Warm winter flooring inspiration

There’s nothing more unwelcoming than going into a chilly bathroom on a cold winter’s morning so, at this time of year, we naturally try our best to make it as warm and cosy as possible. Flooring is a big part of this, as no one likes stepping out onto icy bathroom tiles, so we’ve come up with some great flooring solutions that will ensure that your bathroom is as warm and welcoming as possible this season.

Read on to the end of the blog for our winter warming flooring suggestions, along with top tips for how to make sure your floors keep you cosy throughout the cooler seasons.

Porcelain and ceramic tile flooring

While you might think that tiles are cold and won’t keep you warm in winter, most are, in fact, great at keeping you cool in the warmer months and then retain heat when it gets colder. Add in underfloor heating and you’re guaranteed to have wonderful warm flooring whenever you want.

Porcelain is great in this regard, as it’s thinner than other tile materials and as a result, more easily conducts heat – making porcelain tiles perfect for using with underfloor heating. They ultimately absorb heat better and then radiate it more effectively, so floors feel warmer.

At Tileshack, we have a range of high-quality porcelain tiles available in a fantastic range of designs. So, whether you want large-format tiles, matt, patterned or plain, there’s something to suit all tastes.

A popular choice in our porcelain range is the Olden Pink Glazed Porcelain Floor Tile, a square-shaped tile with a retro-inspired pattern which will add instant visual interest to your bathroom. The pale pink background, paired with the black circular design with white detailing, creates depth and will work well with a variety of different tones.

The Olden Pink Glazed Porcelain Floor Tile will add depth to your room.

Alternatively, if you prefer something a bit bigger, then the Obra Graphite Porcelain Tile is a large-format product with a contemporary concrete-effect and attractive matt finish which will help to open up your room and make it appear more spacious. The grey finish is also very compatible with lots of other tones, so it will complement a range of décor.

The Obra Graphite Porcelain Tile is large-format and will complement a range of décor.

Although most tiling is compatible with underfloor heating, porcelain and ceramic are particularly popular, as these materials are more cost-effective so are suitable for most budgets.

One of our popular ceramic floor tiles is the Alberto Cedarwood Wood-effect Floor Tile, a high-quality tile which will give you the look of real timber but with all the benefits of ceramic. Hard-wearing and with a rustic style, this will both give your room a warm aesthetic as well as being great to use with any underfloor heating.

The Alberto Cedarwood Wood-effect Floor Tile has an authentic timber effect.

Laminate and vinyl flooring

Laminate and vinyl flooring can also be used with underfloor heating – including both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ (electric) systems – although vinyl will require a concrete sub-floor and both vinyl and laminate will also need underlays before fitting underfloor heating. It’s therefore important to check exactly what you need before installing it.

Both laminate and vinyl are flexible materials which are very durable and therefore ideal for high-traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens, although vinyl is better suited to humid bathroom environments. The underlay fitted beneath the floor will subsequently provide an extra insulated layer, which all helps when it comes to keeping it warm underfoot.

The thickness of the laminate and vinyl flooring you choose will also affect how warm the floor feels underfoot, with thicker, cushioned vinyl being more comfortable to the touch and retaining more heat.

The Tomahawk Oak Grey Laminate Flooring is compatible with all types of sub-floors and is anti-static, with an antibacterial coating, while the graphite tone will complement a range of décor. The authentic wood-effect finish again gives you the look of real timber without the price tag of real timber, so you can enjoy a high-end look for less.

The Tomahawk Oak Grey Laminate Flooring is compatible with all sub-floors.

Engineered hardwood floors

Engineered hardwood flooring is also a good insulator and moreso than traditional solid hardwood, as it’s made from several layers of bonded wood. This makes it more robust and well-suited to low humidity environments, as it won’t buckle like solid hardwood.

The Oak-smoked and Brushed Wood-effect Engineered Wood flooring has a rich timber look.

Top tips for warmer floors:

• Use underlay and insulation: Whether you opt for vinyl flooring, laminate or engineered hardwood, always remember to install a good quality underlay and ensure that you have sufficient insulation. Your flooring choice might be good, but it’s only as good as the insulation around it, so if you have a cold concrete sub-floor and no underlay, then you’ll lose heat from your floor instead of retaining it.
• Install underfloor heating: As well as choosing high-quality materials for your flooring, installing underfloor heating beneath your tiles, vinyl or otherwise will ensure that your floors are always cosy when you need them to be. Meanwhile, the type of flooring and insulation you have will enhance this so you can get the most from your floors.
• Add rugs: Any floor can be made instantly warmer and more inviting by placing a few thick rugs on top. Rugs also add texture, depth and visual interest to interiors and will once again enhance what you’ve already invested in with your flooring, making your room as cosy as it can be.

Whether you opt for porcelain tiles, vinyl, laminate or engineered wood, there are lots of ways to make your floors cosier this winter, with underfloor heating adding that extra guarantee of warmth. With a diverse selection of flooring available at Tileshack, we’re sure to have something to suit your style this winter.

If you’d like some advice on choosing flooring for your home, just drop into one of our showrooms and chat to our team. Alternatively, email us at info@bathshack.com, call (028) 9077 0188, or use our online chat.