To have an efficient and cost-effective underfloor heating system in your home, you need to choose flooring which offers good conductivity. This means that the heat being generated below it can easily pass through the floor surface to warm the room. A very thick carpet, for example, won’t allow as much heat to pass through it as tile, so the underfloor heating will need to be on a higher temperature for longer to get the same room temperature.
What’s the best flooring to have with underfloor heating?
In an ideal scenario, you’ll have tile or stone floors as they have a high thermal conductivity. These types of flooring also retain heat quite well so when the heating itself is off, the floor will continue to emit heat. We recommend laying tiles or a stone floor in rooms with large amounts of glazing where heat loss is an issue (conservatories, for example).
Can I have wooden floors and underfloor heating?
In short, yes you can! There are certain things to be mindful of when selecting a wooden floor that’s going to be installed over an underfloor heating system.
Solid wood floors and underfloor heating
Solid wood floors are not particularly recommended when opting for underfloor heating as solid wood floors are not a good conductor of underfloor heating. The heating will need to be on longer and at a warmer temperature to get the same effect as tile or stone floors. It’s advised though that underfloor heating does not exceed 27 degrees Celsius with solid wood above it as moisture levels in the wood change.
Changes in heat lead to changes in the moisture level of the wood which causes flexing and changing of the solid wood.
Engineered wood floors and underfloor heating
If you’re sure you want wooden flooring above underfloor heating then opt for engineered wood floors. This type of flooring responds much better to changes in temperature as it’s been treated and manufactured to do so. Engineered wood flooring is thick enough for a luxurious and good-looking wood floor but it’s thin enough to conduct heat from the floor upwards with little resistance.
As a rule of thumb, make sure when you choose any type of wood flooring that the manufacturer gives the nod for use with underfloor heating.
