The best flooring to keep you cool in summer

It might sound like a nice problem to have for some in the UK, but living in a home that is simply too hot during the summer months can be highly unpleasant. There are many reasons why some homes are very warm; for example, they could get a huge amount of sun due to their aspect and location or they could be very well insulated, such as in a block of flats with heat-generating neighbours on both sides and above and below. If your home always seems to feel too hot in the summer and remains a nice warm temperature even during the colder times of the year, you might want to think about ways in which you can make your rooms more comfortable on hot, sunny days.

Changing your flooring is a great way to help regulate the temperature in your home, such as by replacing thick, heavy carpets with cooler options. Of course, if your home – or certain rooms within it – is only too hot on a few days of the year, you probably don’t have a problem; however, if certain rooms are unpleasantly warm for much of the year, it might be worth considering your options.

Replace carpets

If one or more of the rooms in your home is hit by the sun all day, even in winter, you might choose to replace your carpet with alternative flooring. Carpet is generally the warmest option, so anything should make at least some difference. Stone or tile flooring is the coolest, which is why you find this type of flooring in so many hot countries, such as those in the Mediterranean region. If you don’t want to lay stone or tiles, wood or laminate is a happy medium. Both wood and laminate are much cooler than carpet and won’t trap dust and pollen, which can add to the oppressive feeling in an already warm and stuffy room. They won’t get too cold in the winter either, so they are perfect for a room that is unbearably hot in the summer but not overly warm in the winter.

Vinyl flooring is another good option if you don’t want to go to the effort and expense of stone or tile but don’t like the appearance of wood or laminate. Vinyl is tough, easy to clean and available in such a huge range of styles and colours that there is something for every taste. It is cooler underfoot than carpet in the summer; what’s more, like wood and laminate, it is not too cold in the winter.