Does your floor heat up faster during summer and retain the heat? While air conditioning and fans may help, installing more suitable flooring could be your best option. Some flooring types offer more functionality in warm climates, such as repelling the heat and humidity or providing better circulation of cooler air within the house through insulation.

Whether you prefer the feeling of cool tile against your feet or want to opt for a more unique flooring option like bamboo, many options exist for your home cooling needs. This guide explores seven of the best flooring options for hot climates and how they help keep houses cool.

Why the Right Flooring Matters

Depending on the type of flooring, persistent humid environments may cause floors to wear out faster and minimize durability and functionality. Over time, homeowners can be left with unstable or warped flooring that lacks longevity. As a result, you want to invest in flooring that holds up against hot, humid weather throughout the season.

At the same time, selecting the right flooring can keep your home cool. For example, tile flooring is one of the most popular options for cooling a room because it is durable, has a long life span and helps regulate temperature. Some tiles are created from all-natural materials that help maintain temperatures, so the appropriate tiling might transmit and retain the cooling effects of your home's air conditioning across the room.

As a bonus, flooring can have a direct impact on whether your body feels warm or cool, as our feet play a major role in regulating body temperature. When our feet are cool, the heart pumps blood from our bodies' warm interior to the cooler exterior, reducing heat and regulating a cooler body temperature — but if you put socks on your feet, you'll likely feel yourself warm up. So, if you walk on heat-retaining flooring throughout the day, your body may feel the effects.

Best Flooring Types to Keep Your Home Cool During Summer 

Generally, lightweight flooring materials are best for keeping your home cool, and insulated flooring materials can offer an added element for temperature regulation. Here are some of the best flooring options for hot climates:

1. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) 

LVT is a great waterproof flooring option. It doesn't absorb heat or moisture from humidity and spills, is easy to clean and helps your feet stay cool. LVT is an upgrade from standard vinyl flooring types, made with multiple layers of high-quality vinyl and a wear layer. While a backing layer helps make the flooring comfortable to walk on, the wear layer helps prevent damage. 

LVT flooring also allows you to mimic a hardwood look without gaining the moisture issues that come with unsealed wood in humid environments. It's also simple to install and an energy-efficient option compared to other flooring types.

2. Laminate

Laminate floorboards can help distribute heat throughout the home better. By doing so, the temperature is steadier in every room, helping prevent very hot or very cold floors. This also means that even when the floor becomes warm, it will cool down faster because it doesn't retain heat. Additionally, laminate flooring's resilience makes it ideal for larger families and pets.

3. Carpet

While carpet can be nice to have in winter, certain carpeting may also help you stay cool during summer. Carpet with natural fibers can absorb heat, be less compressed than synthetic carpet and allow air to circulate better throughout the home. Carpeting's extra layer of insulation may prevent cool air from escaping the area and stop heat from entering the home through the floor.

Plus, there are various styles to choose from when it comes to carpeting, including patterned styles and silky-soft options. If you have pets or small children, it's important to choose moisture- and stain-resistant carpeting to prolong the life of your carpeting. For better insulation, you may want to consider a thicker carpet with quality carpet padding installed underneath.

4. Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is a classic style choice and, when installed correctly, offers great functionality against hot weather. Natural wood planks may absorb moisture and heat, so it is important to seal them so that they retain less heat and moisture. 

Some types of hardwood floors may reflect heat well and allow for better airflow around the room to help ensure increased comfort. They may also be a great asset in winter if your hardwood floors have adequate underlay and underfloor ventilation. This may allow them to store warmth when it is cold outside. 

5. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile flooring can effectively reflect heat, making it an excellent choice to keep high-traffic homes cooler. While they may mostly be found in kitchens and bathrooms because they're water resistant, these tiles can be used in various other areas of the house to keep the home cool. 

Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can choose from various styles. For example, you might choose a high-gloss finish, matte finish or semi-matte finish. Ceramic tiles also tend to be more affordable than other cooling tiles, making them suitable for those on a budget. 

6. Porcelain Tile

While porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile, they have enhanced durability and cooling effects. With humidity- and moisture-resistance properties, these tiles are naturally cooling. Porcelain tiles come in a range of designs and colors to suit your home.

7. Bamboo

Bamboo is a popular flooring choice due to its resistance to humidity, minimum cleaning and maintenance needs, and durability. That said, choosing high-quality bamboo is important. With various species of bamboo to choose from, it's important to note that each may have differences in durability and moisture resistance qualities. For this reason, it's recommended to work with a flooring expert when installing new bamboo floors.

Find a Carpet & Tile Mart Near You 

Various types of flooring may offer you improved temperature regulation during warmer weather. Carpet & Tile Mart is a floor supercenter with numerous physical locations all throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. Our stores have various cool flooring options for hot climates, including LVT, hardwood flooring, porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, carpeting and more. 

If you need more information about the effectiveness of certain flooring types in your home, our long-term staff has decades of experience and can help you choose a suitable option. Along with selling quality flooring, Carpet & Tile Mart also installs with professional contractors if you live within 50 miles of the store's location.

We welcome you to visit a Carpet & Tile Mart near you to find the best flooring for hot climates.