timber-and-carpet-heating-sydney

Using a timber or carpet underfloor heating system in your home is a great way to add a fresh new look and help lower heating costs for the entire house. The radiant heat coming up from the underfloor heating system can help heat the whole room, reducing the need to run your heating system as much.

Underfloor Heating for Wooden Floors

Timber flooring can add value and elegance to your home with its rich look and feel. In the wintertime, wood floors can get cold and can chill bare feet. Adding an electric underfloor heating system to your new timber flooring can warm those chilly toes and the rest of your home as well.

The wood planks are a natural conductor, and the heat radiates up from the flooring, warming up the rest of the room. It has a fast heat-up time, and with proper insulation, the heat will not escape into the concrete slab below your flooring.

Things to Know About Installing Wood Flooring

Most hardwood flooring manufacturers will recommend that your wood flooring does not exceed 27 degrees Celsius. Wood flooring can shrink or expand depending on the temperature and relative humidity in the room. And it was determined that this temperature is the best suited for wood flooring as the expansion/contraction is minuscule at this temperature.  

Before installing your new wood flooring, you should let the wood planks acclimate to your home’s temperature. Your wood flooring will continue to expand or contract as the seasons change, which you need to consider before installation. If you do not allow the wood to settle before installation, you risk limiting the system’s potential or damaging it.

After installing, wait 48 hours before turning the system on and increment the temperature one degree a day until you reach the desired temperature.

Under Carpet Heating

If you prefer carpet over timber flooring, you can still enjoy the benefits of an electric underfloor heating system to help keep your home warm during the winter months. When appropriately installed, under carpet heating is a safe and effective way to heat a single room like a basement guest suite or the entire home.

Installing Underfloor Heating with Carpet

Heating coils or mats can be placed directly on top of carpet padding and taped down to help secure it. You can add a thin level of self-leveler or concrete on top of the heating system for added protection. The added layer does not reduce the heating system’s effectiveness as the additional protection does not stop heat from transferring up into the carpet.

When measuring, you should leave a 2 to 4-inch gap between the heating pads and the wall.

Carpet & Wood Floor Heating Installation Near Sydney

Installing your new electric underfloor heating system under your timber flooring or carpet is relatively straightforward. However, you should still hire a professional team of installers with years of experience working with electric underflooring systems. Calibre Connect can install your electric heating system and are fully aware of all regulations for underfloor heating installations.

AS/NZS 60335.2.96-2002 & AZ/NZ 60335.2.106

These standards are for the electric coils used in underfloor heating systems. While most electric underfloor heating systems meet the first standard, many do not meet the second standard that deals with removable flooring. Working with a professional installation team familiar with these standards and more can help ensure that you and your family are safe with your new heated floors.

Temperature Control

All underfloor heating systems will have thermostats where you can control the temperature of your heated floors. You can change the temperature for specific rooms or the entire home, depending on the installed system.

Insulation

Whether you are installing timber flooring or carpet over your electric underfloor heating system, insulation is vital to reduce the amount of heat lost into the concrete slab below your floors. The insulation is placed under the heating coils or mat to prevent the heat from escaping in the wrong direction. By insulating your electric underfloor heating system properly, you will get the most out of your new heating floors.

Adding underfloor heating to your home is a cost-effective way to keep your feet warm and help reduce the cost of your monthly heating bill. If you are thinking of installing an electric underfloor heating system in your home, call (02) 8806 0552 today to schedule a consultation with our professional electricians near you.

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We had Calibre Connect do all of the electrical work associated with our kitchen renovation and we were incredibly pleased with the result! Marc was a pleasure to deal with throughout the whole process and he worked around our time schedule which was a big help. Honest, hard working, efficient and knowledgeable. We’ll definitely use Calibre Connect for future work. Thank you!
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Timber Carpet Underfloor Heating Installation – FAQs

Prepare and level the subfloor, install insulation and a damp-proof membrane, lay heating mats or pipes carefully with correct spacing, embed cables in a screed or levelling compound, then install the timber or carpet floor covering. Leave gaps near walls and follow manufacturer and electrical safety standards.

Electric systems use cables or mats laid under the floor, ideal for retrofit and smaller areas. Hydronic systems circulate warm water through pipes embedded in screed, offering more even heat distribution and efficiency for larger spaces but require more complex installation.

A thin protection layer like self-leveler or concrete over heating mats adds safety without significantly reducing heat transfer. It protects cables while allowing radiant heat to pass efficiently through carpet and padding, maintaining system effectiveness.

Generally, solid timber is not recommended due to its susceptibility to cupping and warping from heat fluctuations. Engineered timber is preferred for its stability and compatibility with underfloor heating systems.

Place heating mats directly on carpet padding, tape them securely to prevent movement, and leave a 2 to 4-inch gap from walls. Remove any protective film on mats before embedding in adhesive or levelling compound to ensure proper bonding and heat distribution.

Insulation below the heating system is crucial to reflect heat upwards, improve efficiency, reduce heat loss to the subfloor, and speed up warming times, especially under timber and carpet floors.

Install floor sensors within the heated area to monitor surface temperature, typically limiting timber floor temperature to a maximum of 27Β°C to prevent warping. Use thermostats compatible with your system and consult floor manufacturer guidelines for temperature limits.

Yes, professional installation is recommended to ensure compliance with electrical standards, proper system function, and safety, especially in wet areas or when integrating with timber and carpet floors.