Residential property developers have been very busy in Greater Manchester over the last 20 years, with the ever-rising skyline of Manchester and central Salford testifying to exponential growth in city living, driven by high demand. This is in contrast with cities such as London, where the commercial property sector still accounts for many new high-rise developments.
It is not just in skyscrapers that can be seen for miles that this is happening, with low to mid-rise developments happening across Greater Manchester and, to a lesser extent, other cities. It is now happening in central Stockport, and plans are afoot for similar developments in other town centres around the city region, such as Oldham.
All this is good news for those looking for strong markets for development, but various questions need to be answered. One of them concerns the external aesthetics of buildings that are increasingly dominating the urban landscape. But for those living inside, details such as flooring will be of particular concern.
There is no one answer to the question of what kind of flooring is best for an apartment, just as is the case for a house out in the suburbs. Much will be a matter of personal taste, while there will be different requirements depending on the room, such as a need for water-resistant flooring in the bathroom and the kitchen area.
However, installing carpets is still a great idea, even if many an apartment advert is shown with a shiny, reflective wooden floor (usually for the visual impact, which side-steps questions like comfort underfoot).
This fact needs to be noted because in some parts of the world where high-rise living has been far more established than in the UK (where, until recently, it was seen as a marker of poor housing and poverty), there has been some misguided thinking that carpets were becoming obsolete.
Acknowledging that this is not so, US-based Eastcroft FL said: “After decades and decades of thinking carpet’s on its last legs, it’s time to admit that carpet is pretty timeless.”
The article noted that advantages included being comfortable for children and also the important role it can play in absorbing sound, which in a multi-level building is something the neighbours will welcome.
It is also important to consider that people who live in apartments, whether mid-range privately rented homes or top-level expensive properties such as those dominating the central Manchester market, are not necessarily going to be aficionados of minimalist and modernist styles.
True, it may be that some features of such dwellings will be ideal for those reflective, shiny wood or vinyl floors that reflect lots of natural light, especially in upper floors of skyscrapers that are not hemmed in by surrounding buildings. But home comforts still matter, which is where carpet cannot be beaten.
If you are a developer planning to add to the growing number of apartments in the Greater Manchester area, you may also have been among those who bought into the idea that carpet has had its day. However, it may be time to think again, for there is no alternative that offers quite such home comfort.
