In-Floor Heating Options For Radiant Heat

Radiant floor heating systems are a great way to add gradual, room-filling convection heat that is silent and relatively energy efficient. This way, no matter if it’s a bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen, you can have radiant heating that will pair perfectly with your flooring, and allow your feet to feel comfortable and warm no matter the season.

Below, we’ve compiled some in-floor heating options that pair very well with these systems. Keep reading for more information.

In-floor Heating Systems

In order for the properties of an in-floor heating system to really shine, you must understand some of the most important factors to consider: the thickness of the flooring, the flooring's thermal conductive nature, how much it can expand and contract, and whether it is prone to water and heat damage. Radiant heat systems work best when synced with the proper flooring for these properties. Since flooring can make a huge statement for a house overall, here are some underfloor heating pros and cons dependent on the flooring option you choose.

Best Flooring For Radiant Heat

Porcelain or Ceramic Tile - Among the most popular radiant heat flooring options is tiling. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are great conductors of heat, and will provide the full benefits of a radiant heating system. Tile flooring is quick to heat up when your system turns on, and will also not expand as it warms or contract as it cools, avoiding cracking as a result.

Laminate Flooring - Laminate flooring often replicates the look of solid hardwood flooring or tile flooring without the expense. Its thinness is a tremendous asset when installing radiant heating, allowing the heat to penetrate and dissipate quickly and efficiently. The laminate material is built up with layers of wood that run in opposite directions, which creates a more stable material that does not expand or contract.

Natural Stone Flooring - Granite, travertine, sandstone and other natural stone flooring types are great conductors of heat. Not only is stone safe to use over radiant heating, but it also retains heat for a longer period than tile after system shut-off. One con of natural stone is that it’s slightly thicker than ceramic and porcelain tile, and heats up a bit slower than tile as a result. However, it does retain heat for a long time, and never expands or contracts.

Engineered Wood Flooring - Like laminate, engineered wood is produced in layers, with a more stable base that won’t react to the heating and cooling process. The top layer of solid wood comes in all the same varieties that you’ll find with other solid hardwood flooring. However, wood is a poor thermal conductor, and heat from the system will not transmit as quickly or as thoroughly as with thinner floors.

Vinyl Plank Flooring - Radiant heating can also be installed under resilient floorings such as vinyl. Wood vinyl plank flooring, specifically, is incredibly popular with the introduction of higher quality rigid core technology.

Some of the worst radiant heat flooring options are carpets and concrete. Radiant heating can dry and loosen the adhesive on glued-down carpeting and concrete is a homogeneous mixture, making it a poor choice for conducting. 

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