Choosing the Best Flooring for Underfloor Heating

Posted on: 12th January 2018

Underfloor heating has surged in popularity over the past decade as its benefits over traditional radiators grow and the costs come down. A more efficient way of distributing heat, underfloor heating reduces energy use (and bills!) and is more aesthetically pleasing than radiators that can be bulky, restricting furniture layout. Choosing the best flooring for underfloor heating depends on many factors such as the room its being laid in, budget and personal taste. Tile is often quoted as being the best choice for underfloor heating due to its high thermal conductivity, however other flooring types have many benefits over ceramic that outweigh how quickly it heats up. 

Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring is a great choice to use with underfloor heating. Solid wood floors can warp and swell with changes in moisture and temperature, however engineered floors are designed to withstand temperature changes and can be laid over many types of underfloor heating systems. 

The thickness of the boards is a consideration when choosing your product, 18mm is the maximum recommended thickness for optimal efficiency, whilst wider boards should be less than that. The thickness to width ratio should be in the region of 7 to 11, for instance a board 15mm thick and 150mm wide would have a ratio of 10. We can advise you on the specifications of our engineered wood ranges, as well as the recommended fitting method. 

Carpet 

There’s a misconception that carpet can’t be laid over an underfloor heating system, based on older products available and methods of installation. These days most carpets are fine to be used with underfloor heating, with carpets with a thermal resistance of less than 2.5 togs shown to operate efficiently. 

Brintons 80/20 wool carpets for instance, have a value between 1.4 and 2.3 togs, making them a great choice to use. Wool carpets are naturally good insulators, so will keep your room warm with less need to turn on the heating! 

We can advise you on the tog values of all our carpet and underlay ranges so that you can choose the correct system for your home. 

Vinyl 

Vinyl heats up and cools down quickly, which is great for chilly mornings when you don’t want to wait for the heating to kick in! Vinyl floor tiles are available in a huge range of finishes and designs, often indistinguishable from real wood or tile, suitable for around the home. Vinyl is a great choice for bathrooms and wet rooms, offering many benefits over tile. 

Both water and electric systems can be used with vinyl, the decision will usually be made based on your home and project requirements. Insulated underlay is sometimes used for maximum energy efficiency, although many of our ranges are already incredibly thermally efficient. 

For any queries or advice don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. Visit our showroom to see our ranges of flooring for both domestic and commercial settings and get expert advice on the right option for you. 

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