General Flooring

 
Q. What flooring is best if you have pets?
 
A. We all love our four-legged friends, so it is important to consider them when purchasing new flooring, especially if they regularly share the home with the rest of the family.
 
The standout hard flooring option is luxury vinyl. A durable product that does not compromise on style, it's easy to clean when accidents occur, is extremely hard-wearing and provides great traction for your pet. Plus, it’s quieter than other hard flooring options, keeping the click clack of paws to a minimum.
 
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.
 

 
Q. What flooring is best to make a small space feel larger?
 
A. If you’re working with a small space, flooring selection is crucial, as certain colours and styles may make your space appear smaller. We recommended you keep the same flooring throughout your space as this will create an uninterrupted flow and make it feel as if the room is part of a larger zone.
 
Colour - Generally lighter coloured flooring will complement furniture and expand the perceived size of any room. Think cream carpet or whitewashed flooring and avoid busy patterns. If you’re thinking of purchasing hard flooring, opt for wide boards as you will see fewer joins and
it will feel less busy.
 
Installation - A general rule of thumb is to have hard flooring installed parallel to the longest wall in the room, this will instantly make your room appear more spacious.
 
Styling - When it comes to styling your space, choose a round rug over rectangular as it will fit better with furniture pieces. If you prefer a traditional rectangular rug, choose a smaller size that highlights Fthe area between furniture. Just be cautious the rug doesn’t sit under big furniture as it will visually tighten the room.
 

 
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 Planks - Perfect for all rooms of the home, easy to clean and maintain. This option is quieter and warmer than other hard flooring surfaces. Luxury Vinyl is also scratch resistant making it the perfect flooring option to withstand dropped school bags, dancing competitions or hopscotch on a rainy day.
 
Carpet - The best options are those with excellent stain, wear, fade, and soil resistance. Choose from Solution Dyed Nylon, Nylon, Triexta or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) carpets and enjoy the softness and luxury they bring whilst not compromising on keeping floors looking clean.

 F
 
Q. What’s the best way to test flooring samples in my home?
 
A To help you make the right choice, consider the following:
How does it feel – It’s important to test the flooring underfoot so place the sample on the ground and stand on it with and without shoes to see how it will feel in
your home.
Coordinate colours – Test the sample against the rest of your interior finishes, ensuring your chosen flooring samples compliment the paint, style, and furniture in your home.
 
 

Carpet

 
Q. What are the different types of carpet fibres available?
 
A. Wool - Visibly cosy, soft to touch and a great natural insulator, wool carpet provides long-lasting durability and is ideal for every climate. Made from 100% pure natural wool, wool carpets are also a sustainable choice.
 
Nylon & Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN) - Highly durable and exceptionally stain-resistant, nylon and solution dyed nylon carpets are superior in performance. They’re top performing when it comes to longevity and their ability to withstand wear and tear - a great carpet choice for busy households.
 
Synthetic (Triexta, Polyester and Polypropylene) -
Created from man-made or a combination of fibres, synthetic carpets feel and look beautiful but are also durable and resilient. Synthetic carpets are a worthy competitor for wool carpets. They have slightly different benefits depending on the type you choose:

• Triexta - A nearly natural option for those who don’t want a purely synthetic carpet. Made from renewable, natural cane sugar, Triexta feels luxurious but is also highly resistant to staining, wear and tear.

• Polyester - Polyester carpets are beautifully soft and comfortable - softer than both nylon and polypropylene. Many people can’t tell the difference between polyester and wool carpets.

• Polypropylene - Polypropylene is an affordable, high-performing option. Exceptionally strong, it’s the perfect choice for playrooms and rental properties.

 
 
Q. Which carpet is recommended for asthma sufferers?
 
A. Consider a superior quality solution dyed nylon carpet from our exclusive Brease range. Available in a variety of 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.
 
Q. Can I keep my existing underlay when having new carpet installed?
 
A. We recommend that you change your underlay if you are replacing your existing carpet. Underlay wears as the carpet wears, leaving it with the wear patterns of the old carpet. It is also important to note that a manufacturer may void a carpet's warranty if laid on old underlay.
 
Q. Which carpet won’t show footprints?
 
A. Twist and loop carpet are your go-to that won’t show footprints, vacuum marks, or furniture indentations.  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. Is underlay important to consider when making a new carpet purchase?
 
A. Yes, there are a wide range of underlays available that come in a variety of materials such as foam and rubber, all have their own unique features and benefits. The higher the quality of underlay the more luxurious it will feel underfoot, ask to try a sample under your carpet of choice to help make your selection.
 
It’s also important to consider the thickness of your underlay, the thicker the underlay, the more support it will give your new carpet and the quieter it will make your home, especially in second floor installations and on staircases.
 

Hard Flooring

 
Q. What are the different hard flooring options available?
 
A. There are four main types of hard flooring to choose from; timber, laminate, luxury vinyl and rigid/hybrid.
 
Timber - Renowned for its quality and timeless natural look. Its aesthetics provide a classic and enduring feel that is hard to beat.
 
Laminate  - Provides the perfect combination of style, functionality, and affordability, with the look and feel of real wood for a fraction of the price.
 
Luxury Vinyl - Looks like a real timber floor but is very low maintenance. It is also easy to install, warm to the touch and quiet, perfect for any family home.
 
