renewable plant-based materials to reduce the usage of natural resources and limit damage to the environment around us. This process allows Lano to reduce their energy consumption in the manufacturing process and reduce its carbon footprint. SmartStrand fibres are made with 37% natural starch, making them the most eco-friendly yarn available on the market, which is becoming more important to consumers.

We’re proud to offer the Lano SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets as it is the highest-rated carpet in the UK for consumer satisfaction, cleanability and durability. This rating makes it perfect for busy homes, homes with pets and homes with children, where spills happen and dirt is a part of life. Lano’s unique technology ensures carpets are easily kept clean and look and feel great for years.

If you’d like to learn more about Lano SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets, or any of our other types of carpets or flooring, our team are here to help. You can visit our modern showroom on Moorland Road in Bath, or call us on 01225 972 715.

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Different wood and LVT Laying Patterns

If you want to go for something classic that won’t date and you won’t get bored of looking at, some of the more traditional styles might be best. If you’re willing to take a risk, some bolder choices can ensure your flooring is a feature in your space.

• A straight pattern lay is a simple, elegant style that’ll never go out of fashion. In a small space, it can follow the longest wall in the room, giving the visual appearance of a larger area.

• A diagonal pattern lay is the same as a straight pattern, although it runs diagonally from one corner of a room to another instead of from wall to wall. When laid with wood flooring, it can look great in small spaces and rooms that are odd shapes. When used in LVT that gives the impression of tiles, it can look fantastic in a bathroom, utility room or kitchen.

• A herringbone pattern lay is extremely popular and has been around since the 17^th century, proving its enduring appeal. Inspired from the composition of herring fish bones, rectangular planks are arranged at a 45-degree angle to create a staggered zig zag effect across the floor. While it looks its best in large rooms where you can see the full effect of the pattern, it is also effective in smaller areas as it gives the allusion of a bigger area.

• A chevron pattern lay is defined by a V-shape where the planks or tiles meet end-to-end rather than side-to-side. This timeless design has been around since the 16^th century, where it was used in French chateaus and palaces. Chevron flooring works well in both small and large rooms as it can be either a bold feature or a minimal design aspect depending on the colour.

• A basket weave pattern lay is another popular choice and works well for both LVT tiles and wood planks. When used in tiles, it can give a striking, modern look; when used in wood flooring, it’s elegant whilst making a statement.

Whatever pattern you’re thinking of for your wood flooring or Luxury Vinyl Tile, Virtuoso Flooring is on hand to help. In our showroom, we stock wood and LVT flooring, vinyl, carpet, carpet tiles and much more. We also have an experienced team of expert floor fitters who can install your new flooring and ensure you get the pattern you want with the highest quality finish.

To view our extensive range of flooring options suitable for residential and commercial customers, visit our showroom on Moorland Road in Bath. You can also contact our team to request an on-site visit from a specialist. Give our team a call now on 01225 972 715.

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Neutral Colours

Neutral colours have long been popular in homes worldwide and will remain popular for the rest of 2022 and into 2023. Neutral colour choices, especially flooring, allow you to easily change other design aspects in your home, such as accessories and wall colour.

Neutral colours also give homes a soft, cosy feel, making them a comfortable and relaxing place to spend time.

Geometric Patters

Geometric patterns have always been popular and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. This trend has been around for thousands of years and is still a popular choice in wallpapers, tiles, flooring, soft furnishings and much more.

Colour Pops

There are many ways to add a splash of colour to your home, and we love the creative ideas we see our customers use. Colour pops are a great way to add interest and depth to your home decor. This could be a brightly coloured feature wall, pops of colour in cushions or other home accessories, using colour in flooring in small rooms such as bathrooms or utility rooms and much more

Herringbone and Chevron Flooring

Herringbone flooring is very popular with our clients, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon.   However, as consumers are always looking for the next best trend, we have a feeling that chevron might take over. Although the herringbone is extremely popular, we think the chevron will be the next favourite style. It’s a great and unique alternative in homes; it still provides the beautiful zig-zag shape people love, but in a uniform alignment that shows off the colour of each plank, whether in LVT or wood.

The beauty of wood flooring laid in these patterns (or any other way for that matter) is that when looked after correctly, wood flooring can last for decades. This longevity makes it a very sustainable and cost-effective choice for homeowners.

Sustainable Flooring

More people are choosing sustainable home flooring options as they become increasingly aware of their carbon footprint and how their buying choices affect the environment.

