When analysing student performance, classroom design is not often considered an important contributory factor. However, attentively designed classrooms can improve students’ well-being, focus and communication skills.
In fact, a study by researchers at the University of Salford found that learning environments could impact pupils’ performance by 25%.
How classroom design can impact student learning
Colour
Different colours affect the way we see and process information. Filling a classroom with colours that promote learning, communication and confidence is a great way to boost student wellbeing and help children concentrate.
- Bold vs muted
Bright colours such as red and yellow can inspire energy and creativity, but can be easily overstimulating for children who have attention issues or are neurodivergent.
Therefore, a great strategy is to use bright colours to direct attention to specific areas of interest in the classroom. Then, you can pair them with more calming, muted colours like dark blues and greens to create a learning environment that is both relaxing and inspiring.
All of our fibre bonded carpets come in an impressive range of colours. The education industry’s long standing favourite Supacord range comes in 42 colours from bright Emerald to earthy Pebble.
- Patterns and textures
Understanding how patterns and textures can work to provide different effects is a key part of sensory development for young children. Smooth, shiny textures can be interesting, but for flooring, a softer surface will be more comfortable.
Patterns can provide pockets of inspiration, especially in hallways and transition spaces. Different types or colours of carpet can be used to make creative patterns that can also function as break out areas or queuing prompts. Our Array and Broadrib ranges can be combined to do just that, like in this corridor space from St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School:
Acoustics
The noise level in a classroom can significantly impact how well children can learn.
A study from the Centre for Educational Neuroscience found that children under 8 years old with low selective attention skills struggled to concentrate in a classroom environment with loud levels of background noise.
Furthermore, high levels of classroom noise can be frustrating as well as distracting for both students and teachers, and lead to less engagement and proactive teamwork.
Flooring is a cost-effective way to make a space as quiet as possible. Fibre-bonded carpet can absorb airborne noise by up to 30%, improving classroom acoustics.
Our bestselling Supacord range reduces background noise by up to 22dB with specially designed acoustic backing.
This noise reduction can improve children’s ability to focus on their work, and allow them to feel relaxed and nurtured in their learning environment.
Comfort
Children in England spend on average 635 hours in the classroom every year. Therefore, classrooms must be comfortable inviting spaces that children are excited to be in.
Our fibre-bonded carpets provide a layer of cushioning that forms a comfortable surface for children sitting on the floor. Its anti-ravel and anti-fray technologies prevent slips and falls and make it a hard wearing and cost-effective flooring option.
Many different choices go into creating the perfect classroom design. Flooring is key to maximise possibilities in a space, as it is a cost-effective way to insert colour into a room whilst making the classroom more noise-absorbant and comfortable.
Heckmondwike FB is one of the UK’s leading commercial carpet manufacturers with over 40 years of experience in the education sector. To learn more, or request a free carpet sample, please contact 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Selecting the right carpet can be a difficult task, as factors such as safety, acoustics and environment must be taken into consideration. In this blog, our commercial carpet company shares how to choose the right carpet for communal spaces.
What type of carpet is best for commercial use?
The best kind of carpet for commercial space has to be robust enough to withstand the wear and tear of thousands of feet on a daily basis. Our fibre-bonded ranges are the most reliable due to having anti-ravel and fray technologies, as well as being cost-effective. We have five different products that make up our fibre-bonded collection, with our bestselling Supacord being popular ever since its launch in 1973.
Fibre-bonded carpet is used in most education settings, but can also be a good choice for communal areas in offices or in spaces like hallways and stairs. This is because these areas often get a large amount of traffic daily, and so need to be durable to last for many years to come.
Learn more about fibre-bonded carpets in our blog.
What are the Characteristics of Carpet?
There are many positive features of commercial carpets which can help to improve learning, productivity and even help to boost creativity. In communal areas, these can be highly beneficial, for example, acoustic properties help to keep down the noise in busy hallways. Keep reading to discover what these features are.
