Being energy-efficient has become one of the major considerations when designing homes, and floors have a significant role in maintaining room temperature and keeping the heat inside. Regardless of the time of year, a home needs to be comfortable and cozy for the entire family. Optimal temperature greatly contributes to that comfort and cold floors can seriously ruin it. Proper insulation of your home, from the basement to the attic, is a big factor in keeping the cold out and heat in, but it can turn out to be quite expensive. However, even little and cost-effective changes and additions can make an enormous difference.
One of such quick solutions to improve your floor insulation is adding area rugs and here are the things to consider when choosing the best ones.
Rugs as insulation
Laying carpets and using area rugs can help add insulation to your floors and prevent heat loss. They act as a barrier between the cold floor and your feet, but they also give the room a cozy feeling, warmth, and elegance. One of the properties that really matters here is the thickness of the rug as thin rugs can’t provide strong insulation. The best choice is to choose thicker and richer types that can block the cold from coming through.
Stitch count
One factor that influences the density and warmth of a rug is the stitch count. It refers to the quantity of thread or loops in the rug. The higher the stitch count, the thicker and denser the rug and therefore, the better the insulation. A thick rug with low stitch count can be a poor insulator in comparison to the one with the highest thread count that will surely provide more warmth with its dense fibers.
Size
In terms of size, most people would say “the bigger, the better”. For maximum warmth, it is recommended to have your area rug cover almost the entire floor. You can do it either with a single, large rug or by combining several matching or coordinated rugs.
Design-wise, there are some things to bear in mind. A rug that is too small can look out of proportion and chop up space. Most designers advise being careful with positioning it and making sure that the furniture’s front legs are on the rug, while the back legs are off. This way, you create a unified zone without chopping off that part of the room. Also, your feet will always land on a warm rug when you get off the sofa.
If you’re aiming to create an illusion of a bigger space, have the rug go all the way under the furniture and only leave a narrow line of hardwood floors visible along the wall.
Material
The choice of rug material is another significant element that influences its capacity to provide protection against the cold. One of the top insulators that are also very soft and durable is wool. However, it can be quite expensive and a challenge to maintain since it requires special cleaning methods. Luckily, there are other, cheaper options such as cotton, acrylic, and nylon. They are also good insulators but not as sturdy and durable as wool.
One of the biggest components of comfort beside the material is the softness of the rug, which gives the carpet its flexibility and the power to absorb the impact of your steps. Therefore, it’s not just an excellent insulator against the cold, but it also muffles the noise. Check out DecoRug’s range of shaggy rugs in various colors, from simple and soft to vibrant and strong, that will surely transform any room. Their thickness and rich texture will give you the ultimate feeling of warmth and comfort.
With such a wide variety of rugs today, there’s something for every style, taste, and budget. Upgrading your insulation does not only have a positive effect on the value of your home and your utility bills, but it also creates a home with a high level of comfort and design.
Author: Lillian Connor
