Wood flooring can lose a lot of heat (Image: PA)
Households with wood or laminate floors have been issued a warning this winter.
With up another 11 percent this winter and everyone keeping an eye on the thermostat – and the bank balance – it’s a good time to look around your home and assess where you can save some money.
While wood floors and laminate have so many advantages – you can wipe them clean, they’re easy to hoover dust from and they don’t wear out as fast as carpet – there is one major downside according to home experts.
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You might be surprised to know that hard wood or laminate flooring can account for more than 10 percent of your house’s total heat loss, adding money to your energy bills as heat vanishes through the floor, something that doesn’t happen with carpets.
said: “Did you know that your floors can account for over 10 per cent of heat loss around the home?
“Those with wooden floors may notice that their home struggles to retain heat and that it gets a little cold under foot in the mornings.
“So if you know that your home is prone to losing heat, seriously consider using area rugs around your house. Although they are now primarily considered as a design feature, people can forget that area rugs were originally invented to keep you warm and stop heat loss through wooden floors.”
The flooring experts recommend that wool is the best material to protect from heat escaping, but it’s obviously the most expensive. Even a synthetic rug will do more to protect from heat loss than nothing at all.
They added: “It is important to remember that different materials will offer different levels of insulation. Wool is a great option as it is durable and soft underfoot, as well as providing the best insulation.
“However, in comparison to the other rugs on the market, it can be quite costly to purchase and maintain. If you are looking for a cheaper option then you should definitely not rule out cotton, acrylic or nylon. They will all do the same basic task of insulating your wooden floor. At the end of the day, it comes down to the amount that you are willing to spend on your rug.”