If you’re fed up with the hassle, maintenance and noise that come from your radiators, you may want to consider installing underfloor heating instead. This modern alternative is much less consuming in terms of space and is estimated to be between 25 - 40% cheaper to run than traditional central heating. Lower energy bills? Sign us up!

But before you switch off your radiators for good, you need to know if underfloor heating is suitable for your floor. Here, we’ve outlined the best types of flooring to use with underfloor heating.

Engineered wood

Engineered wood flooring is the perfect match for underfloor heating. The heat travels upwards through the boards when you switch it on, allowing the wood to expand and contract due to the temperature changes. The layered construction of engineered wood also helps to retain the heat. This keeps your home warmer for longer - perfect if you love a cosy night in.

Want to know more about using underfloor heating with this type of floor? Take a look at our blog post on using Engineered Wood Flooring With Underfloor Heating.

lady ins lippers warming feet up infront of the fire. Herringbone flooring
Engineered Wood Flooring: Painswick Owl Oak

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Luxury vinyl tiles are also compatible with underfloor heating. The heat transfers across a vinyl floor quickly, making it one of the best choices out there on the market.

SPC vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof, making it the best floor for rooms that are prone to getting wet. As with all our vinyl floors, it’s suitable to install over underfloor heating, which is great news if you want warm feet when you get out of the shower!

From SPC to WSPC, we have a great range of waterproof luxury vinyl tiles that will  look stunning in your home and will pair perfectly with underfloor heating too.

underfloor heating with wood flooring and thermostat

Laminate

If you’re looking to inject a bit of colour or a wood-effect into your home, laminate flooring is a great choice. Practical, low maintenance and water-resistant, it’s one of the most popular flooring types for kitchens and bathrooms

Laminate flooring works beautifully with underfloor heating systems too, as it has relatively thin boards that help the heat travel up with ease.

To ensure you get the best results, you’ll need an underlay that’s thick and has a low TOG rating. This will help the heat circulate your room effectively and keep it as warm as possible. We recommend checking the underfloor heating instructions for the recommended TOG value.

man installing laminate planks over underfloor heating

Carpet

Can you put underfloor heating under carpets? Yes, underfloor heating can be fitted with most carpets, but keep in mind that for best results, the TOG value of the underlay and carpet shouldn't exceed 2.5. 

TOG is a unit of measurement for thermal insulation. As carpet doesn’t have a great track record for conducting heat, a lower TOG value will be more effective with underfloor heating.

However, while carpet can be used with underfloor heating, it’s not the most effective option. This is because even though it’s an excellent insulator, it’s also a very poor thermal conductor. In other words, it will stop heat from circulating around the room. In contrast, engineered wood will retain the heat, keeping your home warmer for longer.

Tile & Stone

Stone and tile floors can be cold underfoot, so underfloor heating is the perfect way to take the chill off and keep your home delightfully warm for hours. And to top it off, they’re the best floors for thermal conductivity, which means that the heat will spread out evenly. 

Make sure you use an anti-fracture membrane, flexible tile adhesive and flexible grout with your tiles when installing underfloor heating. If you skip these steps, your floor may be affected by the extra movement in the subfloor caused by the heat. 

One disadvantage of tile and stone floors is that they can be unpleasant to walk on, especially in the colder months. To avoid cold feet, we recommend you set the heating to around 21 - 22 degrees.

man installing tiles over conv=crete and underfloor heating

What flooring types are incompatible with underfloor heating?

It’s worth noting that there are certain floors you can’t install over underfloor heating.

Cork flooring

It’s not recommended you install underfloor heating under cork flooring, as exposing cork to heat can cause it to dry out and shrink. The last thing you want is a damaged floor!

Solid wood flooring

Another floor you can’t install over underfloor heating is solid wood. This is because the planks aren’t stable enough to deal with the changes in temperature, which can cause your boards to move and expand.


Whether you’re looking for vinyl flooring for your hallway, laminate for your bathroom or engineered wood for your kitchen, our collection of luxury floors has all the best flooring for underfloor heating.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram and tag us in your posts using #MyLuxuryFloor. We can't wait to see those cosy homes!