at home edition 1

SIGN UP TOCLIMATE BALANCEAND SEE THE DIFFERENCE

TO FIND OUT MORE

JUST CLICK ON TO

edfenergy.com/climatebalance8

Every time we use the washing machine, switch on the lights or cook a meal we’re affecting theplanet. That’s because the majority of the energy we use is produced in a way that releases carbondioxide (CO2), which is believed to be one of the main contributors to climate change.

Sign up to Climate Balance and you can help invest in a range of sustainable projects designed toreduce the impact of the carbon emissions associated with your gas and electricity usage. The moreof us who sign up, the greater the effect we can have on reducing one of the most serious threatsfacing our planet. Climate Change.

EDR203 At Home Mag A5 ad:Layout 1 8/11/06 10:36 Page 1

Safety in the home:

Carbon Monoxide: the invisible killer

athomeissue 1: winter 2006

Problems solved:

Your 4 step guide to beating

condensation

Flawless Floors

Home improvement:

The way to health and happiness is right under your feet

Plus: how much

could a condensing

boiler save you?

02 energy mattersNews from EDF Energy

04 home truths Beating condensation

06 safety briefing Carbon Monoxide

08 featureFlawless floorsWant to take control of how your home feels? Start looking under your feet.

12 featureWhere does the UK’s energy come from?Many different countries, and some unexpected technologies, help to power the UK.

14 featureGoing Carbon NeutralHow cutting the carbs can help fight climate change.

Welcome to

athome

contents15 how it worksEnergy efficient boilers

16 the simple thingsPreheating the oven

17 checklist What you can do next

OUR EXPERTS

Thanks to Patrick Bankhead of Patrick Bankhead Design, James Nelmes of Bennetts Associates and Liz Wilson of Van Heyningen and Hayward, our resident panel of architects.

Flawless floors: page 8

Going Carbon Neutral: page 14

your tips

We’ve talked to people like you about their ideas for making a home run better, and we’d love to hear from you if you have any tips or suggestions.

Email us your ideas for improving a home at [email protected]

Every suggestion we print will earn a £50 book token, so make sure you include your contact details.

if you can’t find the advice you need in this magazine,

try calling edf energy on 0808 101 5189*

I’m pleased to wish you a warm welcome to the first issue of At Home, the new magazine that’s designed to help your home look and feel better.

As you might expect, there are articles here about how you can control your energy bills and run your home efficiently, but there’s a lot more as well. We’ve got important information about keeping your space as safe and healthy as possible, including combating condensation and EDF Energy’s half-price Carbon Monoxide Detector offer, and there are lots of ideas for improving the way your home looks.

Finally, we’ve included some interesting facts you may not know about the far-flung, and sometimes strange, places that the UK’s energy comes from. Some of them may surprise you.

We really hope that you enjoy this issue and that you find it both interesting and useful. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions for stories you would like to see. You can email me at [email protected]

Enjoy your magazine.

Jo StevenDirector of Marketing, Customers Branch

*Lines open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm Saturday.

Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.

02 energy mattersNews from EDF Energy

04 home truths Beating condensation

06 safety briefing Carbon Monoxide

08 featureFlawless floorsWant to take control of how your home feels? Start looking under your feet.

12 featureWhere does the UK’s energy come from?Many different countries, and some unexpected technologies, help to power the UK.

14 featureGoing Carbon NeutralHow cutting the carbs can help fight climate change.

Welcome to

athome

contents15 how it worksEnergy efficient boilers

16 the simple thingsPreheating the oven

17 checklist What you can do next

OUR EXPERTS

Thanks to Patrick Bankhead of Patrick Bankhead Design, James Nelmes of Bennetts Associates and Liz Wilson of Van Heyningen and Hayward, our resident panel of architects.

Flawless floors: page 8

Going Carbon Neutral: page 14

your tips

We’ve talked to people like you about their ideas for making a home run better, and we’d love to hear from you if you have any tips or suggestions.

Email us your ideas for improving a home at [email protected]

Every suggestion we print will earn a £50 book token, so make sure you include your contact details.

if you can’t find the advice you need in this magazine,

try calling edf energy on 0808 101 5189*

I’m pleased to wish you a warm welcome to the first issue of At Home, the new magazine that’s designed to help your home look and feel better.