Incredible Acoustics
When a communal area gets busier, it also gets louder. A quieter space spreads calmness, making it a better experience for users. It is important to keep noise to a minimum in spaces such as apartment buildings, where residents live. Although other options such as insulated walls can help to control sound, selecting the right flooring is very important.
Carpet is one of the best and cheapest ways to reduce sound reverberation in a room. The thicker the carpet, the more sound benefits there are. With a BS EN ISO 10140-3 standard, our Hobnail range reduces noise impact by a maximum of 25 decibels!
Latest Technology
With so much technology available to us, it would be wise to consider some of the latest trends, when choosing the best carpet for communal spaces. Using strategic planning and supporting software can help you to fully utilise a space, from apartments to libraries.
For all of our carpet ranges, we offer BIM models on the NBS source, available via our download centre. This cutting edge software helps you to plan, design and manage your vision, in order to optimise projects.
Eco-friendly
It is more crucial than ever to assess the environmental impact of the materials used in renovations. Think about where you are buying your materials from, the values of the manufacturer and whether you are making the best choice that you can.
Our Supacord range of carpet tiles have an A+ BREEAM rating. This means that they meet high standards for indoor air quality, responsible sourcing of materials, construction waste management and more. All of our products are also UK manufactured, each retaining a 10-year warranty for a long-lasting life cycle.
Safety First
Of course, when it comes to any communal area, keeping users safe is of utmost priority. It is necessary to have fire safety management plans and vital measures, such as extinguishers and fitted fire alarms. It is also crucial to choose the right building materials.
When selecting the right carpet for a space, those with high fire class ratings are most desirable. Our Hobnail and Supacord carpet tiles have a Class B fire class rating, making them a great option. They are also anti-static, meaning that they are safe for use in rooms with computers.
What is the Best Colour Carpet not to Show Dirt?
Communal areas such as halls, break areas and stairs are often the first places to become dirty and stained due to the number of people using them daily. Therefore, choosing a colour that is less likely to show dirt is key to maintaining a good environment. The best colours to choose are deep brown and grey tones as they will hide most stains and make the appearance of dirt less noticeable. However, if you’re working to more of a colour scheme throughout your building, you can choose other darker colours such as deep green or navy which can have a similar effect.
Heckmondwike FB is one of the UK’s leading commercial carpet manufacturers, with over 40 years of experience catering for design professionals. Don’t just take our word for it though, we’re the go-to provider for Middlesex Flooring.
“We have worked with Heckmondwike FB for a number of years now and over that period have developed a great relationship with both the internal and external sales team.
They’re a joy to deal with and their fantastic products and service makes Heckmondwike FB our go-to carpet for education projects. They’re a company we can always rely on to deliver.” – Middlesex Flooring
To learn more, or request a free carpet sample, please contact 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
This Christmas, we’re celebrating 12 days of Supacord! Our bestselling range is a staple in classrooms and workplaces across the country and beyond. It is our most popular carpet, and to sum up this year we wanted to share 12 (very exciting) reasons why we (and you!) love it so much.
On the first day of Supacord…
The Supacord product page was the most visited page on our website this year! That’s over 35,000 who checked out Supacord online – treemendous!
On the second day of Supacord…
The top selling colour of Supacord in both sheet and tile is Anthracite. The tonal grey is calm and comforting, as well as on-trend, which is why it works so won-deer-fully in so many different settings!
On the third day of Supacord…
Standing the test of time, the Supacord range was first launched back in 1973, almost 50 years ago! While there have been some changes to the colours, the product itself remains just as popular as it always has been.
On the fourth day of Supacord…
Supacord is approved by royalty! Back in 1998, it was installed in the brand new Michael Andrews Building for Reception, IT and Administration at the Southampton Institute of Higher Education, which HRH Princess Anne herself officially opened. You could say Supacord is fit for royal shoes…
On the fifth day of Supacord…
Supacord is tried and tested. It’s been installed in all kinds of different buildings for all kinds of different purposes, from schools and universities to apartment complexes and even churches!
On the sixth day of Supacord…
Our fibre bonded best-seller has a 10-year warranty, meaning it is officially *guaranteed* to stand the test of time.