Sustainable flooring options such as wood, natural plant-based carpets, rubber, wool, and sisal have become popular recently, and we can’t see their popularity waning anytime soon.

If you’re looking for stylish and trendy flooring for your home to keep up with the current fashion, Virtuoso Flooring is here to help. We have a wide range of carpets, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, luxury vinyl flooring, wood flooring and, of course, a range of sustainable flooring options.

Our new showroom can be found on Moorland Road in Bath and is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. Alternatively, you can call us on 01225 972 715 or email info@virtuosoflooring.co.uk, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Here are some sustainable flooring options we offer to keep our impact on the environment around us as low as possible.

Sustainable Wood Flooring

At Virtuoso Flooring, we’re proud to offer a wide range of sustainable flooring options that look amazing in homes or businesses and are hard-wearing and long-lasting. Wood is one of the most sustainable flooring options; it is natural, biodegradable, hygienic, and anti-allergenic.

As well as all of this, wood also has brilliant thermal properties, helping to keep your home warm or cool depending on the season, and it also offers acoustic insulation. These insulating properties make it the perfect choice for any home and many business settings.

Virtuoso Flooring is proud to stock the most extensive selection of solid and engineered wood flooring in Bath. We stock flooring from highly regarded brands such as Ted Todd, Boen and Woodpecker Flooring. These brands create some of the best and most chic wooden floorings, and they also share our commitment to sustainability.

Other Sustainable Flooring Solutions

We also have a range of other sustainable flooring solutions, including natural and renewable materials such as wool, sisal (other natural plant-based carpets), and rubber. There’s something within our range to suit any home or place of business.

Sustainable Econyl

On some projects, the use of natural materials simply isn’t suitable, and, in these cases, we recommend using Econyl. Econyl is a nylon that is 100% recycled using materials such as old fishing nets and fabric scraps regenerated into new products such as soft, comfortable carpets.

This new generation of yarn can be further recycled, recreated, and remoulded countless times to create new products without the waste and excess from using new resources.

Recycling Scheme

We are delighted to be members of the vinyl take-back scheme, Recofloor. This scheme is a collection and recycling scheme for commercial waste vinyl that provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective method of waste disposal from founders Polyflor and Altro. The collected vinyl is remoulded back into new flooring to minimise waste as much as possible.

We Work with Trusted Suppliers Who Care About Sustainability

We choose to build relationships and work with trusted suppliers who share our passion for the environment and for reducing their carbon footprint. We work with companies who invest time and resources into figuring out how they can reduce their overall waste.

If you’d like to learn more about our range of sustainable flooring options, why not visit our brand-new showroom? You’ll find us located at 10 Moorland Road in Bath. Alternatively, you can call us on 01225 972 715 or email info@virtuosoflooring.co.uk, and someone will reply to your enquiry as soon as possible.

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“The global standard for products that are safe, circular and responsibly made. Cradle to Cradle has been assessing the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance – material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship and social fairness” [source].

For products or materials to become certified under the Cradle to Cradle Product Standard or to receive a Material Health Certificate, an independent assessment body works with businesses to ensure their item meets the rigorous standards. They must be within the scope of certification, not use any banned chemicals, meet eligibility requirements and much more. Accredited bodies assess products and materials, and data and documentation must be created and submitted. Once certified, the product will be re-tested every two years to ensure it still meets all the criteria.

One of the C2C certified products we supply and install is Econyl. Econyl is 100% regenerated nylon from fishing nets and other fabric scraps. The manufacturer transforms these materials into beautiful carpets that can be recycled, recreated, and remoulded, creating new products from old resources.

As part of our commitment to the environment and reducing our impact, we choose to work with suppliers who share our ethos and passion for reducing our carbon footprint. We work hard to ensure all suppliers we work with invest time and resources into reducing waste and ensuring their products are as environmentally friendly as possible.

In addition to this, we also try to recycle old flooring as much as we can, and that’s why we are proud to be members of Recofloor, founded by Polyflor and Altro. Recofloor is a recycling scheme specifically for commercial waste vinyl. It allows old commercial waste vinyl to be recycled and transformed into brand new flooring, reducing the amount of waste going to landfills and the obvious burden this has on the environment.

We also like to work with the best British brands, such as Cormar Carpets, Abingdon, Woodpecker, Ted Todd, Brockway and Furlong. Working with British brands means products don’t have to travel too far to get to us, therefore reducing this aspect of our environmental impact.

