Hi.

I'm looking to remove tiles in our home (currently installed on slab) and replace with hardwoods. Besides looks, our primary goal is to have a warmer surface downstairs as the tiles on slab make the 1st floor of our home very uncomfortable in the winter as the tiles are very very cold.

I've read that people recommend installing plywood to help keep hardwoods warmer, but the additional height will be too much as we'll have to step down to carpet in some areas and also cut down doors.

My questions are as follows:

1) Is my assumption that hardwoods themselves will make a significant temperature difference on slab compared to tiles correct?
2) Is there any particular underlayment(s) that I should use to help prevent cold transfer?
3) Any advantage or recommendation on glue down vs float?

Another different question I have is that my installer is recommending Portofino floors. I haven't seen many comments on them but they seem to be offered in a number of local stores that say they are very good. I'd appreciate any experience/feedback anyone has on them.

Thanks in advance!

Floating floors are warmer in general and if you spend the money for a high quality underlayment.

We just did a floating floor over a cork underlayment on slab. We have been below zero several days and it seemed to be fairly warm to walk on when we were back out.