How Keep Wooden Flooring Warmer in Winter

Wooden floors are a popular choice for homeowners. Adding luxury, character and elegance into the room, there’s no question wooden flooring is one of the best in terms of style and durability. However, like all types of flooring, it does come with a few disadvantages.

One of the main problems with wooden floors, is they can get really cold during the winter months. While some types of wooden floors have been designed to provide a warmer touch, they’re still not as warm as vinyl or carpet.

If you’re looking to keep your wooden floors warmer this winter, there are a few things you can do. Below, we’ll look at some of the best ways to warm up wooden flooring in the colder months.

Consider Adding Underfloor Heating

While solid wood floors are unsuitable for use with underfloor heating, some types of wooden floors can be safely used with compatible systems. If you’ve invested in an engineered wood floor for example, you’ll find many are now designed to work alongside underfloor heating systems.

You will need to double check with the manufacturer that the floor is suitable to be used with a heating system. Even if it is, you’ll also need to stick to temperature guidelines as there will usually be a maximum temperature wooden floors can be exposed to. If your floor is compatible with underfloor heating, it is definitely worth getting it installed as this will greatly boost its warmth in the colder weather.

Make Use of Area Rugs

If your wooden floor isn’t suitable for use with underfloor heating, there are other options. Adding area rugs to the floor can greatly enhance its warmth. This is also a much more affordable tip you can follow if you’re on a budget.

Try to add the rugs to the coldest spots of the floor. Carpet runners are particularly useful in making hallways and entranceways warmer. A large rug in the lounge will also make it warmer underfoot in the colder weather.

If you do decide to add area rugs in the home, make sure you secure them down properly. This will prevent them from sliding, which can prove to be a danger hazard.

Reduce Draughts

As well as adding things to the actual floor to make it warmer, you can also ensure any draughts are taken care of. If there is a lot of cold air seeping into the room, it’s going to make the wooden flooring colder.

Add weatherproofing strips to windows and doors. Make sure there aren’t any draughts coming in and consider adding insulation to lofts and walls. This will make a significant difference to how cold the floors become. This is also a great tip for those who can’t have the heating on high due to the temperature restrictions of some types of wooden flooring.

Consider Refinishing the Floor

It might sound extreme, but if you’ve had your wooden flooring for many years, it could be time to refinish it. When the surface layer begins to wear away, it can cause it to feel much colder underfoot. So, refinishing it with a layer of oil or lacquer, can really help to boost the floor’s warmth. Ideally, you’ll want to use a product with a polyurethane finish for maximum heat retention.

These are some of the main ways to keep your wooden floors warmer in the winter. No matter what your budget, you’ll be able to make at least one change to enhance the floor’s comfort.