Classrooms are bustling, lively environments. Students and teachers are constantly coming and going, but the space still needs to be calm and tranquil enough to allow students to thrive. 

What’s more, a classroom needs to be designed to inspire and foster big ambitions. Therefore, it should incorporate colours and patterns that stimulate learning, without distracting students from their studies. 

Flooring is one of the most important decisions when it comes to classroom design. Underfoot all the time, the right flooring can make or break a learning environment. 

Commercial carpet is an ideal choice for the classroom for so many reasons. From acoustics to cost-effective design options, we’ve listed 6 benefits of installing commercial carpet in the classroom.

1. Amazing Acoustics

Commercial carpets are ten times more efficient at reducing sound than other flooring types. In fact, experts believe that commercial carpet can reduce airborne noise by up to 35%. 

In the classroom, absorbing noise is crucial to maintaining a calm learning environment. From conversation, to scraping chairs, to moving desks, there is so much background noise that needs to be minimised.

Our fibre bonded carpets have been carefully designed to absorb as much noise as possible. In fact, our Supacord commercial carpet sheets can absorb 22dB of noise! This can be improved even further with our special acoustic backing.

Commercial Carpet Tiles

2. Incredible Insulation

Commercial carpet is a very good thermal insulator, as the fibres in the material trap heat, keeping rooms warmer for longer and stopping heat from escaping through the floor. In the winter, this is a huge plus for schools looking to save on heating costs. 

What’s more, even if the classroom is cold, Heckmondwike fibre-bonded carpets will still feel warm to the touch. This is a must for primary schools where children have to sit on the floor. 

Commercial Carpet Tiles

3. Safety is the Top Priority

In classrooms, students’ safety and well-being have to come first. Unlike hardwood floors, our fibre bonded carpets prevent slips and falls. They are hard-wearing, and will not ravel or fray, so you can have confidence in classroom safety for years to come. 

Heckmondwike also offers a range of entrance and transition area products, to make sure that corridors and entrance halls are just as safe as the classrooms in an education building.

Commercial Carpet Tiles

4. Inspiring Design

Commercial carpet is a great, low-cost way to introduce a pop of colour, or an interesting pattern into the classroom. By choosing a captivating carpet, classroom designers can save money by making the rest of the classroom fairly simple, so as not to distract or overwhelm students. 

Our Array and Odyssey ranges feature engaging patterns in a broad variety of colours, to brighten up any classroom environment. They can be interchanged with tiles from our bestselling Supacord range to create a checkerboard pattern, break out areas, walkways and anything else you can come up with! 

Commercial Carpet Tiles

5. Better Hygiene

Since the pandemic, hygiene has become a renowned focus in schools. Hygienic classrooms can reduce the transmission of illnesses, which improves attendance, helping students learn. 

Contrary to popular opinion, installing fibre-bonded carpet can actually improve classroom hygiene, if it’s cleaned regularly. This is because commercial carpet traps viruses and bacteria in the gaps between fibres, reducing the likelihood of transmission.

Commercial Carpet Tiles

6. Comfort

Last but certainly not least, comfort is key in the classroom. Students can’t learn to the best of their ability if they don’t feel relaxed and reassured in the classroom. This is where our fibre-bonded carpets come into their own, making any classroom space feel cosy and welcoming.

Commercial Carpet Tiles

Not only are they comfortable, Heckmondwike commercial carpets for education come with a seal of approval from those who count.

If you’re looking to renovate your education space this summer, why not request a free carpet sample, by contacting 01924 406 161 or emailingsales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

 

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.

Since children have returned to the school environment, many academic professionals have reflected their concerns over the impact that lockdown had on learning. In fact, a survey by Young Minds revealed that almost three-quarters of teachers feel students’ mental health has been affected.

Communication is key to a smooth and positive transition back to the classroom. This blog explores how important sound is in the classroom, to ensure this happens.

Classroom Communication

 

While children benefit enormously from flexibility and comfort, they also need strong acoustics. This partly came down to classroom design – for example, 30% of students learn less if they are sat in the back row.

Sound absorption eliminates distractions and gives children the chance to immerse themselves in their environment. According to a Euronoise study, bad classroom acoustics can lead to ill health, vocal disorders or hearing damage in teachers, and concentration and behavioural issues in students.

Acoustics and Additional Needs

 

Myriad studies suggest that children with additional needs may benefit from better acoustics. For example, children with autism may be prone to anxiety when there are too many audible distractions. Softer surfaces help to absorb this sound, while designated ‘quiet areas’ with different carpet designs may help with individual learning.

In particular, sirens, whistles, bells, alarms and machinery can cause “sensory overload” for these children. This can affect their behaviour and inhibit their learning. Many traditional classrooms have considerations for disabilities such as wheelchair ramps, but overlook the importance of acoustics.

