Best Flooring to Keep Your House Warm

Feeling the chill in your home during colder months doesn't just make it uncomfortable. Did you know it can also be unhealthy if exposed to long cold periods? However, with the soaring cost of energy bills, many homeowners are struggling to afford to keep the house consistently warm.

As the temperature outside drops, the quest for maintaining a cosy and warm atmosphere indoors becomes a top priority. If you're seeking the best way to keep your house warm and reduce energy bills, upgrading your flooring may just be the solution you're looking for.

In this blog, we'll explore the various warm flooring materials available. You’ll discover the best options for maintaining a comfortable temperature within the home all year round.  We will also guide you through the ins and outs of warm flooring. So, let’s get started with the best types of flooring you can install to keep your living space snug and comfortable.

1. Carpet

The question "Does carpet warm a room?" can be answered with a resounding yes! When it comes to the best flooring to keep your house warm, carpet is a popular choice. Its warm flooring material and thick layers provide excellent insulation, helping to retain heat and create a cosy atmosphere in living rooms, bedrooms, and family rooms. 

The fibres in the carpet trap warm air, reducing the amount of heated air that escapes and ultimately lowering your heating bills. Using area rugs on top of the carpet can also enhance insulation and further reduce energy bills.

Read our guide to find out if carpet or laminate flooring is a better option for your home.

2. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring comes in two main types: sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl. Both options offer excellent warm flooring solutions, making them ideal choices for homeowners looking to balance style, function, and energy efficiency.

Sheet vinyl is known for its seamless installation, providing a continuous surface that helps eliminate heat loss that typically occurs in gaps between the planks or tiles. Its durability and water resistance suit high-traffic areas and rooms prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. The insulating properties of sheet vinyl contribute to a comfortable environment while keeping energy costs low.

Luxury vinyl flooring is revered for its high-quality finish and realistic appearance, closely mimicking the look of hardwood flooring or natural stone. Its composition includes multiple layers, offering enhanced insulation and warmth. Luxury vinyl's compatibility with underfloor heating systems further improves its heat distribution, ensuring a cosy atmosphere in any room.

Both sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl are great warm flooring options. They are great for those seeking to reduce energy bills without compromising style and comfort. By utilising smart thermostats in conjunction with underfloor heating systems, you can optimise the energy efficiency of your vinyl flooring and enjoy a consistently warm and inviting home.

3. Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood flooring, and it can help keep your home warm. As an excellent conductor of heat, laminate works well with underfloor heating systems. Its ability to retain warmth makes it an ideal choice for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. 

The added benefit of its realistic wood appearance offers both style and function. To further boost insulation, consider placing area rugs on laminate flooring, especially in cold rooms. For more tips on maximizing the warmth and comfort of your laminate flooring, explore our range of underlay solutions.

Please note if you are installing any glue-down floor, it won’t need an underlay!

4. Cork

Cork flooring is a natural, eco-friendly option that offers remarkable insulation properties. Its unique cellular structure helps to trap warm air, making it an ideal flooring material for maintaining a cosy atmosphere. 

Cork is not only energy-efficient but also provides excellent soundproofing, making it a great option for living areas, bedrooms, and playrooms. Pairing cork flooring with underfloor heating can further improve its warmth and energy-saving capabilities.

5. Ceramic Tile and Natural Stone

While ceramic tile and natural stone might not be the first materials that come to mind when thinking about warm flooring, they can be surprisingly effective in keeping your house warm. Both materials work well with underfloor heating systems, which provide consistent heat distribution across the room. 

These durable and stylish flooring options can be used in living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. To maximise their warmth and comfort, consider using area rugs or adding underfloor heating to reduce energy bills and create a warm, cosy environment.

Other Heat-Saving Tips

When choosing the best type of flooring to keep the home warm, there are other factors you'll want to consider, too. These include using underlay, installing underfloor heating, and insulating the floor joints. Here's everything to look out for when choosing warm flooring…

Choose the Right Underlay

Selecting the appropriate underlay is crucial for enhancing the insulation of your flooring. Acting as a barrier between the subfloor and your chosen flooring material, the underlay not only provides cushioning and soundproofing but also helps retain warmth. 

The right underlay can contribute to reducing energy bills by preventing heat loss through the floor. When shopping for the right one, consider the specific requirements of your flooring type and opt for materials that offer the best insulation properties. 

It’s worth noting that if you are installing sheet vinyl or any glue-down floor, it won't need an underlay. All our sheet vinyl floors come with either felt or foam backing, which acts as an underlay, keeping your feet warm and comfortable. 

Install Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is an energy-efficient solution. It can boost your home's comfort levels while keeping energy costs in check. Compatible with various flooring types such as luxury vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, ceramic tile, and natural stone, underfloor heating systems evenly distribute heat across the room, ensuring a consistently cosy environment. 

You can also use smart thermostats in conjunction with underfloor heating, allowing you to maintain the desired temperature while saving on energy bills.

Insulate the Floor and Rim Joists

Proper insulation is essential in maintaining a warm and energy-efficient home. Insulating the floor and rim joists can significantly reduce heat loss, lowering energy bills. 

By sealing gaps and installing insulation materials in these areas, you can prevent drafts and cold air from entering your living spaces. This will help maintain a consistent temperature indoors, resulting in a more comfortable and energy-efficient home.

Make Use of Rugs

Rugs are a timeless and warming solution that can make any room more inviting. Strategically placed rugs create conversation corners, adding visual interest and warmth to your living spaces. They can also be added to bathrooms, near beds, and doorways, where people tend to be barefoot, providing cushioning underfoot.

On top of their aesthetic appeal, rugs offer the added benefit of enhancing insulation when used on top of various flooring types.

Keep your home warm and cosy this winter, and save on energy bills with our diverse flooring collection. Shop our sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl, laminate, and tile collections today.