In-floor heating can greatly deliver higher-up comfort levels in your home, particularly in the cold months. However, it must be done right for you to enjoy the many benefits that come with it. And your choice of flooring is one crucial component that can make all the difference regarding your in-floor heating system's efficiency. Generally, in-floor heating systems perform best on flooring materials that conduct heat evenly and efficiently. Therefore, it would be best to think about your flooring material options when installing in-floor heating in your home. Here is all the information you need to help you get the most out of your in-floor heating.
Tile/Stone Flooring
Natural stone and tile flooring (both ceramic and porcelain) are among the top flooring options to consider for your in-floor heating. They are excellent heat conductors, which means your floor space will heat up quickly if it's made from these materials. What's more, they retain heat well. This property can help improve your in-floor heating system's efficiency because you can switch it off a bit earlier to save energy.
Also, stone and tile flooring rarely expand nor contract, so you don't have to worry about cracking when you turn the heat to high levels.
Wood Flooring
Wood is another popular flooring option because it comes with many benefits such as durability, ease of maintenance, and timeless appeal. The material also works well with in-floor heating. However, wood naturally responds to temperature changes. Therefore, you must go for thin and dense wood types that are less susceptible to shrinkage with sudden temperature changes. Engineered wood flooring is an excellent choice to consider in this regard. However, it's essential to understand that wood naturally has poor thermal conductivity. Therefore, your floor space may not heat up as quickly as it would with stone or tile flooring. Also, since heating tends to alter wood's moisture content (which can affect the floor's appearance), go for an option that holds up well against temperature changes. Kiln-dried timber flooring would be a great option to consider.
Vinyl Flooring
One of the top advantages of vinyl flooring, as compared to their wood counterparts, is that they tend to heat up faster. Note that they will also cool down quickly. However, vinyl flooring is usually not an ideal choice for in-floor heating. That's because it's typically subject to maximum floor temperature restrictions. That means they may not be the best choice for extremely cold climates or areas in your home that experience high heat loss. Old sunrooms are examples of such places
Share16 March 2021
I am the proud mother of nine grown up children! There wasn't much money around when they were little, so I was always sewing, knitting, growing vegetables and generally being self-sufficient. Now that they have their own households, you would think that I could rest a little, but I am busier than ever. I am blessed that my children and their partners are talented and have good jobs. However, they are very busy, so most of their home decorating is left up to me. From making curtains to painting bathrooms, I always have at least one project on the go. To tell the truth, I really enjoy it and it makes me feel that all my skills gained over the years are useful. I thought that people might like to read this blog which shares a lot of tips and ideas. I really hope you enjoy scanning through these pages.
