Warmth and Comfort: A Guide to the Warmest Flooring Materials for Quebec Winters

Discover the warmest flooring materials to transform your home into a welcoming cocoon. Be surprised by flooring options that promise warmth and well-being with every step, turning your space into a haven against the biting cold of winter.

What type of flooring is the warmest in winter?

To give you a complete overview of the best flooring options for Quebec winters, here's a non-exhaustive list of different materials, each with its specific advantages:

Luxury vinyl and linoleum flooring (planks and tiles)

These coverings are made from several layers of synthetic materials. Luxury vinyl often consists of a PVC layer for durability, a printed layer for aesthetics, and a transparent protective layer.

Linoleum is made from natural materials such as linseed oil, resin, wood flour, and cork, applied to a jute backing.

Thanks to their multi-layer composition, these coverings offer excellent insulation. Luxury vinyl, for example, retains heat with its PVC layer and possible underlay, making the floor warmer to the touch.

• Insulation and comfort: Provides good insulation with a quality underlay. Some collections already have a pre-attached underlay for additional insulation.
• Durability and ease of cleaning: Resists stains and does not fade easily.
• Versatility: As beautiful as wood, but warmer and easier to clean. Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Many water-resistant options are available.

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is made from composite materials like aggregated wood fibers or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), topped with a photographic layer imitating various wood textures, and covered with a transparent protective layer.

Although laminate flooring can look like wood, it's important to note that it is not real wood.

The composition of laminate confers better heat retention. Adding a cushioned pad under the laminate enhances this feature, providing a warmer floor.

• Insulation and durability: An excellent option for climates with strong temperature variations. Some laminates come with an attached pad for added warmth.
• Ease of installation and affordability: Easy to install, ideal for tight budgets.
• Style versatility: Available in a multitude of textures, thicknesses, and colours.

For more information, refer to our guide on how to keep laminate floors warm in winter.

Engineered wood flooring

Its construction involves a top layer of real wood, glued to a substrate of plywood or high-density fibers. This construction offers superior thermal insulation and maintains warmth longer than traditional solid wood floors.

It’s the perfect blend between hardwood and laminate flooring. On one hand, it offers the authentic look and elegance of traditional hardwood. On the other hand, its plywood or high-density fiber base provides stability and resistance to humidity variations.

• Stability and warmth: More stable than solid wood in high or low humidity environments. Retains heat well.
• Variety of styles: Wide range of colours and styles available.
• Insulation: Efficiency depends on the quality of the underlying insulation.

Consult our article on the differences between hardwood, engineered, and floating floors to learn more about their specifics.

Rugs

Rugs are made from various materials, ranging from natural fibers like wool to synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. Wool is often considered the warmest material for carpets, providing exceptional insulation and softness.

However, a rug doesn't need to be made from wool to be warm. Other material combinations, like nylon mixed with other synthetic fibers, can also offer excellent warmth under your feet.

• Warmth and comfort: Probably the warmest type of floor covering.
• Range of qualities: From basic and thin to thick and luxurious, depending on the budget.
• Additional insulation: Can be enhanced with an underpad or padding.

Check out our article on choosing the perfect winter rug for your home for more information on this.

Cork flooring

Cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark is harvested without damaging the tree, ground up, and then formed into panels or tiles using resin or other binders.

Cork is a material that traps air, offering excellent thermal insulation as it reduces the transmission of cold and retains heat in the room.

• Durability and comfort: Moisture resistant, comfortable underfoot.
• Eco-friendly: An environmentally friendly solution, available in rolls and tiles.

Note on heated floors

For those considering the installation of heated floors, we invite you to read our dedicated article on this topic, where we explore the best flooring options compatible with this heating system.

Vinyl or ceramic: which is warmer?

In winter, vinyl is generally warmer to the touch than ceramic, offering additional comfort, especially for walking barefoot. However, ceramic can become as warm as vinyl when equipped with an underfloor heating system.

How to make cold floors warmer?

If you already have a flooring material you love but find it cold in winter, there are several solutions to increase its warmth.

Add rugs

One of the easiest ways to warm up your floors! Opt for larger sizes for better insulation. Wool rugs, for example, provide excellent insulation compared to thinner materials like cotton. Also, consider a thermal underpad for increased comfort.

Draft proofing

Sealing leaks and cracks to retain heat is an excellent way to warm your floors, a point especially important considering that, as Hydro-Québec points out, heating accounts for 50% of the energy consumption of Quebec households.

This practice has a dual benefit: not only does it result in warmer floors, but it also contributes to energy savings.

To detect air leaks, use a candle or an incense stick: light it and slowly move it around floor moldings and wider gaps between wooden slats. If the flame flickers or the smoke moves unusually, this indicates the presence of a draft and thus a potential leak.

Once these leaks are identified, seal them with caulking or weatherstripping. Don't forget the importance of insulating the ceiling, as heat naturally tends to rise.

Appropriate underlay

For new projects or major renovations, consider adding an insulating underlay to increase warmth. This option is particularly relevant when replacing old flooring.

Joist insulation

Insulating the joists is crucial in homes with a crawl space or an unheated basement. By insulating these spaces, you prevent heat from escaping from the bottom of your house, a common phenomenon in older constructions or those without adequate insulation.

By using fiberglass or other insulating materials between the joists, you can significantly reduce heat loss, making the floors above warmer.

This is especially effective in rooms above these unheated spaces, where the floors can often be cold and uncomfortable.

Towards a warmer, more comfortable winter

In conclusion, Quebec winters don't have to mean discomfort.

Every little improvement to your floors can significantly transform the warmth and well-being of your interior.

So, don't wait to give your home the touch of warmth it deserves this winter!

For more personalized advice or to explore our range of flooring solutions, feel free to contact us or visit our website.