Best Type Of Flooring For An Unheated Sunroom – Which One Will Suit You?

Unlike a heated sunroom with a heating system, an unheated sunroom receives warmth directly from the sun. For this reason, there is hardly anything placed in the room as decoration except for the flooring layer. 

Finding the best type of flooring for an unheated sunroom is quite challenging for people who have first designed an unheated room. If you don’t know where to start, I will give you some tips on what will work best for the season. 

From my own experience and research, I can list the top five picks: hardwood, carpet tiles, vinyl, laminate, and tile. Let’s look at each one separately before deciding which one might be the right choice for you!

Best Type Of Flooring For An Unheated Sunroom

Each type of flooring has its advantages and drawbacks. You should consider which one is suitable for your budget and the actual condition to choose.

#1. Carpet Tiles

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Carpet tiles for sunroom floors

I would like to begin the list with the carpet tile. This is the most easy-to-replace flooring type in the top list. 

We all have to evaluate the cozy vibe, warmth, and comfort it brings when mentioning carpet. Plus, carpet tiles have proved their ability to withstand stains, avoid allergic factors, and remain in decent conditions for a long time.

In the winter, carpet tiles gain their advantages over other flooring types. The carpet will keep your bare feet warm when you walk around the sunroom. Since the materials of carpet tiles can absorb and maintain the sunlight’s warmth, they can make your sunroom cozier on chilly days. These are two features you can’t find in laminate or tile.

Another reason why you should opt for the carpet tiles as your sunroom flooring is because you can replace them with ease. Putting carpet tiles on the floor of your sunroom is like playing lego. From various models and designs, you can combine them to form a unique version of your own. 

Pros:

  • Easy to install and replace
  • It comes with diverse designs
  • The best for winter

Cons:

  • Cleaning will take times
  • Prone to catching unpleasant odor

#2. Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is not traditional wood. Some people consider it fake wood, but it’s less solid wood and made into plywood core or fiberboard. Compared to traditional hardwood, engineered hardwood is more affordable due to fewer solid materials in its components. 

Some exotic species are even cheaper than the casual engineered hardwood on the market. For instance, Brazilian Walnut is a great flooring option for a low-budget sunroom.

Despite having the difference in the components and prices, engineered hardwood flooring almost looks like the traditional solid one. The classic vibe of this flooring type will fit in any sunroom with a vintage theme. 

Nevertheless, the engineered hardwood flooring provides you with moderate durability. After years, you have to apply a refinishing process for it. So, only pick the engineered hardwood floor if you are ready for this.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Vintage and classic outlook
  • Easy to install

Cons:

  • Not durable

#3. Laminate

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If you are looking for a stylish flooring type with extreme durability, laminate is the top-notch choice. A floor coated in laminate can withstand heavy traffic and scratches from pets or stuff movements

The reason for the remarkably long-lasting use lies in its composition. Laminate is a combination of an image layer, fiberboard, and plasticate wear layer. 

What’s more, a laminate floor can hold its color for years even when being exposed to UV rays constantly. We all know that a sunroom will directly get the sunlight, so is this a noteworthy feature for sunroom flooring?

Laminate comes in different colors and patterns to choose a laminate flooring with a color similar to engineered hardwood. You still have a hardwood-looking floor, while the durability is much more excellent.

Laminate still has a drawback. Although it can withstand heavy traffic and scratches, this flooring option is not water-resistant. Therefore, you should consider carefully when planning to install laminate flooring in an area with a damp and moisture climate.

Pros:

  • Outstanding durability
  • Appropriate alternative for hardwood flooring
  • Various colors and patterns 

Cons:

  • Not recommended for moist climate area

#4. Tile

Tile floors for sunroom

In terms of keeping your sunroom cool all the time, there’s hardly any flooring type that can beat tile. Especially in the summer, you will feel the patented distinction of tile flooring with other materials.

Tile also brings decent durability and scratch resistance. Furthermore, if you install it properly, the tile flooring can be water-proof. This type of flooring will be an optimal choice for people living in humid climates.

Despite being water-proof and functional in wet environments, tile will deform if it faces a shift in weather conditions. So, an area with distinctive temperature shifts is not favorable to set up tiles as flooring. Heavyweight items are a threat to the intactness of the tile. You need to avoid placing and moving heavy stuff across the tile flooring.

Pros:

  • The best flooring to cool down your sunroom
  • The favorable choice for a humid environment
  • Waterproof

Cons:

  • Weather shifts will result in cracks
  • Can’t withstand heavy stuff

#5. Vinyl Plank

Many people may be confused about choosing the vinyl plank or the laminate because of their resemblances in characteristics. Vinyl plank is also UV-resistant, durable, and elegantly designed. Besides, the high-grade version of the vinyl plank can be an affordable alternative for traditional hardwood flooring, like laminate.

Yet, this flooring layer has a feature that laminate desires to acquire, the water-proof ability. The vinyl plank will satisfy any user who lives in a humid climate area. Its water resistance is so outstanding that you can install a vinyl plank outdoors.

Being durable doesn’t mean that vinyl plank floors excellently handle heavy furniture. Occasionally, a dent or scratch will show up if the vinyl plank has to contact the placement or movement of heavyweight objects.

Pros:

  • UV-resistant
  • An affordable alternative for traditional solid wood flooring
  • The best for the sunroom in a humid area

Cons:

  • Scratch and dent still happens at times

Conclusion

If you ask my opinion on best flooring for unheated sunroom, I choose laminate. A laminate can satisfy our demand in terms of aesthetics and, most importantly, durability. This flooring type has outstanding durability over all these other kinds. 

Honestly, only you can answer the question on which type of flooring is optimal for your unheated sunroom. I hope that this article and recommendation have given you some helpful information to help make your decision easier!

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