Yes, installing parquet over underfloor heating is compatible; however, there are a number of points that must not be overlooked, which we explain below.
Underfloor heating warms rooms by transmitting part of the heat from beneath. This type of heating has attracted a great deal of interest because it allows you to:
- Achieve even, constant temperatures
- Be used in prefabricated systems
- Get rid of bulky, unsightly radiators
- Use low-temperature fluids, which means savings on your energy bill
Which Parquet Is Best for Underfloor Heating?
When it comes to choosing the right parquet to lay over underfloor heating, we can say that any type of parquet can be installed. However, it should be noted that the suitability of parquet for underfloor heating is determined by:
- Dimensional stability
- The thermal resistance of the installed floor and, consequently, the technical and economic assessment
- Thermal resistance values change depending on the thickness of the parquet and the type of wood
Leaving aside differences between wood species, two different floor categories can be established depending on the type of parquet and its thickness:
- Floating parquet
- Parquet glued to the subfloor
Based on this classification, and depending on lower or higher thermal resistance, we can conclude that, in terms of energy performance, underfloor heating works better with glued parquet than with floating parquet.
For floating parquet, you need to choose good floorboards combined with the appropriate underlay recommended for this type of installation, because the underlay must provide good heat transmission.
What's more, floating parquet gives poorer results compared with glued parquet, which is thinner and provides continuous thermal conductivity.
Within the glued parquet categories, the thinnest is the one suited to underfloor heating because it has:
- Lower thermal resistance, which means energy savings
- Dimensional stability against warping and expansion.
This second point is essential, because the first effect of a heating system installed under hardwood coverings is a reduction in the wood's moisture content and, consequently, gaps appearing between the boards.
In these cases, installing birch wood flooring provides maximum dimensional stability and greatly reduces gaps.
Tips for Installing Underfloor Heating with Parquet
It is very useful to bear a few precautions in mind with this type of installation:
- To avoid gaps or significant cupping, as well as reduced heating performance, it is advisable not to cover the floor with very thick rugs or other materials that prevent the room from breathing; to ensure a healthy environment and the physical stability of the wood, it is recommended to keep the relative humidity of the air (around 50-60º) using suitable humidifiers.
- The floor temperature must not exceed 26-27º in the living room or 30º in the rest of the rooms.
In short, wood is an excellent thermal insulator, a great property thanks to the cellular structure of its cells. These characteristics make it a highly valued material for floor and wall coverings, able to increase heating efficiency and reduce heat loss.
For any questions about parquet, do not hesitate to contact the best professionals in Malaga. We have the best prices in the province of Malaga for parquet in Malaga, so rest assured that we can help you and meet your needs.
Contact us with no obligation for a personalised quote tailored to your needs or to ask any other questions you may have.