Underfloor Heating and Engineered Wood Flooring

Underfloor heating systems are growing in popularity. To make sure you know what type of flooring to use, you will need to be familiar with the options. One of the most common questions we get is "Can I install underfloor heating underneath engineered wood flooring?" This blog is intended to answer this question.

The Simple Solution...

It is possible to put underfloor heating beneath your engineered wood flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring is made in a way that gives each plank dimension stability. Your floor will naturally expand or contract depending on the temperature in the room. This is possible because underfloor heating can affect the temperature. Solid wood flooring, on the other hand, is not capable of coping with an underfloor heating system's demands because the planks are less stable in terms of expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations.

Choices To Be Made...

There are many elements to consider before you decide on the flooring you want from our extensive range of engineered hardwood products.

First, what type of underfloor heating system are you going to use? There are two main types of underfloor heating systems that you can choose from: water-based and electric. Electric systems often include a foil heater. The foil heater is an electric heating pad that can be installed underneath wood flooring or other floating floors. The foil-wrapped heating cables provide a high level of thermal conductivity to the wooden flooring. This allows for quick heat-up and efficient heat distribution.

Water-based systems come in a variety of options, including rail and panel versions. However, they can vary depending on which company you choose to purchase your system.

The temperature of the underfloor heating system is another aspect to be considered. Kahrs and other retailers, as well as the vast majority of manufacturers, recommend that a floor's surface temperature not exceed 27 degrees Celsius. This is also true for areas close to heating elements and radiators. As long as you don't have any furniture, it is reasonable to expect 23 degrees Celsius across the entire underfloor area. It is important to ensure that insulation (such as our Sonic Gold Underlay) is high-quality, that windows are double-glazed and that your flooring and room meet industry standards. It is important to follow the instructions of the heating system supplier and take every precaution to ensure that the water temperature never exceeds the maximum.

It is important to check the underfloor heating system before you lay your flooring. You don't want to be forced to rip up your flooring due to a leak or fault. This could prove to be a costly error. It is best to test the system slowly, heating it at 1degC higher than the room temperature. Then, gradually heat the system until you reach the magical 27degC mark. After you've done this, turn the system off for between 48 and 72 hours before installing your flooring.

We recommend that you hire a professional to install an underfloor heating system or engineered wood flooring. This will reduce the chance of making costly mistakes.

Let us know what you think

Are you a homeowner with underfloor heating? Please share your experiences in the comments below!