As you might expect, there are articles here about how you can control your energy bills and run your home efficiently, but there’s a lot more as well. We’ve got important information about keeping your space as safe and healthy as possible, including combating condensation and EDF Energy’s half-price Carbon Monoxide Detector offer, and there are lots of ideas for improving the way your home looks.

Finally, we’ve included some interesting facts you may not know about the far-flung, and sometimes strange, places that the UK’s energy comes from. Some of them may surprise you.

We really hope that you enjoy this issue and that you find it both interesting and useful. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions for stories you would like to see. You can email me at [email protected]

Enjoy your magazine.

Jo StevenDirector of Marketing, Customers Branch

� at home winter 2006

With worldwide energy prices remaining volatile, it pays to protect yourself from the possibility of rising energy bills in the future. EDF Energy’s Fixed Price 2010 Tariff is designed to do just that. If you sign up before 31 March 2007, you can guarantee that your gas and electricity prices will stay the same until 31 July 2010, no matter what happens to the energy market. Fixing your prices costs from as little as £1.10 a month extra for electricity, and from as little as £2.86 a month extra for gas compared with our standard tariffs. And there are no cancellation charges if you decide later that you don’t need the protection.

energy reach out to older neighbours this winter Gloria Hunniford has joined EDF Energy’s campaign to raise awareness of the risks to elderly people during the winter months. The TV presenter is working alongside EDF Energy’s ‘Safe, Warm and Well’ scheme

to draw attention to older people who find themselves isolated during cold weather, and who may face problems keeping their homes safe and warm.

According to the General Household Survey, 250,000 older people in the UK never see friends or relatives, whilst National Statistics show that almost 750,000

over-70s never go out alone, even during the day. If you have an elderly neighbour, see if you can spare a few minutes during your week to check that they are okay. Just seeing a friendly face on a regular basis can play a big role in countering the threat of isolation and depression.

energy fact:Dual Fuel by Direct Debit could save you up to £50If you buy both gas and electricity from

EDF Energy, you could qualify for a discount

of up to £25.20 per year. If you choose to pay for your Dual Fuel by Direct Debit you could save up to a further £25.20,

which means you could save up to £50

in total.

mattersLock up your

it’s free to sign up. Call 0808 101 5189* or

log on to www.edfenergy.com/fixedprice

take Control with read. reduce.

rewardA couple of minutes staring at your meter every three months could turn out to be a very rewarding way to spend time. Under EDF Energy’s ‘Read. Reduce. Reward’ Scheme, you can earn up to 4,000 Nectar points a year for entering your gas and electricity meter readings online. Reading your own meter helps

ensure you pay for the exact amount of energy you use, and people who read their own meter tend to be more successful at controlling their bills. If you do reduce your energy usage from one year to the next, we will reward you with even more Nectar points.

That’s how much the Energy Saving Trust estimates can be saved in energy bills every year by insulating a gas-heated, three-bedroom, semi-detached home, with no existing insulation. With an energy efficiency grant from EDF Energy, you could have your loft or walls insulated for as little as £255, which means the work pays for itself in energy savings during the first year. Installing insulation will only take a few hours, but you’ll feel the benefits for years to come. Please see www.edfenergy.com for more information.

And if you plan to sell your home…Home Information Packs, due for introduction next year, will rate the energy efficiency of your home. Investing in insulation could improve your property’s value.

the big number:

energy bills

to register, log on to www.edfenergy.com/readreducereward

at home winter 2006 3

The latest news and money saving ideas from EDF Energy.

to arrange your insulation, and to find out if you Could save even more through extra government grants, Call 0800 085 1439**

Participation in the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme is subject to you transferring to, and remaining on, the EDF Energy Fixed Price 2010 Tariff and is strictly subject to the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme Rules. Please see www.edfenergy.com for full details.

Quoted savings based on a customer switching from EDF Energy’s standard Credit general purpose tariff to EDF Energy’s standard Direct Debit general purpose tariff and assume customer has not chosen to collect Nectar points for paying by Direct Debit. Some products (i.e. certain online tariffs) are not eligible for Direct Debit or Dual Fuel discounts. For details of charges applicable to other products please call 0808 101 5189*. Calls may be monitored and recorded as part of our customer care programme.

