The best flooring for underfloor heating
Compare the different types of flooring suitable for underfloor heating and how they perform
The majority of popular floor coverings are suitable for use with underfloor heating (UFH), meaning that you have a wide choice of flooring to suit the look and feel of your home.
Jump to information about:
- What is the best flooring for underfloor heating?
- Comparing flooring suitable for underfloor heating
- The best floor coverings for underfloor heating
- The best flooring for your underfloor heating type
- Common floor coverings Q&As
What is the best flooring for underfloor heating?
The best flooring for underfloor heating is one that efficiently transfers heat from the UFH to the surface of the floor. Hard surfaces like stone or ceramic tiles, or engineered wood, offer the best heat transfer as they are the most thermally conductive, but many other options work well.
Sensitive floor coverings can be protected by a floor sensor that limits the top temperature of the UFH, and even carpet can be a good match provided the combined tog value of the carpet and any underlay is less than 2.5.
Comparing flooring suitable for underfloor heating
We compare how easily different floor coverings transfer heat to the surface of the floor.
| Floor covering | Project type | Floor level | Heat transfer level |
| Ceramic and stone tiles | New build and renovation | All floor levels | Very high |
| Polished screed and resin | New build and renovation | Ground floor | Very high |
| Vinyl and linoleum | New build and renovation | All floor levels | High |
| Solid and engineered wood | New build and renovation | All floor levels | High |
| Carpets and rugs | New build and renovation | All floor levels | Medium |
The best floor coverings for underfloor heating
Solid & Engineered Wood
Engineered timber floor coverings have a good structural stability that allows them to perform well with UFH. Solid hardwoods and softwoods can also be used, but care should be taken when specifying board width and thickness.
- Transfers heat well
- Timeless finish
- Adds aesthetic ‘warmth’ to a design scheme
- Suitable for all floor levels
- Wide range of colours, grains, patterns and finishes to choose from
Need to know: Timber floor finishes should be allowed to acclimatise in the property before fitting to avoid the risk of the timber expanding or contracting after installation.
Ceramic Tiles & Stone
The highest thermal conductivity and a stylish, easy-to-clean surface make ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles a popular choice in kitchens and bathrooms. UFH takes the chill off what can otherwise be a cold flooring underfoot.
- Efficient and even heat transfer
- Perfect for kitchens and bathrooms
- High-end finish
- Large range of styles, colours and patterns
- Durable and long-lasting
- Can be installed on any floor level
Need to know: Use a decoupling membrane over the underfloor heating before you fit the tiles – this allows for any movement in the sub-floor, and protects the tiles from the risk of cracking.
Vinyl & Linoleum
Vinyl floor tiles are a stylish and durable partner for UFH, creating a luxury finish to suit your interior design.
- High quality look for traditional or contemporary homes
- Hardwearing floor finish
- Suitable for all floor levels
- Ideal for well-insulated rooms with lower heat requirements
Need to know: Fit a floor sensor to limit the heat output of the UFH to protect sensitive floor coverings.
Carpet & Rugs
UFH can be used with most types of carpet, provided the overall Tog value of the carpet and any underlay doesn’t exceed 2.5.
- Comfortable feel underfoot
- Available in a vast range of colourways and designs
- Perfect for traditional interior design schemes
Need to know: Avoid felt and polyurethane underlays as they can affect heat transfer, and always refer to the manufacturer’s technical guide for Tog ratings.
Polished Screed & Resin
Polished screeds and synthetic resins are tough, durable floor finishes that are becoming increasingly popular in domestic properties. Screed is very conductive and pairing it with UFH takes away the ‘cold touch’ of hard flooring.
- Efficient and even heat transfer
- Hard-wearing, clean and seamless finish
- Modern, contemporary finish available in numerous colours
- Screed acts as a thermal store, holding heat for longer
- Suitable for new build and renovation projects
Need to know: Resin finishes are applied over the screed or self-levelling compound that covers the UFH. Specialist LoPro® retrofit UFH systems provide an unrivalled heat output for renovation projects.
Laminate
Available in a multitude of colours and finishes, laminate flooring is easy to clean and simple to fit, making it a practical choice for pairing with UFH.
- Cost-effective floor covering
- Suitable for all floor levels
- Wipe clean for high traffic areas
- Can mimic wood and stone finishes
Need to know: Protect your laminate floor by checking the manufacturer’s guidelines on maximum underfloor heating temperatures.
The best flooring for your underfloor heating type
Use our floor covering comparison table to see what floor finishes will work best with underfloor heating in your property.
| Project type | UFH type | Compatible floor coverings | Unsuitable floor coverings |
| NEW BUILDS | ClipTrack® screed UFH |
|
|
| FastDeck® UFH |
|
|
|
| Renovations | LoPro®10 |
|
|
| LoPro®Max |
|
|
|
| LoPro®Lite |
|
|
|
| Upper floors | ClippaPlate® |
|
|
| Single rooms | LoPro®Max OneZone® warm water UFH kits |
|
|
| LoPro®Lite OneZone® warm water UFH kits |
|
|
|
| ElectroMat® electric UFH kits |
|
|
Common floor coverings Q&As
Now you know about the best flooring for underfloor heating, you might also like to read these common Q&As:
How soon after installing the UFH can the floor covering be laid?
This depends upon the type of the UFH. Floor coverings can be fitted immediately over completely dry UFH systems like FastDeck® and ClippaPlate®, whilst systems that include a screed or compound will need to dry and cure fully before floor coverings can be fitted. Please refer to the installation information for your chosen UFH system for details.
Is any preparation required before the floor covering can be laid over the UFH?
Most floor coverings require a completely flat surface, so some preparation may be needed to make sure this is the case. This is particularly important with carpets, as any undulations may be evident in the final finish, and tiles, where uneven surfaces can results in the tiles ‘rocking’ or cracking.
How long after laying the floor covering/s should I wait until turning the UFH on?
This will vary depending upon your chosen floor covering, but you should always heat up the floor gently to avoid shocking the floor finish with a sudden change in temperature. Check the flooring manufacturer’s guidelines and UFH installation document for details.
