Making the right floor covering
decisions
FLOORCOVERINGS
(PTY)LTD
a world of choice
it all begins
with the floor
Your floor covering is an important part of your décor scheme and it should suit the character
and ambience you want to create in a room whilst also practically matching your lifestyle.
But making the right floor covering choice can sometimes be confusing, with a wide range
of options available to you. This guide aims to simplify your decision by outlining the factors
that are important to finding the most suitable flooring.
Choose flooring for your lifestyle
• Do you have children, pets or lots of visitors that
will increase traffic and wear on your flooring?
“Our place is a madhouse. I'm looking
for quality flooring that can stand up
to the rampaging kids and pets!”
Mandy White – Edenvale
• Do you have elderly relatives or small children that make
safety important?
• Do you want a low-maintenance solution for a holiday
home or lock up and go lifestyle?
Choose flooring for the environment
Every room in your house has its own unique flooring
challenges, ask yourself;
• Is it used often by the whole family?
• Will people be eating or drinking there?
• Will there be a lot of heavy furniture?
• Is it exposed to direct sunlight?
All of these factors will affect the type of flooring
that is suitable for the room.
Woodmark
Providence
Timbavati Ultra
Superweave
Westminster
Define your style
Your flooring is the foundation for the décor scheme of the
room, so it has to co-ordinate with and complement other
style elements within the room. You should have some idea
of the type of ambience you want to create before you start
hunting. Here are some considerations:
• Have you chosen a particular decorating style?
• Is there a colour scheme you particularly like?
• Do you have existing furnishings that your flooring will have
to co-ordinate with?
• Are there any feature items that will anchor the décor style
of the room – paintings, sculpture, furniture items etc.?
Remember to bring your paint, upholstery and drapery
samples along for comparison when you shop so you can
be certain that the flooring you choose achieves the
desired look and 'feel'. Some dealers will allow you to
take samples home to make absolutely certain that the
floor covering fits in with your décor.
Whether you want to create a striking visual effect or a
warm relaxing environment, the chances are that you'll
find what you're looking for in Belgotex Floorcoverings'
wide range of carpets, cushion vinyls and luxury vinyl tiles.
Be sure of your budget
“We're redoing our lounge
on a budget. I need
a warm, welcoming,
long-lasting floor
covering, that won't
break the bank.”
Amy Kleinhans
– Marlborough Park
How much of your decorating budget can be used for flooring?
Flooring is likely to be one of the most significant décor costs
so make sure you budget for it early on. Before making a
decision, get the salesperson to help you work out an estimate
on the total cost of the flooring. This will include extras such
as carpet removal and disposal, installation, padding or underfelt
and the cost of regular maintenance.
If cash flow is an issue, then you need to consider what you
can afford and perhaps trade off luxury for durability to suit
your budget. Buy the best quality floor covering you can afford
to get the most out of your investment.
You can reduce your total costs by buying the best quality
flooring for high wear areas such as hallways, entrances and
stairs and lighter weight carpet for lower traffic areas such as
guest rooms.
Luna
Tuscany
Interweave
Origins
Sensation
Colour sets the mood of the room
Blues, greys and greens are “cooling” and serene whereas
reds, yellows and browns warm the room.
Darker floorings (especially carpet) tend to show lint and dust,
disguise dirt and make a room seem smaller and cozier.
Lighter floorings will disguise lint and dust, show dirt and make
a room seem larger. Middle tone and patterned carpets disguise
dust, lint and dirt.
Your floor covering colour should always be in your secondary
colour palette.
The 60 - 30 - 10 principle
This rule-of-thumb guide is followed by interior decorators
in creating harmonious living spaces.
While generally applied to paint effects – it can be extended to
include your floor covering as part of the overall décor scheme.
Essentially, 60% of the surfaces in the room you are decorating
should be in the main chosen colour, 30% should be in a
complementary colour or tone and the remaining 10% in an
accent or contasting colour. Given standard room dimensions,
walls would generally be in your primary colour, while floors
would be in the secondary colour. Accent colours can be
brought in with furnishings, accessories such as cushions,
paintings, objects or even flooring effects such as carpet
borders or insets.
your simple
3 step guide
to choosing a floor covering
FLOORCOVERINGS
Complete our 'Define your style' quiz to get a good idea of the type of flooring
that suits your decorating needs, and your lifestyle.
Step 1 – circle one answer per question
Step 2 – circle the letter you chose
in the score sheet
Q1 – Which room do you wish to make over?
(A)
Lounge
(B)
Dining
(C)
Bedroom
(D)
Kitchen
Q2 – Which of these four aspects is most
important for that room?
