Yes. Many homes have carpet over underfloor heating and it works well. The catch is that carpet and underlay act as insulation, so choosing the wrong ones can make the heating slower and less efficient. Get the combination right and you keep the comfort.
Why it matters
Underfloor heating warms the room by sending heat up through the floor. Anything on top slows that heat. Tiles and stone let it through easily. Carpet and underlay resist it, measured as a thermal resistance, often given as a tog rating.
The tog rule of thumb
Manufacturers commonly advise that the combined tog rating of the carpet and underlay should be no more than about 2.5. Always check the guidance from the maker of your underfloor heating system, as limits vary.
The lower the number, the better the heat gets through.
What to choose
- A thin, dense carpet. Short pile and a dense weave transfer heat better than a deep, fluffy one.
- A suitable underlay. Use an underlay designed for underfloor heating, or a thin, dense one. Thick foam underlays trap heat.
- Check the labels. Many carpets and underlays state their tog rating. If they do not, ask the supplier.
Avoid very thick carpet with a heavy underlay, and rubber-backed products that are not marked as suitable.
What to expect
- It takes longer to warm up, and longer to cool down, than with bare floors.
- The room is usually most efficient when the heating is run steadily rather than switched hard on and off.
- Use the thermostat settings suggested for your system and avoid pushing the floor temperature higher than recommended, as it can damage the floor covering.
Protect the pipes
If you have a floor with pipes in a screed or between timber joists, the carpet fitter needs to know. Tacks, gripper rods and screws can puncture heating pipes or cables. Share the layout drawing with the fitter, or mark the pipe positions, before the carpet goes down. Take photos of the pipework before the floor is covered, so you always know where it runs.
Wet or electric
The advice above applies to water-based (wet) underfloor heating run from a boiler or other heat source, and broadly to electric mat systems too. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific system you have.
Other floors
If you are choosing floors for a new underfloor system, tiles, stone and many engineered woods are efficient. Solid wood needs more care because it can shrink and swell with heat. Ask for the manufacturer's advice.
We install and service underfloor heating as part of our heating services. If you are planning a new floor, talk to us before you buy the carpet.
