How hot does a floor covering made of granulate rubber get?
The temperature reached by a floor covering made of granulate rubber is determined by several physical properties. In particular, the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the material play a central role. These values help estimate how strongly and quickly the floor warms up under sunlight and what advantages it offers compared to other flooring options.
Specific Heat Capacity
This parameter indicates how much heat is required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of material by 1 K. Rubber has a value of about 1.6 kJ/(kg·K), which is comparable to insulating materials like EPS (approximately 1.5 kJ/(kg·K)), while materials such as marble, at around 0.8 kJ/(kg·K), heat up much faster.
Thermal Conductivity
Another key factor is the thermal conductivity (λ). Rubber’s conductivity is around 0.16 W/(m·K), meaning it conducts heat relatively slowly. For comparison, EPS has a value of about 0.03 W/(m·K) and marble about 2.8 W/(m·K). As a result, a floor covering made of granulate rubber warms only superficially and moderately under direct sunlight.
Practical Benefits
On hot summer days, the surface of a granulate rubber floor remains cooler than that of ceramic tiles or natural stone, and it emits very little residual heat after sunset. Ultimately, personal heat perception determines whether the temperature feels comfortable or too warm – much like at the beach, where some enjoy the warm sand while others find it uncomfortable.