Free guide
Which flooring works best over underfloor heating?
Engineered wood and vinyl (LVT or SPC) are the usual choices over underfloor heating, because they are stable and let heat through well. Many laminates are approved too. Solid wood can work only within strict limits, as it moves more with heat. Whatever the floor, the maker must approve it for underfloor heating, and the system's maximum floor temperature must be kept to.
How each floor copes with underfloor heating
| Floor | Over underfloor heating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered wood | Usually suitable | The layered core resists the swelling and shrinking that heat causes |
| Vinyl (LVT or SPC) | Usually suitable | Thin and dense, so heat passes through well |
| Laminate | Many ranges approved | Check the range, and use an underlay made for underfloor heating |
| Solid wood | Some boards, within strict limits | Solid timber moves more as it heats and cools, so gaps can open |
Over underfloor heating
- Engineered wood
- Usually suitable
- Vinyl (LVT or SPC)
- Usually suitable
- Laminate
- Many ranges approved
- Solid wood
- Some boards, within strict limits
Why
- Engineered wood
- The layered core resists the swelling and shrinking that heat causes
- Vinyl (LVT or SPC)
- Thin and dense, so heat passes through well
- Laminate
- Check the range, and use an underlay made for underfloor heating
- Solid wood
- Solid timber moves more as it heats and cools, so gaps can open
Why stability matters
Wood takes in and gives off moisture as the temperature changes. Over underfloor heating the floor heats and cools far more than usual, so a floor that moves a lot can open gaps in winter or cup and lift. Engineered wood has a cross-layered core that holds it steady, which is why it is the usual choice when you want real timber over heating.
What to check before fitting
- The maker's approval. Every flooring product states whether it is suitable for underfloor heating, and any limits.
- Floor surface temperature. Most makers set a maximum surface temperature for wood floors, often around 27 degrees. The heating controls should keep to it.
- The screed is dry. In new builds and extensions, a wet screed releases moisture into the new floor. The screed is tested and the heating is run up slowly to dry it before the floor goes down.
- Underlay. Use an underlay made for underfloor heating. A thick or foam underlay can block the heat.
- Rugs. A thick rug traps heat underneath it, so check the rug is suitable too.
Water or electric heating?
Both work with the floors above. Water (wet) systems are usually laid in the screed and suit whole floors. Electric mats are thinner and often used in a single room, such as a bathroom or kitchen. The same checks apply: the maker's approval, the temperature limit and the right underlay.
Tell your fitter about the heating
Always say if there is underfloor heating before the job is priced. It decides which floors are suitable, which underlay to use, and how the floor is fixed, as nails or screws must never go through the pipes or mats.
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