Laminate flooring can often be mistaken for real wood but it is actually a synthetic floor covering.
Timber flooring suitable for underfloor heating.
When laying a floor over underfloor heating loops the working temperature should be at least 18 c.
Both hydronic and electric underfloor heating systems work well with timber floors as timber conducts and holds the warmth produced by the floor heater and radiates this into the room.
So the good news is most wooden floors are compatible for use with underfloor heating.
In this guide we ll explain.
If in doubt the first step is to consult a specialist supplier the timber research and development association trada british standard 8201 2011 or all three as to the characteristics of the type in question.
The best flooring for underfloor heating is one that efficiently transfers heat from the ufh to the surface of the floor.
Hard surfaces like stone or ceramic tiles or engineered wood offer the best heat transfer as they are the most thermally conductive but many other options work well.
The differences between hardwood and engineered wood.
Vinyl is a much more flexible option and often more affordable than other floor types.
Many types of wood flooring are suitable for use with underfloor heating and cooling but not all.
The natural properties of timber also mean that it has a fast heat up time whilst also resisting heat from escaping too quickly making timber helpful in.
Most good quality laminate floors can be used with underfloor heating but it is best that you check with the manufacturer first.
Using timber with ufh if the desired look includes a wood floor engineered timber is the best option for use with underfloor heating as its structural stability allows it to.
Battened timber floors are best heated using the diffusion plate system though installing hydronic heating pipes between batten on an existing concrete slab and filling up to the top surface level of the battens with a screed can also provide acceptable results provided suitable insulation is used.
If the underfloor heating is limited to a particular area it could end up damaging the wood due to the fluctuating temperatures.
Installing over underfloor heating.
Finally if you are using underfloor heating alongside wooden flooring you ll need to make sure it covers the entire floor.
This is applicable to boards subfloors and room temperature.
Hardwood flooring is a popular floor finish in both contemporary home design and home restoration projects and it is an ideal material to use with an underfloor heating system.
Hydronic underfloor heating for timber floors.
The majority of wooden flooring is suitable for underfloor heating systems but at nu heat we recommend using engineered timber flooring rather than solid hardwood.
You will also need to use a specific underlay designed to help with heat transfer.
Is underfloor heating suitable with hardwood floors.
Laminate vinyl flooring for underfloor heating.