On the seventh day of Supacord…
Supacord tiles have an acoustic backing option, which gives them a 3db increase in Impact Noise Reduction, from 19db (regular backing) to 22db (acoustic backing). Noisy classroom? Snow problem for Supacord!
On the eighth day of Supacord…
Supacord sheet comes in two widths, 2 metres and 4 metres. By using a combination of the two options for an installation, you can save money as well as reduce waste!
On the ninth day of Supacord…
Whilst still very popular in the UK, Supacord has also gone global! More recently, it was installed in a purpose-built indoor Padel court in Sweden, where it was used as the surround for centre court!
On the tenth day of Supacord…
Supacord is manufactured right here in the UK at our West Yorkshire factory, and has been since its launch almost 50 years ago. We intend to keep it that way.
On the 11th day of Supacord…
Coming in a huge selection of 42 different colours, Supacord is one of the most versatile fibre bonded products on the market.
On the 12th day of Supacord…
Sleigh, what? Over 1 million square metres of Supacord were sold in 2021!!
All in all, its been a very ex-ice-ting year for Supacord, and we can’t wait for all the fantastic things we have planned at Heckmondwike in 2022.
For more information about Supacord, and our other UK manufactured, fibre bonded carpets, contact our expert team on 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Despite competition from the hard flooring market, the value of the European rug and carpet market is set to rise over the next four years. A report by Grand View Research estimates that it will grow over 3% every year, to reach approximately £46.22 billion in 2025.
Where will the rise come from?
The UK is set to play a significant part in this rise, along with Denmark and Germany. This is somewhat surprising considering the slight drop in the UK market value during 2020-2021 due to Covid-19. People were using office buildings less, construction dramatically decreased, and there were fewer funds available for refurbishments. Currently, the market size of the UK Carpet & Rug Manufacturing Industry is £934.1m in 2021, measured by revenue.
However, there are many factors that influence potential market growth and have caused experts to predict the future rise. These include…
Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a unique selling point and is now a necessity in the carpet industry. This will only increase in importance over the next few years.
Recycled materials are now at the heart of manufacturing processes in the European Market, with carpets that are at the end of one life cycle being reused to create new, exciting products.
Commercial carpet sector
The commercial carpet sector in particular is set to experience growth. A Future Market Insights report predicted that application in education, hospital and healthcare sectors will continue to create sustained opportunities for flooring and carpet industry manufacturers during the forecast period.
What does this mean for the UK industry?
Due to Brexit, the pound has been depreciating against the Euro. This raises the cost of imports coming in from overseas, but also makes UK manufactured products more price competitive and attractive to overseas retailers. This will hopefully help the UK carpet industry to rise in value in the coming years.
Furthermore, small companies like Heckmondwike FB and our sister company Paragon Carpet Tiles are making leaps and bounds in sustainable innovations. For example, our zero waste policy and use of recycled materials fit the market forecast. For over 50 years, we have been market leaders in pioneering the use of fibre bonded technology in the education sector. Our mission is to continue innovating for many years to come, whilst sticking to our honest Yorkshire roots.
For more information about our UK manufactured, fibre bonded carpets, contact our expert team on 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Heckmondwike is delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Education Estates® exhibition, taking place on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th October at the Manchester Central Conference Centre, marking a welcome return to in-person events and exhibitions.
As a market-leading carpet provider for the education sector, we are proud to be showcasing our range of high quality, durable and stylish fibre bonded carpets, suitable for any educational environment. This includes our most widely recognised and specified product, Supacord – perfect for the education sector. Also in focus will be our entrance & transition area range, including robust entrance carpets such as Battleship/Hippo and bespoke entrance products, often used in conjunction with our fibre bonded and creative ranges for a full fit-out solution.
Our objective is to create carpets that work with their surroundings to offer a practical solution, in addition to being efficient and cost-effective every time. With anti-ravel and anti-fray properties, an unrivalled colour bank, the benefit of reduced impact noise, plus our extensive fibre bonded, creative and entrance solution ranges, it’s no surprise that Heckmondwike carpets have been used in education environments for over 50 years.
