interiors Choosing the right floor covering
With an increased focus on infection control and healthy living environments the Care Sector is faced with a number of opinions and options when it comes to choosing the right floor covering, as Danfloor reports
93
from the perspective of infection control.. However this isn’t always the case as there are multiple benefits of using carpet within a care setting and if a quality carpet, which is manufactured with the care sector in mind, is specified then carpet can often have many more functional and practical benefits than hard flooring solutions. Common misconceptions with carpets is that they are not
T
efficient in assisting with infection control, that they retain dirt and are difficult and expensive to clean. All of which shouldn’t be an issue with a quality, healthcare specific, carpet that is installed with an effective cleaning and maintenance schedule. Antimicrobial treatments which can be applied to carpets
should be considered when selecting carpets for healthcare environments. The advanced technology deactivates harmful micro-organisms when they come into contact with the carpet fibres. The treatment inhibits the growth of mould, fungus and bacteria, including the likes of MRSA, which can contribute to unpleasant carpet odours and the spread of infection. It is a revolutionary technology that guarantees optimum freshness and hygiene for floor coverings, even after intensive use and frequent commercial cleaning. Floor finishes should also help to improve your indoor environment, which is particularly important where recovery
he use of carpets is sometimes discarded on the basis of cleaning and maintenance and replaced by hard flooring and vinyl which is perceived to be better
is of paramount importance. Research suggests that recovery times can improve when an individual is cared for in an attractive and therapeutic environment. The installation of carpets can improve the health and well-
being of individuals who live and work in these environments by helping to create a healing environment. One way in which they do this is by improving the acoustics of a room. Corridors within care homes and hospitals can be noisy places during the day and night but by installing carpet, as opposed to a hard flooring solution, much of the sound within a room is absorbed thereby reducing sound reverberation. Carpets also help to improve the acoustics of a room by reducing impact noise. This relates to the control of sound from one space to another and helps to create a calm and peaceful environment. Compared with a hard flooring finish carpet adds a warm
and welcoming feel to any room and provides a soft cushioned layer for extra underfoot comfort. Studies suggest that carpets, when compared with vinyl, can reduce injuries caused by slips, trips and falls. It’s also been proven that gait speed and step length is greater in older people walking on carpeted areas than on vinyl. Carpets also have an added advantage of improving energy consumption due to a lower level of heat conduction. It is estimated that up to 30 days of heating can be saved by installing carpets, resulting in a 4-6 per cent energy saving and a consequent reduction in energy costs. Carpets can also help to improve indoor air quality and in Continued overleaf...
www.architectsdatafile.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104