Investing in underfloor heating is an excellent way to keep your home warm. But, to get the most out of your underfloor heating system, your choice of flooring is vital. There is a lot to consider when picking out a new floor, and even more to look at when choosing a floor to go on top of underfloor heating. So, what is the best flooring for underfloor heating?
The Best Flooring for Underfloor Heating
Normally, when you look at a new floor for your home, you would look at the insulation benefits, comfort levels, and the durability. You may need a stain resistant flooring for the kitchen, softer flooring for the living room, or a water-proof material for the bathroom.
Depending on the type of flooring you decide to go for, there are various different types of underfloor heating options that you could choose, including:
- Carpet
- Solid flooring (like stone, slate and tiles)
- Wood (solid & engineered)
- Laminate & vinyl flooring
Whilst stain resistance, water-proofing, and comfort are important when choosing flooring – heat, conductivity and retention are equally as vital when an underfloor heating system is involved. See below for information on the best flooring types for underfloor heating.
Wooden flooring
When choosing a new floor to accompany their underfloor heating, many homeowners look at the benefits of wood flooring over solid flooring. Wood floors can be very appealing, especially in period properties where you want to retain the character of your home.
Is a wooden floor suitable for underfloor heating?
Both engineered wood and solid wood are known insulators, which is a disadvantage when you are using underfloor heating. This is
especially the case with solid wood which can be too thick for the heat to transfer. Choosing thin engineered wood is one of the best choices for a classic look without losing the benefits of underfloor heating.
If you choose to go for wooden floors, you should make sure that the temperature of your heating system doesn’t exceed 27 degrees centigrade. Any reputable underfloor heating company will provide you with certification to confirm that your system is fully operational with controllable temperature.
Laminate & Vinyl Flooring for underfloor heating
Vinyl is a much more flexible option and often more affordable than other floor types. Many high-quality vinyl flooring types conduct heat very well, making them more than suitable for your underfloor heating system. Vinyl and laminate are very easy to maintain and are great for areas in your home that are most used.
The benefits of using laminate or vinyl with underfloor heating are: –
- Splash resistant surfaces
- It comes in a range of finishes
- This flooring type is very easy to clean
- Heat is conducted easily*
- Vinyl & laminate can stay cool on the surface during the summer when your heating system isn’t needed
- It can be easier to remove and replace than other flooring types should something go wrong with your system.
Generally, this is the most practical choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Its durability and functionality make it ideal for the busier rooms in your house
*Despite its benefits, a floor temperature sensor should be fitted when using this flooring type over underfloor heating to ensure the flooring does not get too hot.
Solid flooring options
Solid flooring is a popular choice for those wanting to get the most out of their underfloor heating system. These floors look and feel great, and the materials used are generally very conductive.
They also have great thermal conductivity. Some types are incredibly strong, and depending on the material, they can be superior when it comes to heat retention. Some of the best solid flooring for underfloor heating include:
- Ceramic– Many of the properties of ceramic tiles are similar to stone, with both being top choices for flooring. The thin profile creates an above average heat transfer and the tiles are easy to clean. Ceramic tiles are a popular alternative to natural stone and slate.
- Slate– A great choice for areas in your home that are used the most. Slate is strong and withstands a lot of traffic. The conductive nature makes it a very suitable choice for underfloor heating systems.
- Porcelain– Another strong tile to consider, porcelain is non-porous and very resistant to staining. One of the thinnest tiles available, porcelain is great at retaining heat. They can be a little more difficult to work with, but the results are definitely worthwhile.
- Terracotta– A choice that requires a little maintenance due to the porous nature of terracotta but is still well-suited to underflooring heating.
- Marble– While a very visually appealing choice, marble is a little slower to heat-up than some other tiles. However, it does conduct heat very well.
- Screed– Choosing a screed tile will allow your floor to get warmer at a quicker rate. The tile can also be used for multiple different types of underflooring heating.
- Flagstone– Another excellent all-rounder, flagstone provides good levels of thermal conductivity and is very durable. Ideal for use in areas that are used most in the home.
- Granite– While prone to cracking, granite is a suitable and effective choice for underfloor heating. It also provides a unique look with multiple colours to choose from.
- Polished Concrete Floor– Concrete is a great conductor of heat and is a great choice if you are renovating your home.
If you opt to use solid flooring, you have a lot of options open to you. Each tile is a little different, so it is important to consider the room that they are being used in as well as their thermal properties.
Carpeted Flooring
Research carried out by the Carpet Foundation and the Underfloor Heating Manufacturers Association found that carpet ‘doesn’t interfere with the efficient warming of the airspace in the room above’
Despite this, it requires more thought than other choices. You are best off choosing a thin carpet that isn’t designed to insulate. It’s worth noting that carpets can take a while to get warm initially, but they will stay warm for a lot longer than most hard flooring options.
It’s best to ask the providers of your underfloor heating system which carpets are suitable, so you know your options before you have anything installed.
Bedrooms and living rooms will benefit greatly from a carpet/underfloor heating combination.
Floor insulation
No matter the quality the flooring type you choose, it is vital to insulate your floor properly to make the most out of your heating system. Some customers may be eligible for insulation grants to insulate the rest of their homes. These are generally dependent on income and others are given if your home is deemed ‘hard to heat’.
Floor insulation is important, more so in some properties than others. However, with underfloor heating, you will need to ensure your insulation, or lack of, is not blocking the heat from radiating into the room. Insulation is key to ensuring your heating system is running at maximum efficiency. By holding on to heat, you will use less energy overall. But, ‘too much’ or the ‘wrong kind’ of insulation can mean your system is working too hard or you don’t reap the benefits of insulation. As well as considering how much insulation you need, look at how else heat could be ‘leaking’ from your home.
If you have any queries about the best type of flooring for your underfloor heating system, get in touch with our team.
