An underfloor heating system like Polypipe works well with different floor covers, from tiles to carpet. We recommend you use a Polypipe Registered Installer for this work, because they will guide you through the choices and help you put together a heating system that works with your home.

There are so many choices of floor covering in modern homes. And there is a lot of misinformation flying around about how they interact with underfloor heating. Never fear! TDL’s experts can give you a quick lowdown on what works and why.

Can I put underfloor heating under a laminate floor?

Laminate flooring is popular because it is easy to install and there is a huge choice of colours and designs. But can you put heating system under it? Yes, you can! Our top tip is to go for the denser, thinner laminate flooring options because they heat up quicker, so you’ll feel the benefit sooner. Being lightweight, laminate flooring can be used with the Polypipe Overlay Lite range.

Can I put underfloor heating under carpet?

Carpet is an effective insulator and thicker carpets may insulate a bit too well, particularly in older buildings with poor energy efficiency. This insulation may keep an underfloor heating system’s heat out of the room. But there’s a way of identifying the right carpet. The total tog rating of the carpet and its underlay should be less than 2.5 tog. When you shop for your carpets, tell the fitter that it will be put in over an underfloor heating system.

Does underfloor heating work with a hardwood floor?

You can have underfloor heating with a hardwood floor. But be aware that if a timber floor gets too hot, it can delaminate. It is easy to control the temperature of a Polypipe system, however. Your engineer will set things up so that the floor never gets hotter than the recommended 27°C.

Timber floors, made from solid wood do not conduct heat as effectively, but it is still possible to install an underfloor heating system with such a floor surface. Engineered timber is a better flooring material over an underfloor heating system because it copes well with the temperature changes. As a rule, thinner and denser is best with wood. Softer, less dense woods can behave like an insulator, keeping the heat out of the room.

Does underfloor heating work with tiles?

Yes, underfloor heating works very well with stone flags and tiles. Tiles and stone flags are particularly efficient because they retain heat. You will need to use flexible tile adhesive and a flexible self-levelling compound when you put the tiles down. This is because the levelling compound and the tile adhesive will contract and expand slightly as your floor warms up. These tiny movements will cause an ordinary adhesive to crumble or crack over time.

Can I have an underfloor heating system under vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring works with underfloor heating systems. It heats and cools rapidly, so you feel the benefit sooner. Vinyl floor coverings can only be heated to 27°C, however, but as with a timber floor your engineer will set things up, so the floor never gets too hot.

We hope this answers your questions about floor coverings – but do get in touch if you need to know more. We’d love to help you make your house cosy and efficient.