**Lines open 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.

With worldwide energy prices remaining volatile, it pays to protect yourself from the possibility of rising energy bills in the future. EDF Energy’s Fixed Price 2010 Tariff is designed to do just that. If you sign up before 31 March 2007, you can guarantee that your gas and electricity prices will stay the same until 31 July 2010, no matter what happens to the energy market. Fixing your prices costs from as little as £1.10 a month extra for electricity, and from as little as £2.86 a month extra for gas compared with our standard tariffs. And there are no cancellation charges if you decide later that you don’t need the protection.

energy reach out to older neighbours this winter Gloria Hunniford has joined EDF Energy’s campaign to raise awareness of the risks to elderly people during the winter months. The TV presenter is working alongside EDF Energy’s ‘Safe, Warm and Well’ scheme

to draw attention to older people who find themselves isolated during cold weather, and who may face problems keeping their homes safe and warm.

According to the General Household Survey, 250,000 older people in the UK never see friends or relatives, whilst National Statistics show that almost 750,000

over-70s never go out alone, even during the day. If you have an elderly neighbour, see if you can spare a few minutes during your week to check that they are okay. Just seeing a friendly face on a regular basis can play a big role in countering the threat of isolation and depression.

energy fact:Dual Fuel by Direct Debit could save you up to £50If you buy both gas and electricity from

EDF Energy, you could qualify for a discount

of up to £25.20 per year. If you choose to pay for your Dual Fuel by Direct Debit you could save up to a further £25.20,

which means you could save up to £50

in total.

mattersLock up your

it’s free to sign up. Call 0808 101 5189* or

log on to www.edfenergy.com/fixedprice

take Control with read. reduce.

rewardA couple of minutes staring at your meter every three months could turn out to be a very rewarding way to spend time. Under EDF Energy’s ‘Read. Reduce. Reward’ Scheme, you can earn up to 4,000 Nectar points a year for entering your gas and electricity meter readings online. Reading your own meter helps

ensure you pay for the exact amount of energy you use, and people who read their own meter tend to be more successful at controlling their bills. If you do reduce your energy usage from one year to the next, we will reward you with even more Nectar points.

That’s how much the Energy Saving Trust estimates can be saved in energy bills every year by insulating a gas-heated, three-bedroom, semi-detached home, with no existing insulation. With an energy efficiency grant from EDF Energy, you could have your loft or walls insulated for as little as £255, which means the work pays for itself in energy savings during the first year. Installing insulation will only take a few hours, but you’ll feel the benefits for years to come. Please see www.edfenergy.com for more information.

And if you plan to sell your home…Home Information Packs, due for introduction next year, will rate the energy efficiency of your home. Investing in insulation could improve your property’s value.

the big number:

energy bills

to register, log on to www.edfenergy.com/readreducereward

The latest news and money saving ideas from EDF Energy.

to arrange your insulation, and to find out if you Could save even more through extra government grants, Call 0800 085 1439**

Participation in the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme is subject to you transferring to, and remaining on, the EDF Energy Fixed Price 2010 Tariff and is strictly subject to the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme Rules. Please see www.edfenergy.com for full details.

Quoted savings based on a customer switching from EDF Energy’s standard Credit general purpose tariff to EDF Energy’s standard Direct Debit general purpose tariff and assume customer has not chosen to collect Nectar points for paying by Direct Debit. Some products (i.e. certain online tariffs) are not eligible for Direct Debit or Dual Fuel discounts. For details of charges applicable to other products please call 0808 101 5189*. Calls may be monitored and recorded as part of our customer care programme.

**Lines open 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.

� at home winter 2006 at home winter 2006 �

Moisture and damp have been troubling homeowners for centuries, causing damage, frustration and ill-health. Fortunately, we’ve developed some very effective ways of winning the battle.

How to beatcondensation

AS EVERY GOOD Geography student knows, condensation naturally occurs when warm air

carrying moisture comes into contact with something colder and deposits its load as water. We’re used to seeing this on diagrams of the water cycle, showing seas, clouds and mountains. The trouble is that such a water cycle can just as easily form within your own home, in fact it often does. For centuries architects and builders have been battling the threat of condensation, and with good reason. The resulting damp can damage walls and floors, and create misery and ill health for homeowners. It’s been happening since the early Middle Ages (and most likely even earlier), when entire homes had to be regularly replaced due to rotting timbers.

