Comfortable flooring is probably the most understated factor in home design. Most people think of their floors mostly as a structural or decorative element, but don’t really consider flooring comfort. But if you think about it, your flooring plays a vital role in the way your home feels on a daily basis. You make more contact with it than any other surface around the house, and it absorbs much of the impact from your day-to-day activities. That’s why it’s important to invest in comfort as well as style when it comes to floors.
The good news is that good flooring doesn’t have to cost too much. While you may have to pay a premium for quality floors, there are lots of cheaper alternatives that are just as stylish and comfortable. Manufacturers are constantly rolling out new materials, so there’s sure to be one that fits your needs. It’s just a matter of knowing what you want out of your floor and finding one that delivers. Here’s a list of the best choices in comfort flooring, and what they can do for you.
Carpets
When you think of comfortable floors, carpets are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Carpet flooring has a unique texture that feels soft and warm underfoot, even in cold weather. This makes it ideal for areas that experience cold winters, as it helps insulate the floor and saves a good deal in heating costs. It also works well for homes that need soundproofing, such as basements and home theaters, since it keeps absorbs sound and prevents those awkward echoes.
Maintenance is probably the biggest drawback of carpet flooring. If you have kids or pets, or tend to spill drinks and sauces, you’ll have to be more careful with a carpeted floor. Carpets also need regular dusting and vacuuming, as they gather small particles faster than any other material. But don’t let that discourage you—if properly cleaned and maintained, carpet flooring can instantly transform your home from a dull room to a cozy living space.
Area rugs
If carpets are too high-maintenance for you, area rugs make the perfect alternative. Because they’re not tacked to the floor, you can simply pick them up and wash them when the need arises. You can also move them around the room to suit your preferences, which can come in handy when you’re remodeling. And if you get tired of one rug, you can always fold it up and roll out a new one. They don’t offer as much coverage, but think of it as a way to accent your floor.
Rugs tend to be more decorative than carpets, so expect to see a lot more variety. While they still come in classic solid colors, many manufacturers also offer patterns and details that add interest to each piece. The materials are also more varied. Besides wool and cotton, you’ll also find bamboo, polypropylene, sheepskin, and natural ones like jute and sisal. Most of them are surprisingly comfy and work just as well as carpet flooring.
Rubber flooring
You probably associate rubber floors with industrial areas and sporting halls. That’s because it’s soft and comfy underfoot, making it the perfect choice for people who spend most of the day on their feet. The only thing that has kept it from homes is the lack of color, but modern manufacturing is changing all that. These days, you can find rubber flooring in a wide range of colors and designs, sometimes even with interesting textures.
Rubber floors usually come in rolls or tiles like other resilient materials. If you’re a complete beginner, go for the tile format as it’s easier to work with and you can quickly patch up mistakes. Rolled floors are usually reserved for irregularly shaped rooms, or large spaces with no divisions. Before installing, remember to prepare the subfloor and make sure it’s completely dry. Once it’s laid out, it usually takes 24 hours to set completely.
Heated floors
Underfloor heating is ideal for large spaces, as it covers more surface area that radiant wall heaters. In the winter, when you need to raise indoor temperatures, it’s a lot more comfortable since the heating is evenly distributed around the room. If you’re using hydronic heating, it’s best to use a concrete slab—it contributes to the heating capacity, and you can insulate it both from underneath and around the edges. Slabs between 4 and 6 inches usually work best.
If you have a tiled floor or don’t have room for a thick slab, you may want to consider electric heating instead. Unlike hydronics, electric systems are less than two inches thick and can be fitted on more conventional surfaces such as stone and ceramic tile. They also require very little maintenance, so it’s great for busy households with lots of foot traffic.
doesn’t have to cost too much. While you may have to pay a premium for quality floors, there are lots of cheaper alternatives that are just as stylish and comfortable. Manufacturers are constantly rolling out new materials, so there’s sure to be one that fits your needs. It’s just a matter of knowing what you want out of your floor and finding one that delivers. Here’s a list of the best choices in comfort flooring, and what they can do for you.
Carpets
When you think of comfortable floors, carpets are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Carpet flooring has a unique texture that feels soft and warm underfoot, even in cold weather. This makes it ideal for areas that experience cold winters, as it helps insulate the floor and saves a good deal in heating costs. It also works well for homes that need soundproofing, such as basements and home theaters, since it keeps absorbs sound and prevents those awkward echoes.
Maintenance is probably the biggest drawback of carpet flooring. If you have kids or pets, or tend to spill drinks and sauces, you’ll have to be more careful with a carpeted floor. Carpets also need regular dusting and vacuuming, as they gather small particles faster than any other material. But don’t let that discourage you—if properly cleaned and maintained, carpet flooring can instantly transform your home from a dull room to a cozy living space.
Area rugs
If carpets are too high-maintenance for you, area rugs make the perfect alternative. Because they’re not tacked to the floor, you can simply pick them up and wash them when the need arises. You can also move them around the room to suit your preferences, which can come in handy when you’re remodeling. And if you get tired of one rug, you can always fold it up and roll out a new one. They don’t offer as much coverage, but think of it as a way to accent your floor.
Rugs tend to be more decorative than carpets, so expect to see a lot more variety. While they still come in classic solid colors, many manufacturers also offer patterns and details that add interest to each piece. The materials are also more varied. Besides wool and cotton, you’ll also find bamboo, polypropylene, sheepskin, and natural ones like jute and sisal. Most of them are surprisingly comfy and work just as well as carpet flooring.
Rubber flooring
You probably associate rubber floors with industrial areas and sporting halls. That’s because it’s soft and comfy underfoot, making it the perfect choice for people who spend most of the day on their feet. The only thing that has kept it from homes is the lack of color, but modern manufacturing is changing all that. These days, you can find rubber flooring in a wide range of colors and designs, sometimes even with interesting textures.
Rubber floors usually come in rolls or tiles like other resilient materials. If you’re a complete beginner, go for the tile format as it’s easier to work with and you can quickly patch up mistakes. Rolled floors are usually reserved for irregularly shaped rooms, or large spaces with no divisions. Before installing, remember to prepare the subfloor and make sure it’s completely dry. Once it’s laid out, it usually takes 24 hours to set completely.
Heated floors
Underfloor heating is ideal for large spaces, as it covers more surface area that radiant wall heaters. In the winter, when you need to raise indoor temperatures, it’s a lot more comfortable since the heating is evenly distributed around the room. If you’re using hydronic heating, it’s best to use a concrete slab—it contributes to the heating capacity, and you can insulate it both from underneath and around the edges. Slabs between 4 and 6 inches usually work best.
If you have a tiled floor or don’t have room for a thick slab, you may want to consider electric heating instead. Unlike hydronics, electric systems are less than two inches thick and can be fitted on more conventional surfaces such as stone and ceramic tile. They also require very little maintenance, so it’s great for busy households with lots of foot traffic.
Tags: underfloor heating | underfloor heating | carpet flooring | rubber floors | rubber floors | area rugs | area rugs
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