Summer in the Southwest is here, bringing its customary hot, arid weather. In this environment, the high seasonal temperatures make the reward of a cool home that much more satisfying, so designing floors for summer comfort is paramount. So when installing a new floor, what choices help keep your house comfortable during the hottest months of the year? Commercial Floor Services has three suggestions when looking at floors for summer comfort that will help keep your home cool in the summer!
1 – Vinyl
Luxury vinyl tile and planks, or LVT and LVP, are an excellent all-around choice for your floor. They’re affordable, easy to install, and durable when compared to other materials. Vinyl resists water when properly installed and, unlike traditional hardwood, is not as susceptible to the arid desert environment. Low heat retention is another benefit of vinyl, as it has very little thermal mass and therefore holds heat for a much shorter period of time. In addition, vinyl flooring can be changed more easily than other options, making it a great choice for those who want to maintain design flexibility.
Available in many styles, including those with the look and feel of hardwood or stone, luxury vinyl is an outstanding choice for hot and arid climates and #1 on our list of great floors for summer.
2 – Tile
Traditional tiles, made of ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, are a time-tested choice for both style and beating the summer heat. The options are nearly limitless when it comes to color and patterns, so you can find something to match your existing interior design or the perfect match for your future vision. Regular cleaning is as simple as sweeping and mopping since tile is water-resistant, and a properly installed and maintained tile floor can last for the life of your home.
There are few materials that can hold a cool surface temperature as well as traditional tile, and a home that already stays cool makes this advantage that much more prevalent. Tile can be effectively coupled with in-floor heating systems as well, giving you a surface that stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making it one of our favorite floors for summer.
Epoxy
Last but not least, epoxy-coated concrete floors make the grade when it comes to practical flooring that stays cool all summer. Quick to install when done professionally, sometimes completed in one day, epoxy is also highly customizable since unique colors, patterns, and even photo-realistic designs are all available. Since epoxy simply coats the existing concrete, it offers the homeowner the same thermal benefits as the underlying concrete. When kept out of direct sunlight, concrete stays nice and cool and this transfers directly through to the epoxy coating. Since the coating is smooth and pleasant to the touch, cool epoxy feels great on bare feet and makes our list of great floors for summer.
Once used almost exclusively in commercial and industrial applications due to its durability and easy installation, epoxy is now a trusted choice for residential spaces as well. Summer is a great time to remodel your home, so keep epoxy in mind when making your plans.
When you’re looking at new floors for summer, reach out to us here at Commercial Floor Services. Professional flooring contractors for many years, we have the knowledge and experience to help you find a flooring material that will help keep you cool and comfortable all summer long!
