To carpet or not to carpet—that is the question. It is not unusual for many Brits to find themselves in this dilemma for two reasons. One, many other homes use it, which may make one feel they should have it too. Two, but carpets need some maintenance, and that may mean more spending.
To help homeowners decide well, they can teach themselves the basics, such as the following:
1. Proper Carpet Installation Is Essential
For those who want to have carpets, they may need to work with professional carpet fitters in Bristol. Improper installation can introduce more problems, and they may be costlier to repair. These issues can include:
- Buckling, which happens when the carpet separates itself from the adhesive. It leaves waves or ripples on the floor, and it may become a trip hazard. It also causes the flooring to appear uneven. Fixing this may mean stripping a significant or the entire portion of the carpet, and it can be expensive.
- Raveling, which occurs when the carpets have frayed edges. If they are closer to the wall, then the problem may have originated from careless installation.
- Rippling, which happens when the installation professionals fail to stretch the carpet. It may leave wrinkles or bubbles, and homeowners may need to hire them again or others to re-stretch it.
2. Some Types of Carpets Are Excellent for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers
The UK has one of the highest prevalence rates of people living with asthma in Europe. The country has about 5.4 million people receiving treatment, and most of them are adults.
To be clear, carpets themselves do not trigger asthma or respiratory allergies unless the individual is sensitive to the fibres. However, common allergens, such as pet dander, dirt, and dust mites, can accumulate.
Some experts suggest that those who have asthma or respiratory allergies may need to live without carpets. Times have changed, though. For example, low-pile carpets can contain fewer allergens than high-pile ones.
Also, carpets with more natural fibres, such as sisal or jute, may help reduce the risks of these conditions. They can help prevent the accumulation of dust mites.
3. They May Help Reduce Utility Bills
According to British Gas, the average electric bill depends on many factors, such as use. A household that consumes around 1,900 kilowatt-hours per year may spend £273 annually. Those who use at least 4,600 may have to pay over £600 each year.
These numbers, though, do not include other charges. The costs can also rise significantly on specific seasons, such as summer and winter.
Carpets may help bring down the utility bills, especially during the colder months. These materials do not transfer temperature well so that the floor may be more freezing, but the carpet will stay warm. It may then reduce the need for heating in some regions of the house, like the living room or the bedroom.
These are some of the necessary information about carpets that may help homeowners decide whether they need one or not. They can also learn how to choose the right carpet fitters in Bristol or London.
Most of all, it demystifies the myth that carpets are easy to install and that they can DIY the process. Unless they have the technical knowledge, they can end up making costly mistakes.