Have you ever wondered why tile feels colder than carpet? You might be thinking of replacing your carpet with floor tiles but are wondering if the change in flooring will make the room colder. In this article, we will discuss the reason why tile feels colder. Tiles are one of the most popular types of flooring and there are many designs and colors to choose from. Check out the article below to learn more about this topic.
Why does tile feel colder than the carpet? Tile feels colder as compared to carpets because it is a good conductor of heat. It moves heat rapidly away from the skin that is warmer than the air temperature. Tiles are also excellent thermal conductors. They transfer the cold temperature from the surface on which they are glued to your foot much faster than you can transfer warm temperature from your foot to the tile.
Do tiles make the room colder? What are the advantages of having tile for your floors? How can you make your tile floor leas cold? These are some of the things that we will discuss in this article. We will also talk about the advantages and disadvantages of having tile floors. Read the rest of the article for more tips and information.
Why does a Carpeted Floor Feel Warmer to Bare Feet than Tile or Wood?
A carpeted floor feels warmer to bare feet as compared to tile or wood is because it is mostly air and the air is a poor conductor of heat. On the other hand, wood is sold which makes it a good conductor. Tile and metal make even better conductors as compared to wood. When you step on a carpet, it is not able to remove heat from your feet as easily as wood or tile, and as a result, it feels warmer. Tile or wood can be able to remove heat from your foot and also feels colder.
Does Carpet Affect Room Temperature?
Carpets have the ability to hold heat and make the room feel warmer. This is because of the thickness of the carpet pile and the complex surface area in carpets that have thicker material. Having said that, carpets that have light colors absorb less heat and thinner carpets stay cooler as compared to the thick ones.
Do Tiles Make a Room Colder?
Floor tiles can make the room feel colder. The reason for this is that it repels heat. Other types of flooring like carpets retain heat. However, tiles do the opposite which makes the room feel colder to your feet. Take note that the feeling of coolness in your feet when you step on a tile is not the tile being cold and making your feet feel cold. Rather, heat is being pulled away from your feet because tile is a good conductor.
Advantages of Having Floor Tiles
There are many advantages of floor tiles which include durability, price, comfort, and maintenance. Even if the carpet is not damaged, a lot of people are switching to floor tiles. If you are thinking about changing your flooring, you need to do some research first about tiles. Below are the advantages that you can get from having floor tiles.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
One of the advantages of having tile flooring is that it is easy to clean and maintain. Tiles are difficult to stain and if you accidentally spill liquid, it will not absorb into the tiles. This means that you can easily wipe or mop the spill in just a few minutes and you are done. In case there is a small stain left, there are tile cleaners that you can use which effectively removes stains without damaging the tiles.
Durable
Another advantage of tile is its durability. Tiles are made from tough and hard materials that are hard to damage. In case it gets damaged, you can replace the tiles or tile that needs replacing without having to redo the entire flooring. Tiled floors can last for a long time when properly installed and maintained.
Affordable
The tile is also affordable. You can choose from a wide array of designs, shapes, colors, and styles that are available. The price range is generally from five to ten dollars per foot. You can always compare different products to find the one that suits your preferences and budget. You can also check out this article titled, should I tile under my shower base? We have discusses the pros and cons of tiling below the shower base.
Disadvantages of Having Floor Tiles
The disadvantage of having floor tiles is that they are heavy, cold, hard, and slippery. This can be a challenge especially if you live in a cold area. Let us take a closer look at these disadvantages below.
Heavy
One of the disadvantages of having floor tiles is that they are heavy. Tile weighs more as compared to other materials and you may not be able to use it upstairs. You need to consider if the structure of the upper stories of your home is strong enough to support the weight of tiles.
Slippery and Hard
Another disadvantage of tile floors is that they are hard and slippery. They can be uncomfortable standing on for too long. Moreover, the hardness of the tiles also makes the floor slippery. Any liquid that is spilled into the floor will not be absorbed by the tile so you need to careful when dealing with wet tiles.
Cold
Because tiles are a good heat conductor, they feel cold. This can be an issue if you live in a cold area, especially during the winter season. The tile floors also make the room feels colder. However, this can easily be remedied by using a radiant below-surface heating system.
How do I Make My Tile Warmer?
To make your tile warmer, you can install underfloor heating. This provides a pleasant heat with no cold spots. Under-floor heating also distributes heat evenly and gently arms a room without wasting any energy.
✅ Video – Warm Tiles – How to Install
Menards shared the video below on YouTube. It demonstrates how to install a warm tiles system to make your tiles less cold during the winter season. You can check out the video below for the step-by-step process.
How Can I Make My Tile Floor Less Cold?
A radiant floor heating system will easily warm up the tiles and transfer the heat from your heating system to your feet. If you live in a warm area, then there is no need for a heater. On the other hand, radiant floor heating under your tiles will provide a comfortable temperature during the winter season.
Is Tile Colder than Wood?
Tile is colder than wood because it is a good conductor of heat. This makes tile floors colder as compared to wooden floors. Bear in mind that all materials can be able to conduct heat to different extents. Some are good heat conductors while some are bad heat conductors.
Carpet Vs Tile Flooring
Tile has many benefits as compared to carpets which makes them a popular choice for homeowners. However, the best flooring for your home will have to depend on your preferences, budget, and lifestyle. If you value comfort and do not mind extra vacuuming, then a carpet is perfect for you. On the other hand, if you want a durable floor that can also handle moisture and traffic, tile flooring is your best option. Below are the difference between tiles and carpets.
Tile is Affordable
The price of certain tiles can be comparable to carpets in material price depending on the type of tiles that you choose. While some tiles are more expensive, they are durable and can last for a long time. Also, tiles are more complicated to install and may need professional installation but they can last for 50 years or more with proper maintenance. Tiles are cost-effective and are worth the money that you pay.
Tile is Durable
As compared to carpets that can easily wear and tear, tiles are durable. Tiles can withstand foot traffic without the danger of tearing or being worn down. They are also easy to repair and replace. Tiles will not easily get damaged when exposed to water flooding, and will not stain. Stone tiles are ideal for areas exposed to heavy foot traffic.
Easier to Clean
The problem with carpets is that the dirt and grime can sink deep within them. They can also easily stain and discolor. If you have pets at home, small accidents on your carpet can result in permanent staining and smells. Carpets need to be vacuumed, deep-cleaned, and shampooed regularly to maintain their appearance. On the other hand, tiles are water-resistant and will not soak up smells which makes them ideal for households with pets. You can easily sweep tiles with a broom and mop to remove dirt and grime.
Tile is Water Resistant
All types of tiles are water-resistant, while some are designed to be waterproof. If you need extra protection from water and liquid spills, you can have your tiles sealed to keep moisture out. Because they are water-resistant, tiles make an ideal flooring for kitchens, bathrooms, and around the pool area. We have also written this article titled, why are shower bases so expensive? Check out the article for different factors that affect the price of shower bases.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses why tile feels colder than carpet. We have found out that tiles are a good heat conductor and can make the room feels colder. If you are thinking about switching your carpets with tiles but is worried about the room temperature during the winter season, you can install an under-floor heating system to remedy this issue. You can choose from a wide array of tiles that are available on the market. Thank you for reading!