Fitting Information
Plant fibre floorcoverings, Sisal, Jute, Seagrass and Coir are wholly natural products which respond directly to the environment they are sited in. For example they will expand and contract when the moisture in the air increases or decreases
The yarns used to weave plant fibre floorcoverings are thicker than, for example, cotton or wool yarns and when woven together produce the fabulous range of textures and designs in the Crucial Trading Collection. The weaves are quite open and this allows the range of defined textures which are an inherent feature of the collection.
To make sure that plant fibre floorcoverings perform really well they should be installed using one of the 2 methods below. This will ensure that there is no buckling or wrinkling of the flooring when it expands, nor shrinkage when it contracts and maintains a dimensional stability, prolonging the life and good looks of your floorcoverings.
Approved Installation Method
Plant fibre floorcoverings should be laid out loosely rolled in the area in which it will be laid for a minimum of 48 hours, to allow the floorcovering to settle dimensionally before fitting.
The floorcovering should be installed using:
- Direct Stick System - The floorcovering is stuck directly to the sub-floor.
- Double Stick System - A special underlay is lightly adhered to the sub-floor and the natural floorcovering is stuck directly to the underlay. Using an underlay provides both softness and under foot, sound insulation and greater dimensional stability for the natural floorcovering, prolonging its life and good looks.
Wool Floorcoverings
All the wool floorcoverings from Crucial Trading can be fitted in the same way as conventional carpets, with carpet grippers, or using a Double Stick System. With a Double Stick System a special underlay is lightly adhered to the sub-floor and the natural floorcoverings are stuck directly to the underlay.
It is always important to use a good quality underlay. It will help improve the life and good looks of your floorcovering, provides softness and has good sound insulating properties.
Caring For Your New Floor
If you order a Crucial Trading floorcovering or rug you have the option of having it treated by Crucial Trading at their workshops with a stain protection solution. This is because some natural floorcoverings, e.g. Jute and Sisal, particularly the lighter shades are prone to water marking when water is spilt onto them.
Crucial Trading's stain protection solution is called Intec and has been developed specifically for natural floorcoverings. Intec acts by coating every fibre with a polymer shield so that the floorcovering resists the absorption of stains and dirt which in turn, helps to keep your floor looking good for longer.
To ensure that your natural floorcoverings keep looking good, it is important to maintain a regular cleaning routine. Using a barrier mat at entrances will reduce the amount of dirt being walked into an area. As it is easier to remove surface dirt that embedded dirt, regularly vacuum your floorcovering with a suction-only vacuum cleaner to collect the debris.