Flooring for a Sunroom

We have shared with you information about sunrooms from the need for a sunroom, its purpose, plants, window treatments and types of indoor wicker furniture that work best for a sunroom. We haven’t mentioned flooring for a sunroom except in passing. According to Joyce Factory Direct’s blog, “When selecting a floor for your sunroom, you should first consider the main purpose of the sunroom?  The function of the sunroom will affect what types of floors will work best.  Will you use the sunroom for dining and entertaining?  Or perhaps you want to use the room to just relax in comfort.  The floor should also complement the design of the room.”

Flooring for a Sunroom

There are six main types of flooring for a sunroom to consider.

Tile – Tile flooring is a great option for those who live in four season weather because of their natural energy efficiency. They absorb more solar energy than wood or carpet, keeping the floor warm. And because high-grade tile is nearly scratch resistant, this flooring option is perfect for those whose sunroom will be installed in a high-traffic area. Tile is easily cared for – just swab with a wet You see lots of tile in the southwest, perhaps from the Hispanic influence. I personally like the dark red color of Saltillo. A tile floor can look beautiful in Saltillo square tiles, or you can go wild using tiles in a mosaic.

Carpeting – Carpet is good for sunrooms when creating a cozy and comfortable ambiance. However, carpet can fade due to sun exposure if it isn’t protected from UV light. It’s also difficult to maintain and attracts dirt quickly, but it’s a great flooring option for a nook-type space. Stay away from plush carpet, instead stick to a thinner pile.

Wood or Vinyl Laminate – Laminate is available in a variety of colors and finishes so you will have many options to choose from. You can install laminate that looks just like real tile, wood or stone. Once considered less than chic, or even cheap, linoleum is making a comeback in sunrooms, Linoleum is durable, environmentally friendly and very affordable, it’s one of the best options for sunroom flooring.

Concrete or Stamped Concrete – Once only seen in old factories and converted lofts, concrete is becoming a popular flooring choice among designers and decorators that lends itself to an industrial chic look. In addition to being low-maintenance and durable, it’s actually one of the cheaper flooring options available. It also saves on heating costs in the cooler months because it easily absorbs heat.

Stone Flooring – In Mexico, where my wife and I are building a second house, stone is readily available. We may choose Cantara marble for floors throughout the house and Terrace, Cantara can be smooth or roughened, is not affected by water or rain, and the several colors from gray, brown, to pink work well with the colonial architecture.

Hardwood – It is a great look, with multiple colors and designs. One thing to keep in mind with hardwood flooring is that it is less energy efficient than other materials. It doesn’t absorb and contain thermal energy like concrete or tile. If you live in a cold climate and your sunroom is not properly insulated, hardwood might not be the best option. You will prevent sun damage if you treat wood flooring with oil-based stains at least once a year.

One final thought: if you live in a four-season part of the country, Better Homes & Garden suggests using radiant heat floors. There are two types of radiant heat floors. One uses heated water that is pumped through tubes, the other heats with electricity. The entire floor surface radiates about as much heat as the human body does, so you feel warmer even if the air temperature is only about 65° F which means you’ll also save on heating bills. Radiant heat uses about a third less energy.