Think about energy use when you are choosing brand-new floor covering options in your house. Good quality

windows decrease energy loss, so that a residence can remain cool or warm as needed without being affected too much by outside temperatures. Insulation between walls is an additional vital element. What about floor covering

options? Given that you are going to a great deal of trouble and expense to refurbish your residence, give this

some thought.

The Science

The Carpet Institute of Australia posts data pertaining to the insulation value of carpet in contrast to additional

products. They compared:

* concrete* plywood* carpet* fiberglass

Fiberglass came out on top, of course. Construction professionals routinely place this between walls and in the

attics of houses to help them decrease energy costs. The surprising thing, though, is that carpet was nearly two thirds as effective as fiberglass. Concrete and plywood

were only approximately one third as effective.

The reason carpet is so effective is that it has numerous fibers over its entire surface. These trap air, adding to a warmer feel on a cool day, or a cooler feel on a hot day.

Should you Make the Change?

There are some conditions if you think switching over to carpet will guarantee you better insulation. These include:

* how much carpet you put down

* using underlay

* additional measures in the residence

For example, if you do not have high quality windows installed, and your door is drafty with a gap at the top and

bottom, a carpet is going to do very little good for you. Also, you have to put down an underlay. This adds a layer

of padding, however also one more layer of insulation.

Carpeting from wall to wall is far more effective than merely carpeting a patch in one corner and covering the rest of an area in plywood or tile. To get the best out of your carpet insulation, make sure it covers every inch of

floor within a room (Carpet Institute).

Carpet thickness matters too. The thicker your carpet is, the more air it traps in its fibers. Every additional

millimeter of thickness is an additional layer of protection against the temperature you are trying to fight against, hot

or cold.

A Matter of Foot Feel

Finally, no matter what science says, you know what your feet say. They land on a cold wood floor on a chilly

morning and revolt. When they snuggle into shag pile, they leap into the day with joy. Your personal tastes are

additionally crucial when you are considering a residence renovation. If you only want to insulate specific rooms

with carpet, choose those which are the most exposed to changes in temperature. Those are usually the larger ones,

such as the living room or a play room.

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