Best Flooring to Keep Your House Warm

10.10.2023

There’s nothing worse than stepping onto an ice-cold floor first thing in the morning. No matter how high you crank up the heating, the wrong flooring can make your home feel chilly and uninviting. But here’s the good news—your choice of flooring can make a huge difference in keeping your house warm while helping to cut down on energy bills by up to 13%.

Some flooring materials naturally trap heat, keeping your space warmer for longer, while others work best when paired with underfloor heating. Whether you’re renovating your home or simply looking for a smarter way to beat the low temperatures, upgrading your flooring can transform the way your home feels.

"Many homeowners don’t realise just how much heat is lost through their floors. The right flooring isn’t just about style - it’s about warmth, comfort, and long-term energy efficiency." - Paul Humphries, Director at Best4Flooring.

So, which are the warmest flooring types, and what’s the best option for your space? Let’s take a look at the top choices for keeping your home snug and inviting all year round.

What Makes Flooring Warm?

  • Material & Thickness – Some floors, like carpet, hold onto heat naturally, while others, like tile, feel cold unless paired with underfloor heating.
  • Heat Retention – Flooring with multiple layers, such as luxury vinyl flooring, prevents warmth from escaping, keeping rooms toasty.
  • Underfloor Heating Compatibility – Vinyl, laminate, and engineered wood work best with underfloor heating systems, distributing warmth evenly.

Now, let’s explore the best flooring options for warmth and comfort.


The Warmest Flooring Options for Your Home

Carpet

Looking for the best flooring to keep your home warm? Carpet is the ultimate choice. Its thick fibres trap warm air, preventing heat loss and creating a cosy, insulated surface that makes bedrooms and living rooms feel warmer for longer.

Why Carpet is the Best Choice for Warmth:

  • Insulates against heat loss, helping to lower energy bills.
  • Thanks to their natural thermal properties, wool carpets can reduce heating costs by 8-13%.
  • Feels soft and warm underfoot—ideal for bare feet during colder months.
  • Adding a thick underlay helps to trap even more heat and boost comfort.

"Carpet is like a warm hug for your home. It’s soft, inviting, and retains heat better than any other flooring option." - Paul Humphries, Best4Flooring.

Expert Tip: A Saxony carpet with a high tog rating offers the best heat retention.

Looking for our warmest carpet? Check out our Soft Sense range.

 


Vinyl Flooring

Think vinyl is just for kitchens? Think again. Modern luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and cushioned vinyl add warmth to any room thanks to their multi-layered composition and cushioned backing.

"LVT is the perfect blend of practicality and comfort. It’s stylish, hard-wearing, and works brilliantly with underfloor heating." - Paul Humphries, Best4Flooring.

Why Vinyl Helps Retain Heat:

  • LVT’s compressed layers prevent warmth from escaping, making it warmer than laminate or tile.
  • Cushioned vinyl flooring eliminates heat loss through gaps, creating a seamless insulation layer.
  • Works perfectly with underfloor heating for consistent warmth.

Expert Tip: Pair LVT with a thermal underlay and underfloor heating for maximum cosiness.

Looking for our warmest cushioned vinyl? Check out our newly launched Cronus 50 range.

 


Laminate Flooring

Laminate is a budget-friendly alternative to wood that retains heat well, especially when paired with a quality underlay. As an excellent conductor of heat, laminate flooring also works well with underfloor heating systems.

"Laminate flooring is a great all-rounder. It’s affordable, easy to maintain, and works brilliantly with underfloor heating when paired with the right underlay." - Paul Humphries, Best4Flooring.

Why Laminate Works for Warmth:

  • Conducts heat efficiently, making it ideal for underfloor heating.
  • Provides a warm, stylish alternative to hardwood at a fraction of the price.

Expert Tip: Invest in a high-density underlay to add extra warmth and sound insulation.

 


Engineered Wood

Wood might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of warm flooring, but engineered hardwood flooring holds heat far better than solid hardwood.

Why Choose Engineered Wood for Warmth:

  • Better heat retention than traditional wood flooring.
  • Compatible with underfloor heating, making it a great choice for living rooms and hallways.

Expert Tip: If using underfloor heating, opt for engineered wood over solid hardwood, as it’s more stable and less prone to warping.

 


Cork

Cork is an effective natural insulator thanks to its unique honeycomb structure that traps warmth.

Why Cork is a Great Option:

  • Naturally warm underfoot, even in the coldest months.
  • Sustainable and eco-friendly, offering both warmth and soundproofing.

Expert Tip: Cork is perfect for home offices and family rooms to provide extra comfort.

 


Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone

Ceramic tile and natural stone might feel cool underfoot, but when paired with underfloor heating, they become one of the most efficient flooring options for keeping your home warm. Their high thermal conductivity allows them to absorb and retain heat, creating a consistently warm surface long after the heating system is turned off.

Why Tile & Stone Flooring Work:

  • Excellent heat conductivity – Transfers heat quickly and evenly from underfloor heating systems.
  • Superior heat retention – Holds onto warmth longer than many other flooring types, reducing energy use.
  • Energy efficient – Underfloor heating with tile or stone can lower heating costs compared to traditional radiators.

Expert Tip: Use thicker stone tiles for better heat retention or thinner porcelain tiles for a faster heat-up time. Adding rugs in key areas can also improve comfort without compromising efficiency.

 


A Side-by-Side Comparison

Flooring Type Warmth Level Works with Underfloor Heating? Insulation Properties Best for Cold Rooms? Cost
Carpet Excellent No Traps warm air, high insulation Yes Low to Medium
Vinyl Flooring (LVT & Sheet Vinyl) Very Good Yes Multiple layers trap heat Yes Medium
Laminate Flooring Good Yes Needs underlay for insulation Some rooms, with underlay Low to Medium
Engineered Wood Flooring Very Good Yes Retains heat better than solid wood Some rooms Medium to High
Cork Flooring Excellent Yes Natural insulator, retains heat well Yes Medium
Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone Cool (without underfloor heating) / Excellent (with underfloor heating) Yes Poor insulator, but high thermal conductivity Only with underfloor heating Medium to High

Extra Tips

Upgrade Your Underlay

A thick underlay beneath carpet or laminate can significantly cut heat loss, acting as a barrier for cold subfloors and keeping rooms warmer for longer. For underfloor heating with LVT or laminate, make sure to use an underlay designed for this purpose.

Install Underfloor Heating

More efficient than radiators, underfloor heating evenly warms the room while using up to 40% less energy—potentially saving £500 a year on energy costs. Pro tip: Make sure to use high-temperature adhesive when installing LVT and sheet vinyl flooring such as:

 

Seal Gaps & Insulate

Stop heat escaping and cold air entering through floor gaps and uninsulated subfloors. According to the Energy Saving Trust, proper insulation can save you up to £70 a year, keeping rooms draught-free and cosy.

Add Area Rugs for Instant Warmth

Not only do they add visual interest, but thick rugs act like insulation, reducing heat loss and making rooms feel up to two degrees warmer—a simple fix for cold floors.

With these upgrades, your home will stay warmer, cosier, and cheaper to heat all year round.


Final Thoughts

The right flooring does more than just look good—it locks in heat, adds comfort, and helps cut energy bills. Whether it’s the natural insulation of carpet, the heat-retaining power of vinyl, or the efficiency of underfloor heating, your floors play a major role in keeping your home warm.

"A warm home starts from the ground up. Your flooring choice affects not just aesthetics, but how well your home retains heat and keeps energy costs down."—Paul Humphries, Best4Flooring.

Ready to make your home warm and cosy? Explore Best4Flooring’s range of high-quality warm flooring today.

 

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