If you are living in the UK, underfloor heating is a huge upgrade for a middle to high-income household. It is very desirable due to its evident benefits of warm floors, making your house a cosy haven you have always dreamt of. No matter what tiling project you are tackling, i.e., kitchen, bathroom, living room, or bedroom, pairing the right indoor floor tiles with heat is a must for both style and performance.
The best tiles for underfloor heating don’t only mean the looks, but also how they can handle foot traffic, spills and splatters, heat conductivity, durability, and long-term life. Royale Stones takes pride in supplying the best and premium flooring solutions that are highly compatible with your modern heating systems.
Dive into the blog and make the right floor tiles compatible with underfloor heating, because it is not a decision that you make daily!
Why Tiles are Perfect for Underfloor Heating
Normally, carpets and wooden floors act as insulators, unlike tiles. Tiles transfer warmth easily and efficiently, making them the top choice for homeowners who want heated floors across their homes.
Benefits of Tiles for Underfloor Heating
- High Thermal Conductivity: Tiles are excellent for quick warm-up and retaining heat efficiently.
- Durability: Tiles withstand heat expansion and do not warp.
- Low Maintenance: Tiles take little effort for cleaning and are far more long-lasting and stylish than other alternatives.
- Versatility: You get extensive tile options available in the market, like porcelain, ceramic, natural stones, and more.
5 Best Tiles for Underfloor Heating
When it comes to tiles, you get tons of options; however, choosing the right type of tile also depends on your budget, style, colour, and material. Here is a list of tile types that you can ponder upon for your own personal home project.
Porcelain Tiles
One of the most recommended and heat-resistant tiles for underfloor heating options is porcelain tiles. They are dense, durable, and have excellent heat transfer properties.
Porcelain tiles with underfloor heating can ideally be used for bathrooms, kitchens, and high-end traffic areas. You can choose from an extensive range of versatile designs like wood-effect porcelain tiles, stone-effect porcelain tiles, and concrete-effect Porcelain floor tiles.
Royale Stones highly recommends large-format porcelain tiles for underfloor heating for open areas with thin grout lines for a luxurious look.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles for heated floors are also a great option and much more affordable than porcelain. However, they are slightly less dense than porcelain but still a great heat conductor.
You also have the option to choose from a wide variety of designs, including gloss, matte, and patterned finishes. They are best for rooms with low to middle foot traffic, like cloakrooms.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stones have been a fan favourite for centuries for outdoor paving and indoor flooring. You get premium choices of limestone, sandstone, slate, and marble in stone floor tiles to be used in your home.
Natural stone tiles underfloor heating has excellent heat retention properties. When they are warm, they tend to remain warm for a longer period of time.
Each natural stone tile has a unique pattern to it that adds personality and uniqueness to your indoor space. Nevertheless, if you want your natural indoor flooring to remain in good condition for decades, you need to maintain it properly and seal it every 2-3 years.
They are one of the most traditional choices that have rustic appeal. They are not only strong but also dense and heat-friendly. You can use quarry tiles in your farmhouse, heritage homes, or rustic kitchens.
Vinyl (LVT or SPC)
If you are searching for warm tiles without underfloor heating, laminate or LVT is the best option. But it also works best with underfloor heating. While you cannot say that they are tiles but they excellently mimic one.
Many homeowners have their one justifications to choose luxury vinyl tiles for their home due to their heat retention properties and for aesthetic appeal. HoweverSPC (Stone Plastic Composite) has more heat stability than LVT.
While LVT and SPC work well, they do not transfer as much heat as porcelain or ceramic tiles for underfloor heating. However, both are good options for living areas where you do not want to compromise on comfort underfoot.
Best Tiles for Underfloor Heating by Room
While each of the underfloor heating floor tile options mentioned above works exceptionally well, some of these options are more compatible with some rooms than others.