This year’s stand at the two day exhibition will provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to talk one-to-one with our experienced sales representatives, who are happy to help with your specific project requirements. Come along to chat to us and find out more at stand B23, where we will be displaying alongside our sister companies – Paragon Carpet Tiles and Mat.works Entrance Solutions.
Education Estates®, in partnership with the Department for Education, is now in its 9th year, and is widely known as the annual gathering of the Education Community. With over 100 exhibits across both days, plus more than 150 speakers across 6 stages, the event is all about discovering ways to transform and refine internal and external learning environments into sustainable and adaptive spaces, from school through to university.
Come to visit us, and register for your place by clicking here.
Here at Heckmondwike FB, we believe that where we are based says a lot about who we are as a company.
As the name suggests, our factory is located near Heckmondwike, a small town in West Yorkshire. Since the company was founded in the 1960s, our values have always been very straight-talking, honest and true to our Yorkshire roots.
Our emphasis on transparency and access to the highest quality materials have been key factors in creating the legacy that we now hold in the UK education sector and beyond.
So with that spirit in mind, here is a guided tour around the key processes we use to manufacture our fibre bonded carpets.
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Arrival of the fibre
The first step in creating our carpets is receiving the shipments of fibres at our Goods Inwards department. Fibre is the basic material that a carpet is made up of, with over ninety percent of all carpets now crafted from synthetic fibres.
The fibres we receive are predominately polypropylene and nylon fibres which are then colour matched to make sure they are up to the highest standard.
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Blend, blend, blend!
The fibres are blended together to create different bespoke mixtures of colours and textures for each range we offer. We don’t just mix colours, we also combine types of fibres in order to create material blends that have different textures and durabilities. The blending also opens up the fibres, preparing them for the next process; to be made into carpet.
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It’s needle time
The fibres are further mixed ready to be carded; a process of separating the individual fibres using a course of dividing and redividing steps, which ultimately causes the fibres to lie parallel to one another, eliminating any remaining impurities.
In their carded form the fibres are presented to the first pre-needling process, where they are needled into a sheet with multiple layers. After this, they are further needled, which compresses those layers, forming a blank canvas for the designs.
Last in this stage, the needled carpet is structured by unique structuring needles, meaning it is essentially ‘imprinted’ with its pattern and texture.
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Finishing touches
To ensure the highest quality end product, we apply a latex coating in our backing plant which further bonds the fibres. The carpet can be backed with a variety of different backing materials, depending on the final product required. We use a number of other different types of backing including foam, crumb and acoustic. For our carpet tiles, a bitumen back is added at our sister factory Paragon Carpet Tiles.
Finally, the finished carpet product heads to despatch, ready to be delivered across the UK to a variety of destinations including schools, offices, universities and apartment complexes – to name just a few!
All in all, we’re really proud of how we manufacture our fibre-bonded carpets in our Yorkshire factory. Especially as all of our products are quality tested to industry and environmental standards before being approved.
Why not order a free sample today to experience our high-quality carpets for yourself, or get in touch on 01924410544.
While the kids might be enjoying time off school, the rest of us are hard at work – renovating the school! Throughout the summer, many school procurement teams may be using this time to begin some much-needed classroom enhancements.
This is an even greater concern as we manage the hygiene considerations of the pandemic. With this in mind, every piece of school furniture has a role to play – from encouraging distancing to preventing the spread.
So, where do carpets play a part? In this blog, our commercial carpet company lists the 5 best carpets for school renovations.
For the entrance
It’s the first area students, teachers and visitors see, so you’ll want your carpets to make an impression. When choosing entrance matting, it’s important to stick to the ‘six-step rule’. This generally assumes that people will not consciously wipe their feet when entering a non-domestic setting.
As such, you need to choose a Bespoke Entrance Mat that traps dirt, and can do so within six steps – which also affects the size of the matting you choose.
For the classroom
Arguably the most important area of the school, the classroom needs to be a place that inspires. This includes offering a multi-sensory experience. Heighten emotions with dramatic reds or bring a sense of calm with jade greens – as more than two-thirds of us are ‘visual learners’, we need to be careful about colour choices.
