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How to prepare for and lay artificial grass

Everyone likes the thought of having a beautiful garden that is almost maintenance free don't they? These days there are many high quality solutions on the market to make your outdoor living that much better and easier to deal with. With a real grass look and feel our range of artificial grass is the answer to how to achieve such a result. There's no need to water it in dry weather and the artificial turf is porous so won't have puddles in the rain: it's ideal for most gardens.

With these points made, theres no surprise artificial grass is becoming so popular.

We recommend preparing your garden before you buy artificial grass, some gardens are not suitable for this product.

Step 1: Remove existing turf or other surface

Start by removing the existing surface from your garden. For small/medium sized gardens you will be able to do this with a spade, for larger areas you may need to hire some equipment.

Step 2: Add a base layer of builders sand

Lay approximately 35-40mm of builders sharp sand as a base for your turf.

Step 3: Level the surface

You now ned to level and flatten this area. If you happen to have a wacker plate then great, if not you can do this using timber and a large hammer. It doesn't have to be perfect, but get it as flat as possible. If you would like to mould any curves etc, now is the time to do so.

Step 4: Add a membrane

Roll out a good quality weed membrane over the top of the sand and make sure the overlaps are 300mm approx. Leave a gap at the edge of the grass of 50mm.

How to lay artificial grass:

Step 1: Roll out the artificial grass

Roll out your artificial grass and turn it green side up. Any joins need to be staggered if you are laying various pieces of grass, do not line your joins up.

Step 2: Joining the artificial grass

You need to make sure every piece of carpet if played the same way so the blades are points in the same direction. When joining the edges, make sure there are no blades of grass caught in the join.

How to fix down artificial grass:

Step 1: Fix rolls together

Once you have your grass in position you need to glue or tape your joins, again, making sure you not have any grass in the joins. 

Step 2: Create a seamless effect

When you have made a join, using your hand ruffle up the grass to ensure these joins are hidden.

Step 3: Use pins to fix down roll edges

Using your edge pins, secure the turf to the ground along all edges leaving approximately 20cm between.

Step 4: Make your lawn look neat

Rolls of grass can often become flattened in transport so the final touch is to use a garden brush and very ruggedly sweep the grass enabling it to stand up on end and then flatten or lay naturally.

Browse the full range of artificial grass available from Carpet Up.

Polyflor Camaro, Camaro Loc & Colonia

Polyflor Ranges Are Coming Soon...

Carpet Up are pleased to announce we will soon be selling the whole range of Polyflor Camaro, Polyflor Camaro Loc and Polyflor Colonia.

The stunning Polyflor ranges have proven very popular in the UK and are now being used in both domestic and commercial settings. 

We will be offering all domestic ranges at great prices and will introduce the commercial ranges in 2016 also.

Polyflor are a family run business that started and continues to operate in Manchester, UK. They have been manufacturing flooring for in excess of 100 years. In 2016 Polyflor launched a new range of Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) to offer fantastic reproductions of natural materials. The intention with he newer products was to produce a ready to lay product that vastly reduces installation time.

Polyflor Camaro

The Camaro range brought to you by Morgan & Quinn offers a collection of realistic wood effect planks with surface textures that create an authentic feel. Luxury vinyl tiles designed for both residential and commercial use that replicate a natural wood look.

View Polyflor Camaro products

Polyflor Camaro Loc

The Polyflor Camaro Loc range offers a great DIY product that has been produced to keep up with todays trends. Home interior style and fashion is a fast growing market so the 15 wood and stone designs have been produced to try and fit with a wide range of tastes. These products are great, be it to be fitted in living spaces, kitchens or bathrooms.

View Polyflor Camaro Loc products

Polyflor Colonia

The Polyflor Colonia range offers a natural look of stone, slate and marble, as well as having tiles that provide a natural wood flooring feel. Yorkstone, limestone and varied wood vinyl tiles are available within this selection of products, brought to you by Morgan & Quinn.

