Can You Have Underfloor Heating With Carpet?

With carpet providing a soft, luxurious feel to your home or business, many people ask whether underfloor heating and carpet can go together. It is well-known that underfloor heating matches perfectly with tiles and laminate, but can the trusty carpet fit in with your next project? There are a few considerations that are worth taking into account - read on to find more.

Underfloor heating and carpet compatibility

Underfloor heating can be effectively used with carpet, but there are a few important factors to consider for optimal performance of your system. The combined tog rating of the carpet and underlay should not exceed 2.5 to ensure efficient heat transfer, as a higher tog rating can act as an insulator, reducing the system's efficiency. Thicker carpets may feel luxurious, but they'll slow down the heat transfer from the underfloor heating system to the room above. When selecting carpet, it's worth ensuring the carpet type has a low tog rating, with thin material. Additionally, it may also help to look into underlays designed specifically to improve the output of an underfloor heating system under carpet.

What are the benefits of underfloor heating under carpet?

Carpet can offer various benefits in a home, contributing to the comfort and aesthetics of your lifestyle. Carpet brings about comfort and warmth, with a soft comfortable surface underfoot, especially during colder seasons whereby tiles can be almost unbearable when the temperatures drop. They also work in a part to reduce noise, absorbing sound and reducing the decibels of day-to-day life such as footsteps, moving furniture or children playing.

Carpets are also great at insulating your home, providing an additional layer of warmth to your floors. They work to retain heat and are known to contribute to energy efficiency by reducing the need to whack your radiator up a further notch. Like underfloor heating, carpet is a very versatile material, it can be installed in almost any room or area of any size, and so is a go-to flooring option for installation in tight corners or rooms that require a bit more of a quicker installation.

High-quality carpets when properly maintained can be durable and long-lasting. With regular cleaning and care, carpets can last for over a decade without needing replacing. When it comes to replacement, they are also a very cost-effective flooring option and are a budget-friendly choice for homeowners.

Carpet suitable for underfloor heating

When using carpet with underfloor heating, it is important to look at the type of carpet that is to be laid on top and to assess whether it will 1) be safe with your system and 2) will work well with your system.

Very thick carpets, known in the industry as 'high pile carpets' or shag carpets can be detrimental to an underfloor heating system, as they work to keep your floor extremely insulated. Although insulation via carpet can be very efficient in keeping in heat, they will also work to prevent heat from an underfloor heating system from rising through the carpet and into your room. Look for carpets that are under 2.5 tog to ensure that your system will still be as powerful with carpet.

The backing of the carpet itself will also come into play when it comes to picking the right carpet to work with your system, carpets with rubber backings are seen as one to avoid as they will trap heat under the carpet and could result in mould.

What overlay should I pair with underfloor heating and carpet?

When it comes to installing your underfloor heating system, dropping a carpet directly on top of your underfloor heating mat is not recommended and it is advised that a overlay system is used. Solutions such as the Heat-Pak Dual Overlay System work by being placed on top of your underfloor heating system, providing a base for you to install your carpet on top of. These overlay systems work by offering a very low thermal resistance, allowing heat energy to pass quickly and efficiently to the surface, this results in a fast warm up time and maximum comfort.

What is the best carpet underlay for underfloor heating?

All carpet requires an underlay, providing adding insulation for your floor, adding softness underfloor and providing protection against moisture. Whilst this is all great in hindsight, with your underfloor heating system beneath this underlay, you want to avoid providing insulation against the underfloor heating of which will heat your room. Thus, it's important that when opting for a carpet underlay to pair with your underfloor heating system, you opt for one with a low tog rating, ideally below 1.0, as these are most effective. Materials like polyurethane, foam and sponge rubber are popular choices as they lightly insulate whilst ensuring powerful heat conduction without blocking warmth to your room. Always avoid thicker underlays or those made from dense materials, as they can reduce heat efficiency and hinder the performance of your heating system.

What underfloor heating system should I use with carpet?

Whilst there are numerous underfloor heating options on the market, from water or electric underfloor heating, and various types such as mat kits, cables or foils, for carpet underfloor heating installs we recommend pairing this with a foil underfloor heating mat. This heating foil sees cables encased between two layers of heat reflective aluminium foil that works to offer reliable and even heat distribution through your carpet that is consistent and controllable to suit your needs. When paired with Heat-Pak Dual Overlay System, you'll find the two components will be an ultimate pairing for a carpet underfloor heating installation.

Will underfloor heating and carpet be safe?

Matching underfloor heating with carpet is entirely safe, however we strongly advise that you hire a reputable underfloor heating expert to correctly install your system for that peace of mind and to ensure your system for many years to come. You should also obey the maximum temperature for carpet flooring of 27°C and ensure the system is not installed under any fitted furniture such as cabinets or cupboards.

How to install electric underfloor heating under carpet?

To install electric underfloor heating under carpet, it is important you purchase a foil underfloor heating system, which is specifically designed for carpet, vinyl and wood floor types. This system type is designed with special materials to make it free from problems of hot-spots of localised heating, ensuring consistent and controllable warmth throughout a carpeted floor room. This should be paired with ProFoam or XPS insulation, and the Heat-Pak Dual Overlay. From the floor up, you should have your concrete or wood subfloor, an insulation board, your foil heating mat, the dual overlay system and then finally, your carpet floor covering.

In conclusion, the combination of underfloor heating and carpet is a harmonious pairing that need not be avoided, and many homeowners are currently embracing this setup to enhance the comfort and efficiency of their homes. The marriage of underfloor heating and carpet brings together the luxurious warmth provided by the heating system with the soft, plush feel of carpeting underfoot. By embracing such pairing, homeowners can create a haven of relaxation and well-being, where the practical advantages of underfloor heating can seamlessly integrate with the aesthetic and tactile pleasures offered by a well-chosen carpet.