But likewise, we cannot overlook acoustics. Carpets can reduce airborne noise by up to 35%, so we always recommend a carpet tile with acoustic backing. The Supacord range offers bright colours and better acoustics, helping to reaffirm that multi-sensory experience.
For high traffic areas
Did you know that schoolchildren walk up to 15,000 steps per day? This calls for a heavy-duty carpet tile, particularly in areas like corridors. Not only should your carpets be durable; they should also be easy to clean. A lot of steps makes for a lot of mud!
Our Diamond range features a cobbled design for quick and easy vacuuming. It’s also available in a range of colours, from simple greys to dashing reds.
For the school hall
The school hall has so many purposes – from hosting assemblies and dinner times to those treasured school discos. So, you’ll want a flooring that’s just as flexible.
Turn your school hall into a sports zone, dance floor and performing arts centre all in one with our Expo Tiles. These can also be laid on top of hard floors for a carpeted effect.
For breakout areas
As we get past the worst of the pandemic, we should expect to see more ‘breakout areas’ in classrooms. These are generally relaxing spaces where students come to chat and explore creative ideas.
You can designate specific areas with coloured tiles from our Array collection. With colour fastness and impact noise reduction, they promote clearer thinking with a touch of style.
Looking for something else?
No matter what your school needs, we’ll find you a carpet tile that fits the bill. If you’re looking for something different or out of the ordinary, please feel free to get in touch.
Heckmondwike FB is one of the UK’s leading commercial carpet manufacturers with over 40 years experience in the education sector. To learn more, or request a free carpet sample, please contact 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Welcome to the latest instalment of our ‘People of Heckmondwike’ blog series, where we showcase the faces behind the commercial carpet tiles manufacturer. This week, we caught up with Yorkshire Area Sales Manager, John Barraclough.
Continue reading to learn about his favourite product range, visions for the future and his famous feature in a special edition of Weetabix Top Trumps cards.
How long have you worked at Heckmondwike?
I joined Heckmondwike in May 2007 on a 6 month contract to cover maternity in the North West Area. From October 2008, I was offered the full time position of Area Sales Manager for the North East of England.
This left 10 months, during which time I worked on various projects including temporary coverage of the Midlands Area Sales Manager and 3 months as temporary Dispatch Manager. From September 2013, I was also responsible for Scotland in addition to my existing area.
Finally in 2017, after a major restructure of the business, I took on responsibility for Yorkshire.
What does your role entail?
I am responsible for the promotion of sales of Heckmondwike products by gaining specifications through architects, councils, interior designers, facilities management companies, builders and more. I also visit flooring contractors, flooring wholesalers, and various other flooring outlets.
Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
I once featured in a limited edition of Weetabix Top Trumps Cards. The moustache looks a bit tragic…
How do you envision the future of carpet manufacturing?
I think that the manufacture of man-made carpets will continue for many years. However, companies will need to embrace sustainability and make far more use of recycled products in order to become more environmentally friendly.
What is your favourite product range and why?
It would have to be Array carpet tiles, as they offer an incredibly creative finish.
Finally, favourite biscuit to have with a brew?
Being a true Yorkshireman it has to be anything from Fox’s Biscuits, especially when someone else has bought them!
Contact our expert team for more information about our extensive product range. Call 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Choosing the right carpet is a crucial consideration when designing any space, especially when planning interior design for apartment complexes. Many values must be considered, including design, durability and even acoustics.
In this blog, our commercial carpet company outlines which carpet styles are ideal for apartment buildings, to create the perfect blend between well-being and practicality.
Iconic Design
In the world of carpets, styles and product types are constantly changing to keep up with design trends. They are becoming more and more creative, combining cutting edge technology with an awareness of industry needs.
Carpet tiles provide endless patterns, colours and designs, making them ideal to renovate and spruce up dated apartment floors. Modern colours and designs can give the right impression to space users, firmly conveying professionalism and style.
