Now that the temperatures are starting to cool down, you may be getting a case of cold feet. The flooring in your home can really have a major impact on the comfort levels of your home and may even save you or cost you money, depending on which type of flooring you choose. If you are selecting new flooring or if the chilly floors are already driving you crazy, take the following factors into consideration.
Wood and Laminate Contract in Cold
Wood and laminate flooring contract in cooler temperatures and expand in warmer temperatures. When the weather is cooler, this can cause cracks to open up in the floor, which may let cold drafts into the house. This means that by selecting wood or laminate, you may inadvertently make it harder to keep your home warm in the cooler months.
Carpets and Padding Can Act as Insulation
Carpets and carpet padding can help to keep the heat inside of your home and the cold air out. This may be a big consideration if your heating bill is generally very high through the cooler months. Carpet is also very comfortable to walk on and will not be as cold on the feet as other types of flooring. While these shouldn’t be the only considerations if you are thinking about switching to carpet from another type of flooring, comfort during the cool months can be a big factor.
Area Rugs Can Save Cold Feet
If you have hard wood, tile, or another type of flooring that gets very cold in the fall and winter, area rugs are a relatively inexpensive solution that can separate your feet from the frigid floors. Area rugs will not actually insulate or warm your home, but they can save you from discomfort and keep you from cranking the heat up, as you will naturally feel a little warmer if your feet are not cold. Area rugs can also help to add coziness to the home decor during cool months.
There Are Ways to Heat Cooler Floors
Laminate and certain other types of flooring hold heat well, so you may be able to keep the floor feeling warmer just by turning up the thermostat a little or burning a fire in the fireplace. There are also products that can be added underneath flooring to create a heated floor effect. These products may range in expense and require different methods of installation, so looking into all of the details before committing can help the project to go smoother.
Call your local flooring store today to ask about your best options for keeping your floors warm through the cooler months of the year.
