Take The Floor

It pays to pick wisely when you’re choosing flooring – after all, you’ll be living with it for a long time. Here’s what’s new, popular and good value

- Sarah Pickette

CARPET

What’s new Molecular Enhanced Polyester is shaking up the world of carpet. So what is it? “It’s a revolutionary new fibre that’s honed at the molecular level, making it more durable and resistant to staining while still having a super-soft feel,” says Jason Verstak, group manager of marketing for Choices Flooring. Trending now “Twist is the most popular style of carpet, however the chunkier loop style in both wool and solution-dyed nylon is currently selling really well,” says Verstak. “So are carpets in neutral colours, particularly those with a grey undertone.” Eco cred Manufacturers are embracing sustainability and eco-friendly products, says Brett Talbot, national merchandise manager of hard flooring for Carpet Court. “There’s been a lot of investment in ways to turn waste materials into carpet and carpet tiles.” Love the look Add movement and visual interest to your floor with a carpet where varying pile height creates a subtle pattern.

ENGINEERED TIMBER

The lowdown Everyone loves the warmth of a timber floor, but solid timber can be expensive and may warp. Engineered timber, however, is constructed from multiple layers of wood joined with their grains perpendicular to each other. The top layer is made from solid timber, generally a hardwood.

Easy as Engineered timber is faster to install than solid-timber flooring. “It’s pre-finished there’s no sanding or coating – you can move straight in,” says Talbot.