What Is The Best Type Of Flooring For Underfloor Heating?

If you're thinking of getting an underfloor heating system, but are unsure what is the best type of flooring for underfloor heating, look no further. In this piece we look at the best compatible floor type for your underfloor heating systems and break down how they compare against each other.

Underfloor heating is ultimately compatible with many home floor types and you can pair your system up with all types of wood, carpet, laminate, vinyl, tiles or even stone flooring. The most important thing to think about when looking at the best flooring for underfloor heating, is the ability for that floor type to successfully transfer heat from the underfloor heating system to the surface of the floor, ensuring you keep your home warm.

Whilst most floor types will work well with underfloor heating and can transfer heat effectively - there are some types that will do this better than others. As well as this, some floor types are mainly compatible with a specific type of underfloor heating; usually split up into two main categories - water and electric underfloor heating.

Now we've gone over the types of flooring that work well with underfloor heating, lets dive a bit deeper into the benefits and potential struggles of each of them.

How do they compare against each other?

Tile & Stone Flooring

Tile & stone floors are one of the best types of flooring for underfloor heating. It has high thermal conductivity, meaning that it will transfer heat efficiently and retain the heat on the surface of the flooring for longer. Tile & stone can be heated up to 29°C. This floor type is also compatible with both electric and water underfloor heating systems, making it a flexible floor type when looking at it's compatibility with underfloor heating. Some types of tile and stone that work with underfloor heating are, ceramic, porcelain, terracotta and slate.

Wooden Floors

Wood flooring is also a great floor type not only for your home aesthetic but also for compatibility with underfloor heating systems. However, solid wood does not transfer heat well from underfloor heating to the surface of the floor. The reason for this is, that when solid wood is heated it expands, and then contacts once cooled - leading to cracking and distorting of the wood itself. This is why engineered hardwood or laminate flooring would be the best option (within the wood option) for underfloor heating. Engineered wood flooring works well with both electric and water underfloor heating options.

Wood flooring of any kind should not be heated to over 27°C, and with that the whole surface of the floor should be evenly heated. We highly recommend that a vapor barrier is placed underneath the wood flooring to further protect it.

Vinyl & Laminate

Vinyl, linoleum and laminate flooring work well with underfloor heating, both heating types; water and electric underfloor heating are compatible with vinyl flooring. Much like wood underfloor heating, it is highly recommended not to expose your vinyl or laminate underfloor heating to temperatures higher than 27°C.

The layer under the laminate or vinyl (subfloor) should be either a concrete, solid screed, or a wooden floor option that has been covered with 18mm weather and boil proof (WBP) plywood.

With vinyl underfloor heating the preferred underfloor heating system type is electric underfloor heating, particularly a loose cable system ranging from 100W to 200W.

Carpet & Rug

Carpet and rugs tend not to be the most conductive of flooring types for underfloor heating, due to their ability to insulate heat - meaning the heat is likely to be trapped under the surface of the floor.

Carpet (including any underlay) should be a combined tog rating of 2.5 tog - this will allow you to get the most out of your flooring and underfloor heating system. Again, the maximum temperature recommended for carpet and rugs with underfloor heating is 27°C. Electric underfloor heating kits are best, specifically foil heating mat kits which are the most compatible.

In conclusion, there are many types of flooring that works well with underfloor heating making it a flexible and efficient form of heating for your home. There are only a couple of factors to bear in mind that may hinder your ability to apply underfloor heating to your home; having solid wood floors, and not using hessain-backed carpet if you do opt for carpet flooring. Outside of these, underfloor heating works well with virtually all floor types - checkout our helpful table below to see some recommended underfloor heating kits, along with which floor type works with which underfloor heating type (water or electric).

We hope this has helped you in your search for ultimate home comfort, underfloor heating really is the best solution to heat your home in an efficient and cost-effective way.