What is the best flooring to partner underfloor heating?

5 years ago

We are completely redesigning and changing our ground floor property. Underfloor heating will be fitted throughout a large room containing kitchen, diner and lounge, plus a separate snug, plus bathroom and hall. We firstly considered engineered wood, then changed our minds to wood-looking porcelain tiles, and now we've been introduced to specialist vinyl covering such as Kardean. Our minds are whirling to be honest! Can anyone out there recommend the most heat efficient system, whilst also looking good and be hard wearing. Many thanks.

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Comments (3)

Gabby Wong
5 years ago
Also interested in this - we're currently looking at getting amtico (Which I think is similar to Kardean) I think both are very similar and are meant to work well with underfloor heating!
PRO
Italian Design Ltd
5 years ago
Good evening,

They are all ok and really it's just a matter of what your would like to have. Engineered hardwood is of course the most natural and the one that will provide a more luxurious look. Your guests will notice your real wood flooring which generally speaking adds value to the property.

Wood looking porcelain tiles, as the name suggests are an imitation of wood flooring and are never available in long planks like 1900mm or more. However, good quality porcelain tiles are durable, maintenance free and will last forever.

Vinyl or LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) are again an imitation of the real thing and are very durable and maintenance free but in my opinion a bit cheap looking. Perfectly fine commercial application or for a BTL though.

Feel free to contact me for more info if needed.

Best Regards
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Hello@jones1978, We had the UFH installed 4 years ago and when researching it, I didn't even consider rugs and trapped heat; my thinking was that is 'they' say you can use carpet, a rug wouldn't make a difference. Well, as I discovered, it depends. If your rug is one of those heavy, high density knots wool rugs, the chances are that it will keep the heat trapped. However, a rather light, either cotton, sisal, viscose or thin wool rug doesn't seem to affect the overall temperature. I think the overall room temperature also depends on your insulation. The office room in the photos above is basically an internal room, it has no exterior walls or windows, so we actually rarely put the heating on in there even in December - and hubby works from home most of the week. Our living room, on the other hand, is the only room in the house with single glazing (conservation area rules) and a heavy rug; it's the coldest room in the house and looses heat pretty quick if we don't close the shutters. Luckily for us, the fireplace is functional and we light a fire almost every evening in the winter. I've been thinking about buying a thinner rug, but it really doesn't bother us that much. Make of this what you will, but personally, I still love UFH and I'd rather live with no rugs than go back to radiators... Good luck with your project! @mckevis - congrats on finishing! Please let us know how you like your UFH.
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PRO
Woodpecker Flooring
5 years ago
Hi Sandi,

We have a post all about wood flooring and underfloor heating that may help with your decision: https://woodpeckerflooring.co.uk/blog/wood-flooring-underfloor-heating/

Engineered wood flooring and underfloor heating is a really cosy combination.

Best of luck with your project!

Hannah | Woodpecker Flooring

What is the best flooring to partner underfloor heating?

Comments (3)

Gabby Wong

Italian Design Ltd

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