If you’re looking for Cradle to Cradle sustainable flooring in Bath, our flooring experts are here to help. Our team can offer impartial advice on eco-friendly flooring solutions for residential and commercial customers. We work with only the best suppliers who have high-quality flooring built to last and which have as little negative impact on the environment as possible.

Why not pop into our showroom on Moorland Road today? We’re open from Monday to Friday between 9 am, and 5:30 pm and from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday. Alternatively, you can give our team a call on 01225 972 715.

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Why Classic Blue?

Classic Blue was chosen at the turn of the decade. It was selected for the connotations that blue has with feelings of calm, confidence and connection with the world around us. Pantone themselves described the colours as, ‘a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on’ and we’d agree that it is just that. The beauty of blue is its versatility. It rarely offends. It can be dressed boldly with deep sapphire blues or used to inject light colour with pastel hues. Classic Blue sits right in the middle of this – in a place that invites itself into every home.

So, how can you style it in your home?

Carpet

Coloured carpet has an undeniable presence in any room. It brings with it a bright pop of colour that cannot be ignored and one that stands true – even as you change the furniture or accessories around it. In living rooms, it can be crafted from thick pile materials with a luxurious touch to welcome in bare feet and a colour that helps you to feel grounded as you settle in for the night. In bedrooms, it creates a comforting environment that lulls you into the perfect mood for deep sleep.

In our opinion, there’s no better way of bringing specific colours into your home than with carpet. And when working with the right carpet shop, such as our team here at Virtuoso Flooring, it’s incredibly easy to find a manufacturer that will produce hard-wearing and durable carpet in Classic Blue that fits the needs of your home.

Paired with Wooden Floors

The other beauty of blue is how well it goes against the wood. If you’re less keen on a full commitment to this sturdy colour, consider adding soft cushions or throws onto your furniture and then opting for a reliable, strong and sturdy wooden floor option instead. The beautiful grain of real wood flooring pairs elegantly with blue and almost has a regal feel to it. When used in dining rooms, this allows you to bring practicality into your design too. Consider Classic Blue seat cushions or table decorations with the perfect wooden floor that can be swept up and easily maintained afterwards.

Bringing colour into your home, either with Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2020 – Classic Blue – or with your favourite hue is easy with the right support. Here at Virtuoso Flooring, we have over 20 years of experience fitting carpets, wooden floors, vinyl flooring and so much more. So, if you’ve fallen in love with the perfect colour and want help bringing your dreams into reality, request a callback and speak to a member of our specialist team here today.

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What To Consider?

The right floor for underfloor heating will:

• Be highly efficient at transferring heat to the surface
• Retain heat for as long as possible
• Not change structure when exposed to heat
• Not become damaged with extended exposure to heat

What Are The Best Flooring Options?

Stone Tiles

By far, one of the most popular flooring choices for underfloor heating is stone tiles. They have high thermal conductivity and can withhold this heat for a very long period of time. This means you’ll need to run the system for less time to feel the benefits. And, with their strong structure, they won’t warp or become damaged because of exposure to heat.

Engineered Wood

Another option – for those seeking a more classic look – is engineered wood. The multiple-layer construction means these planks can withstand fluctuations in temperature. Wood is also notoriously warm and comfortable to walk on barefoot so this is truly a match made in heaven. However, it’s generally recommended that the underfloor temp not exceed 26°C when used with wooden floors.

Other Options – Vinyl, Laminate and Carpet

Stone tiles and engineered wood are the most suitable options here. However, if you’re looking for something more affordable, opt for vinyl flooring, laminate flooring or even carpet. They all conduct heat well and are low-maintenance so perfect for busy families.

If you opt for carpet, choose one that is under 2.5 tog. It may take longer to heat up but you’ll still feel the warmth coming up during those colder days.

How Can Virtuoso Flooring Help?

With over 20 years of experience supplying quality flooring to customers across the UK, our team of specialists have the knowledge to help you find the right flooring every single time. We have a wide selection of luxury carpets, cost-effective carpets, laminate, vinyl and even LVT to choose from. Browse our website here or request a callback from us today.

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Why Is Sunlight an Issue?

There are two main aspects of natural sunlight that pose a risk to flooring – UV Rays and temperature. Over time, it’s not uncommon to notice that the once rich brown tone of your wooden floor has begun to fade. This becomes even more apparent when you do move furniture and remember what it once looked like. Let’s take a look at both UV rays and temperature to better understand their impact.

UV Rays

Many materials used for flooring are photosensitive. This means they react to sunlight. Wood, carpet and unprotected laminate can all face changes in colour if continually exposed to natural sunlight.

