Nothing will wake you up quicker than crawling out of bed and putting your feet down on a freezing cold floor. Here are seven options for keeping your toes toasty.
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7 ways to fix your cold floors
Caulk the baseboards
Drafts often seep inside through the gaps at the top and bottom of your baseboards. Seal them up with a bead of caulking.
Insulate from below
When the weather is warmer, clamber into your crawlspace and insulate between the floor joists from below. If you use batt insulation, you’ll need to fix it in place with chicken wire so rodents don’t steal it for nesting material.
Add heating cables
If you’re planning a renovation, lay down a mat of electric heating cables below your new flooring. (Hot-water radiant heating isn’t recommended for a cottage due to the risk of the pipes freezing if the power goes out.)
Carpet the cottage
Carpet offers a foot-friendly insulating barrier for your floors. The thicker the pile, the warmer the floor will feel. If you don’t like the look of carpet, place area rugs in key spots, such as beside your bed and under the dining table.
Consider cork
If you’re replacing the flooring at the cottage cork is great option. It is an eco-friendly flooring material that warm and comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.
Fan-tastic
While it seems counterintuitive, running your ceiling fans clockwise on a low speed during the cold months will help circulate the warm air throughout the room instead of it rising to the ceiling.
Socks and slippers
No budget for a reno this year? Buy everyone in the family a pair of nice fuzzy socks or comfortable slippers — and maybe a few extra pairs for your guests.