Many homes built since the 1930s benefit from modern construction techniques that are designed to reduce condensation. In older, or poorly constructed buildings, the warm, wet air leaving a home passes through walls until the masonry becomes cold enough for it to condense, forming a ‘dew point’. If this dew point is too close to the inside wall of the building, then condensation will form within the wall and seep into rooms and window frames. Modern buildings use a ‘vapour barrier’ within the walls to prevent this happening.

However, since moisture is produced

Reduce the moistuRe you pRoduceWhere possible dry clothes outdoors or in a cool area of the home. Don’t be tempted to put them on radiators. If you do have to dry clothes indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated. Use extractor fans to remove moisture from kitchens and bathrooms. A dehumidifier is another effective option.

impRove ventilationCross-ventilate your home by opening a small window upstairs and another downstairs, on the opposite side of the house. If you live in a flat, choose windows that are diagonally opposite. Open interior doors at the same time, to allow drier air to circulate. Doing this for half an hour every morning reduces overnight condensation.

insulate youR home pRopeRlyReducing the amount of cold surfaces in your home is one of the most effective ways of keeping condensation at bay. Insulate lofts and cavity walls and fit double glazing if possible. Insulating your home properly can cut your energy bills too.

maintain a consistent tempeRatuReHeating one room to a high level and leaving others cold actually increases the likelihood of condensation forming. It is far better to have low to medium heat throughout the house than for some rooms to be significantly warmer than others.

youR condensation battle plan: A four step guide

by everything from boiling a kettle to breathing, condensation can never be entirely eradicated; the good news is that it can be beaten into retreat time and time again. Bathrooms and kitchens will always release moisture to travel around the home and condense on cooler surfaces. It’s the way you run your home that decides whether you or this moisture gets the upper hand. n

“The flat I shared with my family seemed to be permanently damp and I knew it was affecting our health. It was difficult to insulate the building because we didn’t own it, we had few windows and we had no option but to dry clothes inside. Eventually I bought a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of wet air that we were producing and it made a spectacular difference. I’d recommend one to anybody.”

Marc Backwell Croydon

youR tips

home tRuths

� at home winter 2006 at home winter 2006 �

Moisture and damp have been troubling homeowners for centuries, causing damage, frustration and ill-health. Fortunately, we’ve developed some very effective ways of winning the battle.

How to beatcondensation

AS EVERY GOOD Geography student knows, condensation naturally occurs when warm air

carrying moisture comes into contact with something colder and deposits its load as water. We’re used to seeing this on diagrams of the water cycle, showing seas, clouds and mountains. The trouble is that such a water cycle can just as easily form within your own home, in fact it often does. For centuries architects and builders have been battling the threat of condensation, and with good reason. The resulting damp can damage walls and floors, and create misery and ill health for homeowners. It’s been happening since the early Middle Ages (and most likely even earlier), when entire homes had to be regularly replaced due to rotting timbers.

Many homes built since the 1930s benefit from modern construction techniques that are designed to reduce condensation. In older, or poorly constructed buildings, the warm, wet air leaving a home passes through walls until the masonry becomes cold enough for it to condense, forming a ‘dew point’. If this dew point is too close to the inside wall of the building, then condensation will form within the wall and seep into rooms and window frames. Modern buildings use a ‘vapour barrier’ within the walls to prevent this happening.

However, since moisture is produced

Reduce the moistuRe you pRoduceWhere possible dry clothes outdoors or in a cool area of the home. Don’t be tempted to put them on radiators. If you do have to dry clothes indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated. Use extractor fans to remove moisture from kitchens and bathrooms. A dehumidifier is another effective option.

impRove ventilationCross-ventilate your home by opening a small window upstairs and another downstairs, on the opposite side of the house. If you live in a flat, choose windows that are diagonally opposite. Open interior doors at the same time, to allow drier air to circulate. Doing this for half an hour every morning reduces overnight condensation.

insulate youR home pRopeRlyReducing the amount of cold surfaces in your home is one of the most effective ways of keeping condensation at bay. Insulate lofts and cavity walls and fit double glazing if possible. Insulating your home properly can cut your energy bills too.

