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Energy Efficient Flooring

Lowering Energy Costs

Find It Fast

Energy efficient flooring translates to lowering costs. Moreover, having proper floor plans and insulation are great strategies that will help you save money.

In other words, taking a frugal approach with your flooring will minimize your heat loss. This translates into significant utility cost savings for you.

Efficient Floor Plans - Some More Efficient Than Others

You'd be surprised at how much heat can be lost through an un-insulated or poorly insulated floor. Depending on how bad your insulation is, you can lose between 20% to 30% of your homes heating.

For the most part, an efficient floor is only as good as its insulation. You'll want to take a look at this:

Wood Floors
Wood floors allow more heat to escape than vinyl or carpeted floors. I can tell you from experience that they're also more prone to having gaps and holes that lead to further loss of heat.
If you really like wooden floors, as many people do, than you can place fiberglass or mineral wool insulation under the floorboards as a solution.

energy efficient flooring

Carpeted Flooring
Carpets are a great flooring option that act as excellent heat insulaters. You'll find that having an insulating underlay and carpet padding will go a long way to add an additional layer of energy loss protection.

energy efficient flooring

Tile Floors
You may not want to hear this if you like tiled floors; but they’re terrible heat insulaters. If you've walked on one, you may have noticed that their cooler on the feet.

Vinyl Floors
Vinyl flooring is almost as good as carpet when it comes to energy efficiency; especially if you add a layer of insulation beneath it.

energy efficient flooring

How To Insulate Your Floor

Right off the bat, I'll tell you that the type of insulation you'll need will be determined by the type of flooring you're dealing with. So, you can save yourself a great deal of time by speaking to a flooring specialist.

In fact, speak to at least two specialists asking them the same questions to get a better perspective on what will best insulate your floors.

Generally speaking, most floor insulation should have a vapor barrier. You'll also find that fiberglass insulation is a very popular and effective insulater.

Fiberglass comes in batts that are pre-cut. Also, one factor you'll want to take into account when dealing with fiberglass is its R Value.

An R-value indicates an insulation's resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.

This is important. Make sure you find out what R-value is best for your particular circumstances. For example, insulation that is compressed will not provide its full rated R-value. The climate you live in is another factor.

Again, speaking to flooring specialists in your area will be in your best interests.

Summary - Energy Efficient Flooring

I'm happy to have shared these energy efficient flooring strategies with you. Without a doubt, this information will get you on the right path towards saving money and frugal living.

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