Waking up and walking barefoot across a frigid floor is like playing a reverse game of The Floor is Lava. Say goodbye to those cold floors’ rude awakenings with the right flooring material. Some options, like warm laminate flooring, can make a noticeable difference in comfort while also adding style to your home. Different materials can feel warm underfoot and contribute to a cozier indoor environment.
Existing flooring can also be made to feel warmer. While underfloor heating is a popular option, it’s often expensive and disruptive to retrofit. For those looking for budget-friendly and practical solutions, let’s explore the warmest flooring materials available today.
What is the Warmest Flooring Material?
Carpeting
Although carpeting isn’t suitable for every room it is probably the warmest type of flooring. Carpeting comes in a range of qualities and styles, from basic and thin to thick and plush, depending on the budget. To enhance the underfoot appeal and to help with insulating the home, consider underfelt or padding under the carpet.
Solid and Engineered Wooden Flooring
Real wooden flooring conducts heat and helps it to travel throughout a home faster. Engineered hardwood flooring is warm to walk on and also helps to reduce energy costs. Solid and engineered wood are suitable to be used with underfloor heating systems.
Laminate Flooring
When it comes to balancing affordability, durability, and comfort, warm laminate flooring stands out as one of the best options. Its thermal properties provide natural insulation, keeping your home cozy even during cold winters. Laminate is resistant to temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for homes in areas with extreme seasonal changes.
Not only does laminate offer a springy, comfortable surface underfoot, but it is also easy to maintain. For those seeking a warm yet stylish flooring option, laminate wood flooring with a natural oak finish can create an inviting ambiance in any room.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is also a warm flooring option and is easy to clean to boot. Laminate is very stylish when laid in strips that resemble wood and tiles, and some have a textured finish. As with carpets, an underfelt or sprung foam layer is usually laid under the vinyl.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is popular in family rooms, living rooms, as well as bedrooms due to its durability, sound absorption, and warmness.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is a smooth-surfaced flooring cover that comes in rolls like carpeting. It is made from a mixture of gums and resins, cork fillings, and oxidized linseed oil. The mixture is applied to a backing made of canvas or felt.
It is somewhat similar to vinyl and it is often patterned and made to look like wooden planks on the surface. It is certainly suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, as it is water-resistant and easy to wipe or mop clean.
Cork Flooring
Cork is a surprisingly durable, eco-friendly, moisture-resistant, and comfortable flooring to walk on when correctly sealed. It can also be color-stained. It comes in rolls and tiles and is relatively simple to install.
Tips to make flooring feel warmer
With the exception probably of solid wood flooring and carpeting, the other types of flooring mentioned above will perhaps create the perception of warmth rather than actually being warm. That said, they are definitely warmer and softer to walk on than tiles. There are things that can help to add warmth to these flooring types.
Area rugs
Area rugs will add coziness and texture to open spaces, heavy traffic areas, and on the floor next to beds. They also have the advantage of being used seasonally if so desired, which is like a mini-makeover. Choose from a range of sizes and qualities from basic to thick piles, in accordance with your budget.
Let in the light
Letting the sunlight in helps to heat the flooring, even in the cold winter months. Closing the drapes or blinds when the sun goes down will help the flooring to retain heat as well.
Use Under-lay
An under-lay, when placed on cold subfloors, acts as an insulating barrier. It adds that extra layer of spring and comfort to carpeting, laminates, vinyl, cork, and hybrids. An underlay brings with it the additional benefit of assisting with noise reduction, which is a big help if you have four-legged family members.
Buy a Floor Heater
Households with members who stay in one place or room can buy or install floor heaters to keep the floors warmer during cold months. Floor heaters come in several varieties and are a cost-effective way to keep the floor warm. Some of the most common types of floor heaters include:
Radiant Floor Heating System – A radiant heating system can keep natural stone, tile, and other types of flooring materials warm and comfortable.
Toe-Tick Heaters – You may know them as under-cabinet heaters. Toe-tick heaters are great if you want to warm-up floors in a wide area.
Visit one of our flooring showrooms in Omaha, Lincoln, or Sioux Falls and talk with one of our flooring specialists today to learn more about installing new floors in your home.
Additional Reading:
What is the Best Insulation for Floors?
Carpet Land Omaha, Lincoln & Sioux Falls | Best Prices on Carpets, Flooring & More
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