View Polyflor Colonia products

Focus On Fells Carpets

This month we’re taking some time out to shine a spotlight on one of our suppliers. Fells Carpets manufacture carpets at the forefront of fashion, working with leading design companies to achieve some simply stunning carpets.

Available in almost any colour, here at Carpet Up, we particularly love their patterned carpet designs. From an elegant floral print to a tasteful tartan, there’s something for everyone.

Starting life as a local company, Fells Carpets have come a long way, but haven’t strayed from their roots as they still only supply through local retailers. Morgan & Quinn is proud to be one of those local retailers.

If you’re looking for a luxury carpet at a reasonable price, Fells Carpets is for you. To see the full range of Fells Carpets available, pop in and visit us in store. We’re always happy to order something in if there’s a design you have your eye on.

Laminate Flooring Advice

Being one of the online leaders in flooring supply, our knowledge is not just in one product. We have experts across many different fields from carpet to wood to laminate to artificial grass.

Laminate popularty has grown hugely in the past few years and the product has grown too. It is now easier to lay and maintain than ever and a lot of products comes with lengthy guarantees. The choices of laminate are vaster than ever meaning it can become confusing as to what to choose for what room. Laminate comes in many forms, it can have special elements making it water resistant, it can come in many different thicknesses and of course come in many different shades and style.

As an affordable solution to gain that wood effect look, laminate flooring is by far the most poular flooring product online. We stock the most popular brands in the UK including Balterio, Kaindl, Egger, QuickStep and Villeroy & Boch.

So why choose laminate flooring for your home?

Laminate flooring is affordable, practical and looks stunning. With the amount of different styles now available, there is someone to suit everyone no matter of their taste. Laminates can either be fitted ‘DIY’ style by yourselves or by a joiner, basic laying has become much easier recently though the the creation of new and improved grooves and click systems.

You will find samples of all our laminate flooring ranges in our shops, most high-street shops or through the manufacturers themselves.

Dont forget that there may be minor adjustments to make to your interior joinery depending on the thickness of laminate and underlay you choose. These amendments are best made by a joiner as it may be taking 2mm off the bottom of your lounge door for example!!

Browse the range of laminate flooring we stock to find the one to suit your needs. All our laminate is the cheapest in the UK, delivered within days. If you have any questions, drop us an email at sales@carpetup.co.uk or use the live chat at the bottom of your screen!

Why Choose Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is versatile, low-maintenance and cost effective. It’s the perfect choice for kitchens or bathrooms, owing to its durability and easy-clean surfaces.

At Carpet Up we offer the cheapest and best vinyl flooring in the UK, so you can enjoy the many advantages it offers at an excellent price. Here are just some of the benefits it offers.

Advantages of Vinyl Flooring

For a start, its durability means that it will stand up against the normal wear and tear our flooring faces every day. Want your floors to keep looking great year after year? Vinyl is for you.

As we’ve covered, it’s easy to clean. Vinyl flooring is perfect for houses with young children and pets. It’s also water resistant, making it ideal for bathrooms and other wet rooms.

It also doesn’t get cold in chilly winters, making it more comfortable to walk on. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it is very cost effective!

With many options and styles available, you are sure to find the perfect vinyl for your home. Whether it’s for a kitchen, a bathroom, a children’s playroom or anything else, we’ve got you covered.

Vinyl Flooring Styles

As mentioned, we have a style to suit every home. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can see in the “vinyls” section of our site.

• Contemporary – Cutting-edge patterns including stripes, patterns or other textures. A modern look!
• Mosaic – Want to brighten up your home with a funky pattern? This is the style you need.
• Plain – A subtle look to give your home an understated charm.
• Tile – A budget alternative to expensive tile flooring. Fantastic, realistic effects make these a must-have!

 

Why us?

So why use us for your vinyl? Well not only is our product fantastic, so is our service. All of our vinyl is available in multiple widths, with ultra-fast delivery. It’s cut to order for your specific requirements. We’re the first choice of many leading builders, and are dedicated to service, quality and value.

