Before installing underfloor heating, you need to consider what’s on top. If you are retrofitting, your existing floor surface may play a significant role in determining which radiant floor heating option you should choose.
Install Heated Floors
If you are building a new home or tackling a major renovation, the list below can help you choose the ideal material for your preferred floor heating system:
Tile and Stone
These materials have high thermal conductivity, making them an efficient option for underfloor heating systems. They heat up quickly and distribute warmth evenly across your floor while retaining heat for longer.
Tile and stone are also durable and moisture-resistant, ideal for high-traffic spaces and humid areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
On the downside, these surfaces can be cold when your heating system is turned off, and installation costs are higher as they need professional handling and special adhesives.
Concrete
Concrete has excellent thermal mass to absorb and distribute heat. It’s also a good warmth conductor, which can help reduce energy consumption in radiant heating systems and keep them efficient.
It withstands the temperature changes associated with radiant heating without cracking or warping and is easy to embed directly into concrete during pouring.
Hardwood
The natural warmth and beauty of hardwood floors make them a popular choice for many homeowners considering radiant floor heating installation. You can opt for solid wood although engineered wood is more stable and better suited for underfloor heating.
Warping can occur as hardwood expands and contracts with temperature changes. To avoid this, it’s best to use a professional installer.
Laminate
If you’re keen on wood but it doesn’t suit your budget, you can achieve a similar look using laminate flooring. It’s cheaper and less likely to expand and contract, offering more stability than wooden floors.
As this material is sensitive to water damage, we don’t recommend using it in areas such as your bathroom.
High heat can also have negative effects, so it’s important to follow manufacturer guidelines when installing laminate flooring.
Carpet
The texture of carpets is naturally soft and warm underfoot. You can enhance this feeling with underfloor heating if the correct type of carpet and underlay are selected.
We recommend using a low-tog carpet that doesn’t insulate against heat, as this reduces the efficiency of your heating system.
Carefully consider your carpet type to ensure no overheating and damage risk.
Vinyl
Vinyl is affordable, easy to install, and available in various styles. However, not all vinyl is compatible with floor heating systems, so check this before purchasing.
In addition, vinyl can discolour or give off an odour when hot. Its low maximum temperature tolerance also limits its use in high heat-loss areas.
