Is Carpet a Good Floor Insulator?

Carpet is an effective insulating material for floors. It is a key factor in reducing heating and cooling costs when there is a temperature variation between the air in the room and the air under the floor. As a general rule, the thicker a carpet is, the greater insulation it provides.

Effective Insulation
- Carpet is warmer on the feet than concrete or plywood.
  
  To measure the effectiveness of carpet as insulation, compare its R-value against other common floor materials such as concrete and plywood. The R-value is the term given to the measurement of a material's resistance to the transfer of heat. It stands for "thermal resistance." Considering that the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effect, it is significant that carpet 1/3 inch thick has an R-value of 0.18. The same thickness of plywood has an R-value of 0.08, while 4 inches of concrete has an R-value of 0.07.
Increasing Insulation
- Lay carpet from wall to wall for greatest insulating effect.
  
  To gain maximum effect from carpet as an insulating material, increase its thickness by installing it over underlay or a carpet pad. Cover the largest area possible, such as from wall to wall, to also increase its impact.
Importance of insulation
- Carpeted floors feel warmer than hard surfaces.
  
  When considering carpet as an insulating material, keep in mind that between 10 to 20 percent of a home's heat loss comes from uninsulated floors. As an added benefit, carpeted floors feel warmer to our feet than do wood or concrete surfaces. The insulation impact of carpet is further enhanced by its surface pile, which traps air in its millions of small fibers.
Significant Savings
- Installing a thick carpet can save between 8 and 12 percent in heating and cooling costs.

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Is Carpet a Good Floor Insulator?

Effective Insulation

Increasing Insulation

Importance of insulation

Significant Savings