What is the best flooring for underfloor heating?

Most installers are familiar with the potential of underfloor heating (UFH). As this type of home heating has risen in popularity over recent years, many in the trade have got to grips with how to install it to optimise efficiency and performance for their customers.
For those professionals just getting started, handy resources such as our UFH eGuide provide the perfect starter kit, covering all the need-to-know areas.
In this blog, we’re going to look specifically at floor types, what is the best flooring for underfloor heating, why floor type maters, and how this can influence decisions around system selection and the impact of floor finishes, such as tiles, carpet and timber.
Selecting the best underfloor heating for your floor
No matter the project you’re taking on, it’s essential to get the foundations right. And when it comes to underfloor heating, your foundations are the very floor that you’re working with. This means that there is not a "best" flooring for underfloor heating, rather you need to pick the best system for your project.
The floor construction will always have an influence on the systems available. When installing underfloor heating in existing homes, it’s important to consider everyday practicalities, such as increases in floor height, alongside fundamental drivers like efficiency. New build installations, on the other hand, will be focussed largely on the performance and efficiency that underfloor heating systems can generate. Here, the design of the most effective systems will likely be chosen to suit the overall specification of the property.
However, whether you’re faced with a new build challenge or a renovation project, the ultimate compatibility test rests on the floor type, which will typically be either solid (screeded) or timber.

Underfloor heating for solid floors
If working with a solid (screeded) floor, the best underfloor heating system is a low-profile castellated panels, capable of delivering a very high heat output without a significant increase in floor height. These can be installed over existing solid floors, with an overlapping alignment system for simple hassle-free panel laying, as well as a super strong adhesive backing. The system is then completed with a screed layer poured on top, with an open grid design that ensures the screed flows smoothly and evenly over the panel.
Underfloor heating for timber floors
For timber floors, installers can choose from a low-profile foil panel or low-profile fibre mesh panel. Both solutions are ideal for laying over existing timber floors, delivering a high heat output whilst maintaining a low overall floor height to minimise the challenge of height increases.
For new build projects, installers have even greater choice for timber floors, with the option of spreader plates, underfit panels and overfit panels – again offering easy installation and low-profile construction.
We’ve even developed the JG underfoor system selector, helping you to select the best underfloor heating system for your project.

Maximising performance with effective floor finishes
While the build-up of the floor itself is a crucial consideration in UFH system selection, the finishing touches will also have a direct impact on performance and efficiency.
Naturally, when looking at the best flooring for underfloor heating there are some floor coverings that are better at conducting heat than others. Ceramic tiles, for example, conduct heat much more efficiently than carpet. This makes the finishing touches of a project an important consideration – and something every installer should be comfortable giving advice on.
In summary:
- Most ceramic and stone floor finishes have a low thermal resistance. The hard surface quickly and effectively transfers heat, which ensures it is an ideal flooring choice for underfloor heating.
- Timber floors work well with underfloor heating due to the good heat transfer properties, particularly engineered timber. Note that the temperature should not exceed 27°C and advice should be sought from your supplier to ensure compatibility and performance.
- Most types of vinyl and linoleum are suitable for use with underfloor heating and offer low resistance to heat because of the thin profile.
- Carpets provide the highest heat resistance, so it is important to ensure the underlay is suitable for use with underfloor heating. The higher the combined tog value of the carpet and the underlay, the lower the heat output.
Discover more
Learn more about underfloor heating and how to select the best system for your project.