Shepherd Twist from Balta Carpets

Shepherd Twist from Balta has been with us now for several years and this is at least its third or maybe fourth relaunch.

One of the better man-made twists around, Shepherd does come close to the look and feel of wool, at least with customers. We have regularly had excellent feedback from customers over the years and have had quite a few customers buy it after moving house – repeat Shepherd Twisters!

One thing that Balta have always done with this carpet is to avoid reducing the pile weight from the near-perfect 45oz – instead they have simply put up the price when they needed to. After the last 18 months of recession and awful exchange rate problems however, I was worried about the new release. I do have some justification now in that the pile weight has been cut down to 42oz – still pretty good for a carpet of this type and still recommended by me. They have cut the price by £1 per square metre to retailers, so I would say that this carpet will find the £10-£15 per square metre price band.

One new additional benefit is that it finally comes in both 4 metre and 5 metre widths – that was long overdue.

The colours are very much a plethora of natural shades once more. Beiges and creams still dominate but the best-selling ‘Mocha’ shade is continued. I think around 8 or 9 of the shades are carried forward and we see some newcomers – a dark red, a dark grey and we see the blue disappearing along with the bright red. I’m surprised at the bright red being dropped as we are selling a fair amount of that shade right now.

I’d certainly continue to recommend this carpet. Yes, the pile weight has dropped slightly, and that is a pity, but it still outperforms many competitors of this type. It handles and fits superbly and at this price there is no doubt that is represents excellent value for money.

(Originally posted on 30th September 2009)

Balta: Techno Collection

Balta have just launched a new carpet collection aimed at Contract locations and heavy domestic locations where wear is the primary consideration ahead of comfort – a kitchen for example (yes, some people still like carpet in kitchens!).

Techno Design by Balta Carpets

It is available in nine different colours and two designs, giving 18 options in all. Techno Design is shown above and Techno Star below:

Techno Star by Balta Carpets

Balta give this a 5 Year Stainsafe and 5 Year Wear Warranty and it is rated Heavy Contract. I think it will do pretty well in the short to medium term in locations like, for example, nursing home bedrooms or in the home of someone who spills a lot and needs to clean up easily. We find this is a common problem that some of our less mobile and older customers experience and this carpet will allow them to live with a carpet fitted on underlay and be able to keep it looking in decent shape.

.

It’s all very well telling people just to put down a smooth floor to make mopping up easier, but people with joint problems or who are unsteady on their feet should definitely look to carpet first and foremost.

.

The Techno Collection has an action back so it is meant to be fitted onto underlay. A lot of contract carpet is gel backed and meant to be fitted without underlay and the loss of comfort on these jobs can sometimes be an issue.

.

This carpet comes in at an excellent price point. I think you would look at somewhere around £8-£12 per square metre (4m wide only) for this and it’s very good value at that. It does not compare with the mega tough nylon heavy contract carpets from the likes of Vorwerk, but it punches it weight very well nevertheless. It’s made from 90% Berclon/10% PA, which keeps the price competitive without the added expense of nylon that so often bumps up the price on contract carpet.

.

All in all a good effort and coming to an office or shop interior near you soon.

(Originally posted the 12th August 2009)

Fusion Twist from Balta Carpets

Balta carpets had promised more colour into the UK market and are delivering on their part in funonthefloor with several new ranges.

The latest of these I got hold of today is Fusion Twist. Coming in a whopping colour palette featuring 30 shades to cover any taste.

30 Colours

Technically it is not a top of the range product, far from it in fact. It comes with a 5 year wear and stainfree warranty though and weighs in at 20oz (Dublin is 13oz, Bali is 15oz), so it’s not as bad as some and for a budget twist, it is pretty good value. It is only available felt-backed and 4m wide.

I’d reckon it will go out between £6 and £10 per metre and it will sell very well with landlords and for cheap kids’ bedrooms. It seems like it could well be the new version of Fiesta Twist, which was once a top seller at this kind of price.

(Originally posted on 21st May 2009)