Cosy and Warm
Apartment buildings are residential spaces, so it is essential that they’re comfortable and welcoming, because they are people’s homes. Carpet and other soft furnishings can work to create a cosy atmosphere, whilst keeping in warmth.
Furthermore, apartments can be expensive to heat, with 10-20% of the heat loss of a home coming from uninsulated floors. The right carpet can help with insulation, allowing heat to be trapped and retained. Thick and dense carpets are the best option, such as our classic Hobnail range.
Amazing Acoustics
As a multitude of people live in apartment complexes, noise control is essential. Although innovations such as thick walls and sound proofing can help with this, carpet can also play a part.
According to the American Society of Interior Designers, carpets are 10 times more efficient in reducing sound than other flooring types, helping to destroy reverberations and echoes in a space. This increases homeliness, privacy and comfort for residents. Our Iron Duke range reduces noise impact by 18 decibels per sheet, as per BS En ISO 140-8 standard, so is the perfect choice.
Functional Flexibility
Apartments are often refurbished and modernised, so require flexible, cost effective flooring options. This is particularly crucial in the current climate, when residential spaces must be able to quickly adapt to the latest covid-friendly government guidelines.
Carpet tiles can be moved around easily, without replacing the whole floor, which makes them the perfect choice for apartment buildings. This means that if a portion of the carpet is damaged, only the affected tiles need to be replaced, reducing costs and inconvenience.
Durability
Shared areas of apartments, such as hallways and corridors, foresee the coming and going of residents every day. The flooring must therefore be able to withstand increasingly heavy footfall, whilst remaining clean and hygienic.
Fibre bonded carpet tiles can withstand heavy footfall, as well as intensive cleaning measures; two things which are part of daily life in an apartment building. Both the Hobnail and Iron Duke carpet tile ranges are designed with demanding environments in mind, helping lower maintenance costs.
Heckmondwike FB is one of the UK’s leading commercial carpet manufacturers, with over 40 years experience catering for design professionals. To learn more, or request a free carpet sample, please contact 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Heckmondwike FB has launched its celebrated design-led commercial carpet tile range, Odyssey.
Pairing a bold design with durable features, Odyssey is completely unique to the fibre bonded carpet sector.
One of a kind, eye-catching interiors have never before been so easy to create. Contrasting colours are ideal for walkways, social distancing, or contemporary breakout spaces. The 50cm x 50cm tiles are interchangeable and can be easily moved, allowing for continuing customisation for years to come.
Encouraging further creativity, Heckmondwike also suggests mixing and matching with their leading Supacord range for particularly striking designs. Choosing contrasting, strong colours will really pop against the cool tones of Odyssey for an original look.
The diverse nature of the carpet tiles presents endless design benefits. Chevrons, checks, and geometric patterns add character to any commercial area. Placing two alternating colours to create directional walkways and contrasting blocks can help to distinguish between specific areas, creating zones within open-plan spaces. Easy to lift and move, the tiles can be swapped to adapt to your changing needs.
The updated range includes six specially curated colours in a range of modern blues and greys, blending effortlessly into any space. These shades are said to promote wisdom and calmness, the ideal environment for working or commercial areas.
With Covid-19 bringing increased cleaning measures, this product has been built to withstand regular and intense sanitisation. A study in the Virology Journal recently found that carpets are less hospitable environments for viruses due to their porous qualities, making Odyssey the ideal purchase.
Odyssey has been developed with superior durability, withstanding heavy footfall and not ravelling or fraying. This heavy contract rated carpet is supported by a 10-year warranty, promising long-lasting, quality results.
Luckily, high quality does not mean a high price tag, and Heckmondwike value affordability. Instead of using cheap alternatives, the company encourages customers to try a free sample before they invest. Odyssey holds a Bfl-s1 fire, has anti-static properties and delivers a 20dB reduction in impact noise to encourage a more positive environment.
A truly out-of-this-world range, the relaunched Odyssey range is available now.
To learn more about Heckmondwike’s Odyssey range and its relaunch, contact the company’s expert team. Call 01924 406 161 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.