Our carpets…
British Wool is grown on sheep that graze freely on the fields and fells of the United Kingdom. During its growing period, the wool gains a unique resilience to the inclement weather in the UK, providing much needed protection to the sheep. When shorn in late spring/early summer, the wool retains this remarkable weatherproofed strength and other wool specific qualities, all of which have benefited both people and products for many generations.
Today the world increasingly seeks environmentally efficient products with a life cycle that reduces harm to our planet and brings benefits not problems. Wool is nature’s own fibre and has a true ‘green’ lineage that is metaphoric in its lifespan. Wool is known to last longer in product than other fibre types proving that is a wise choice when seeking to reduce throwaway purchases and reduce planet waste.
Soft and warm, wool brings total comfort to the home. Reducing noise transfer, it cushions sound and reduces echo. Additionally, it insulates the home, keeping it warm and reducing heat loss and condensation.
The resilience in British wool is due to the fibre’s natural bulk – a legacy of its origin as a fleece on the sheep. This provides robust strength and will fight footfall providing superior durability, performance and lasting appearance retention. The fibre’s natural crimp provides a spring-like effect giving the carpet pile bounce-back the resists flattening and reduces tracking and shading. These attributes make British Wool carpets perfect for halls, stairs and living areas.
Wool is a complex, technical fibre, which has a living cell structure; uniquely this continues to pro-actively perform in manufactured product. This structure allows it to breathe, filtering air-borne pollutants and improving indoor are quality in the home.
Wool will absorb large quantities of moisture in the atmosphere, releasing it later to control humidity and ensure climatic temperature comfort throughout the day and the changing seasons.
The microscopic scaly surface of wool holds dust firmly within its top layer. It is now known that wool carpet is beneficial at controlling floating dust in the air and thereby reducing the allergy impact of this on sufferers. Regular vacuuming will retrieve the held dust so that it can continue to perform the valuable function.
The natural oils and scaled surface of wool provide resistance to soiling. Wool carpet is also highly practical flooring for cleaning. It simply requires regular vacuuming to return the carpet pile to its best appearance. Spills and soiling should always be dealt with promptly. Wool will not absorb any spillage immediately due to its external structure, so prompt and continuous blotting (not rubbing) with a clean white paper or terry towel will be adequate for most spills.
Due to its high water and nitrogen content, wool is difficult to ignite and is a natural flame retardant. It meets many of the international flammability regulations without the need for additional flame resistant chemical treatments. Wool does not melt, drip or spread noxious fumes, which are the cause of many fatalities in house fires.
Polypropylene carpets are surprisingly similar to wool in feel. They are certainly not unpleasant to the touch. Whilst polypropylene is a man-made fibre, the colours can be quite earthy like wool owing to its opacity. Many people cannot tell the difference between polypropylene and wool (especially when it has been trodden on for a while), so this can be a great alternative!
Due to its high water and nitrogen content, wool is difficult to ignite and is a natural flame retardant. It meets many of the international flammability regulations without the need for additional flame resistant chemical treatments. Wool does not melt, drip or spread noxious fumes, which are the cause of many fatalities in house fires.
