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Coldbuster often gets asked if floor heating can be installed under timber flooring. The answer is a resounding YES: almost all timber, vinyl and laminate flooring products are compatible with Coldbuster floor heating.
In close consultation with our manufacturers and timber flooring experts, we have designed our under-timber floor heaters to the best of manufacturers’ recommendation, to specifically address the contraction and expansion properties of timber floors.
At 100W/m2, Coldbuster under-timber, vinyl and laminate heaters generate the optimum heat to provide gentle, efficient radiant heat evenly distributed across the room.
A vast majority of engineered timber, vinyl and laminate manufacturers have products that are suitable for use with Coldbuster underfloor heating. However, they do have guidelines and recommendations for how this heating is to be installed and prepared.
A major concern for engineered timber, vinyl and laminate is expansion and contraction, which is why most manufacturers recommend underfloor heating be installed either in the cement slab or in a screed.
For in slab, this requires installation before the cement slab is poured, so pre-planning is required for in slab installations. When sub-flooring already in place (whether cement slab, fibre cement sheet, yellow tongue or timber), our under-timber, vinyl and laminate heating system can be installed, followed by a layer of a liquid leveller/screed product such as a product from Mapei, Ardex or similar suppliers. This layer should be 8 to 10mm in thickness, embedding the heating system within this layer. This layer has 3 main benefits:
Failing to follow flooring manufacturers guidelines and recommendations for use with underfloor heating could void the warranty of your new flooring product.
Insulation Quality: Walls, roof, and floor insulation significantly impact heat retention.
Windows and Doors: Quality and type (double-glazing, seals) affect heat loss and gain
Flooring Material: Different materials (tile, wood, carpet) have varying thermal conductivity.
Subfloor Insulation: Insulating beneath the heating elements reduces heat loss to the ground.
Heating System Design: Layout, spacing, and type of heating elements influence heat distribution.
Room Size and Shape: Larger and irregularly shaped rooms require more energy to heat uniformly.
Ceiling Height: Higher ceilings may need more energy for effective heating.
Furniture Placement: Large furniture can obstruct heat distribution.
Outdoor Temperature: Colder external temperatures require more energy to maintain indoor warmth.
Sunlight Exposure: Rooms with more sunlight can benefit from passive solar heating.
Thermostat Settings: Desired temperature settings and how often they are adjusted.
Occupancy Patterns: Frequency and duration of room use affect heating requirements.
Air Leakage: Drafts from poorly sealed windows/doors and other gaps.
Ventilation System: Mechanical ventilation and air exchange rates impact temperature stability.
Energy Source: The efficiency and cost of the electricity used for heating.
System Efficiency: The efficiency rating of the electric floor heating system.
Thermostat Type: Programmable, smart thermostats can optimize heating schedules.
Zoning: Ability to control heating in different zones/rooms independently.
Supplementary Heating: Use of additional heaters or fireplaces can affect overall temperature.
Room size (compared to heater size)
Insulation/ventilation
Floor substrate
Window Areas and Aspects
Ceiling height
These are some of the factors that may influence the temperature in your home.
Coldbuster will guide you based on our experience so you can achieve an efficient and comfortable heating system in your home with Coldbuster electric floor heating.
