Warmup Underfloor heating is suitable for use with various floor coverings.
How well they transfer the heat will depend on the total thermal resistance of the final floor finish.
Floors with a higher thermal resistance require the heater to run at a higher temperature for the same level of heat output. This means, in simpler terms, that a floor surface which takes longer for the heat to pass through it, will need to be heated to a higher temperature to achieve the same results as a floor surface that allows heat to pass through it easier.
An example of this would be a high tog carpet.
Tiles
Due to their excellent thermal conductivity properties; stone, slate, ceramic & porcelain tiles make ideal floor coverings for underfloor heating. They transmit heat evenly and are unaffected by changes in temperature or humidity.
The heat transmission characteristics of tiles are also beneficial in that they hold onto heat for a long time and distribute it more evenly across the floor, providing greater comfort.
It is important that any adhesives or grout used must be suitable for use with underfloor heating.
Wood Flooring
Engineered timber is best option of wooden flooring with underfloor heating. Its dimensional stability when exposed to varying levels of humidity allows it to perform well all year long.
Solid wood is an insulator, which means that it slows down the speed at which the heat goes from the system into the room. However, it is not as insulating as other floor surfaces like carpet.
This is why, when engineered timber is not an option, we recommend using a quarter-sawn solid wood floor surface with underfloor heating. The quarter-sawn wood also performs well when exposed to varying humidity levels and will feel pleasantly warm when under your feet.
Engineered timber is usually 14 mm thick, whereas quarter-sawn solid wood flooring is usually between 18-22 mm thick. Careful consideration should be considered if selecting solid wood over engineered timber.
Typical heat output is around 80-95W/m²
The maximum temperature to which a wooden floor can be heated, according to most manufacturers, is 27°C.
Vinyl/Linoleum
These floor coverings usually have low thermal resistance. They tend to heat up and cool down quickly in comparison to stone and timber.
As such, to allow for efficient operation, it is important than any glues/adhesives used are suitable for use with underfloor heating.
Warmup is the approved underfloor heating supplier for Karndean and Amtico flooring solutions.
Carpet
Carpets can be used with underfloor heating but there are some factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing the carpet.
All carpets have a tog rating. This indicates how insulating the carpet is (how thick it is). If your carpet is too thick, you won’t feel the warmth of the underfloor heating system.
In order to get the best results from the underfloor heating system the carpet and underlay used must not exceed a tog rating of 1.5.