A good thermal coating at home will ensure a cozier home in all seasons. That’s because thermal insulation keeps the environment warmer in winter and cooler in summer. If you are going to build your house from scratch, you can think of a wide range of alternatives that can influence the thermal insulation of the house, such as the terrain and its location in relation to the sun. Those who are going to buy a property in a cooler location should look for those who already come with some type of coating or look for a viable option that does not require many renovations.
The floor covering is relatively easy to change, as technological advances have brought different alternatives to avoid breakage. In today’s post, we’ll show you what to look for when choosing the most suitable floors and coverings for cold environments.
WHAT FEATURES TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING THE COATING?
When it comes to thermal insulation, we are talking about pure physics! Each material has a coefficient of thermal conductivity, which concerns how fast it heats up or cools down, that is, its ability to conduct thermal energy. The faster it changes temperature, the higher its coefficient, and the slower it is, the lower the coefficient. When looking for the best coating for thermal insulation, look for materials that have natural properties related to their low coefficient of thermal conductivity.
IDEAL COATINGS
WOOD
Wood cladding is most recommended for cold environments. It brings an air of elegance to the house and can be found in different styles: rustic, treated, with matte varnish, glossy, ruler-shaped, parquet, mosaic (parquet)… Its cleaning and maintenance is easy, requiring no more than a simple broom. However, the chemicals used to preserve the quality of the material must be exclusive to wood.
The wooden floor, however, is not so easy to apply. The ideal is that you build your house with a wooden floor of your choice, as there are several types that can suit your needs. In the case of a finished building, it is necessary to break the lower floor to overlap the wooden one. This and other details must be taken into account when deciding to buy a ready-made house or land to build.
BAMBOO
Bamboo is a similar alternative for those looking for a wooden floor, but with a more rustic feel. It has all the characteristics of a thermal insulator and still ends up being modern and different, with an ecological footprint. Furthermore, it is a great acoustic insulator and resistant to moisture. Like wood, it requires the subfloor to be removed so that it can be installed in the most adequate way possible.
LAMINATES
By compare hardwood and laminate floors Laminates look very similar to wooden floors, are resistant and practical. It’s a nice option when considering the cost-benefit! Varies in colors, textures, and can be purchased with or without crease.
As mentioned before, this type of floor is very practical in its application, and can be applied on top of another floor without the need to break it. Using the click system, it can be applied in up to one day on leveled subfloors, without moisture or imperfections, whether ceramic, vinyl, wood or cement.
VINYL
Like laminates, vinyl is a very easy-to-apply and cost-effective alternative. This type of floor appeared on the market initially in an adhesive version, using special glues for its application, and today it can also be found in a model with a click system. It looks like a kind of “floor wallpaper”. The only disadvantage of this type of floor is the need for an existing subfloor that is well leveled and undulating, as the vinyl has a thinner thickness, making any imperfections visible.
It is possible to find several versions of this floor, some of which are very realistic in terms of wood and with reasonable prices. The finish is durable, resistant to moisture and fungus. There are even special models for kitchens and bathrooms.
THERMAL FLOOR
Extreme situations need extreme solutions! In cases of very cold environments, an interesting alternative is the thermal floor. It is especially recommended for wet areas such as bathrooms, washrooms and kitchens.
When opting for this type of floor, the original floor is removed, heating cables are installed that generate heat and transmit it to the floor covering, which is produced in special material in order to ensure adequate heating. The heat production inside the heating cables can be of several types, being the most common with hot running water or electric energy. Temperature is controlled by a thermostat.