Johanna Constantinou, Interior Trends Expert at Tapi said your choice of flooring could help keep energy bills down long-term, as up to 20% of heat loss in the home occurs through the floor.
A warning has been issued to UK households with laminate flooring ahead of the autumn season growing colder. Johanna Constantinou, Interior Trends Expert at Tapi said your choice of flooring could help keep energy bills down long-term, as up to 20% of heat loss in the home occurs through the floor.
Jo said: “The best type of flooring to reduce energy costs is carpet, as carpet fibres trap cold air, reducing draught and acting as a natural insulator. The denser the pile of your carpet, the greater the thermal insulation, leading to reduced heating bills.
“Wool carpet is the most effective thermal insulator because wool fibres not only retain their pile height for longer, which is a key factor in retaining insulation, but also feels much warmer and comfier underfoot than other flooring types, perfect for bedrooms and high-traffic.
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“A study found that the temperature of rooms with textile floor coverings is approximately 1-2 degrees higher than an equivalent room with hard floor coverings, and a house with wool carpet can bring about estimated savings in heating bills of between 8-13%.
“So, carpet, and especially wool carpet, is worth considering for long-term financial savings.
“R-ratings measure the insulation that a carpet has, so the higher the rating, the higher the insulation level.
“In fact, in a recent study, carpet was found to have an R-rating of 0.18, whereas plywood has a rating of 0.08, and concrete 0.07. At Tapi, we use a ‘TOG Rating’ where 1 TOG = 0.1 R-value.”
“Always look out for TOG combinations of carpet and a good-quality underlay. Combining these TOG ratings can lead to naturally insulating flooring and can help reduce heat loss by up to 20%,” says Jo.
“For the rooms that you’re unable to carpet, you can add an underlay to help keep heat in.
“Vinyl floors don’t need an underlay as they already have a base layer, so are often the best choice for your bathrooms or kitchens.”
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