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GUIDE TO FLOOR COVERINGS
FOR UNDER FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS
Under floor heating systems will work efficiently with any floor covering, as long as it
is well insulated underneath. However, each covering has different thermal conduction
properties, and harder surfaces offer better conductivity and, therefore, better heat
output rates. The following notes provide some guidance on each type of covering.
Vinyl
Suitable for all Polypipe under floor heating systems:
Sheet vinyl is sensitive to long term exposure to heat. There are
two categories of vinyl; one is limited to constant temperatures
of around 26°C and the other to 30°C. Check the floor surface
temperature indicated by your vinyl supplier for compatibility
with under floor heating. If unsure contact the Polypipe hotline
or the vinyl floor manufacturer.
Laminate
Suitable for all Polypipe under floor heating systems:
Laminate flooring should be laid on roll type floor leveller,
rather than the rigid panel type. Movement that occurs must
be accommodated by an expansion gap around the floor deck.
Timber
Suitable for Polypipe solid floor and suspended floor systems:
Concerns regarding the effect of heat on a timber floor are
misplaced. The more important issue is the floor moisture
content. Timber floors should be laid at a moisture content
of 10-11%, which when heated will reduce to 8-9%, and cause
only a very small amount of shrinkage. The floor will re-absorb
some moisture when the heating is not operating and the
moisture content will increase to 12-13%. Further details
on installing timber floors over Polypipe under floor heating
systems can be found on page 15.
Carpet and underlay
Suitable for all Polypipe under floor heating systems:
The nature and thickness of the carpet underlay is fundamental
in determining good heat transfer. The most popular underlay
type is sponge with a waffle pattern moulded into the underside.
These allow good heat transfer. Felt and rubber crumb underlay
should be avoided. These products can seriously reduce the
effectiveness of an under floor heating system, as they insulate
the floor surface and prevent heat transfer.
The TOG value of carpet and underlay should be available from
the respective manufacturer. For optimal system performance
choose an underlay with a maximum TOG value of approximately
0.5. The maximum TOG value of carpet should be approximately
1.0 to 1.5.
Stone and ceramic tiles,
marble or flagstones
Suitable for all Polypipe under floor heating systems:
These types of floor finishes are usually cold underfoot.
However, with floor heating they are transformed into warm
comfortable surfaces. Each of these finishes is essentially
brittle and it is imperative that the design of the supporting
floor structure is stable and rigid to prevent cracking.
It is recommended that flexible adhesives and grout be used.