A Sound Decision

 

Flooring of a high standard can help to prevent “reverberation time”, which is a measure of the time it takes for volume to drop to 60dB after the noise has been made. Traditional classrooms with high ceilings and hard surfaces tend to bounce sound around, which can be distracting for students and can affect their ability to hear their teacher. Quite simply, if students cannot hear, they cannot learn.

By installing an absorbent carpet like our Supacord range, schools can naturally eliminate loud noise. Tested to BS EN ISO 140-8, Supacord delivers a 19dB reduction in impact noise across both sheet and tile ranges. Further to this, the range is available with acoustic backing, which delivers a 22dB reduction.

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. 

In March 2020, the world as we knew it completely changed. Here at Heckmondwike FB, following government advice on COVID-19, our market-leading Supacord carpet tiles range has been transformed to emphasise safe social distancing in schools, colleges, universities and commercial working environments as they gradually adapt to new safety measures.

Understandably, there are times when mistakes will be made and the safety message may need to be reinforced. That is why at Heckmondwike FB, we’ve used our Fusion technology to laser engrave arrows for directional walkways and messaging to subtly remind students, staff, and visitors to follow social distancing measures.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how carpet tiles help with social distancing and wayfinding and why you should install them over other flooring solutions.

Easy Installation

The original government advice stated that a safe social distance was two meters, however, this was soon updated to one meter, demonstrating that while these particular measures are imperative right now, they’re not necessarily permanent. Thankfully, our carpet tiles are easy to set and can be quickly removed and replaced should they need to be.

Durability

Our social distancing carpet tiles are made from our renowned Supacord range, which has been used in classrooms for over forty years and considered the number one carpet solution for schools, colleges and universities. The tiles are designed to not ravel or fray and are durable enough to withstand areas with heavy footfall.

Reduced Risk of Accidents

Unlike social distancing loose-lay mats or hazard tape – which can sometimes cause accidents – social distancing tiles reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls that could occur. Carpet tiles also provide a safer solution to hard flooring for the same reasons and can protect against breakage if valuable items are dropped.

Design

Safety is the most important factor to consider when choosing to install social distancing carpet tiles, but that doesn’t mean the design should be forgotten about. Our carpet tiles come in Steel Grey, Blue and Green, giving learning environments and companies the option to choose either a popular, modern and subtle colour, or a more striking, bold colour that will stand out in a range of spaces.

A Gentle Reminder

With our Fusion technology, we’re able to laser engrave arrows into our carpet tiles as a gentle reminder to students, staff, and visitors to follow social distancing measures, and (as we understand the rules can sometimes be hard to remember) to reinforce what those measures actually are!

Heckmondwike’s Social Distancing Carpet Tiles are now available to purchase, however, due to the current situation, we are unable to provide samples of the product. For more information or to purchase your carpet tiles, please call us directly on 01924 406 161 or email: sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.

This month, it’s back to school and back to university for many but what does the new normal look like?

University has for generations been strongly associated with socialisation, as well as education. However, with stringent covid-secure measures in place until further notice, on campus will be a lot different, as will the student experience.

According to UCAS, young people were not deterred by the new circumstances, and lockdown saw a record number of hopeful university applicants. In this blog, we explore how student spaces will change and how to pandemic proof spaces easily with carpet design.

Social Bubbles

Social bubbles will be introduced to separate students into small groups, according to their undergraduate course. They will live and study with this select group, attending small and controlled face-to-face seminars.

As the classrooms will feel more empty, classroom layouts will be adapted to create cosy spaces, where students can feel relaxed. Warm colours, like red, orange and yellow will be favoured for interior design to create a comfortable and inviting space.

One-way Systems

Despite many exams being held online, students will be able to opt to take exams inside university buildings too – in which case, they must be clearly directed to their desk. To help with this, and many other new scenarios, one-way systems are likely to be implemented to guide staff and students.

Our Social Distancing Carpet Tiles can reinforce important messages, aid with wayfinding and remind people to keep a safe distance. With important messages laser engraved with Fusion technology, they will stand the test of time and last as long as they are needed.

Student Health and Wellbeing

Hygiene will be paramount in universities, both on and off campus, with strict cleaning measures in place. There will be reduction in the use of lecture theatres, as they would need an unmanageable amount of cleaning to become safe environments.

As well as physical health, student’s mental health must be cared for and taken seriously. Many universities will face the challenge of creating safe work and social environments, so students can still interact with their peers and lecturers. Flooring can be used to create visual safe spaces and borders which enable students to mingle, whilst maintaining social distancing measures.

Heckmondwike’s Social Distancing Carpet Tiles are now available to purchase. For more information or to purchase your carpet tiles, please call us directly on 01924 406 161 or email: sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.