Flooring FAQs

Q. Which carpet won’t show footprints?

A. If you are looking for a carpet that won’t show footprints, vacuum marks, or furniture indentations, twist and loop carpets are recommended. Unlike plush carpets (also referred to as cut pile) most twist and loop carpets show less of the velvet appearance. Twist carpets, particularly in a lighter tone, provide a consistent flat surface whilst loop carpets tend to show a textured appearance.

Q. What flooring best minimises noise?

A. The best way to combat a noisy household is to choose carpet. Thick pile carpet and a dense underlay is very effective, although we cannot guarantee pure silence! Generally, a carpet that is over 40oz in weight is best in both quality and noise absorption.

However, if you have your heart set on hard flooring, luxury vinyl has remarkable acoustic properties and the look of a real timber floor without the noisy footfalls.

The Harlow Collection - Barclay teamed with Dunlop Comfort Choice carpet underlay can provide outstanding sound insulation.

Q. What’s the best way to test a floor sample?

A. When testing flooring samples it's important to consider the following to help you make the right choice.

Lighting – Put your sample to the test by trialling it under all your home’s lighting conditions. Pick a room to place your samples in each day, and then check in regularly to see if you like the sample colour in the changing light.

How does it feel? - It's important to test how the flooring feels under foot so place the sample on the ground and stand on it with and without shoes to see how it will feel.

Coordinate colours – It's also important to test the sample with your interiors, ensuring that the colour of your flooring samples match with the paint, style, décor and furniture of your home.

Q. Where should a rug be positioned in a bedroom?

A. Ideally you would have a rug big enough to fit under your entire bed and then come out at least a metre or so on all sides. However, rugs this large can be expensive – so a cheaper option is to go with a medium rug (approx. 200 x 300 cm) and slide it horizontally under your bed.

Q. What flooring is best if I have pets?

A. We all love our four-legged friends, so it is important to consider them when purchasing new flooring, especially if they cohabit in the home with the rest of the family!

Luxury vinyl is a durable option that does not compromise on style, it's easy to clean when little accidents occur (or when they think you'd prefer the contents of the garden inside!) Most luxury vinyl planks are waterproof, extremely hard-wearing, and provide great traction for your pet; plus, it doesn’t make as much noise as other hard flooring options, so the click of nails isn’t as loud.

The best carpet for pets is one that has built-in stain and soil protection that won’t wear or wash off and includes odour resistance. Look for a twist pile carpet rather than anything with a loop so there is no chance of claws getting stuck in the carpet threads or providing them with a heavenly scratching surface!

entrend - Ritz carpet in the forgiving shade Alta and Genero Design Platinum luxury vinyl in design Limed Chestnut make a great pet-friendly combination.

Q. How much colour variation should I expect in timber floors?

A. If it’s a native species like Blackbutt or Spotted Gum, there is bound to be variations because every tree is different.

Q. Can rugs be put on carpet?

A. The simple answer is YES! When layering a rug over a carpet make sure that patterns don’t clash. If it is a textured carpet that the rug is being matched with, then a simplistic twist style rug works perfectly. And if it’s a plain carpet, a textured style rug with a pattern is the best option.

It is important that the rug touches at least one piece of furniture in a room otherwise it may look out of place.  And be sure to choose a rug colour that complements the carpet and wall colour to tie the entire colour scheme together.

Q. Can wooden floors be matched with wooden furniture?

A. Yes, you can mix wooden floors with wooden furniture, but it is important to use different tones. Furnishings can get lost against the background of a similarly toned wooden floor. Break up the monotony by pairing light furniture with flooring that has a darker stain — or vice versa.

Q. Which flooring option is best for busy families?

A. These days, most flooring options are made to withstand the demands of a busy household however, these are the top two low maintenance flooring options:

Luxury Vinyl Plank

Perfect for all rooms of the home, easy to clean and maintain. This option is quieter and warmer than other hard flooring surfaces. It is also scratch resistant making it a perfect flooring option for dropped school bags, dancing competitions or hop scotch on a rainy day!

Carpet

Choose one that has excellent stain, wear, soil and fade resistance. Choose from Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN), Nylon, Triexta or Polyester (PET) carpets and enjoy the softness and luxury that they bring whilst not compromising on keeping floors looking clean!

Q. How much should I expect hard flooring to expand?

A. Hard flooring is prone to expand due to factors such as humidity, seasonal changes and even if your home has central heating. Therefore, it's an industry standard to allow for expansion from wall to wall. Your sales consultant will be able to give detailed specifications for you chosen product.

Q. Which carpet is recommended for Asthma sufferers?

A. Consider a superior quality Solution Dyed Nylon carpet from the Brease range. Available in over 60 stylish colours Brease, has been especially developed to be asthma and allergy friendly and is the only broadloom carpet recognised by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice^® program.