But it is a possibility. You may immediately assume, however, that this means your choice of carpet is restrained, with only a few options from which to choose – and none which really suit your home.
The truth is very different. And once you understand the minutiae of when and how underfloor heating works best, you will understand that underfloor heating does work well with carpets.
Getting the best from underfloor heating
The key to underfloor heating working really well in your property are several fold;
- Insulating the floor – heat, as we know, is lost in a property through windows, doors, walls and the roof. Until recently, little attention has been paid to the floors. With underfloor heating, you need to encourage as much of the heat to radiate into the room above thus, you will need to insulate beneath the pipe work. However, too much as the heat will cause the pipes to become too hot which can lead to the system malfunctioning.
- Increasing the property’s energy efficiency – the heat provided by underfloor heating is subtler and far more comfortable than a raging hot radiator. This means that the notice the heat, your home needs to be energy efficient. This means taking all necessary steps to prevent heat loss through windows, walls, roof and the floor itself.
- Thermal conductivity – this is the process by which a material is able to grab the heat and retain it. Some materials are better at this than others. Metal, for example, I a great conductor of heat but wood not so, which is why pans are metal and not wood. That said, the gentler heat of underfloor heating is perfect for use with all kinds of floor coverings including tiles, wood, laminate and carpet.
Why do people think that carpet is no good with an underfloor heating system?
Carpet can be thick and sumptuous, a delight to sink your toes into. It is an effective insulation layer on a floor too, preventing heat loss through floorboards and any draughts from entering a room too. In addition, the texture adds warmth to the room too in terms of aesthetic appeal.
This insulating layer is the very reason why many people ask the question ‘does underfloor heating work with carpets?’. Not wanting to lose the appeal of carpet but also wanting the efficient and delightful heat of an underfloor system, they assume that they cannot have both.
Carpet can be used with an underfloor heating system but there are a few things to consider:
- Low thermal resistance – in most cases, a carpet is laid with the best-money-can-buy underlay as this helps to maintain the carpet in peak condition but also acts as an insulating layer. Over insulating this top floor covering will mean the heat from the underfloor piping will not be able to radiate into carpet as it is blocked. Hence, little or no heat in the room.
- Hessian-backed carpet – although more expensive than a rubber backed, these are the best style of carpet to use with underfloor heating as they do not overly insulate the floor, preventing heat coming through into the room.
- TOG rating – the tog rating of a carpet is important. Underfloor heating and carpets work well together when the tog rating for a carpet is below 2.5. Most carpets are between 1.5 and 2 but always check with the manufacturer.
- Maximum floor temperature – most brands of underfloor heating kits will display a maximum floor temperature; in most cases this is 27°C. The kit itself will be restricted so that this temperature is not exceeded and our expert team will be able to help you with this.
- Sub-floor insulation is paramount – we cannot emphasise enough the need to ensure that the sub floor in insulated with the correct insulation material. If your carpet is too heavy, with thick felt underlay and the sub floor insulation is also ‘too much’ the heat will simply stay in that small cavity and you will wonder why you are still cold…
Does underfloor heating really work with carpets?
Yes, it does – and there are many happy customers enjoying the subtle, gentle and comforting warmth of under carpet heating right now. With underfloor heating kits cost-effective to install and run, there is no doubt of their rising popularity either.
