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What Types of Floors Can and Cannot Be Electrically Heated

What Types of Floors Can Be Heated?

Maybe you live in an area with cold winters and your floors are always cold and uncomfortable, or every time you step out of the shower you wish the tile was warm; you know that heated floors will be worth it. However, for those in warmer climates heated floors may not be worth it, unless they have tile. You are considering heated floors, however, don’t know what floor type to go with that will be compatible with floor heating. Let’s examine the types of floors that can and cannot be electrically heated.

What types of floors can be heated?

Popular Types of Floors to Heat

  • Stone and Tile
    Due to the nature of stone and tile, they can easily become cold, whether it is due to the air conditioner or it is a cold day. Heating the floors is a great option for those who live in areas with cold winters and have tile. It will greatly improve the temperature.
  • Vinyl, Laminate, and Linoleum
    These floors can also be heated, however, they must stay under a certain temperature. Depending on the quality and material, these types of floors cannot be heated beyond 80 or 85 degrees. This can be a drawback for some people who prefer having hot floors to avoid running the heater. Also, the glue can get dry and brittle resulting in floors popping up, so using a heat-resistant glue and not heating the floors too high would prevent this.
  • Engineered Wood
    Unlike hardwood, engineered wood is a great option for using heated flooring. It is both resistant to heat and moisture and still has a wood layer on top, making it a common option. 
  • Carpet
    Many do not use floor heaters for carpet since carpet does not get cold nevertheless carpet can be heated. It is a good option for those who prefer not to use their main heater.  Depending on the thickness and type of material, heating a carpet takes a bit more energy.
Janes Radiant Flooring
Image from James Radiant Flooring: https://www.janesradiant.com/install_it_yourself.htm

Types of Floors that Cannot Be Heated or Should Be Avoided for Heating

  • Hardwood
    This type of floor can get damaged by exposure to heat. They expand and contract thus negatively affecting the quality and look of the floor. Also hardwood floors are not good at heat regulation, so this type of flooring should be avoided as it doesn’t help the home be more energy efficient.
  • Rubber
    Any type of flooring that contains rubber should not be used with heated flooring. Heating rubber can result in melting and the releasing of harmful odors.
  • Glued Floors
    As mentioned above, floors that are glued are more likely to pop up because glue becomes dry and does not stick in very high temperatures.

Best Flooring for Radiant Heat

Knowing what floors can be heated narrows down your options to a few great choices. One of the best benefits of heated flooring is that the heat transfers throughout the room, due to all the tubing that is running under the floor across the room. Vents usually blow out in one area of the room resulting in poor heat regulation. Heated floors will help reduce the amount of heat you use from vents, thus making them a more energy efficient option. For those who live in houses that have a crawl space under the house, such as homes with raised foundations, the heating system can be added without removing the flooring. This can save you money from having to buy new flooring. 

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