The Best Tiles For Underfloor Heating

Posted on 3rd June 2022

Underfloor heating adds a touch of luxury to any property, however deciding on the perfect floor covering might seem like a daunting task. At Stone & Surfaces Direct, we stock a wide range of tiles that are perfect for pairing with underfloor heating.

Tiles are a perfect pairing with underfloor heating. They are not only easy to clean but also practical for a variety of applications including bathrooms, kitchens, and conservatories where underfloor heating is commonly installed.

They also have a tendency to conduct heat well, which means that the heat generated underneath them is easily transferred to the surface of the tiles, warming the room up quickly. Tiles are also good at retaining heat, which helps the overall efficiency of your system.

Stone tiles

Stone paving tiles are one of the best floor covering options for underfloor heating because they are the most thermally conductive and have the least amount of resistance. Not only this, they are durable and very easy to maintain.

We recommend limestone, slate, and marble paving slabs as the best natural stones to work well with underfloor heating.

Conveniently, the thickness of the stone tile you choose will have virtually no effect on the heat output. However, it may slightly increase the time it takes for the tiles to heat up.

When installing stone paving tiles over underfloor heating, we recommend using a decoupling membrane and flexible adhesive in order to reduce any potential hairline expansion cracks.

No matter what type of stone paving tiles you decide to use, tiling over underfloor heating results in a warm room, much faster, and it also retains the heat exceptionally well.

Porcelain paving slabs

Porcelain paving tiles are good flooring material to use with underfloor heating and present a more affordable option than natural stone.

Porcelain is a man-made alternative to natural stone paving that is sweeping the paving market due to the many structural advantages it boasts. It is extremely robust and resistant to stains, fading, frost, slips and falls, algae and moss, and chips and scratches.

Heating systems can be installed underneath porcelain paving to warm the surface and provide a comforting feeling underfoot.

Benefits of tiling over underfloor heating

If you are thinking about installing tiles over your underfloor heating system, here are a few benefits to help you make the right choice.

• Tiled flooring is high durable, long lasting, and easy to maintain
• Natural stone floors provide a high-end, luxury finish
• You can install natural stone slabs to any floor level
• Tiles conduct heat evenly and efficiently to bring heat from your underfloor system to the surface of the floor

Installing tiles over underfloor heating

During the installation of paving tiles over underfloor heating, it is important that there is a stable, level sub-floor. After this, installing the paving slabs is generally a straightforward process.

When installing the stone tiles, we recommend using a decoupling membrane to combat movement of the tiles in the sub-floor, which could result in the tiles cracking. This creates a separation barrier between the tiles and the substrate.

With over 25 years of experience distributing natural stone paving, porcelain paving, aggregates, and interior solutions worldwide; we are the people to help you achieve the perfect patio, garden, or home interior.

Talk to one of our experienced stone professionals about your specific needs today.