(A)
Style & comfort
(B)
Ambience & sound
(C)
Safety & Care
(D)
Convenience & maintenance
Q3 – How would you describe the pace of
your lifestyle?
(A)
Manageable
(B)
Frantic
(C)
Relaxed
(D)
Very Busy
Step 3 – count up
the number of 1's, 2's,
3's and 4's
A
B
C
D
Q1
1
2
3
4
Total 1’s:
Q2
2
3
1
4
Total 2’s:
Q3
3
4
2
1
Total 3’s:
Q4
1
3
2
4
Total 4’s:
Q5
4
3
2
1
“Luxury is everything to
me. I want a fashionable
floor covering that really
makes a statement.”
Thembisa Lemani – Newtown
Q4 – How important to you is luxury in that room?
(A)
Very important
(B)
Important
(C)
Not so important
(D)
Not important at all
Q5 – How important is the cost of the flooring?
(A)
Very important
(B)
Important
(C)
Not so important
(D)
Not important at all
Providence
Royal Berber
Royal Twist
Obsession
Woodmark
See your
recommended
floor covering over
the page...
Mostly 1's – Cut-Pile Carpets
Mostly 2's – Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Cut-pile carpets are perfect for bedrooms or lounges where
comfort and luxury is paramount. Their deep, thick pile adds
super-soft comfort underfoot with a plush texture that oozes
sophisticated indulgence while insulating against cold. They
also absorb sound, adding peace and tranquility and improving
the acoustics of a room. They're also perfect for home theatre
systems, kids bedrooms or studies where you want peace
and quiet. Be sure to select the correct grading for the amount
of intended traffic in that area.
Belgotex Vinyl's luxury vinyl tiles are vinyl planks laid side by
side to recreate the warm, natural look of real wood without
the noise, durability or cleaning concerns. Perfect for dining
areas, hallways lounges and even slick, sophisticated bedrooms,
their smooth, sleek surface is totally waterproof and easy to
clean, giving you all of the luxury without the labour! An
attractive, affordable alternative to hardfloorings such as
laminate or tiles – they absorb sound better, and are warmer
than tiles.
A quality underfelt or carpet cushion will increase the underfoot
comfort of your carpet and help prevent wear.
recommended
floor coverings
Mostly 3's – Loop Pile Carpets
“He practically lives in that
playroom. I need a bright floor
covering that combines safety
and comfort.”
Kim Su – Durban North
Ideal for high traffic areas, Belgotex Carpets' loop pile carpets
add warmth and durable good looks for hallways, TV rooms,
studies and stairs in busy households. They offer both comfort
and convenience, with practical, pebbly loop textures disguising
everyday dirt and soiling until the next vacuuming, whilst
simultaneously being comfortable and warm enough to sit on.
Belgotex Carpets' modern hi-tech yarns such as Stainproof
Miracle Fibre, guarantee peace of mind against inevitable stains
or marks.
Mostly 4's – Cushioned Vinyl
If smooth, fashionable surfaces and convenience are key, then
Belgotex Vinyl's affordable cushioned vinyl ranges such as
Woodmark or Luna are ideal for you. Water-resistant and
insulating with a comfortable soft feel underfoot, cushioned
vinyl is a practical, hygienic solution for kitchens, bathrooms
or living rooms. Recommended for young families or frantic
professionals with no time to waste, it's available in various
popular faux wood colours and finishes, hygienic, scratchresistant with a protective wear layer that's slip-proof too.
FLOORCOVERINGS
Westminster
Heather Bliss
Woodmark
Color Rib
Granada
flooring your
home
space by space
It makes sense to approach your flooring decisions by first looking at the function
of the specific space you're going to floor. You will be able to narrow down the type
of flooring that will go best with that area.
Let's take a tour of your home to recognise some of the practical and aesthetic
factors that should influence your flooring choices.
Flooring for entrance areas
Steady traffic brings dirt, moisture, salt and just about everything
else mother nature has to offer into your home. Any stains or
wear-and-tear are going to be far more evident here, so choose
a sturdy material that can withstand a heavy traffic. Cushion
vinyl or luxury vinyl tiles are a good alternative to tiles and
laminates, as they hold up well in high moisture areas.
A well-placed area rug not only traps dirt and moisture,
but also adds style and warmth.
