Want to install underfloor heating and then lay a (click) laminate floor? No problem! There are a few conditions you need to consider to ensure proper operation. We'd be happy to tell you more!
Underfloor heating under a laminate floor
Laminate is one of the most popular flooring options. It's easy to install (yourself) and often less expensive than "real" wood, PVC, or tiles. Due to its popularity, there are increasingly more options available. Furthermore, the range of laminate floors suitable for use with underfloor heating is also expanding.
Choose the right type of laminate
Laminate flooring consists of three to four layers. Depending on the quality of these layers, a laminate floor has a higher or lower thermal resistance (RC value). The lower the RC value, the more heat the floor transmits. An optimal RC value is 0.10 or lower. If the RC value is higher than 0.15, the laminate is not suitable for underfloor heating. The insulation value is too high, meaning the heat is not transferred effectively.
Nowadays, there's even "underfloor heating-friendly" laminate. This extra-thin laminate doesn't require an underlay, allowing for even better heat transfer.
Use the correct hot water temperature
Laminate is sensitive to large temperature fluctuations. If the temperature changes too quickly and too much, cracks and crevices can develop. A laminate floor also always needs some free space around it to allow for expansion and/or contraction. To minimize the "movement" of a laminate floor, we recommend setting the hot water supply temperature not too high. The rule of thumb is that the surface temperature of the laminate should not exceed 28° Celsius. Therefore, it's best to choose a slightly lower water supply temperature for even heating and heat output.
Choose the right subfloor
Laminate flooring is usually laid on a special underlayment suitable for laminate flooring. This helps to compensate for any minor imperfections in the (cement) screed, providing sound insulation, and soundproofing. The insulating properties of the underlayment are crucial when combined with laminate flooring. There are special perforated underlayments suitable for underfloor heating. These transfer heat effectively while also providing sound insulation and compensating for minor imperfections.
PVC flooring as an alternative to laminate
More and more people are choosing PVC flooring over laminate. A major advantage of PVC flooring is its lower thermal resistance (RC value). Combined with underfloor heating, a PVC floor provides better thermal performance than laminate. PVC flooring has undergone significant development in recent years, and there are increasingly more options available. For example, current PVC floors with wood or tile textures are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
Main heating or additional heating
There are a growing number of laminate floors and underlays on the market that are compatible with underfloor heating as the primary heating system. With primary heating, there are no other heat sources in a room. If you've chosen a laminate floor with a higher RC value, you can still use underfloor heating, but you'll also need other heat sources such as radiators. In that case, you use underfloor heating as supplementary heating.
The pros and cons in a row
Advantages
- Energy saving
- Living comfort
- Low purchase price laminate
Disadvantages
- Higher thermal conductivity
- Floor can shrink and expand
- An underlayment is required
