Design & DIY 7 ways to fix your cold floors By Allan Britnell Published: March 19, 2021 Updated: March 26, 2024 share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Copy Link Cancel View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by Andy Ginns/Shutterstock 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. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by JPJPJP/Shutterstock 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. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by Bilanol/Shutterstock 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.) View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by BhFoton/Shutterstock 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. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by VanoVasaio/Shutterstock 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. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by Africa Studio/Shutterstock 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. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Photo by Jelena990/Shutterstock 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. View in Fullscreen Related galleries When prime waterfront property wasn’t an option, this couple built a cabin inspired by an old school fire watchtower 3 leaks you can patch (and 2 you can’t) 4 ways to cool down a cottage with no AC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 ways to fix your cold floors 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. Related Story 7 easy ways to stop the drafts in your cottage