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A must-have luxury flooring feature for any UK home, underfloor heating has continued to grow in popularity over the last few years – it’s getting more affordable, and new technology means that it can be installed in more rooms of the home, and under more types of flooring. There’s nothing quite like stepping into your kitchen in the morning and feeling that soft warming sensation through your socks as you pour your morning coffee – especially in chilly winter months.
Underfloor heating is not restricted to use only with wood and stone floors. Thanks to those updated manufacturing methods and stronger materials, underfloor heating can now be installed beneath all kinds of floor – including LVT flooring!
But is LVT good for underflooring heating, and will using underfloor heating with this material increase the cost of your LVT flooring? We’ve put together a dedicated guide on all things to do with LVT and underfloor heating, so you can start planning a smarter look for your floors, and warmer mornings for your feet.
Can you have underfloor heating with LVT?
In short, yes, you absolutely can use LVT with underfloor heating! Prized primarily for its versatility and durability, LVT has proven to be one of the best flooring materials available for those looking for an affordable flooring option to go with this form of luxury home heating system.
However, that’s not to say that all LVT flooring is made equally, and only specific LVT types are suitable for use with underfloor heating, so make sure you pick an appropriately rated LVT for your heated floor before installation.
What are the pros and cons of using LVT with underfloor heating?
Although LVT is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems, like all flooring materials, this tile option does come with its own set of pros and cons. Below is a list of the most important ones you should be aware of if you plan on using LVT with your heated floor:
Benefits of using LVT with underfloor heating
Starting with the advantages of LVT first, here are the main reasons why LVT makes for such a good material option for heated floors:
- Excellent heat distribution – thanks to its naturally conductive nature, LVT typically provides a more even distribution of heat across your floor surface.
- Fast heating – being thinner than standard wood planks and other flooring materials, underfloor heated LVT tends to warm to your desired temperature underfoot far quicker than alternate floor options.
- Energy efficient – following on from its fast-heating potential, LVT floors can also make for a far more energy-efficient underfloor heating option, as you won’t need to run your heating for as long to bring it up to your preferred temperature. Not only that, but the insulative properties of LVT mean your floor will remain warm for a while even after your heating system is turned off.
- Easy maintenance – finally, although not the case for all forms of LVT installation, if you pick a click-locking LVT floor, it’ll be much easier to fix any underfloor heating problems you experience as you’ll only need to remove a set of planks, rather than the floor in its entirety.
Drawbacks of using LVT with underfloor heating
While the benefits of LVT are nothing to be sniffed at, this flooring option does come with a few downsides that you need to be aware of should you want to use it in combination with underfloor heating:
- Lower heat thresholds – even though LVT can handle a reasonable degree of heat, the threshold at which such heat will start to warp your LVT is lower than standard wood flooring, making glue-down LVT in particular unsuitable for use with high heat systems.
- Lower temperatures – as a result of its lower heat threshold, heated LVT floors cannot be heated to as high a temperature as normal wood floors or stone tile sets.
- Lower heat retention – LVT certainly does have good heat retention levels, however, such heat retention levels are still lower than that of real wood flooring.
- Higher upfront costs – lastly, heated LVT floors can have much higher upfront costs than non-heated LVT floors, especially if you need to install underfloor heating first. On top of this, you may also want to hire a professional fitter to do the job for a seamless finish that will facilitate even heating.
Which is the best LVT for underfloor heating?
As we’ve already mentioned, the best LVT for underflooring heating will be one specifically designed for use in tandem with higher temperatures.
Essentially, if you don’t pick a heat-resistant form of LVT that’s been marked as compatible for use with underfloor heating, your new floor either won’t conduct the heat properly or will quickly warp and peel.
For this reason, when shopping for underfloor heating LVT, always read the manufacturing details and properties, that way you can be sure that the LVT you want to use for your installation is suitable for use with underfloor heating.
How to lay LVT over underfloor heating
For the most part, the process for how to lay LVT over underfloor heating is exactly the same as the standard method of LVT installation – the only real difference being that you may be installing the underfloor heating yourself before putting down your new floor.
This in and of itself can be a complicated process to get right, so we recommend having a professional install your preferred underfloor heating system so that you know it’s being installed correctly and safely.
On top of this, you may also need to install an additional subfloor layer of HDF wood if you’re not laying your LVT on concrete, otherwise your underfloor heating will be in direct contact with your LVT tiles.
Next, before installing your LVT tiles, make sure your underfloor heating has been turned off for a minimum of 48 hours so that your room reaches its natural ambient temperature. Once it’s installed, keep the heating off for another 48 hours after installation, to ensure any adhesive sets and that your tiles can settle properly into place.
Finally, once these 48 hours have passed, you can activate your underfloor heating system at its lowest setting. From here, slowly increase the temperature over the course of a week until you reach your perfectly toasty temperature underfoot.
Explore our LVT range today
As you can see, you can happily install an LVT floor with underfloor heating, and it definitely makes for a far more affordable option for any homeowners on a tighter renovation budget.
So, if you’re ready to start laying your new floor today, find the best stock from the best suppliers from the best website, right here at Flooring King. With products from top brands like Quick-Step and finishes from herringbone wood LVT to stone effect LVT, we know you’ll find the right option for your underfloor heating needs.
Don’t forget to visit our blog as well for more articles like this one, including our guide on how to cut LVT flooring properly during the installation process!