You can certainly use carpets for entrance areas, especially
when the entrance leads directly into a living area – but consider
Flooring for verandahs, small gardens
and shaded areas
Synthetic grass is becoming an increasingly popular choice
among homeowners looking for a safe, non-slip comfortable
alternative to hard floor coverings on patios, verandahs, even
around pools. It's a fantastic low-maintenance solution for
small gardens too – there's no watering, weeding or mowing
required, just a simple brushing. The Duraturf range from
Belgotex Floorcoverings is taking artificial grass to places it's
never been before with a range of
durable tufted fibres suitable for any
home or outdoor environment.
Augusta
Bermuda
Oval Summer Green
Meadow
using a more durable hard wearing product (such as a looppile carpet or needlepunch product) in a darker shade to
conceal dirt. Walk-off mats and regular cleaning and
maintenance are going to be essential in preserving the life
and beauty of a carpet in this environment, so be sure you
can invest the time and energy and money in keeping your
carpet looking good.
“My little shady verandah is
my refuge. I want to de-stress
and reconnect
with nature with a
low-maintenance
floor that feels
great underfoot.”
Ella Thomas – Green Point
Flooring for living areas
Lounges, living rooms, TV rooms, dining rooms – places to
share good times with family and friends, impress guests and
express your personal style. You may want to create a formal
reception lounge or a bright relaxed family space. The ideal
solution for these rooms is carpeting, which has styles and
fibres that range from the very formal to bright and casual.
Area rugs help to soften the room and break up large areas
of neutral floor colour. Luxury vinyl tiles could also be used to
create a cleaner, contemporary look.
Whether you want to create a formal reception area or a more
relaxed family environment, experiment with colours and
patterns until you find the right combination of wall paint,
pattern, furniture and carpet that provides the effect you are
looking for.
Some tips: If you have children, the floor will be used as
a sitting, lying or playing surface so choose a relatively
thick dense carpet to enhance comfort (and resist the
crushing from heavy lounge couches etc). Food and
beverage spills are also inevitable in a family environment,
so choose a Stainproof carpet or an easy-to-clean vinyl.
Flooring for bedrooms
Comfort is a priority for bedrooms. Carpets are the ideal
floor covering choice for these restful low-traffic environments,
providing plush comfort underfoot that counteracts the strain
your body experiences from walking on hard surfaces every
day. In addition carpets retain up to 10% more of a room's
heat, ensuring that you never have to step out of bed onto a
cold hard floor.
Choose colours that emphasise comfort and rejuvenation.
Use rich, indulgent colours and textures as accents to
create a peaceful space in which to start and end the day.
Avoid excessively bright colours that can over-stimulate
the senses. The key is to choose neutral flooring that
doesn't distract from the room décor. You want to be
able to change the colours and textures of your bedroom
as often as you want without having to change the flooring
as well.
Recommended: Today's neutrals are far more inspiring
than traditional safe beige. Today's sophisticated 'new
neutrals' include creamy whites, soothing taupes, warm
sand to dove greys and tinted pastels. Use luxury vinyl
tiles to create an intriguing wood-grained finish with none
of the noise and maintenance issues of real wood flooring
or laminates.
Royal Twist
Heather Bliss
Obsession
Providence
Marakesh
Carpets are a safe non-slip option for nurseries, children's
bedrooms and playrooms too – choose a durable loop pile in
a darker shade or patterns to help conceal dirt or stains,
Belgotex Carpets’ SDX or polypropylene Miracle Fibre ranges
are great low-maintenance solutions.
“My bedroom is my refuge,
my cocoon. I need a plush
floor covering that brings
peace to the most important
room in my home.”
Sophie Demetriou – Fourways
FLOORCOVERINGS
En-suite bathrooms
The bathroom is an area where your flooring must be
waterproof, washable and non-slip. With their range of
intriguing textures and finishes, cushion vinyls or even vinyl
tiles are a slightly warmer, more affordable alternative to
traditional tiles for en-suite bathrooms and toilets. Area rugs
add a soft touch, and are much easier to clean than wall-towall bathroom carpeting. Be sure any area rugs or mats are
non-slip.
Flooring for dining rooms
Flooring for home offices and work spaces
Modern open plan architecture means that the dining room is
often an extension of the living room, but with a difference.
The key to remember when decorating open areas (or smaller
homes) is to keep all floor coverings a similar colour to create
an impression of space and avoid distinct breaks between
rooms.
Your home office, sewing room or work space needs to be
both comfortable and functional. While vinyls (among other
hard floorings) are a practical, affordable floor covering choice
in these environments, carpet has several advantages.
In a dining area there is always the concern of food and liquid
spills, so a good wear-resistant, stain-resistant flooring is a
must. Most Belgotex carpet styles now offer stain and moisture
resistance, so that the same carpeting used in the living room
can flow through to the dining room.
