BASKET 0

No more products available for purchase

Products
Pair with
Add order notes
Estimate shipping
Subtotal Free
View cart
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout

Your Cart is Empty

Can carpets be laid on underfloor heating?

¿Se pueden poner alfombras en un suelo radiante?

Have you moved into a house with radiant floor heating and are unsure if your rugs are compatible? Or perhaps you're about to install this heating system and are worried about having to give up the comfort and modern touch that rugs bring to your home?

Radiant floor heating is becoming one of the most widespread heating systems, offering a pleasant temperature with greater energy efficiency. But it's normal for doubts to arise about compatibility with our rugs and how they can affect heating performance. At Atticgo, we have good news for you. Read on and resolve any questions about the compatibility of rugs with radiant floor heating without affecting the efficiency of your heating system.

How does a rug affect the operation of radiant floor heating?

To understand how a rug can affect the operation of a radiant floor heating system, it's necessary to understand the process from when the heating is turned on until the heat is transferred to the room.

Radiant floor heating transfers heat evenly throughout the floor, and therefore, any element we place on top interferes to a greater or lesser extent with that heat transfer to the room. Therefore, it's logical to think that a rug can hinder this heat transmission as it's a layer of material that's interposed between the floor and the room we want to heat. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that we can't use rugs with a radiant floor system, but rather that we must be aware of how they affect the system and choose the most suitable models.

Here's the first key! To use rugs with radiant floor heating, you should look at the thermal resistance of the rug, that is, its ability to let heat pass through. Rugs compatible with radiant floor heating are designed to allow proper heat transmission, maintaining the efficiency of the system. To find a rug compatible with radiant floor heating, we recommend any model with a low thermal insulation value.

The materials and thickness of the rug influence heat retention, which ultimately affects heating performance. Lighter and more breathable rugs allow better heat circulation from the floor to the room, while thicker rugs can act as a thermal barrier, hindering their transmission. To improve the efficiency of a radiant floor, the ideal is to choose a rug that facilitates the passage of heat instead of blocking it.

What happens if I use a thick rug on radiant floor heating?

Using overly thick rugs on a radiant floor can cause some inconveniences. As we've already mentioned, a thick rug acts as an insulator and makes it difficult for heat to reach the floor surface. This causes the heating system to have to work harder to maintain the desired temperature, or what is the same, greater energy consumption is generated.

In addition, thicker rugs can create a barrier effect, capable of causing heat to accumulate between the floor and the rug, causing uneven heat distribution throughout the room. This accumulation of temperature not only has negative effects on the rug, but also on the radiant floor itself. That's why it's so important to choose rugs compatible with radiant floor heating.

What rugs to use with radiant floor heating

Choosing rugs compatible with radiant floor heating is necessary to maintain an adequate temperature in the home and to extend the life of your rugs. The best rugs for radiant floor heating are those that combine the following characteristics:

  • Natural fibers: Materials such as wool or cotton are excellent options, as they have good thermal conductivity.
  • Compact weave: A dense, but not too thick weave, allows heat to be distributed evenly.
se puede poner una alfombra en suelo radiante

BUY FINE CARPETS

  • Compatible base: The back of the rug should be thin and specifically designed for use with radiant heating.
  • Low profile or thickness: Thin rugs allow better heat transmission. We recommend rugs with a maximum thickness of 10-12 mm.
alfombra compatible con suelo radiante de fibras naturales

BUY NATURAL FIBRE CARPETS

How to use rugs without losing thermal efficiency

To get the most out of your radiant heating system without giving up your rugs, there are some basic guidelines you should follow to maintain thermal efficiency in your home. Placing your rugs in the right place is as important as their choice. In this sense, it's important not to cover more than 20-25% of the total floor surface with rugs, avoiding placing them over the exact areas where the system installation is made.

Proper maintenance of your rugs can also help you improve energy efficiency. To do this, vacuum the rugs frequently to prevent the accumulation of dust from acting as thermal insulation, and regularly check the condition of the rug's base to prevent uneven wear.

One tip we give you is to adapt the type of rug to the different seasons of the year. During the winter months, it's better to use thinner and lighter rugs, while in summer you can use thicker rugs.

Can rugs damage the radiant floor installation?

One of the most common questions is whether rugs can cause any damage to the installation. The answer is simple: if you use rugs compatible with radiant floor heating and follow the installation and usage recommendations we've given you, the risk of damaging the installation is practically nil.

It's important to understand that not all rugs are suitable for this type of flooring. Using rugs that are not compatible with radiant floor heating can lead to:

  • Overheating: Overly thick rugs or those made with materials that retain heat can cause excessive heat accumulation, affecting the resistance of the system components.
  • Deformation: Some rugs can become deformed due to constant heat, especially if they are made of synthetic materials. For example, vinyl rugs are not recommended for this type of heating installation.
  • Degradation: Continuous heat can affect the durability of rugs not designed for this use, causing them to deteriorate more quickly.

As we have just seen, not all types of rugs are compatible with a radiant floor installation, however, that doesn't mean you can't use them. Follow the tips we've given you to maintain a pleasant temperature in your home while enjoying the comfort and warmth of your rugs. Ready to make the perfect choice with Atticgo?

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published