Head to the vinyl section to see what vinyl flooring we sell online.

5 Great Uses for Carpet Offcuts

We all know that when we have a lovely new carpet laid it doesn’t matter how well we have measured, there is always have that extra little bit of carpet that’s left over. It’s always such a shame to throw it away – so don’t! There are plenty of different uses you can find for your spare bits of carpet and it's likely you haven't even considered these carpet recycling alternatives yet...

1. Create a doormat or runner

Of course, this will be the most popular use for that extra bit of carpet you have left but that doesn't mean it isn't worth doing. This practical solution will offer visitors to your home a very comforting entrance.

Here's a great guide on how to put this idea into reality if you think this could work for you.

2. Add a bit of extra comfort to your vehicle

Travelling is a huge part of a lot of people's lives and there's no reason why you shouldn't bring a bit of additional comfort to that experience. Carpet offcuts are often the perfect size to be shaped into car mats for your vehicle's footwell.

 

3. Prevent scratches on floors and walls

Perhaps you have another room with wood flooring which is constantly being scratched by heavy furniture? Cutting down your spare carpet to make floor protectors to attach to the feet of your furniture is a great solution to this problem.

A similar solution can work for certain walls which can take a pumelling from opening doors too. Attaching a bit of carpet onto the wall of your garage could allow you to open your car door without the worry of scratches.

4. Make a scratching post or board for your cat

Even your cat doesn't want you to just throw away those carpet remnants! Wrapping your spare carpet around a post or creating a carpet-filled board to place on the wall (see picture below) is a brilliant way to create some guilt-free scratching for your feline friend.

 

5. Use for practicing Yoga or Pilates

Yoga and pilates are certainly some of this decade's most fashionable activities. Creating a more comfortable exercise mat from your carpet offcuts could prevent your elbows and knees digging into the hard floor when you're trying to recreate those complicated poses.

If you're still trying to work out whether to take up yoga or pilates then this article might help!

Polyflor Vinyl Flooring

Founded in 1915, Polyflor has developed an impressive portfolio, refining the art of vinyl manufacturing to produce a variety of luxury flooring collections.

Polyflor is both a socially and economically responsible manufacturer, with a core vision to be as carbon neutral as possible. Polyflor prides itself on following the Three Pillars of Sustainability: Environment, People and Economic sustainability.

So why choose Polyflor?

Polyflor is a balanced mix of style and substance. Whilst hosting an impressive collection of various finishes and colours to suit every home, it brings comfort and warmth to your home as well as amazing functionality. It works well with underfloor heating, and combined with its acoustic properties, it will feel like a dream under your feet. 

The perfect flooring solution for busy family homes, your high footfall can only be matched by the durability of Polyflor. Hard-wearing and easy to maintain and clean, it couldn’t be easier, allowing your floor to continue looking amazing for years to come.   

The varied styles of this flooring make it suitable for every room of the house, the only area that it can’t be used to cover are your stairways. The best part about our flooring is that the installation is as simple as sticking it to your floor. Ideal for rooms with awkward areas, as it can be shaped around your room, creating a seamless fit.

If you’re looking for fuss-free interior style then Polyflor is the flooring for you. Discover more about Polyflor here. 

Artificial Grass: Mowing Man Hours Saved

The average gardener can spend up to 70 hours per year mowing their lawn. Over a lifetime, that's weeks of your life pushing a lawnmower up and down your garden.

Artificial grass is a convenient alternative for gardeners who are pushed for time. With proper care and maintenance, good quality artificial grass can last up to 20 years. And best of all, it never needs mowing.

What will you do with all those reclaimed hours? Our infographic 'Artificial Grass: Mowing Man Hours Saved' sets out a few of our favourite ways you could spend your time. How would you spend time?   

Incredible British Carpets: Cavalier Carpets

We’re delighted to welcome an extensive range of Cavalier Carpets to Carpet Ups online store.

Cavalier enjoy a world-wide reputation thanks to their unprecedented focus on quality. Every one of their residential carpets is subject to the same rigorous manufacturing and assurance processes as a bespoke order.

