World Construction Symposium

Cold Floors? 3 Ways To Keep Your Toes Warm And Toasty Without Installing Heated Floors

23 September 2015 by Wallace Simmons

Heated floors are all the rage, and they're a great option if you're getting ready to remodel your home and have a little extra in your budget. However, they're not feasible for everyone. This is especially true if you don't have plans to rip up your flooring anytime soon or lack the funds for the extra materials and labor involved with installing heated floors. Fortunately, you don't have to install heated floors to make your floors feel warmer and more comfortable. Following are three ways to keep your toes warm and toasty.

Insulate Your Crawl Space

One of the most common culprits of cold floors is a crawl space or basement that isn't insulated properly. To see if yours is insulated well, inspect your crawl space and make sure it has a vapor barrier on the floor and spray foam on the foundation walls. Another effective way of insulating a vented crawl space is to place foam insulation directly underneath the floorboards. If you see any of these insulation techniques used in your crawl space, you're probably okay insulation wise. However, it's still a good idea to have your space inspected. If you don't see insulation or if you only see fiberglass insulation that appears moldy, wet or torn, you need to have your home evaluated. Contact a local provider, such as B & B Cowie Insulation Ltd, for further assistance.

Install Weather Stripping

Cold air drafts caused by gaps found around doors and windows can make your floor feel frigid in the winter. If you notice that the temperature of your floors change as you move throughout the house, you may have a draft issue. Be sure to winterize all common spots of infiltration, including windows, doors, and access points for plumbing, wiring, etc. If you're not sure where the cold air is coming from, you may want to think about having your home evaluated for energy efficiency. 

Use an Area Rug

Some floors, such as concrete and marble floors, are always going to feel cool. If you want warmth underfoot, you might want to think about placing area rugs in strategic places. Places that you might want to consider include all high-traffic thruways and sitting areas. 

There are several ways you can warm up your floors without installing a heated floor system. A few area rugs and proper insulation can go a long way in keeping your footsies warm this winter. What's more, you may even save some money on your energy bills, which may help you afford heated floors in the future.  

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