maintain a consistent tempeRatuReHeating one room to a high level and leaving others cold actually increases the likelihood of condensation forming. It is far better to have low to medium heat throughout the house than for some rooms to be significantly warmer than others.

youR condensation battle plan: A four step guide

by everything from boiling a kettle to breathing, condensation can never be entirely eradicated; the good news is that it can be beaten into retreat time and time again. Bathrooms and kitchens will always release moisture to travel around the home and condense on cooler surfaces. It’s the way you run your home that decides whether you or this moisture gets the upper hand. n

“The flat I shared with my family seemed to be permanently damp and I knew it was affecting our health. It was difficult to insulate the building because we didn’t own it, we had few windows and we had no option but to dry clothes inside. Eventually I bought a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of wet air that we were producing and it made a spectacular difference. I’d recommend one to anybody.”

Marc Backwell Croydon

youR tips

home tRuths

at home winter 2006 �

carbon monoxide

C ARBON MONOXIDE IS a highly toxic gas that asphyxiates its victims by entering the lungs and

displacing oxygen from the bloodstream. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, which means it can escape from many different household fittings and appliances.

Dangerous amounts of Carbon Monoxide can be released into the home when appliances are badly installed, poorly maintained or damaged, and when rooms are not ventilated properly. Ensure that chimneys and fireplaces are kept clear and swept at least once a year, and that gas fires, ovens and grills are regularly serviced. Boilers, furnaces and stoves should also be checked regularly.

It’s a tragedy that, although Carbon Monoxide is entirely preventable, many spend years suffering from the debilitating symptoms without ever realising the cause. According to NHS Direct, around 30 people every year die from the presence of the gas at home. At low levels Carbon Monoxide poisoning gives flu-like symptoms, which worsen at higher concentrations to

cause dizziness, nausea, convulsions and eventually, death.

People suffering from health problems, children, expectant mothers and pets are often affected by Carbon Monoxide poisoning faster than others in the household and may be the first to show symptoms. If you or any member of your family suffers from persistent, unexplained illnesses like flu, fatigue, stomach upsets, lethargy or muscle pain, or if you find yourself frequently falling ill when returning from holiday, then Carbon Monoxide may be the cause. In these cases, ask your doctor to test levels of the gas in your blood.

Rather than wait for symptoms to develop, it is far preferable to fit a Carbon Monoxide Detector near suspect appliances and give yourself early warning of the presence of the gas. n

Would you knowingly share a house with a silent and indiscriminate killer that poisoned thousands of people every year? Probably not, but many of us unwittingly do and suffer serious consequences.

The dangers of

Clear flue

Steady blue

A safe appliance

A dangerous appliance

Blocked flue

Yellow or orange flame Fumes

Scorched or sooty stains

carbon monoxide: the warning signs✔ If the flames of gas appliances burn

orange or yellow instead of blue, then you have a problem.

✔ Look for sooty stains appearing on or just above appliances. This is an indicator of Carbon Monoxide.

✔ If coal or wood fires are difficult to light, burn slowly or go out, then Carbon Monoxide could be the cause.

✔ If the appliances in your home do not have enough air they will produce Carbon Monoxide. Check that all rooms are ventilated properly, especially if you have double glazing installed.

✔ Blocked or cracked chimneys and flues are a frequent cause. Watch out for nesting birds or plants growing in walls.

✔ Tiredness, headaches, dizziness and chest pains could all be caused by the gas.

✔ A Carbon Monoxide Detector should give you early warning of the presence of the gas.

edf energy offers wiring and gas safety checks. call 0800 28 28 �8** for full details

safety in the home

to order a half price carbon monoxide detector from edf energy,

call 0808 101 5181*

*Lines open 9am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday. **Lines open 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday.Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.

carbon monoxide

C ARBON MONOXIDE IS a highly toxic gas that asphyxiates its victims by entering the lungs and

displacing oxygen from the bloodstream. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, which means it can escape from many different household fittings and appliances.

Dangerous amounts of Carbon Monoxide can be released into the home when appliances are badly installed, poorly maintained or damaged, and when rooms are not ventilated properly. Ensure that chimneys and fireplaces are kept clear and swept at least once a year, and that gas fires, ovens and grills are regularly serviced. Boilers, furnaces and stoves should also be checked regularly.

