What is the best way to insulate the floor of my cold flat?

February 12, 2013 2:47 PM

We live in a first floor flat with an empty space (the entrance to the under-flat car park) below us. Although it's a modern flat with supposedly high insulation, the floor in the lounge seems very cold and draughty and the heating takes ages to warm the place up.

I was thinking of using either Therma-foil and / or some high-tog thermal carpet underlay with our carpet on top.

Does therma-foil work?

Should I use a combination of the two?

Any other advice greatly welcomed.

posted by mairuzu to home & garden (8 answers total)

I don't know about the Therma-ma foil, but my son put down the rubber squares that are like
the flooring under an excercise machine. It's very comfortable, great insulation, inexpensive,
easy to install, interlocking, easy to clean and spill proof.
It comes in different colors (I have gray).
We did this after being flooded from Hurricane Irene. Any one section will be easily replaced.
(and when I drop a glass or something 'breakable', it doesn't break!)
Just something to think about.
posted by donaken at 2:59 PM on February 12 [1 favorite]

There is a product in the US called Rugbuddy that would be good for this application, as it is essentially a kind of floor underlayment heating system intended to go between a rug and the floor. You don't have to tear up your floors, but you can add radiant heating to a cold floor.

However, I'm going to assume from "flat" and "car park" that you are not in the US.

Speedheat seems to make similar heated mats that are available in the UK. I think they are available in Australia as well. I can't speak for the brand, but the concept is the same.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:04 PM on February 12 [2 favorites]

Reflective insulation like thermo foil needs a dead air space to obtain the R-Values advertised. Without a dead air space the effect is minimal. The 2.5mm foam will have an effect but it'll be minimal on actual heat loss. However it'll make the floor feel warmer because the surface temperature will be higher.

If the space under the floor is open joists then attaching a radiant barrier to the bottom of the joist will make a big difference.
posted by Mitheral at 3:25 PM on February 12 [2 favorites]

We put in a cork floor and it's amazingly soft and warm. Deadens sound and insulates quite well. Look around, they have some darker modern looking styles as well, not just all the ugly ones that look like you laid a cork board on your floor. We love ours.
posted by no bueno at 3:29 PM on February 12

And actually it doesn't necessarily add that much insulation value but it feels very warm on your feet which is what it sounds like you're looking for.
posted by no bueno at 3:33 PM on February 12

Don't insulate the floor, insulate your feet.
posted by Wild_Eep at 4:04 PM on February 12

My partner wholeheartedly endorses having multiple electric heat pads located in strategic areas.

Like these:
http://www.tesco-shopping.com/Cozytoes.htm

There's one in the kitchen, bathroom, in front of the computer, and in front of the couch.
posted by flimflam at 5:34 PM on February 12 [1 favorite]

I agree with donaken; I used those interlocking mats in my basement and they make a big difference; not so much in the room feeling warmer but in blocking the cold from the concrete floor from getting to my feet. mine are primary colors because the basement's a playroom, but if you look on amazon -- they have some in a wood grain pattern along with the usual black, and primary color combos.
posted by lemniskate at 8:06 PM on February 12 [1 favorite]