Cavalier Carpets are the perfect choice for homeowners or commercial partners looking for floor coverings designed and manufactured in Britain to the highest quality.

Check out our full range of Cavalier Carpets today.

5 reasons why industry professionals love Luxury Vinyl Tiles

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) are one of the hottest trends in domestic flooring right now. But industry professionals, top interior bloggers and commercial designers have been extolling its virtues for a while now.

We asked five interior experts & manufacturers why they come back to LVT time and time again.

Here’s what they said...

LVT can be used in any room

Although particularly suited to bathrooms and kitchens, luxury vinyl tiles can be used in virtually any room in the house (and in plenty of commercial settings too).

“I have LVT in 4 rooms of my house now, and budget permitting I would change any of the room that remained to LVT. I just love it! It’s warmer underfoot, and withstands having things dropped on it without damage to the item (usually) or the floor.

“So easy to keep clean and we haven’t had any issue of fading either. I’d definitely recommend it.”

Amanda Cottingham
The Ana Mum Diary
www.theanamumdiary.co.uk

Bold LVT flooring designs are on trend

Patterned tiles don’t have to feel fuddy-duddy. Black and white patterned tiles on the floor gives an edgy graphic design - which will make a strong visual statement in your home.

For smaller hallways pick a bold tile - this tricks the eye into making the space appear bigger, ideal for slim entrance ways.

A tiled pattern is a practical solution for busy homes – especially if your room is open-plan.

Maxine Brady
We Love Home
www.welovehomeblog.com

It's easy to install

If you have any floor laying experience, you'll appreciate you easy LVT can be to cut and lay. 

"Vinyl flooring has several advantages over other flooring types such as tiles or wood. It's very easy to install, you can find a great selection of patterns to suit practically any home, and of course, there’s LVT to suit almost all budgets. But one of the main advantages of the product is its great resistance to dirt and water - it’s so very easy to clean and maintain."

Alena Chikurnikova
Interior Designer at AlenaCDesign
www.alenacdesign.com

It's easy to clean and maintain

On cleaning and maintaining your LVT, Stephanie Cvetkovic has some top tips:

“Many people presume that all Luxury Vinyl Tiles are waterproof, and clean them accordingly, often using an excess of water. Although it's perfectly fine to clean your LVT with a damp mop (as you would any other floor) over-wetting the tiles may cause them to buckle, and dampen the area below the tiles creating additional problems.

"When cleaning LVT, simple is best (another one of its many benefits!) Unless you have tough stains to remove, I recommend simply vacuuming or brushing your flooring, followed by a once-over with a well-wrung out mop or cloth in hot water and a multi-purpose floor cleaner (my favourite is Flash). Be sure to allocate enough time for your LVT to dry thoroughly before you let the kids in to play!"

Stephanie Cvetkovic
Expert Home Tips
www.experthometips.com

It can add the finishing touch to your kitchen renovation 

When renovating your home, particularly your bathroom or kitchen, many top manufacturers will recommend LVT to help you achieve a specific, high quality look.

"We have used Luxury Vinyl Tiles in many of our kitchens installations as the tiles are well suited. The tiles are waterproof, hard wearing, good value and unlike ceramic or slate tiles are not freezing to the touch! We would recommend these tiles for kitchen installations.”

How to keep your carpet clean

Your carpet could be dirtier than your toilet seat. 

That's why properly maintaining and cleaning your carpet is not just an aesthetic choice. It can also help to keep bugs and mites at bay - perfect for those who suffer with asthma and/or allergies.

Check out our infographic below. It contains our top tips on how to keep your carpet clean.

