Floor panels and underfloor heating - what to consider?

The ever-growing popularity of underfloor heating stems from its numerous advantages that make this solution significantly more beneficial compared to classic heating systems. However, when deciding to install underfloor heating, it's important to remember that not all types of flooring materials will work well with it. Fortunately, modern floor panels in the vast majority can be installed on such installations and are usually the best choice. Are you wondering which types will be suitable for underfloor heating, why they're worth using, and what to pay attention to during installation? In this article, you'll find answers to these questions – check how to choose floor covering to enjoy its longevity while ensuring your high thermal comfort!

Underfloor Heating – Comfort and Modernity in One

The main arguments for installing underfloor heating are economy and comfort. Compared to classic heating systems, "underfloor heating" uses significantly less energy, which translates to lower home maintenance costs. At the same time, this feature makes floor systems environmentally friendly. They contribute to a significant reduction in houses' carbon footprint, best evidenced by the fact that they are installed even in passive buildings.

Another advantage of this solution stems directly from the laws of physics. Since warm air is lighter than cold air, as it rises from the floor surface, it evenly heats the entire interior. This means high thermal comfort in the home, enhanced by the pleasant temperature of the floor itself – you can freely walk on it even barefoot.

Finally, it's worth emphasizing that properly installed and made with good quality materials, modern "underfloor" installation features long durability. Combining this aspect with the aforementioned energy efficiency makes investing in underfloor heating exceptionally cost-effective.

All this provided the floor is covered with appropriate material. We recommend modern SPC panels made of mineral-polymer composite, which you can find in a wide selection at Yutra company's store!

Does Every Type of Panel Work with Underfloor Heating?

Currently, the vast majority of panels available on the market are adapted to work with underfloor heating. Models compatible with this heating system are appropriately marked by manufacturers. However, when choosing them, avoid being guided solely by this aspect if you want your "underfloor heating" to work with the highest possible efficiency. Models compatible with such installation are made from materials resistant to high temperatures, but they differ in technical parameters that significantly impact the efficiency of underfloor heating.

The most important related features of floor panels you should pay attention to are:

Thickness – the thicker the floor covering material, the more heat it will absorb, which in this case is unfavorable (optimally, thickness should not exceed 8-9 mm).
Heat conductivity coefficient - it determines how much thermal energy a given material can "transmit" (it should be as high as possible).
Thermal resistance coefficient – it is related to both the mentioned panel thickness and the type of material (it is recommended that the total thermal resistance of the floor covering along with the underlay beneath it should be below 0.15 m2K/W).

Installation Rules for Panels on Underfloor Heating - What to Remember?

The installation of these materials follows the same principles as laying them on a floor without a heating system. However, in the case of "underfloor heating" presence, attention should be paid to several details that directly affect the panels' longevity.

Make sure to:

thoroughly dry the substrate.
use panel underlays with a maximum thickness of 2 mm and featuring the lowest possible thermal resistance coefficient.
create expansion joints between walls and adjacent panel edges

The mentioned expansion joint is a small gap masked with a strip that reduces the risk of floor covering damage due to its expansion and contraction under temperature changes.

Do Floor Panels Affect Underfloor Heating Efficiency?

Every material used for floor covering has a significant impact on the efficiency of the heating installation beneath it. This is primarily determined by the mentioned thermal resistance, which is relatively low for most types of floor panels.

The closer its value is to zero, the more heat from the heating system will reach the room. SPC models, which you can find in a wide selection at Yutra company's store, come closest to this ideal. By installing them, you'll enjoy both high thermal comfort and low "underfloor heating" operating costs!

Why are Floor Panels on Underfloor Heating a Recipe for Year-round Comfort?

Modern floor panels excellently conduct thermal energy while having high thermal insulation properties. This means that by installing them in your home, you'll ensure high thermal comfort throughout the year. During winter, they will ensure maximum heating efficiency of "underfloor heating" while limiting heat escape from the building. In summer, they will allow you to enjoy pleasant coolness longer during heat waves, and additionally lower air conditioning operating costs.

Time for Warmth in Your Home: Choose the Right Panels from yutra.eu

Using these materials to cover floors with heating installation, you'll enjoy warmth in your home throughout winter. However, if you choose products from Yutra's offer, you'll gain another benefit – complete freedom in interior design! We sell them in many patterns and colors, including versions perfectly imitating the appearance of natural wood, stone, or ceramics.

In the product catalog of the yutra.pl online store, you'll find modern panels for living rooms or bathrooms made of mineral-polymer composite (SPC). All of them are adapted for underfloor heating and feature above-average longevity – they're covered with protective film and UV lacquer. Order them today or contact us to benefit from professional support in choosing them!