FLOTEX: THE HIGH-TECH TEXTILE FLOORING SOLUTION How Flotex compares to traditional carpets

INTRODUCTION In many business environments, the choice of flooring material is driven by practical considerations. Hard flooring is often favored due to ease of cleaning and maintenance, despite the fact that some hard floors come with drawbacks like low acoustic performance and an increased rate of allergens in the air. Softer materials, like carpets, are often avoided, even though these are aesthetically pleasing and also improve the acoustic properties of a space. This is usually due to the misconception that carpets lower air quality, and because many soft textiles are harder to clean than...

ACOUSTIC PROPERTIESIn many business contexts, acoustics is considered a secondary factor to other practical considerations when it comes to flooring. Increasingly however, the role flooring material plays in controlling noise, and improving the acoustic characteristics of space, is being recognised as a critical factor in promoting health and well-being in work environments. In fact, research from the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment shows that even low to moderate noise levels can increase irritation and dissatisfaction in the work environment. Noise may also contribute...

Noise reduction Flotex flocked flooring is designed with a PVC foam backing layer. This results in over 21 decibels (dB) of impact sound reduction. This is similar to the performance provided by carpets (20-25dB) and a large improvement on hard flooring like Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) (5-15 dB). Flotex also absorbs noise reflected from walls or furniture (with up to 0.10 αw room sound absorption). This makes it an ideal addition to any space where noise disturbances are of concern. The result is a more restful atmosphere in shared workspaces or between units within a building. Health benefits The...

IMPROVED AIR QUALITY One of the benefits of textile flooring is the ability to trap dust and other particulate matter, including allergens such as pet dander or pollen. This trapped debris can then be easily removed when cleaning, resulting in improved indoor air quality that can be particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies or sensitivities. Flotex’s unique construction, with densely packed nylon fibers, enhances these benefits even further by trapping a greater quantity of allergens from the environment. The material’s unique design also makes it easier to clean compared to carpets,...

CARPET FLOORS This unique design is what ensures much higher air quality than typically seen with hard flooring or even well-maintained carpets. As a result, a Flotex floor improves quality of life for allergy sufferers. These qualities have led to Flotex being the only textile flooring to receive the prestigious Allergy UK Seal of Approval. This designation is awarded to materials scientifically proven to prevent, diminish, or eliminate allergens from their environment. Low VOC emissions An additional benefit of textile flooring is lower emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Carpets,...

One of the drawbacks often associated with textile floors is that they can be difficult, or sometimes even impossible, to clean. The process of cleaning is both costly and time-consuming. Thanks to Flotex's design, this high-performance textile is much easier to maintain than traditional carpeted floors. Flotex is designed to dry quickly, reducing "down-time" when space cannot be used and removing the need for the specialist "wet-dry" equipment typically needed to vacuum and wash carpeted floors. Flotex releases up to 76% of particulate dirt, compared to just 46% for loop pile carpets. Spray...

WARMTH, COMFORT, AND DURABILITY The choice of flooring material also has an impact on the feeling of comfort and warmth in a space. This is an area where textile flooring provides a distinct advantage compared to hard floors. Textile flooring provides better insulation than hard floors and therefore reduces heat loss, making an environment more comfortable and reducing the need for additional heating. In some cases, however, this can come at the expense of durability, with some textile flooring showing lower resistance to “wear and tear” than harder materials. Flotex’s unique design means it...

AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF DESIGN OPTIONS For interior decorators and designers, Flotex offers additional benefits that extend beyond simple functionality. Collaborations between the Forbo creative team and top designers from around the world mean this versatile and beautiful product is available in a vibrant range of patterns and designs to suit any application. Flotex is also available in solid colours, traditional textile patterns like houndstooth, and a range of additional stylish and contemporary designs. Meanwhile, the Flotex Naturals range takes on the appearance of natural materials like wood...

The combination of functionality and aesthetics makes Flotex the perfect flooring solution across a wide range of applications — from offices to healthcare facilities, hotels and retail outlets. In addition, Flotex's durability, cleanliness and acoustic performance make it uniquely suited for use in areas where traditional textile flooring falls short. With the Flotex Next backing as option for most of our sheet collections, Flotex can also be can also be installed with no adhesive (loose lay) making it easy to move or remove flooring materials. This makes Flotex Next particularly suitable for...

By combining the practicality and durability of a hard floor with the comfort and elegance of a carpet, Flotex offers the best of both worlds. This high-tech textile's unique properties also make it the perfect choice in any environment where ease of cleaning, durability, sound absorption and allergen reduction are top priorities. At the same time, the wide range of colours and designs offered in the Forbo Flotex collection produce limitless design possibilities, empowering designers to create spaces that combine visual appeal with comfort and day-to-day practicality. For more information on...