Best Tiles for Underfloor Heating in Kitchen
The top picks for kitchen tiles suitable for underfloor heating are:
- Indoor Porcelain tiles
- Ceramic Tiles
- Large format porcelain tiles
- Stone effect tiles
Best Tiles for Underfloor Heating in Bathrooms
Are you searching for the best tiles for underfloor heating bathroom version? Bathrooms are considered one of the wet areas, and they need bathroom floor tiles with underfloor heating that are resistant to moisture and withstand heavy foot traffic. Some top picks for bathroom floor tiles for underfloor heating are:
- Porcelain flooring tiles
- Natural stones (slate/marble)
- Light coloured tiles
Underfloor Heating Tiles Problems
While tiles are great for underfloor heating, here are some of the problems you might face during installation or use of the underfloor heating:
1. Cheap/Wrong Adhesives
Using incorrect adhesives is a big no-no while laying tiles on underfloor heating. Cheap tile adhesive for underfloor heating may save you a couple of pounds now, but it will crack under heat in the long run, and you will need to replace it again at a higher cost.
2. Poor Subfloor Prep
If the subfloor is not properly prepared before underfloor heating tile installation, there is a high chance that it may result in uneven and cracked floors and heating.
3. Non-compatible Flooring
It is important that you pick the right tile thickness for underfloor heating. If you choose thicker tile options or thick wood, you can reduce the overall efficiency of your underfloor heating system. Choose the right and best flooring for underfloor heating to save future costs.
Underfloor Heating Tile Installation Considerations
Here are some of the precautions you must consider taking before your tile installation if you have an underfloor heating system.
Subfloor Preparation
You must prepare your subfloor properly. It should be properly cleaned, dried, and levelled before laying the tiles.
Pro-Tip: Install Insulation boards to improve the efficiency of your underfloor heating.
Tile Adhesive
Research properly or reach out to experts for appropriate and most compatible adhesives for your tiles. Use flexible adhesives and grouts that are only and only designed for underfloor heating.
Expansion Joints
Do not lay your tiles tightly and immovably. Use expansion joints and allow your tiles to expand slightly with the heat.
Common Problems with Underfloor Heating Tiles
Most UK homeowners who have underfloor heating systems and laid tiles over them have faced all or some of these problems:
- Cracked Grout Lines: They are mostly caused due to using cheap or inflexible adhesives.
- Uneven Heating: When the subfloor is uneven, poorly insulated or tile thicknesses differ from place to place, you tend to face uneven heating problems.
- Moisture Damage: This problem is mostly caused in natural stones that are not properly sealed, or the grout is not properly filled.
- High Running Costs: You face high running costs if you pair your heating system with a tile that has poor conductivity.
Final Thoughts
The award for the best tiles for underfloor heating is porcelain tiles due to their heat retention, efficiency, durability, and style. Ceramic tiles are second, as they come closer to porcelain and are also affordable indoor floor tiles. Natural stone adds nature and luxury, and SPC and LVT are also decent options for underfloor heating.
At Royale Stone showrooms, you can physically explore a wide range of indoor floor tiles, suitable for your home and underfloor heating. Whether you are upgrading your kitchen, bathroom, or open-plan living space, the right tiles for your underfloor heating will ensure that you get comfort, efficiency, and timeless design all in one place!
Frequently Asked Questions
What tile is best for underfloor heating?
Porcelain indoor floor tiles are the best choice for your underfloor heating systems. They are dense, durable, and conduct heat efficiently.
Is SPC or LVT better for underfloor heating?
SPC is a better choice as it warms up quicker and is more stable than LVT.
Is porcelain or ceramic tile better for heated floors?
Definitely porcelain because it is denser, more durable, and transfers better heat as compared to ceramic.
What flooring is not suitable for underfloor heating?
Thick carpets, solid hardwood, and some vinyl options are not recommended as they insulate too much, warp with temperature change, and are simply not rated for heat.
Why is underfloor heating not good?
Underfloor heating is not entirely unsuitable, but if it is not properly installed, it can lead to problems like uneven heating and even cracking.