Can you use rugs with underfloor heating?The answer is both yes and no. Let’s dive into the details.
Key Considerations
Placing a rug on top of your wooden floor can restrict heat flow, making your underfloor heating system less efficient and increasing energy costs. However, a more critical factor is choosing the right type of rug, as the wrong one can damage your floor and potentially void your warranty.
Why Do Rugs Cause Damage?
Wooden floors have a maximum temperature limit, which is measured just below the surface (or at the top of the subfloor). For wood flooring, this limit is 27℃. When you add a rug, it can trap heat and cause the floor to exceed this temperature, leading to serious damage.
To monitor the temperature, it’s advisable to install probes below the floor. However, if the probe is placed away from the rug, it may read a safe temperature while the area under the rug overheats. This can lead to hot spots, potentially causing the wood to crack, twist, or delaminate. Once wood loses moisture due to excessive heat, it becomes brittle and prone to cracking. Although increasing humidity can help close small cracks, severe damage may require floor replacement.
So, Can You Use a Rug with Underfloor Heating?
Yes and no. The risks are significant if you use a thick or heavy rug, as it can overheat the floor and cause irreversible damage. In such cases, the answer would be no.
Choosing the Right Rug
Fortunately, rug manufacturers have recognized these issues and created options suitable for use with underfloor heating. Here’s what to look for:
Thickness: The thinner the rug, the better. Look for rugs with a very low tog rating (ideally 0) to maximize heat transfer and prevent heat from getting trapped beneath the rug.
Material: Natural materials are best for use with underfloor heating. Synthetic rugs may melt or cause other issues when exposed to heat.
Backing: The backing material is crucial. Opt for hessian-backed rugs, which allow better heat transfer. Avoid rugs with polyurethane or similar backings, as they can block heat and create hot spots.
Best Practices
If you decide to use a rug with underfloor heating, make sure it meets the three criteria above: thin, natural materials, and hessian-backed. Even with the right rug, regularly check for hot spots, and consider lifting the rug periodically during extended heating periods to allow any trapped heat to dissipate.
It’s important to note that the design of your flooring—whether it’s parquet, herringbone, chevron, or planks—does not affect these considerations. The risk of overheating remains the same for all flooring styles.
For more details on underfloor heating and wooden floors, visit our technical section.
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