If you didn’t already know, there are flooring options that work better in different climates. Some flooring options are bed for some places than others are. For example, Vinyl Plank flooring works much better in colder climates than it does in warmer temperatures.
Frequently, colder climate homes must make some sacrifices or alterations to ensure that functionality isn’t compromised. If they don’t make these alterations, they could end up with a cold climate that won’t regulate heat well.
In these circumstances, cold climate homes should use double-paned windows and think about their flooring carefully before installation.
The Best Flooring Options for Cold Climates
Some flooring options do much better in cold climates than in warm ones, and there are some flooring options that just don’t work in cold temperatures. If you’re planning a renovation or planning on building a house in a colder climate, here are four great options for flooring in your home.
Carpet
Carpet is an excellent choice for homes that get cold in the winter as it doesn’t expand or contract too much, and it serves as a great temperature barrier. Because hardwood floors tend to tighten in cold climates, they don’t make a great option. That’s why many cold-climate homes often opt for carpet instead.
The downside to using carpet in cold-climate homes is that it’s easier to get them dirty. When you track in mud and snow in the cold months, it’s more likely to stain your carpeted floors.
Vinyl
You can also use vinyl plank flooring for cold temperatures. It has all the benefits of the carpet but increased durability. It also has many options, so you can make it look like your home has hardwood flooring if you so desire.
Vinyl plank flooring is installed in a floating method, so it can move when the temperature changes. Vinyl sheets aren’t a great idea for cold climate homes, as they can become brittle and crack.
Rubber
Rubber is an excellent option for use in your garage, as it will act as a barrier between you and the concrete slab underneath. Concrete can get incredibly cold, so it makes sense as to why someone would want to cover it up with rubber. This is also an excellent method for use in your basement.
Slate and Granite Tile
You won’t be able to get away using ceramic or porcelain tiles in your cold home, as they can easily crack and break. They’re also not good conductors of heat, so that they won’t help with insulation. On the other hand, slate and granite are strong, durable, and great insulators. The only downside is that they can be expensive to install.
How Does Extreme Heat Effect Vinyl Flooring?
While vinyl flooring is durable to some extent, it can be completely ruined when exposed to extreme heat. With this, it is a must that you choose high-quality vinyl tiles for your property. For this reason, you should avoid using vinyl flooring in your kitchen, like a hot pan, or the heat from your stove or refrigerator can cause your beautiful floors to melt and discolor. Fortunately, you can replace individual planks of vinyl pretty quickly, so it’s not the end all be all. However, if you have vinyl flooring, you should make sure you’re careful when using high heat items.
Is Vinyl Flooring the Right Choice for My Home?
If you live in a cold climate home and you’re looking to spice up your flooring options, vinyl might be the way to do it. It’s cheaper than most flooring options, and there are so many different patterns and designs to choose from.
You can easily install it yourself and remove it when you want to switch it up. If you damage it with high heat, you can easily replace the damaged section.
Vinyl is an excellent option for your home, especially if you live in a more relaxed area.