It’s a tragedy that, although Carbon Monoxide is entirely preventable, many spend years suffering from the debilitating symptoms without ever realising the cause. According to NHS Direct, around 30 people every year die from the presence of the gas at home. At low levels Carbon Monoxide poisoning gives flu-like symptoms, which worsen at higher concentrations to

cause dizziness, nausea, convulsions and eventually, death.

People suffering from health problems, children, expectant mothers and pets are often affected by Carbon Monoxide poisoning faster than others in the household and may be the first to show symptoms. If you or any member of your family suffers from persistent, unexplained illnesses like flu, fatigue, stomach upsets, lethargy or muscle pain, or if you find yourself frequently falling ill when returning from holiday, then Carbon Monoxide may be the cause. In these cases, ask your doctor to test levels of the gas in your blood.

Rather than wait for symptoms to develop, it is far preferable to fit a Carbon Monoxide Detector near suspect appliances and give yourself early warning of the presence of the gas. n

Would you knowingly share a house with a silent and indiscriminate killer that poisoned thousands of people every year? Probably not, but many of us unwittingly do and suffer serious consequences.

The dangers of

Clear flue

Steady blue

A safe appliance

A dangerous appliance

Blocked flue

Yellow or orange flame Fumes

Scorched or sooty stains

carbon monoxide: the warning signs✔ If the flames of gas appliances burn

orange or yellow instead of blue, then you have a problem.

✔ Look for sooty stains appearing on or just above appliances. This is an indicator of Carbon Monoxide.

✔ If coal or wood fires are difficult to light, burn slowly or go out, then Carbon Monoxide could be the cause.

✔ If the appliances in your home do not have enough air they will produce Carbon Monoxide. Check that all rooms are ventilated properly, especially if you have double glazing installed.

✔ Blocked or cracked chimneys and flues are a frequent cause. Watch out for nesting birds or plants growing in walls.

✔ Tiredness, headaches, dizziness and chest pains could all be caused by the gas.

✔ A Carbon Monoxide Detector should give you early warning of the presence of the gas.

edf energy offers wiring and gas safety checks. call 0800 28 28 �8** for full details

safety in the home

to order a half price carbon monoxide detector from edf energy,

call 0808 101 5181*

*Lines open 9am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday. **Lines open 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday.Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.

Flawless

floorsChanging a floor can sometimes seem an intimidating task – but it’s the best way to take control of how your home feels.

nOTHING SHAPES YOUR experience of a room quite so much as the choice of floor

covering it. Paint, furniture and soft furnishings can all dramatically alter the way a room looks; but the key to the way it feels is usually to be found underneath your feet. Floors define how you can use a space and come with a sense of permanence that doesn’t really apply to wallpaper or curtains: whereas other elements seem like decoration, a floor is part of the structure of a room.

Mankind has been experimenting with different floor coverings for thousands of years. Prehistoric tribes wove rough mats from dry stalks and roots, or used cured skins as an early form of carpet. The ancient Greeks used water-worn pebbles to line their homes.

Today architects are advising homeowners to use different floor coverings to define areas within their homes and suggest the flow of movement between different spaces. This can reduce the need for too many internal walls, and improve the quality of natural light.

feature

“You can dictate the feel of a home by your choice of materials,” says architectural designer, Patrick Bankhead. “A floor creates a real heart to a room.”

Because it has so many different effects, a choice of floor is shaped by many different factors. You can choose to prioritise durability, practicality, sheer good looks or, of course, price.

Wood is enduringly popular because, for most rooms in the house, it can satisfy all of these criteria. “It’s warm, tactile and easy to keep clean,” says architect Elizabeth Wilson. Wood often looks even better with wear, and if it comes from sustainable sources, it can be an environmentally-friendly option too.

The huge range of wood on the market means that good looks are available for almost any budget. Simple pine is very cheap, but can be dressed up to great effect using stains and varnishes. A beautiful walnut floor, meanwhile, sends out messages of enduring luxury and elegance.

Carpet – which 97% of us choose for at least one room in the home – can ▼

Flawless

floorsChanging a floor can sometimes seem an intimidating task – but it’s the best way to take control of how your home feels.

nOTHING SHAPES YOUR experience of a room quite so much as the choice of floor

covering it. Paint, furniture and soft furnishings can all dramatically alter the way a room looks; but the key to the way it feels is usually to be found underneath your feet. Floors define how you can use a space and come with a sense of permanence that doesn’t really apply to wallpaper or curtains: whereas other elements seem like decoration, a floor is part of the structure of a room.

