Three best flooring options to keep your house warmer this winter

Kelly Hoppen shares her guide to flooring on This Morning

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Between 10-20 percent of the heat in your home can be lost through flooring with poor insulation, so it’s not to be overlooked in winter. While fluffy carpets and thick rugs may feel soft and warm to walk on, they’re not the only heat-trapping option for your property. According to experts, tiles are also “great at retaining heat”, but which materials are the best to maximise energy savings?

Ray Jones, flooring expert at, SCS told Express.co.uk: “As so much heat can be lost through the floor it’s important to ensure your rooms are well equipped to handle the cold weather.

“Carpet is an ideal solution for this as it’s a poor conductor, meaning hot air will struggle to escape and cold air will become trapped in its fibres.”

Though all carpets provide some level of warmth and insulation, Ray noted that there are a few things to look for to maximise heat retention.

A high TOG rating

Similar to bedding, the TOG rating on carpets measures their thermal resistance. The higher the rating, the better the heat insulation will be.

Taking this into consideration is always important though Ray added that carpets placed in areas with underfloor heating require a lower TOG.

Most carpets are between 0.7 and 3 TOG, so 2.5 is ideal for most rooms – though you should aim for a combined TOG of 2.5 for both carpet and underlay in areas with under-floor heating.

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Pile size

The thickness of a carpet, also known as the “pile” should vary from room to room depending on the traffic of the room.

Ray said: “A high pile would be a more fluffy and bouncy carpet, ideal for bedrooms which aren’t being walked on all day long. Whereas rooms such as your living room or the stairs would require a medium to low pile, as they see more traffic.”

Considering pile size also determines how much wear and tear you can expect to endure and can help to prolong its use.

Ray added: “Pile size shouldn’t impact the heat efficiency of the carpet either, so long as you have a good quality underlay.”

Porcelain tiles

If you are concerned about heating in spaces such as the kitchen or bathroom, tiles are a feasible option, according to flooring experts.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Laura Hardaker-Graham, Marketing Manager at Verona said: “Tiles really come into their own when it comes to helping keep your home warm and are great at retaining heat.

“Porcelain tiles are denser and less porous than ceramic making them the best choice for floors. They also come in a range of patterns, textures, and finishes so you can choose a look to suit both your taste and your budget.”

Laura noted that placing these tiles in areas with a log burner or cooking appliances is particularly beneficial, as they are still likely to feel warm the following morning.

Laminate and vinyl

Vinyl and laminate are also surprisingly good at retaining heat if you’re looking for a carpet alternative.

Kamila Swiatecka, Head of Marketing and Brand at Tile Giant said: “For a cosy feeling underfoot, laminate and vinyl is a preferred option for bathroom floors, allowing you to stand on a softer, warmer surface on cold winter days. Most ranges come with underlay which is a great insulator and is suitable for use with underfloor heating.”

If you’re not in the market for new flooring, Ray Jones at SCS noted that “a good rug” is the best remedy on a budget.

He said: “Of course, it won’t be as effective as a fully carpeted room, but you definitely should notice a positive difference after laying it.”

Rugs should be avoided in areas with underfloor heating to maximise heat, though most wool blends, polypropylene and nylon carpets will work well.

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