BACKAs another winter creeps up on us, you may be thinking about installing underfloor heating in your home. An underfloor heating system creates warmth from the ground up. When compared to convectional heating systems, it is differentiated because it eliminates the need for forced air circulation and reduces the spread of allergens and dust.
Electric underfloor heating is becoming a fast favourite for Australian homes and offices due to its quiet, efficient, and easy-to-use nature.
Underfloor heating is suited to almost any flooring type, however, there are several factors to be taken into consideration when choosing flooring material:
Flooring Manufacturer Recommendations: Although most flooring types are well-suited to underfloor heating, some types of flooring such as solid wood, cork, and high-TOG carpets are not suitable for underfloor heating. This is because the nature of these flooring types makes them susceptible to warping, cracking, and creating gaps when exposed to heat. Some flooring types such as high-TOG carpets also act as insulators, which prevents the heat from rising to the surface, making them incompatible with this form of heating. It is important to always discuss whether underfloor heating is the right choice for your home with your flooring manufacturer.
Thermal Conductivity: Good thermal conductivity is needed for heat to transfer efficiently. Materials such as tiles have high conductivity, meaning it requires less energy to make your spaces warm and cosy. Softer materials such as carpet and wood have lower conductivity, meaning it takes them longer to transfer heat but they feel warmer underfoot. These materials paired with underfloor heating make for a cost-effective and sustainable option too.
Moisture Resistance: The flooring needs good moisture resistance in wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens.
Durability: The flooring should have the capacity to withstand temperature fluctuations without being subjected to warping or cracking.
Tile Heaters
Tile Compatibility
Tiling is one of the most common flooring finishes underfloor heating is paired with. Tile flooring involves ceramic, mosaic, or porcelain tiles and is an ideal option for bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, outdoor, and living areas. Underfloor tile heating has high thermal conductivity and moisture resistance, making it ideal for wet areas – and yes, you can even put under-tile heating in your shower!
Natural Stone Flooring Tiles
Natural stone flooring is becoming a popular renovation and build trend in Australian homes this year. This type of flooring is commonly made of marble, limestone, granite, and/or slate. Stone flooring has high thermal conductivity and durability, creating the capacity to retain heat for a long period.
Tile Preparation
Before installing tile heaters in wet areas, it is essential that any waterproofing is completely dry. This is to ensure that the job meets Australian building regulations. This is also in place so that if there are any issues with the heaters at any point, we don’t need to penetrate any of the waterproofing to access them. It is important to note that mosaic tiles or tiles larger than 600mm x 600mm require a screed or leveler on top of the heaters to protect them. For mosaic tiles, a leveler is required to provide enough material to distribute the heat evenly.
Occasionally, in-screed heaters are used under stone tiles if they are thicker than 30mm. This is because thicker flooring types create more space to heat between the heater and surface of the tiles. They are heated more efficiently by our in-screed heating cables, than our regular tile heaters.
Carpet Heating
Another common flooring finish that works well with underfloor heating is carpet. Speedheat has specialised carpet heaters that are wrapped in a thin layer of foil for optimal thermal conductivity. Underfloor heating in carpeted areas make for the cosiest parts of a house, perfect for kids and the elderly.
**Please note that carpet heaters are not a suitable method for drying your carpet. Using underfloor heating to dry out your damp carpet will force the carpet to contract and shrink. If your carpets are cleaned, you will need to wait until the carpet is completely dry again to use your underfloor heating system.**
Carpet Preparation
It is important that an underlay is placed beneath the carpet heaters to ensure the heat distribution is even across the space. Make sure there are no staples placed where the heaters will be installed so as not to damage them.
Floorboards
Timber Flooring Compatibility
This is a great flooring option for underfloor heating, especially for larger living areas, bedrooms, and hallways. For homes with underfloor heating, engineered timber flooring is a cost-effective alternative to solid hardwood flooring. It uses real wood veneer over a plywood or composite base, which gives it more stability and makes it less susceptible to warping due to temperature changes. However, some types of timber flooring may not be suitable for high-moisture areas so be sure to have a conversation with your flooring manufacturer.