Luxury vinyl tiles and cushion vinyl can also be used here, as
a practical alternative to traditional hard-floor options. As long
as the choice complements the styles of adjacent rooms, and
your furniture, then you can choose whichever flooring best
suits your own fashion sense.
Its sound absorbing properties reduce the impact of noise
such as footsteps, telephone, computers and printers – making
for a more relaxing work environment, and minimising disruption
to the rest of the household.
In frequently used office spaces, consider durable loop-pile or
cut-pile carpets will resist crushing from heavy office furniture
and chairs without compromising on comfort, while giving your
office an attractive contemporary look.
Don't forget you'll need additional protection under castor
wheels which can cause severe damage to carpet pile in the
long term.
fantastic
fibres
COLOUR FAST
BLEACHRESISTANT
COLOUR FAST
BLEACHRESISTANT
Create lasting low-maintenance beauty with Belgotex Carpets' unique fibre technology.
Stainproof Miracle Fibre is a highly advanced polypropylene
fibre that is unique to Belgotex. Colourfast, stain resistant,
anti-microbial and anti-allergenic, stainproof miracle fibre
carpets are also resistant to mould and mildew.
Stainproof SDX (Solution Dyed for Xtreme conditions) are
carpets with exceptionally rich vibrant colours created by
'injecting' the pigments into the nylon's polymer while it is
molten, to become a permanent part of the molecular structure.
Most stubborn stains can be removed simply by using an equal
mix of clear household bleach and water.
The result is a soft nylon fibre with exceptional resistance,
resiliency and colourfastness that's ideal for any room in the
home. SDX ranges are ideal for very sunny rooms and stand
up well to most household cleaners – even bleach.
Caring for your Stainproof carpet
Follow these simple steps to remove most household stains from your Stainproof
Miracle Fibre or Stainproof SDX carpet:
STEP 1:
Blot or gently scrape as much of the stain residue
away as possible
STEP 2:
Refer to the stain removal chart for a cleaning method
appropriate to the stain type
STEP 3:
Blot with clean paper towels. Repeat Steps 2 and
3 until the stain disappears
STEP 4:
Spray with clean water and blot to absorb remaining
moisture. Spraying with water ensures dilution of
the bleach and should be repeated until the bleach
smell is significantly reduced. When completely dry,
vacuum to restore pile texture.
Always blot from the outside in to minimise the stain area.
What stain is it?
Beetroot Juice
Betadine
Blood
Butter
Chocolate
Chocolate Sauce
Coffee
Concentrated Juice
Cooking Oil
Cooldrink
Correction Fluid
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2+1
Curry Paste
Dirty Machine Oil
Egg
Food Colouring
Grape Juice
Gravy
Grease
Hot Chocolate
Jam
Lipstick 2+
Marker Pen
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1+2
Mascara
Machine Oil
Mercurochrome
Milk
Mud
Mustard
Nail Polish
Peanut Butter
Pen Ink
Photocopy Ink
Poster Paint
1
1
1
1
1
1
2+1
1
1
1
1+2
Rust
Salad Dressing
Shoe Polish
Spaghetti Sauce
Tea
Tomato Sauce
Vinegar
Wax Crayons
Wine
Removal method 1 – bleach and water
Removal method 2 – pure acetone
• Mix a fresh solution of 50% clear household bleach and 50%
water in a spray bottle. NOTE: Use only clear, pure household
bleach containing no additives. Perfumed bleach can be
used.
(Available at pharmacies)
• Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting or
scraping up
• Spray the solution directly onto the carpet.
DO NOT OVER-WET
• Blot carpet surface, working from the outside of the stain to
the centre. Repeat until the stain disappears
• Spray with clean water and blot until all bleach is removed
1
1
2+1
1
1
1
1
2+1
1
• Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting or
scraping up
• Apply a small amount of pure acetone to a white cloth and
work in gently. DO NOT OVER-WET
• Blot carpet surface, working from the outside of the stain to
the centre. Repeat until the stain disappears
• To absorb any remaining moisture, use folded white paper
towels weighted down with a heavy non-staining object
• When completely dry, vacuum to restore pile texture.
• To absorb any remaining moisture, use folded white paper
towels weighted down with a heavy non-staining object
• When completely dry, vacuum to restore pile texture.
FLOORCOVERINGS
FLOORCOVERINGS
(PTY)LTD
a world of choice
Tel +27 (0)33 897 7500 | Fax +27 (0)33 897 7700
www.belgotexfloorcoverings.com
*All product names and logos are trademarks of BELGOTEX FLOORCOVERINGS® (Pty) Ltd.
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