As we are experiencing our homes getting colder and a reliance on your central heating for the first time in half a year, online searches for underfloor heating systems have seen a large increase over the last month.
Homeowners are getting serious about finding ways to combat the incoming cold and costly heating bills, with underfloor heating considered something highly valuable. However, those same homeowners are also curious about what type of flooring they need to better benefit radiant heat and keep it insulated - without damaging the flooring with increase in temperature.
Luxury vinyl flooring is the perfect cover for radiant heat generated by your underfloor heating system. However, there are some things that you must know before you have it installed over the system to ensure that you have the best experience.
Vinyl plank flooring is designed to perfectly resemble hardwood flooring, made up of multiple layers of fused PVC. The top wear layer protects your floor from scratches, stains and fading from direct sunlight.
Being a durable, easy to install and simple to clean option, it proves a very cost-effective choice for any room of the house - and a perfect protector for any room you install underfloor heating.
Can Radiant Heat Be Used Under LVT?
Vinyl plank flooring and radiant heat work perfectly well together with no risk of damage and no voiding of your warranty. All you need to ensure is that the heating system will not exceed 80-85oF - the average safe temperature limit for LVT.
Some brands may have varying heat limits within the manufacturer's instructions, so it always pays to be sure before you buy. Also, you need to ensure that the underfloor heating system you buy is compatible with LVT flooring in terms of size, quality and insulation.
There will be a required heat barrier between the radiant heat and the vinyl flooring in order to protect from heat and any discolouration, safeguarding the lifespan of your flooring in the process. For the best experience, we recommend laying the heating system and installing the vinyl floor around two weeks later, allowing you to calibrate the temperature from low to high each day until you reach the desired temperature.
Choosing and Installation
Underfloor heating systems come in many different sizes and watts, so you need to match vinyl flooring accordingly. You need to know if the heating is strong enough to pass through the thickness of your chosen LVT.
A professional installer will be able to inform you of the raise in flooring once a heating system is fitted underneath, which is typically around half an inch. Whilst it may not seem a lot, it is something you will have to bear in mind if self-installing your system and flooring.
Many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts can easily complete the project as long as they follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines, or they can just have professionals fit it for them.
Beneficial Partnership
Underfloor heating and luxury vinyl flooring provide far more benefits for your home when they work together, including being far more efficient at heating your home through less energy consumption than traditional home heating systems.
Modern studies have shown that underfloor heating and vinyl flooring cut down energy bills by as much as 18% to 25%, with some homes even hitting as high as 50%! These are considerable household savings for two solutions that are simple to install.
All in all, vinyl flooring and underfloor heating is the perfect partnership for your family, home and the environment as a whole.
Now you have the answer, it is time to find your ideal brand of luxury vinyl flooring at Galloway Flooring in Manchester. Come visit our showroom in Denton to discover the many styles available in plank and tile form, ranging from hardwoods to stone to ceramic designs.
Galloway Flooring in Denton have been expert providers and installers of high-quality vinyl flooring brands for over two decades, ensuring that our legacy lasts as long as your vinyl flooring will. Contact our team today to discover your style.
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