Delivering low-carbon flooring solution for Ultrapanel's Zero-Bills Demo House
When Ultrapanel set out to create a pioneering “zero bills ready” demo house, showcasing how the homes of the future could be built faster, smarter and with minimal environmental impact, they needed partners who shared their vision for sustainability. We stepped up, providing a whole-house flooring solution that combined durability, design, and genuine low-carbon credentials.
Sustainable from the ground up
The challenge was clear: deliver a flooring package that not only met Ultrapanel’s technical and aesthetic requirements but also embodied the project’s sustainability goals. We responded by specifying products manufactured from recycled materials and produced using renewable energy, proving that style and sustainability can go hand in hand.
For the stairs and upper floors, We installed Carefree Ultra, one of our company’s flagship carpets for the new-build sector. Now made using 100% recycled yarn in a renewably powered UK factory, Carefree Ultra is a leading choice for developers looking to reduce embodied carbon without compromising on quality or comfort.
This carpet also features our award-winning Combi-Bac® backing, a soft fleece like material that prevents the common snag of scuffed walls during installation. The flexible backing also helps eliminate issues such as cracking, creasing, and delamination, making it as practical as it is eco-friendly.
A low-carbon finish with Carina LVT
Downstairs, Ultrapanel selected Carina LVT, one of the lowest-carbon luxury vinyl tile (LVT) ranges on the market. Produced using recycled materials in a factory powered by on-site wind turbines and solar panels, Carina offers a modern wood-plank finish with impressive performance benefits. It’s easy to clean, slip- and scratch-resistant, and designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, perfect for a demonstration home built to show long-term resilience.
A meeting of shared values
Simon Brown, National Housing Sector Manager at Furlong Flooring, was introduced to the project early on. “When I heard about what Ultrapanel was trying to achieve, it was immediately clear that our values aligned,” he explained. “By collaborating from the design stage, we could ensure the flooring met both the technical performance needs and the sustainability ambitions of the home.”
Working closely with the Helen Wildin, Head of Sales at Ultrapanel, Simon recommended products that would contribute to a truly low-carbon build while ensuring easy maintenance for future homeowners. The result is a seamless flooring specification that reflects the very essence of modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible housebuilding.
Seeing is believing
For both companies, having the flooring showcased in a live demonstration environment has been invaluable. “You can’t fully appreciate product quality or finish from a brochure,” says Simon. “When developers and builders can walk on it, feel it, and see it in place, that’s when it really makes an impact.”
Reflections and future focus
The Ultrapanel Demo House has become a model of cross-industry collaboration, demonstrating how early engagement and shared goals can lead to better, more sustainable outcomes.
“Projects like this reaffirm our commitment to developing flooring solutions that align with low-carbon, efficient build practices,” says Simon. “There’s huge appetite across the housing sector for materials that make sustainable building both achievable and affordable.”
As the construction industry continues to evolve towards greener, smarter building methods, partnerships like the one between Ultrapanel and ourselves show exactly how innovation and collaboration can create homes that are truly fit for the future.