Pole Marks

Seams are a necessary part of any carpet installation. Seams in Berber carpets will be visible, due to the loop pile construction, as the carpet is stretched the seam area will peak slightly. Darker-coloured carpets hide seams better than lighter colours. Seams in all-white carpets tend to be the most noticeable. Higher quality carpets have denser pile that hides seams better than less expensive grades. Use The widest width available to avoid joins if possible.Note: occasionally you may see a line running across a newly installed carpet, about one foot in from a wall. This line is not a seam. This mark, known as a "pole mark", results from the carpet being wrapped tightly around a cardboard tube for shipping. The mark will disappear as the carpet becomes acclimatised and is vacuumed. Extra attention to this area during vacuuming will speed the process. For more immediate results, try light steaming of the affected area.

How to clean a wool carpet?

Wool Carpet is very easy to clean and care for – after all, wool is naturally designed to protect sheep from all weathers, in all conditions. Wool carpets are naturally stain resistant, which means that most stains can be easily removed using water and an approved spot cleaning spray. Even mud is easy to remove – simply let it dry and vacuum.

Our videos, shown opposite, and simple advice, below, will help you keep yours looking good for longer!

Everyday dirt

There are generally two types of soil. The first is dry soil, including substances like grit and sand, which fall to the bottom of the carpet. This type of substance is abrasive, so if it’s not removed it will start to damage fibres over time. Regular vacuuming will remove all dry soil.

The second type of soil is best described as ‘sticky’, which includes any dirt brought into the house on shoes and air pollution. This type of soil can attract more dirt (known as re-soiling) if not periodically removed. So it’s also a good idea to have your carpet cleaned professionally – annually or every couple of years depending on level of usage - to remove general sticky soil which accumulates on any floor surface over time.

Liquid spills and stains 

For liquid spills, follow the steps below:

1. Soak up as much of the spill as possible, using a clean, absorbent cloth, until there is no more transfer to the cloth. It’s important to remember to blot rather than scrub – scrubbing will push the stain further into the pile and damage the fibres.
2. Use water or a WoolSafe approved cleaning spray (which is colour, fibre and re-soiling safe) to complete removal of the spill. Spray this onto the cloth first, and then dab the spill. Another important point to remember – spray the cloth rather than the floor. Spraying directly on the carpet will drive the stain deeper and wider.

How to clean your man made carpets?

Let’s face it, we’re all proud of our homes. We like them looking their best; from the bedrooms and living areas to the bathrooms and kitchens. One thing that often occurs is the problem of cleaning our carpet and making it look as good as new from when we first bought it.  It can seem like an impossible task to complete with all the footfall, crumbs and every other daily strain that carpets go through.

It’s okay though, we fortunately live in an age where the quality carpets we buy are of an excellent standard and using the correct method, they can be cleaned in no time at all.

Let’s check out the Carpet Up guide to keeping your carpet clean, tidy and fresh all year round:

Vacuum regularly

One of the best ways to prolong your carpets lifespan is to regularly vacuum the areas where there are the highest areas of traffic.  At Carpet Up, we suggest using a cleaner with an active beater bar for the majority of “man made” carpets. This helps lift soil from the area you’re wanting to clean.

It’s important to clean areas of the house used frequently

It’s important to clean areas of carpet such as entrances, doorways and other living areas frequently, as these areas collect much more dirt that other areas of carpet in the house.  Keeping these areas under control means  dirt won’t spread to other areas of the house and keep your carpet looking its best for longer.

Attend to stains and spills as they happen

It can happen. Spillages occur every day. It can happen with friends, with family or on your own. To avoid a stain when an accidental spillage happens, it’s important to deal with the problem as quickly as possible, so the liquid doesn’t dry in.

Use professional cleaners to keep your carpet at its best

Dust and other oils leave a thin film over the carpet, even in places where there is no footfall. To keep the carpet in peak condition for longer, we suggest on occasion, using professional carpet cleaners to attend to the carpet. Carpets will look their best as professional carpet cleaners use formulated cleaners which are made for your carpet.

General Overview of Procedures

• Clean a spillage as it happens
• Don’t rub the spillage
• Soak it up with paper towels
• Vacuum up lose particles
• Sponge the spillage with warm water with a cloth
• Don’t walk on the carpet until dry