Temperature

Particularly hazardous for wood floors, fluctuations in temperature cause natural materials to expand or contract. This puts pressure on the fibres of the planks, causing them to look aged quicker. It also means that fitting issues may arise as sections change at different speeds and to different intensities.

How Can I Minimise Floor Ageing?

These changes are somewhat inevitable over time. However, there are a few things you can do to slow down the process.

• Use your window coverings in accordance with the sun. Opt for UV-blocking materials or sheer fabrics during the day which blocks out a large percentage of sunlight.
• Regularly rotate your rugs and move furniture around so different sections are exposed or covered at different times.
• Opt for a UV inhibiting finish on laminate and wood floorings.

Here at Virtuoso Flooring, we have over 20 years of experience supporting homeowners in finding the right floor for them. If you’re concerned about the impact of excessive sunlight in a specific room, speak to us today. We’ll help you find the most durable solution and provide guidance on how you can best manage the ageing process once your new floor is installed.

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The Role of Underlay

Underlay plays an important role in any household. It provides a shock-absorbing layer that helps to improve the longevity of your flooring. The right option will minimise the impact of heavy foot traffic and prevent excessive flattening to your carpet piles. Alongside this, underlay has the ability to control heat loss and help you to better manage your energy bills. And finally, as per this blog post title, it offers a level of sound protection which can reduce noise by up to 30%.

Different Types of Underlay

When considering underlay for soundproofing, first consider the flooring you will be laying. For example, carpet offers good sound reduction on its own. If you’re working to a fixed budget, you can afford to spend more on luxury carpet while opting for a less effective sound-proofing underlay that still offers the required cushioning. Wooden floor, on the other hand, provides very little sound control. In high foot traffic environments, especially those in apartment blocks, you’ll likely hear every step or drop.

Soundproof underlay comes manufactured from a variety of materials, including polyurethane, foam, crumb, and sponge rubber.

PU Foam

One of the most popular soundproofing options, PU foam can be used with carpet, laminate and wooden flooring. It comes in a variety of thicknesses, offering varying levels of sound protection.

Crumb

Manufactured from ‘crumbs’ of rubber originally used in cars, crumb underlay is best used with carpet. It has exceptional sound reduction properties, due to the rubber construction.

Sponge Rubber

Also known as a waffle sponge, this type of underlay is highly durable and suited to high-traffic environments.

With over 20 years of experience, the team at Virtuoso Flooring are here to help identify the right soundproofing solution for your home. As a leading supplier of luxury carpets in Bath, trust us to help you complete any home. If you would like to speak to us, please do get in contact here today.

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1. Draw Out Your Room

Having a birds-eye sketch of the room in question will make jotting down measurements easy. It also allows you to note the length of each wall/side individually and gives you a visual tool to work to. Don’t worry about being overly accurate here. Just draw a quick square, rectangular, L-shaped, or whatever shape your room is on a piece of paper. Keep a pencil handy to note down the individual measurements.

VF Tip: If you have chimney breasts, alcoves, or other nooks in your walls, these can be left out of your drawing. When you order flooring, you’ll want to order enough to cover the full surface area, as if these features didn’t exist. The floor will be cut to size during installation. Taking these features out of your measurements will ensure you order enough floor to cover the entire room.

2. Measure Each Wall Individually

Next, work your way around the room and measure each wall. Remember that skirting boards will be fitting on top of most types of flooring. So you need to measure as if these weren’t installed. Also, measure into doorways, fireplaces, and alcoves. Measure each wall and jot it down on your drawing.

VF Tip: Once you’ve taken the measurements, add 10% to your figure. This will account for waste and ensures you order enough floor to cover staggering, irregularities, and cutting errors.

3. Measure Again

Remember the old saying, ‘Measure twice. Cut once’? Keep that in mind when measuring your room for flooring. Make sure to double or triple-check the figure you come to for each wall. In doing so, you’ll reduce the risk of error.

VF Tip: If you can, ask another person to measure the second time.

4. Calculate Square Foot

Now you have all the right calculations, you’ll need to work out the square footage of the room. For a square or rectangular room, follow this equation:

Length x Width = Square Footage.

If you’re measuring an uneven room, split it into rectangles or squares before following the same equation above. Then add the two calculations together.

Our specialist team here at Virtuoso Flooring can take care of everything when it comes to your brand new flooring. With flooring options for both residential and commercial environments, we’re here to ensure you find the right solution – no matter how busy a space is expected to be. Get in contact if you would like more information about our services.

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