Warm Floor Store

What is the Best Flooring for Underfloor Heating?

07/10/2025

When you’ve invested time and money in the right underfloor heating system, you don’t want it to be compromised by the type of flooring you install on top. Instead, you want your chosen flooring to enhance your underfloor heating, transferring heat easily and evenly to create a warm, cosy, and comfortable environment. 

In this blog, we cover the most popular flooring choices for UFH systems. Comparing their compatibility with underfloor heating systems, and more importantly, helping you decide is the best option for your home. 

Can Underfloor Heating Work Under Any Flooring?

Although both electric underfloor heating systems and water underfloor heating systems operate under any flooring, it’s the flooring's ability to transfer heat that is the bigger question. For example, cork, solid wood, and thick-pile carpets can prevent heat from moving easily. In contrast, hard surfaces such as engineered wood and tiles are thermally conductive and, therefore, transfer heat extremely efficiently. 

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What Are My Flooring Options for Underfloor Heating?

The best choice of flooring for underfloor heating systems includes:

  • Carpets and Rugs (with a tog rating under 2.5)

  • Engineered Wooden Flooring

  • Laminate Tiles or Flooring

  • Vinyl and Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

  • Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles

  • Stone

  • Screed & Resin

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Comparing Different Flooring Suitability for Underfloor Heating

Let’s take a look at the different flooring options available, and which ones would be most suitable for your home and underfloor heating system. 

  1. Carpet & Rugs

As we mentioned, thick-pile carpets are not ideal for UFH, as they smother rather than release heat. However, carpets and rugs with lower tog ratings (anything under 2.5) work extremely well with electric or water underfloor heating systems. 

The benefits of pairing carpet or rugs with UFH:

  • Withstand temperatures up to 27°C

  • Offers a more traditional interior design

  • Softer and more comfortable underfoot

  • A wide choice of colours and patterns to suit your style

  • Can be installed in any interior room or floor

  • Compatible with both electric and water UFH

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  1. Engineered Wooden Floors

If you desire the look of authentic wood without compromising your underfloor heating, consider engineered wooden floors. Thanks to modern technology and craftsmanship, they have a thinner design that performs better with both electric UFH and water UFH. 

The benefits of pairing engineered wood with UFH:

  • Withstand temperatures up to 27°C

  • Retain that natural wooden look and feel

  • Transfers heat efficiently and evenly

  • Suitable for all interior rooms and flooring

  • A range of colours and grains to match your style

  1. Solid Wood Flooring

Although solid wood provides a beautiful finish, it is not the best choice to optimise your underfloor heating. As a natural material, solid wood reacts to fluctuating temperatures, causing it to expand and contract with temperature changes. Wood is also a natural insulator, which may retain heat rather than disperse it. 

However, many have seen the benefits of combining solid wooden floors with underfloor heating. Our blog, ‘Does Underfloor Heating Work with Wooden Floors?’ helps debunk some common myths. 

  1. Laminate Tiles and Flooring

Laminate and vinyl flooring are crafted with multiple layers. This makes it ideal for transferring heat, as well as creating a stable structure that can handle heat fluctuations. The recommended thickness for laminate is 18mm for the best results, with temperatures not exceeding 27°C. 

The benefits of pairing laminate with UFH:

  • Withstand temperatures up to 27°C

  • Efficient and even heat transfer

  • Suitable for all interior rooms and floors

  • Easy to clean

  • A range of colours and patterns, including wood and stone finishes

  • Compatible with both electric and water UFH

  1. Vinyl and Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Vinyl is a popular flooring choice, not just for its style but also for its style, comfort, convenience, and durability. It is typically installed in hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms where UFH is often found, making it a great pairing. 

The benefits of pairing vinyl with UFH:

  • Withstand temperatures up to 27°C

  • A waterproof flooring option

  • Suitable for all interior rooms and floors

  • Compatible with both electric and water UFH

  • Available in a range of colours and patterns

  • Can replicate the look of real wood

  1. Ceramic Tiles & Stone

This type of flooring offers the highest thermal conductivity for underfloor heating. This is what makes it an ideal flooring choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways where underfloor heating may be installed. 

The benefits of pairing tiles or stone with UFH:

  • Withstands heat up to 27°C

  • It provides an efficient and even transfer of heat

  • Available in a range of colours and patterns to match your style

  • Durable and long-lasting flooring

  • Easy to clean 

  • Suitable for internal and external use

  • Compatible with both electric and water UFH

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  1. Polished Screed & Resin

These types of flooring are popular in commercial spaces due to their hard-wearing and durable properties. However, polished finishes are also gaining popularity in domestic spaces. Screed and resin are highly conductive. So, when partnered with underfloor heating, you remove the cold snap of hard flooring and replace it with a warm, comfortable environment.  

The benefits of pairing screed or resin with UFH:

  • Withstands heat up to 27°C

  • Compatible with both electric and water UFH

  • They act as thermal stores, holding heat for longer

  • Transfer heat efficiently and evenly

  • A modern, contemporary look and finish

  • Suitable for interior and exterior flooring

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To find out more about the best type of flooring to match your underfloor heating system, contact our experienced sales team on 01604 815711.