If you’ve installed radiant heating in your home, you may wonder what type of floor can be installed over it. Laminate flooring on top of a radiant heated floor is the perfect solution. As long as proper precautions are taken, it is perfectly fine to install laminate over a radiant heated floor.
Proper Installation
In order to make this installation successful you need to:
- Run the floor’s heating system for at least 4 days at 64-72 degrees
- Acclimate flooring in the room it will be installed in for at least 48 hours
- Once installation is finished, do not change radiant heat for at least another 48 hours
- Never raise the flooring surface temperature above 82 degrees
Keep in mind that minor gaping between planks during the heating season is a normal occurrence with laminate over a radiant heated sub-floor. Proper humidity controls will help to minimize this type of natural reaction to seasonally changing climate controls.
Use the Proper Underlayment
When installing the radiant heating, find out what kind of underlayment to use. Some radiant heating comes in the form of a soft underlayment-type covering, while other types of radiant heating require a specific underlayment before you install any flooring. Also, get familiar with the manufacturers warranty regarding laminate flooring on top of a radiant heated floor. Some manufacturers have particular guides to the installation process. Some may even recommend against it.
Next time someone asks what type of floor that can install over radiant heat flooring, show them this article and tell them laminate flooring! Hopefully it will help with a proper installation and successful home renovation project.
Have any more questions about radiant heated floors and laminate flooring? Write them in the comments below!
Learn More:
- 9 Essential Tips for Laminate Flooring Installation
- Laminate Flooring Installation- Subfloor Preparation, Types and Requirements
- Where to Start: Beginning a Laminate Flooring Installation
40 comments
I have tile floors that I would like to put radiant heat over and place laminate floors over that. Would this be beneficial
Thanks for your question, April. There are many benefits to using a radiant heat system under flooring and we can see why so many people choose this approach. Any of our floors that we offer on our website can be used over radiant heat. However, we would suggest confirming with the manufacturer of your radiant heat system that it can be installed over your existing tile.
I have a hydronic heated floor system installed under and existing floor. (water tubes stapled up on the bottom side of the OSB subfloor and then insulated on the bottom side) What type of underlayment can I use for a vinyl plank flooring over this system and how should it be installed?
Hi Kimmit! Any of our vinyl underlayments will be compatible with your hydronic heated floor system. Browse Vinyl Underlayment Here!