Flooring Options for Underfloor Heating

Now that you’ve decided on installing an underfloor heating system, choosing a flooring option for your home can be the toughest part of the process. Use this guide to flooring options for underfloor heating systems to help you decide which flooring option is right for you and your home.

Calculating Heating Needs

When you’re buying an underfloor heating system, it’s a good idea to know exactly what flooring materials you will be using to cover the heating system. Always check manufacturer’s specifications as to what the maximum temperature allowances are for the materials you are using to cover your  system. Your radiant heat manufacturer will set up your system to provide the correct amount of heat.

Solid Timber Hardwood

Wood flooring is a fantastic option for covering an underfloor heating system. Some wood densities vary and should be taken into account when choosing a heating system. The moisture content of the wood should not exceed nine percent.

Engineered Wood

Engineered flooring is a cheaper alternative to solid timber flooring but looks just as good as conventional wood. These simple to install flooring options work very well with radiant heating. A floating floor system or a secret nail method can be used.

Soft Woods

Softer woods like pine make for great floor coverings. Avoid using soft woods that are thicker than 1 inch and wider than 5 inches as the underfloor heating system can cause larger materials to warp. Moisture content should be as low as possible.

Bamboo

A flooring option that is gaining in popularity, bamboo is an engineered wood flooring material that really isn’t wood at all. Bamboo is really a fast growing grass. This ecofriendly flooring option works great with underfloor radiant heating systems.

Parquet

Unique patterns and designs can be created using blocks of hardwood called parquet. This flooring option works great with underfloor heating, but moisture contents should be below nine percent to avoid delamination.

Cork

This amazing flooring option is great for wet areas like kitchen and bathrooms. It’s soft underfoot and helps prevent damage from falling objects. Thickness of the cork should be less than 10 mm thick to avoid trapping in the heat.

Carpet

Most types of carpet can be used in conjunction with an underfloor heating system as long as the underlay is not a good thermal insulator. The overall Tog value of carpet and underlay combined should not exceed 2.5 while the underlay should not exceed 1 Tog. Felt and polyurethane underlays are best avoided.

Marble

Natural stone materials like marble work excellent with underfloor heating systems. When thicker stone is used, heating times may increase while power output remains the same.

Limestone

Another great looking natural stone material that works fantastic with all underfloor heating systems is limestone. Of all stone floor coverings, limestone requires the most care and attention during installation. A quality two part flexible adhesive should be used. When encased concrete floor heating systems are used, a decoupling membrane should be in placeto prevent contraction cracks that can be transmitted through the floor to the tiles.

Ceramic Tiles

Due to their high thermal conductivity and thinness, ceramic tiles are one of the best flooring options for underfloor heating systems. But just like natural stone, it needs a good two part flexible adhesive to prevent contraction cracking. A decoupling membrane should be used when installing over an encased concrete system.

Vinyl

These flooring options work perfectly with underfloor heating systems. However because vinyl should not be heated above 78 degrees, the system must be regulated to prevent this temperature from being exceeded.