The Best Flooring for Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating has become a favourite element for new builds and renovations. The concept actually dates back all the way to ancient Roman times, but with new advancements in insulation and construction, underfloor heating (or UFH) has grown massively in popularity thanks to the way it easily and efficiently warms a room.

If you’re building your dream home or renovating your house to suit your exact preferences, you may be considering UFH rather than radiators or another heating system, in order to get even and cosy warmth throughout your space. And if that’s the case, then you need to know about the best flooring for underfloor heating which you can find at Corcoran’s. Read on for the best underfloor heating flooring options to suit your home.

Tile and stone: the best flooring for underfloor heating

Undoubtedly, the best flooring for underfloor heating is tile, either ceramic or stone. Tile and stone offer high conductivity, so they will warm up quickly from your underfloor heating system. And once they are warm, stone and tile retain heat easily, so you can get maximum efficiency from your UFH.

There are many types of stone and tile that are well suited for underfloor heating. Porcelain and ceramic are two of the thinnest options for tile material, making them good choices as the heat can transfer to them easily. Concrete is an excellent heat conductor, and is becoming more and more popular in residential homes as well as in commercial settings.

And natural stone materials like slate are hard-wearing as well as conductive, so they’re great for areas that see high footfall like the kitchen and bathroom, two favourite rooms for underfloor heating use.

LVT, vinyl, and laminate: UFH flooring options for every room

Luxury vinyl tile is a fantastic option for pairing with underfloor heating. The multi-layer design offers sturdiness that also deals well with temperature fluctuations, and the printed top-layer construction means that you can get any look you want for your interiors.

While many LVT options, such as the ultra-luxe Karndean Designflooring, are suitable for underfloor heating systems, it’s always best to confirm this to ensure that both the UFH and the LVT are compatible with each other, and should always be installed by professionals to ensure that they are properly laid down and insulated. Contact our flooring experts to learn more.

Other vinyl flooring and laminate can often also be utilised with underfloor heating systems. Again, check with our flooring team and we can help you to ensure compatibility. No matter what look you want for your interiors, you can utilise LVT, vinyl, or laminate to evoke the appearance you’re after while also utilising your underfloor heating system.

Engineered wood: an aesthetic option that maintains UFH benefits

While solid wood can be laid over underfloor heating, the thickness of the wood and its insulating properties can diminish the benefits of the heating system by keeping the heat under the room rather than inside it.

Instead, consider engineered wood as a contender for the best flooring for underfloor heating. Because engineered wood features layers underneath the top solid wood layer, it provides more strength and stability to hold up to heat changes.

If you do choose to use solid wood, be mindful of the thickness of the planking and the type of wood that you use. Ensure that you utilise the correct heating range and cycle once the wood is installed, and maintain the wood carefully for long-lasting use.

Carpet: can you use underfloor heating beneath carpeted floors?

Carpet is a traditional pick for warm floors, with lush fibres ensuring you don’t step out of bed and freeze your bare feet in the morning. Designed to insulate, carpet is sure to offer cosy warmth for your home. However, this insulating quality means that you won’t get much warmth out of your underfloor heating system if you choose the highest-pile, plushest carpet available.

However, carpet can still be a great option for flooring for underfloor heating. Be sure to check that the carpet you choose is compatible with underfloor heating, but don’t feel like you’re limited to harder flooring materials. Opt for a thinner carpet that is flat-woven or low-pile, and enjoy an extra cosy feeling from the pairing of the soft carpet and your UFH system. Carpeted floor takes longer to heat than other options, but once it warms up, it offers snug comfort to enjoy on chilly days.