There are plenty of good reasons to install carpeting in your home. First and foremost, it’s extremely comfortable underfoot. Carpeting also comes in a wide variety of designs and thicknesses to accommodate the tastes and preferences of individual homeowners. Plus – contrary to popular belief – carpeting is also good for people who suffer from allergies. But did you know that carpeting can help you cut the cost of your energy bills as well? That’s because carpeting has natural insulating properties that can help regulate the temperature in your home.
It’s all about the R-value.
R-value is the scale by which engineers measure the insulating properties of materials – the higher the R-value, the better the insulator. While the R-value of different types of carpeting will vary, you can typically expect it to insulate much better than other types of flooring. On average, the R-value of carpeting is about five times higher than that of laminate flooring, for instance.
But this isn’t where the energy-saving benefits end.
The padded underlayment beneath your carpet can actually insulate your home even more than the carpet itself. These pads are typically made from bonded urethane, a synthetic material that makes an excellent insulator. Carpeting in conjunction with a good underlayment can insulate nearly as well as the fiberglass insulation in your walls.
Because carpet fibers capture the ambient air at room temperature, it also just feels warmer than other types of flooring. This feeling might not directly impact your energy savings, but it sure is nice on cold mornings!
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