Posted by: "Meari" mearitaira@yahoo.com
> I love my hardwood floors, but they are so cold in the winter
>! Is there something I can do so the floors aren't so cold? I
> have a full unfinished basement underneath the floors. I thought
> about putting insulation into the basement ceiling but there are
> those cross bracings between the rafters, presumably to make
> the floors so they don't squeak.
Hello;
Cross bracing has pretty much been proven to be useless.
You can tear it out. However, there may be better options
for increasing your comfort. First, let's start at the basics.
Why do you want your floors warmer, instead of maybe
your windows (which lose a lot more heat from the room)?
If it is because your feet are cold, it would be a lot easier,
and a lot cheaper, to warm your feet. A second pair of
socks may be a fast cure. There are also slippers (I just
saw a commerical for two pair for $15) that have a bag
of rice or something, that you put in the microwave, and
slip into the slippers. There are also "electric socks"
However, insulating any part of your body will warm
your whole body, including your feet. So a sweater
could be a solution.
You cold floors may not even be caused by your cold
basement. It very well may be a result of cold air falling
off (or from around) your windows, leaking in around
your doors, or being cooled by your walls. Insulating
your floor could potentially even cause it to get colder,
if it is cooler than the basement ceiling temperatures.
Are you sure the basement is the cause?
> Someone told me that putting vents into the heat ducts
> of the basement thus heating the basement more would
> help and not increase my heating bill much since the
> thermostat is on the first floor. What do you think about that?
They are irrational. Of course, heating a relatively uninsulated
basement will not be free. Do not fall for that nonsense.
There is an ancient story of a very wise sultan, who was
also frugal. He wanted luxury, but also wanted the most that
he could get for the cost. He also did not care to share his
advantages with others. The marble floors of his palace were
luxurious, but were also uncomfortably hard (and probably
also cold ;O) His simple solution was to have a wonderful
pair of slippers made, with the very best woven rug material
on the bottoms. Everywhere he walked, he walked in total
comfort, on the best rugs that monery could buy ;O) Maybe
your solution will also be a real nice pair of slippers or just a
second pair of socks, or maybe electric ones. I am pretty
sure that my floors are MUCH colder than yours. I live in
a log cabin in the North woods, built on an uninsulated slab
(wood floor over that) with just a wood stove for heat.
But my feet are warm, because I am wearing slippers
and two pair of warm socks.
-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Designs, Since 1975
www.LarenCorie.com
-LittleHouses- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LittleHouses
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RefrigeratorAlternatives
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