Wooden parquet and underfloor heating

Wood, thanks to its insulating nature, when in contact with heat, does not block its flow, but rather distributes it evenly across its entire surface, without creating hot or cold spots. And it is precisely this characteristic of the material that makes wood flooring perfect for underfloor heating! This theory is also confirmed by trends in the world of interior design: the combination of wooden parquet flooring and underfloor heating provides a harmonious fusion of functionality and elegance that is widely used in living spaces. This combination has become an increasingly popular choice, to the detriment of traditional radiators, thanks to the many advantages it offers. 

Moreover, it is worth noting that underfloor heating offers a sensory experience when walking on the floor. Let’s discover them together.

Parquet and underfloor heating: all the advantages of this combination

First, let’s start with the basics. Wooden parquet is a flooring known for its natural beauty and the variety of shades and finishes available.  So, it is always a good choice for those who seek a home with a striking sense of aesthetics and old-fashioned atmosphere. But adding an underfloor heating system under the wooden boards further enhances the feel of your interior, creating a comfortable and cosy ambience: from an aesthetic point of view, visible radiators can be difficult to blend in with the style of your home, from a practical point of view they can be bulky and take up valuable wall space. These are all problems you will not face with underfloor heating; on the contrary, you would be free to decorate the rooms as you wish, in perfect harmony with the style of the parquet floor.
And this is not the end of the advantages of this choice. Here are some more technical observations. Underfloor heating ensures an even distribution of heat throughout the room, eliminating the unpleasant temperature fluctuations typical of surfaces heated with traditional radiators. The latter actually heat the air near them, which can become dry and uncomfortable, and often generate considerable temperature variations from one corner of the room to another. Another advantage to consider is that wood parquet combined with underfloor heating offers an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternative: operating at lower temperatures than conventional heating systems and requiring less energy, reducing overall energy costs. And the fact that underfloor heating heats the wood surfaces directly with radiant heat should not be forgotten making walking without slippers a delight even in winter, especially for children!
In short, the combination of wooden parquet and underfloor heating blends aesthetics and comfort, offering a supreme everyday living experience. This is a solution for warm, cosy and elegantly attractive interiors and it also contributes to energy efficiency without neglecting eco-sustainability.

Read also Wooden parquet and a fireplace.

Laying parquet over underfloor heating: some tips to follow

Before continuing with our tips, we would like to remind you that as with the article on stains, I think it is only right to say that any assessments should be made jointly with the heating engineer and that these are ‘general indications’ that are not intended to replace professional advice in any way. 

Now let’s go into more detail. Underfloor heating is a radiant system consisting of pipework that is laid under the floor and then fixed. The source of heat is the water circulating inside the pipes themselves, heated usually through the action of a boiler or a photovoltaic system. The end result is that heat is emitted and distributed evenly from the floor upwards according to the radiation principle: it spreads evenly from the floor to the ceiling, heating your rooms.

Laying parquet on the heating system can be a complicated phase that requires special care and accuracy to guarantee an optimal aesthetic and functional result. There are two types of laying: floating and gluing, both of which are very valid techniques. Here are some basic tips to consider when talking about laying: first, it is essential to choose a parquet suitable for installation on underfloor heating. Not all types of wood are the same and, actually, some are too delicate to be unsuitable for this use. The best thing to do is to choose types of wood that are less affected by thermal variations such as oak or walnut, with a height of between 10 and 15 mm, to prevent heat loss.

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Oak is certainly the most popular wood and is ideal because it has good hardness, excellent stability and high durability. Walnut is also a recommended wood and is particularly suitable when there is greater humidity. Make sure that the parquet has low thermal conductivity to ensure an even distribution of heat. Before installation, check that the heating system has been properly installed and tested. The radiant floor must be stable and function at temperatures below 28°C.  The preparation of the subfloor is a crucial step. Ensure that the surface is smooth, clean and free of moisture. Use a thermal insulation material between the subfloor and the parquet floor to optimise the heating efficiency and, at the same time, protect the floor. By following these tips and relying on experienced professionals, you will enjoy a warm and cosy parquet floor, perfect for your comfort and the beauty of your home.

To sum up, combining underfloor heating with parquet is a winning choice from several points of view. Firstly, aesthetics: no type of floor is as elegant and versatile as a wooden floor. Just think of the different processes, wood types and colours to realise how much customisation is possible with a parquet floor. Secondly, the functional point of view: underfloor heating ensures an even heat distribution throughout the house, making every corner of your rooms warm and cosy at just the right point, without temperature fluctuations. On top of this is the economic advantage: this solution operates at lower temperatures than traditional heating systems with radiators, reducing overall energy costs. Which is the most recommended wood type for a parquet floor with underfloor heating? Oak. Now it’s up to you, choose the finish, the layout of the boards and the colour you prefer, customise your floor to the style of your home and get ready to walk on your heated parquet barefoot: this will be wonderful!