When choosing between carpet and hardwood for your home, comfort and warmth play a key role. Carpet is typically the warmer option, but many are now opting for hardwood with underfloor heating. This heating method is gaining popularity, with a 13% annual increase in demand due to its many advantages. Underfloor heating is especially efficient in large rooms or open-plan spaces, evenly distributing heat. Plus, it eliminates the need for radiators, giving you more design freedom. If you’re curious about which rugs work with underfloor heating, we’ll help you understand when they can complement each other.

Is it Safe to Use Rugs with Underfloor Heating?

Installing underfloor heating doesn’t mean you have to give up on rugs. They’re perfect for adding warmth, texture, and personality to your space while also serving as a focal point in large, open-plan areas. However, it’s important to choose rugs that are compatible with underfloor heating.

Rugs Suitable for Underfloor Heating

Some rugs are better suited for underfloor heating than others, as they can sometimes act like a "blanket" over the floor, trapping heat and preventing it from circulating into the room. This can reduce the efficiency of your heating and even damage your flooring, such as causing wood to swell or discolor. To avoid this, it’s important to select a rug material that minimizes this "blanket" effect. Finding the right thickness, material, and size is essential to keeping your heating system running efficiently.

Things to Consider when Choosing an Underfloor Heating Rug

Thickness

• A rug with a tog rating between 1 and 2 is ideal for underfloor heating, but make sure it doesn’t go over 2.5. The lower the tog, the less it will block heat. Rugs thicker than 25mm are not recommended for use with underfloor heating.

• A rug with low thermal resistance helps heat radiate through it more effectively, allowing warmth to disperse evenly into the room.

Material

• Choose a rug with a hessian backing instead of felt, which can act as a thermal barrier and stop heat from moving through to the rug.

• Rugs made from natural fibers are ideal for underfloor heating, as synthetic materials could melt under prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

• Wool rugs work exceptionally well with underfloor heating due to their natural heat resistance.

• Opt for a suitable rug underlay, as materials like polyurethane may hinder heat flow due to their poor heat conductivity.

Size

• It's best to avoid overly large rugs, as they can diminish the efficiency of underfloor heating. While large rugs have their advantages, choosing smaller or medium-sized rugs is preferable when using underfloor heating.

• It’s important to consider where you place your rug. Direct sunlight, combined with underfloor heating, can harm wood floors. Try to position your rug in a spot that avoids direct sunlight.

Can Rugs Damage The Underfloor Heating System?

When picking a rug, consider its potential impact on your underfloor heating. While some rugs may affect heating efficiency, making the right choice can keep this impact minimal and enhance your space. For any questions about compatible rugs, contact us or explore our full selection on the main page.