Rigid/Hybrid - Combining the best characteristics of laminate and luxury vinyl, it also has the appearance of real timber, but without the maintenance involved.

 
 
Q. How much should I expect hard flooring to expand?
 
A. Hard flooring is prone to expansion due to factors such as humidity, seasonal changes, and even the use of central heating. Therefore, it is an industry standard to allow for expansion from wall to wall. Industry standard gaps are as follows: engineered timber 10mm, laminate 10mm-14mm and luxury vinyl 1mm.
 
 

Q. Which is the best hard flooring option for my home?
 
A. This really comes down to your lifestyle, budget, and which rooms you will be installing your new flooring in.
 
Busy family households are best suited to luxury vinyl or laminate flooring. Affordable and extremely durable, both options will provide peace of mind for many years to come and are available in an extensive range of timber look styles to suit all interiors.
 
Rigid or hybrid flooring is the latest hard flooring innovation. Combining the best characteristics of laminate and vinyl flooring, with the appearance of real timber. 100% waterproof, rigid/hybrid is suitable for the entire home.
 
If it’s a natural, unique floor you have in mind, then it's hard to go past timber flooring. Timber floors offer a stunning appearance and are a true statement piece in the home.
 
 
Q. Can timber furniture be used in a room with timber flooring?
 
A. Yes, you can mix timber or timber look floors with timber furniture, but it is important to use different tones. Furnishings can get lost against the background of a similarly toned wood floor. Break up the monotony by pairing light furniture with flooring that has a darker stain — or vice versa.
 

 
Q. Why are there colour and design variations in timber planks?
 
A. We are fortunate to have many beautiful native timbers on offer such as blackbutt, tasmanian oak and spotted gum. Each tree is unique featuring its own distinct tones, grains, and knots - this is the beauty of natural timber.
 
 

Window Furnishings

 
Q. What are the different types of window furnishings available?
 
A. Window furnishings control light, set the mood and maintain privacy in your living spaces. To help you choose the perfect window furnishing for your home, here's a guide to some of the different styles available.
 
Roller Blinds - Roller blinds are amongst the most popular and affordable window furnishings available - delivering a sophisticated, contemporary look that accents and complements any décor. Roller blinds are available in a range of sheer, translucent and blockout finishes. 
 
Roman Blinds - With the functionality of roller blinds and the decorative impact of soft furnishings, roman blinds are a stylish solution to any home. Available in a range of sheer, translucent and block out finishes and designed with clean horizontal folds that stack neatly, adding a distinctive touch to
any room.
 
Venetian Blinds - From the durability of aluminium to the style and functionality of timber, venetian blinds allow excellent light control, ventilation and privacy at an affordable price.
 
 
Panel Glides - Designed as a modern alternative to vertical blinds, panel glides combine the elegance of curtains with the functionality of blinds. The fabric panels move effortlessly through multiple tracking channels with the use of a smooth operating wand, eliminating the need for chains and safety devices, while enhancing the sleek elegance of this simplistic blind.
 
Vertical blinds - Assist in creating an illusion of increased height to any room. With an affordable price tag, ease of functionality and maintenance, vertical blinds are ideal for both residential and commercial spaces.
 
Shutters - Adding a sense of space to any home, shutters provide total privacy from the outside world yet still allow for light and airflow through their adjustable louvres.
 
Curtains - Whether you’re looking for a soft sheer curtain or a sheer curtain with block out lining, custom made curtains define the interior design of a room and have a host of practical and visual benefits which allow you to have complete control over your home's environment and design.
 

 
Q. Which are the easiest window furnishings to clean and maintain?
 
A. We all know window furnishings are great for keeping out heat and light, but unfortunately they can also be good at collecting dust, pet hair, and dirt.
 
Here are our suggestions for the best low maintenance, easy to clean window furnishings:
 
Roller Blinds - To clean Roller blinds, start by pulling them down so they’re fully extended. Then use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any dust and debris on the blinds. Once you’ve gone over the blinds with the vacuum, depending on the fabric, you can then use a damp (not wet) sponge or dish towel to wipe them off with lukewarm soapy water (check instructions on the reverse of the fabric swatch).
 
Panel Glides - For panel glides, simply dust with a feather duster or the brush attachment of your vaccum. For the removal of dirt and grime, simply wipe fabric panels with a damp (not wet) sponge soaked in lukewarm water. If marks are still visible add a little mild detergent. Then dry gently with a clean cloth.

 
 
Q. How should I prepare for window furnishings to be installed?
 
A. Congratulations! You've chosen to update your window furnishings. Before you can start enjoying them, you’ll need to do a few things to make sure the installation goes as smoothly as possible.
 
Before installation, you’ll need to:

• Remove existing window coverings,
• Prepare a space inside or outside your home where our team can unpack products.

 
Prior to installation, you’ll need to:

• Move furniture away from your windows,
• Cover nearby furniture,
• Ensure there’s a clear pathway for installers to move in and out of your home,
• Make sure power points are accessible and working.

 
On installation day, you’ll need to:

• Keep kids and pets away from the installation area (as exciting as it is, they’ll just have to wait!),
• Check your installation to make sure your blinds or shutters are working how they should be.

 
After installation, you’ll need to:

• Return your furniture,
• Show off your new blinds or shutters to your local Choices Flooring team! Send them a few happy snaps once you’ve settled in.