Bamboo Flooring Compatibility
Bamboo is a regenerating grass that grows significantly faster than hardwood. This makes bamboo flooring a great option for homeowners that are environmentally conscious. However, it is important to note that bamboo floorboards can be sensitive to scratching and moisture depending on the manufacturer.
Floorboard Preparation
Although floorboards are a great option to pair with underfloor heating, there are still precautions that need to be taken before laying any form of floorboards over underfloor heaters.
You will need a smooth concrete-like surface below underfloor heating in areas with floorboards and a thin self-leveler poured once the heating is laid. Our heaters are only 1.5mm thick, so the leveler could be as thin as 2mm to cover. This is to ensure an even distribution of heating once the flooring is finished.
Because of the nature of floorboards, you may need to limit the floor temperature. This is because, over time, their exposure to high temperatures can cause movement/swelling in the boards. It is always good to check with your flooring manufacturer as every type of flooring is different. Our thermostats are able to limit the floor temperature to 27 degrees Celcius so you can still reap the benefits of underfloor heating on floorboards.
Laminate Flooring Compatibility
When considering underfloor heating, laminate flooring is also a great option for those on a tighter budget. Heat can be effectively transferred through high-quality laminate flooring with a suitable underlay. Laminate flooring is not only affordable but is also durable. However, it can be vulnerable to damage through moisture if not sealed properly.
Vinyl Flooring Compatibility
Another cost-effective floor fitting is vinyl flooring. It has excellent spill and water resistance, as well as high durability, making it a good option for households with young children or pets. Vinyl flooring also comes in a wide range of styles, making it a versatile option for interior design choices. However, it is important to note that vinyl is not a good distributor of heat.
A 5-10mm leveler is always required to be poured over our heating before vinyl or laminate flooring is laid. If a leveler is not applied, the heat will not be distributed evenly and there is a risk of the heating creating raised lines in the flooring. This leveler needs to be completely dry before the flooring is laid on top of the heaters. This protects both the heaters and the floorboards when the heating is on.
In-Screed or In-Slab
Concrete and Decorative Screed
Other classic flooring types that pair well with electric underfloor heating are polished concrete floors and decorative screed. This is a classic choice for people in apartments, warehouses, or those who prefer the sleek finish of polished concrete. Cement and decorative screed floors have great water, scratch, and spill resistance, making them a great choice for households with pets and young children.
In-Slab/In-Screed Preparation
We use slightly thicker cables for these types of installations which take longer to heat up, but also longer to cool down. This is great if you have a standard schedule and know when you are likely to be utilising the space. If the cement is anywhere from 25-50mm and is being poured on top of an existing slab we will use in-screed heaters. The in-screed method sticks the heater elements down on the slab before the screed is poured over top. For cement floors thicker than 50mm, the in-slab method is used, where the heaters are attached to the reinforcing steel before the concrete slab is poured.
Speedheat’s Underfloor Heating
Whether you would like us to install underfloor heating or would prefer to have your site electrician do it for you, Speedheat offers a variety of heaters to suit your needs. Our heaters are designed for durability while also being the thinnest on the market, making them versatile to fit your space. We have 40+ years of installation experience, which makes bringing warmth into your home a seamless process for us. Even on more complicated sites, our installers have the knowledge for complex problem-solving and are solution-oriented.
And for those who prefer a DIY approach (with the help of a qualified electrician of course), Speedheat offers high-quality underfloor heating kits that you can install at your own pace. Our user-friendly kits can contribute to achieving efficient and comfortable heating in your space on a budget. Our team are also happy to provide help every step along the way, we can be reached on our email, info@speedheat.com.au, or you can request a quote directly on our website.