Underfloor heating is an economical and efficient way of heating your house that eliminates the need for bulky radiators. It gives you an evenly warmed home and lower energy bills, but your choice of flooring will impact on the warmth generated. In order to get the most from your new underfloor heating you will need a material that conducts the heat being generated quickly and efficiently to the surface of the floor. There are so many different floor coverings to choose from and your own preferences will be an important factor in the final decision. Let's have a look at some of the most popular choices that will help you enjoy all the benefits of underfloor heating.
Stone, Slate and Ceramic Tiles
Stone flooring is great at conducting heat and will warm up quickly when required as well as being incredibly hard wearing. However, the price of the stone itself and the high installation cost make it a real luxury product. Like stone, slate flooring is also very conductive as well as being visually very appealing but, again, comes with a high price tag. Ceramic tiles do a fantastic job at conducting heat quickly and evenly and are the cheaper of the three options, although they cannot fully reproduce the uniqueness that each individual stone tile possesses.
Carpet Flooring
The best type of flooring for underfloor heating will conduct heat to the surface quickly and efficiently, unfortunately carpet isn't great for this. Carpet is a good insulator, so keeping heat in is not a problem but it is not good for transferring heat to the surface of the floor. This means that carpet will reduce the amount of heat coming through so is probably not best suited to underfloor heating.
Wood Flooring
When using underfloor heating with wooden flooring, the moisture content is all important. Too much moisture and the wood will dry out and shrink, leaving unsightly gaps between the boards. Too little moisture and the boards will warp and swell as they adjust to the environment, resulting in an uneven floor.
Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl flooring is a cost effective floor covering that is also great at conducting heat to the surface of the floor from your underfloor heating. It's simple to install and maintain and, when this is combined with its durability, makes it a good choice for those on a budget. As it is incredibly water resistant, vinyl is a great option for kitchens and bathrooms or other areas that need protection from water.
If you need any help or advice on the best flooring to compliment your underfloor heating then we will be happy to assist. Please feel free to contact the office today and we will do our best to help you find the most suitable product.
