The wide range of floor coverings and finishes available mean that you can always find the best floor surface for the different areas of your premises. Polished timber floors and ceramic tiles are great for high traffic areas but can be noisy. Tea rooms, kitchens and staff rooms need easy clean surfaces like vinyls. For the general office area carpet is still the best choice. It is comfortable and attractive.

Some points to consider when choosing your carpet are:

■ A 48g weight will last longer than a 36g or 40g by several years.

■ Consider carpet tiles instead of broadloom if you have a high wear area.

■ Broadloom and tiles that have been directly stuck to the concrete slab are not only cheaper to lay, but actually last longer.

■ For preservation, think about using protective mats for office chairs. The castors used on office chairs have a devastating effect, particularly when loom is laid on underlay. This can prevent expensive repairs or replacing carpets when it is time to “Make Good”.

■ Regular cleaning will extend life.

■ Darker and patterned designs hide stains and dirt the best.

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