With rising fuel prices, energy saving has never been more important. And according to the National Energy Foundation, uninsulated floors can cause the average home in this country to lose 10% of its heat.

If you want to increase the energy efficiency of your home or business, take a look at your current flooring to see if you can make cost saving improvements.

How good is your underlay?

Underlay is not just for carpets. It can also be used below laminate and wood flooring. A good quality underlay reduces heat loss and adds soft cushioning for comfort underfoot. Underlay can also increase the lifespan of your carpet or laminate floor by up to 50 per cent.

The thickness of your underlay will depend on the surface you’re laying it on. Concrete floors can be much colder than wood, and a thicker or more dense underlay is recommended to increase thermal efficiency.

Carpet is highly energy efficient

A good quality carpet with underlay offers a high level of insulation. Carpet fibres act as natural insulators with low heat conduction values, while a thick pile with its multitude of tiny fibres will trap air to give even further insulation.

The average carpet has an R-value, which is a measurement of resistance to heat flow through a material. This means it has a considerable advantage over hard floor surfaces when it comes to retaining heat.

Natural wool carpets are highly efficient insulators due to their low thermal conductivity and high crimp. And because wool is so resilient, it will retain its pile height.

Wood flooring is a natural insulator

Wood flooring is another natural insulator. Hardwood floors absorb heat as well as keeping heat from entering. This is why wood floors stay warm when it’s cold but remain cool in hot temperatures.

However, you can lose heat through any gaps. Making sure the wood is perfectly fitted and by adding a treatment coating, you can increase the energy efficiency of your floor.

Can you put underlay under linoleum or vinyl flooring?

Most linoleum and vinyl flooring doesn’t require an underlay. This is because screed can be used if a concrete floor needs to be evened out, and both lino and vinyl have their own built-in cushioning.

While vinyl and linoleum won’t offer the same natural heat retention as carpet and wood, they still provide high levels of insulation.

They also have other advantages. Both offer affordable flooring solutions that are hardwearing and long-lasting.

Linoleum flooring is made from natural linseed oil, woodflour, cork dust, tree resins, pigments and ground limestone. It’s soft underfoot, fire retardant, water-resistant, and has a sealer that protects it from stains. Popular in domestic and commercial premises, linoleum is a good all-rounder that will give you a lot for your money.

Luxury vinyl flooring has a multi-layered construction that makes it energy efficient as well as exceptionally hardwearing. It’s also warmer underfoot than real stone or wood, giving rooms a cosier feel.

The beauty of luxury vinyl flooring is that you can have the appearance of genuine wood or stone with warmth and comfort underfoot.

Looking for a flooring solution that will save you energy?

FineLine Flooring specialises in supplying and installing flooring solutions for domestic, commercial and public sectors.

Our flooring installers are all CSCS registered and monitored to the highest standards. We meet all health and safety guidelines and are fully covered for commercial and employer’s liability insurance.

For any questions, or to receive a quote, please contact us on 01256 701569 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.