While we often think about style and how our new flooring will look, we don’t always consider how it will feel—especially during the coldest, most frigid months of a typical Northern Ontario winter. Different types of flooring can actually influence how cold you feel at home when the temperatures plunge outside.
The best flooring for winter can handle any snow or ice brought indoors without allowing moisture buildup. In Sudbury homes, materials with waterproof properties that prevent damage from water will help keep your floors intact and be easier to maintain.
We spoke to Larissa Stewart, Owner of House of Broadloom, to get her coziest flooring suggestions for northern dwellers hoping to stave off the chill:
Luxury vinyl plank
Vinyl is a smart option that, unlike ceramic or porcelain, keeps the chill away. In fact, you can have floors that are downright toasty in the winter months if you use a good underlayment or opt to include a radiant underfloor heating system. The compressed layers in luxury vinyl plank prevent warmth from escaping; it also typically has a cushioned backing.
Generally, vinyl flooring tends to stay cool in the warmer months and warm in the colder months, providing ideal comfort year-round. Even on the coldest days of the calendar, the material warms quickly underfoot.
Engineered hardwood
Planks of engineered hardwood are made of layers of wood that have been bonded together. These multiple layers prevent warmth from escaping. They also tend to stay stable despite changes in the weather, so the typical expansion, contraction, and warping you might get with traditional wood floors isn’t a concern.
Engineered hardwood holds heat much better than solid hardwood, and it works especially well with underfloor heating.
Laminate
With laminate flooring, the top layer is made of resin-impregnated paper, while the rest is made of wood chip composite. It doesn’t expand or contract, is highly adaptable, costs much less than wood, and is known to conduct heat efficiently. For extra cushioning, protection, and warmth, you can enhance it with padded underlay; Larissa recommends a high-density material to add extra warmth and sound insulation.
Pair laminate with an underfloor heating system to distribute warmth evenly and experience maximum comfort.
Carpet
Nothing can beat carpet for warmth and coziness; it’s the ideal choice for winter flooring as it holds onto heat naturally, its thick fibres trapping warm air and preventing heat loss. Whether it’s broadloom, carpet tiles, or area rugs, once the temperature drops you’ll be grateful for the extra layer in your home.
For many, no matter how sleek and modern our main floors are, having carpeted bedrooms still appeals—if not a wall-to-wall solution like broadloom, then a big, plush area rug or a scattering of smaller pieces. Carpet is the ideal barrier, keeping the harsh cold away and imparting a feeling of softness underfoot.
Don’t forget hallways or any paths in your home that you tend to walk frequently. If these spaces could use a bit of extra cushioning or warmth, carpet runners are perfect. Your place will look more homey and inviting, and you’ll be grateful for the relief it provides as you move throughout the house.
“The best flooring for winter is one that can withstand the challenging winters we have here in Northern Ontario,” says Larissa. [INSERT QUOTE.]
See which options stand up the best to salt, slush, and boots. Visit House of Broadloom, shop in store at 68 Lorne Street, Sudbury, or call 705-674-4444.
Follow the store on Facebook, Houzz, and Instagram @houseofbroadloom.