Mankind has been experimenting with different floor coverings for thousands of years. Prehistoric tribes wove rough mats from dry stalks and roots, or used cured skins as an early form of carpet. The ancient Greeks used water-worn pebbles to line their homes.

Today architects are advising homeowners to use different floor coverings to define areas within their homes and suggest the flow of movement between different spaces. This can reduce the need for too many internal walls, and improve the quality of natural light.

feature

“You can dictate the feel of a home by your choice of materials,” says architectural designer, Patrick Bankhead. “A floor creates a real heart to a room.”

Because it has so many different effects, a choice of floor is shaped by many different factors. You can choose to prioritise durability, practicality, sheer good looks or, of course, price.

Wood is enduringly popular because, for most rooms in the house, it can satisfy all of these criteria. “It’s warm, tactile and easy to keep clean,” says architect Elizabeth Wilson. Wood often looks even better with wear, and if it comes from sustainable sources, it can be an environmentally-friendly option too.

The huge range of wood on the market means that good looks are available for almost any budget. Simple pine is very cheap, but can be dressed up to great effect using stains and varnishes. A beautiful walnut floor, meanwhile, sends out messages of enduring luxury and elegance.

Carpet – which 97% of us choose for at least one room in the home – can ▼

10 at home winter 2006 at home winter 2006 11

be similarly luxurious and warm. It’s a particularly good option in bedrooms, where we often walk around barefoot, and on stairways, where it is useful for absorbing noise. Designs are increasingly discreet. “Seventies swirly-patterned carpets are not much in evidence anymore,” says Bankhead. “Carpets are generally used as a neutral backdrop, allowing walls and furniture to stand out.”

Another material that has reinvented itself is the lino or rubber option. Again, it’s a good insulator of noise, and now comes in a fantastic variety of colours and finishes. It’s also a more practical option for bathrooms and a great choice

What’s right for you? nailing down the right flooring

Pros:✔ Warm when insulated ✔ Easy to clean and maintain ✔ Wears well – hardwood floors last a lifetime ✔ Unsightly damage can usually be repaired by sanding or filling

Cons:✘ There is no defence against the stiletto heel! ✘ Danger of shrinkage and expansion – may ruin the look ✘ Not generally advised for bathrooms

Pros:✔ Water-resistant, good for kitchens and bathrooms ✔ Durable, good for areas of heavy traffic such as hallways ✔ Cool in summer

Cons:✘ Cold in winter ✘ Hard surface means that objects often break on contact and children can hurt themselves if they fall ✘ Difficult to lay

Pros:✔ Hygienic and easy to clean ✔ Extensive colour and design potential ✔ Water-resistant and good for kitchens and bathrooms ✔ Many affordable options

Cons:✘ Relatively easy to damage ✘ Can absorb grease and may stain ✘ Possibly a long wait to get the colour you want

Pros:✔ Soft underfoot and non-slip ✔ Noise absorption ✔ Covers a multitude of sins on an uneven surface ✔ Good heat insulation

Cons:✘ Not recommended for bathrooms ✘ Can harbour dust mites ✘ Absorbs and retains smells ✘ Difficult to clean – may stain, and vacuuming is a bore

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for child-friendly areas, since it’s easy to keep clean and free of dust.

Harder floors made of tile or stone are the most difficult to lay but are still popular on aesthetic grounds, and a frequent choice for bathrooms and kitchens. “It’s an English thing,” says Bankhead. “People like to think of their homes as little castles.”

The coolness of stone and tile can be a good thing on a hot day but a drawback in winter. Ancient Romans designed ingenious underfloor heating systems to keep their stone floors warm and it pays to take a leaf out of their book today. Electric heating mats are an increasingly affordable option. n

Carpet Wood Stone/Tile Vinyl/Rubber

“I recently had my cellar refurbished to make a playroom for the kids. We considered a wood floor to tie it in with the rest of the house, or a carpet to make the area more cosy. In the end, though, we went with an apple green rubber floor, which is very practical and brightens up a dark space.”

Emma Hall Highbury, North London

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