Whether you are choosing design materials for your mountain cabin, a beach house along the coast, or anarid desert oasis, it is highly recommended to research what type of interior home supplies can withstand such climates.
When your space resides in a non-temperature regulated area homeowners must understand what flooring is vulnerable to that climate. Colder climates that hit freezing temperatures are very different from humid warmer climates.
The various climates will be outlined along with recommendations for the best flooring for non-temperature-controlled areas will be discussed in this article.
Best Flooring for Cold climate environments
When it’s below freezing outside, getting out of bed is sometimes a challenge. When you think about winter mornings in bed and are ready to put your bare feet on the floor, the last thing you want is to be startled by a cold and chilling wake-up. The goal is to put down flooring that can withhold insulation especially when your home or cabin doesn’t have heat.
1. Carpet
One of the most popular flooring in cold areas is carpet. This plush flooring can make any space feel warmer. Carpet is the warmest flooring for cold temperature Of course, the type of carpet you select can make all the difference. Know that the thicker the carpet pile, the more heat your room will hold. Note that a carpet with a heavier texture and fiber will keep your feet warm. Also, the darker colored carpets (for example greys, browns, blues) absorb heat. Scientifically, colors closest to black absorb more light energy. Carpet is an excellent option for insulation preventing the cold from coming through the house.
2. Vinyl
Think linoleum and cork. A reliable choice for cold temperatures, this synthetic flooring doesn’t contract or expand in extreme temperatures. Again, like carpet, vinyl doesn’t allow for cold temperatures to seep through the area. Constructed of several layers of compressed materials, vinyl warms up giving your room a cozier and warm environment. Many vinyl flooring manufactures offer extra layers applications or insulated foams or corks under the vinyl flooring to create more warmth. Vinyl is also waterproof, non-slip, scratch-resistant, and a cost-effective floor option. Plus, vinyl is very easy to keep clean. Many flooring companies offer the option to
3. Laminate
Similar to vinyl, laminate flooring will keep the heat in and the cold out. Laminate is a high-density fiberboard (HDF) flooring made from wood fibers and pulped wood waste. For maximum insulations, opt for a thicker laminate product. Combat extra cold days with a floor heater, and your laminate flooring will retain the heat. You’ll be able to walk around without socks. This flooring is manufactured to resemble natural wood if that is your interior design style.
4. Radiant Heat Flooring
There are many advantages to installing radiant heat flooring.Radiant floor heat is available in three different types: air, electric, and hot water or hydronic. Underfloor heating is probably the easiest way to keep your room warm throughout the colder months, but also the most expensive. This type of flooring can be utilized with engineered hardwood, unlike sold hardwood, due to engineered being an insulator. Tile floors, which are known to be cold to the touch, are wonderful to use with a radiant heating system. Easier to clean without retaining any moisture from snow or ice (unlike carpet), tile flooring paired with heat underflooring will give your room both personal style and warmer space.
Best Flooring for Humid Regions
The waves outside your living room window may look and sound beautiful, but with the rising Fahrenheit temperature, if you don’t have the proper flooring your home can experience mold growth and other problems you can easily avoid.
1. Tile
Known for its durability, tile is considered one of the best floors for humid and warmer regions. Tiles do not hold heat very well. It doesn’t contract and it will never warp when outdoor temperatures rise. It’s a very practical material for these environments. You can access tile in porcelain and ceramic pieces. Both materials are water-resistant. Glazed ceramic tiles offer a bit more durability because the extra glaze layer is more protective while shielding water and heat from penetrating the floor. Like ceramic, porcelain tile is made from clay. It’s a great material for the beach, tropics, and gulf regions. Regardless of which tile material you select, one key thing to do is to seal the grout to endure protection from any moisture.
2. Wood
This material option may surprise you. Solid hardwood is known to warp and contract in fluctuating temperatures. There are several breeds of wood that are more resistant to water and humidity. These include Hickory, American Beech, and Western Australian Mahogany or Jarrah. If the wood you are using derives from a felled tree that has been exposed to air for a considerable amount of time, the wood loses moisture. While your choices may be more narrow, if you are set on wood, it is very doable.
3. Vinyl
An exemplary material for most climates, vinyl in humid warmer weather stands up to the conditions. It resists both heat and humidity. Vinyl options are diverse and are accessible in many different finishes. If hardwood doesn’t work for you, vinyl that is a lookalike to solid hardwood is such a great option. First of all, it’s waterproof. This material will not expand or contract in fluctuating temperatures, and it’s constructed with glue that is made to keep moisture out.
Best Flooring for Arid climates
When a region is dry, the area is mostly devoid of water and natural vegetation. The lack of rain and humidity makes a home or space (exterior and interior) prone to dry conditions. if you live in the desert, it is imperative to select flooring that keeps your area cool or warm depending on where you are.
1. Vinyl
Another material that homeowners can rely on is vinyl flooring in dry environments. This truly can work effectively in any climate. It is a very easy material to maintain and cleanand will accommodate any room temperature.
2. Tile
Considering that tile is a viable surface in any home situated in a dry climate, you won’t be sorry if you choose it. The fact that tile keeps cool is a great choice in a hot desert area because the material can maintain the cool temperature for a long time. Prevent any tile issues ahead of time by sealing the grout. This will prevent unnecessary cracking.
3. Engineered Hardwood
Even with the smallest percentage of humidity, engineered hardwood flooring has a long-term lasting quality. You don’t need to worry much about the dry climate as it can hold off any air penetration. It’s created with several top layers made of veneered wood glued atop and below the middle layer of solid wood. This choice gives you durability, a strong surface, and design.
4. Hardwood
When the area or space resides in a dry region with 32% humidity inside solid hardwood is a great investment. One of the smartest things you can do is to choose natural wood locally. This wood is likely already to be acclimated to the area and will succeed in your home. The wood likely will not shrink or warp giving you a floor to rely on.
Wherever you live, you want to be comfortable. Homes or rooms that are not temperature controlled need the right interior materials to keep a space warm in cold climates and cool in hotter ones. Residents need to think about the quality and purpose of flooring for sustainability. Cold and wet regions require flooring to resist moisture and also radiate heat, humid environments need supplies that will not create mold or bacteria growth, and desert conditions demand flooring that is prone to cracking and disintegration.