In days gone by stylish homeowners made a statement by laying lush carpet throughout the majority the home - bar the bathroom. But gone are the days of the three bedroom, one lounge room and one bathroom home and ushered in is the era of larger dwellings.
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Many homes have multiple living areas, bathrooms and ensuites and, for the savvy homeowners cost, style, practicality, durality and environmental impacts are important considerations when building and decorating.
Accordingly, floor covers have evolved to address these criteria.
"Firstly, carpet is now restricted to mostly bedrooms and home theatre rooms," Carpet Court's Donna Tegart said. "There is a wide range of timber, laminate, vinyl and hybrid covering which are being used in hallways, kitchens and living areas."
And, Ms Tegart explains, there are two products which are leading the way in terms of flooring innovation.
A green carpet alternative: Triexta fibres, used in the Redbrook Green collection, are one of the latest breakthroughs in textile innovation. A greener alternative, triexta is made from Sorona, which is a renewably sourced biopolymer. Made from 37 per cent natural corn sugar, triexta carpets combine the best of both natural and synthetic fibres.
As a result, while synthetic fibres are renowned for their resistance to wear, fading and pile crushing, the natural base of triexta fibres also means Redbook Green carpets are exceptionally soft underfoot.
Ideal for people seeking a more ethical and sustainable flooring solution, triexta carpets usually carry a significantly lower environmental footprint.
A happy hybrid: One of the most recent evolutions in flooring, hybrid products are being touted as the flooring of the future. With the appearance of real timber flooring, but without the worries associated with looking after a hardwood floor, hybrid flooring also has the best characteristics of laminate and vinyl.
Importantly, it is the first flooring that is recommended for all areas of the home, including bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. The properties of the hybrid flooring make it a 100 per cent waterproof product, so it is perfect for wet mopping and can be installed in wet areas.
The new core technology and UV coated surface also makes hybrid flooring perfect for use in hot climates. It's robustness and impact resistance means it withstands heavy foot traffic.