Berti advises: can I install parquet flooring with an underfloor heating system?

One of the most common questions in the parquet field is whether wood flooring can be laid over radiant screeds that function as a underfloor heating/cooling system: these can at the same time have a heating function, through a transfer of heat to the rooms, or a cooling function for hot periods.

This is a type of heating system that has become very popular in recent years, due to the fact that it is suitable for heating both domestic and business environments. It is a particularly good choice for those who want to heat without having exposed radiators.

The heating system can be chosen from a variety of types, but generally the basic operation is always the same: heating/cooling screeds are traversed, throughout their thickness, in a diffuse and regular manner by a set of coil pipes within which a fluid flows. This fluid has the property of heating and/or cooling rooms due to the heat exchange that takes place between the screed, overlying parquet and the room. (For more see also Berti’s FAQ on the topic: Screeds with built-in heating: what does the pre-heating cycle consist of?)

From the point of view of convenience and efficiency, the choice of laying a parquet floor on a heating floor allows maximum benefit to be derived from the large surface area available for heat exchange, when compared with other heating systems. These structural consequences make it possible to use fluids with a temperature that is close to the temperature of the outdoor environment, thus ensuring better operating economy, when compared with other types of systems.

Regarding the choice of parquet flooring to be laid in order to have the best results with regard to efficiency and functionality, there are several factors to consider. We are talking about the type of parquet floor, type of wood floor installation, choice of wood species, and type of backing. Let’s look in more detail at how to proceed regarding the choice of these areas.

About the most suitable type of laying, it is best to proceed with laying by gluing, so as not to leave air chambers between the screed and the parquet planks (which would cause heat loss). This is the preferred choice in view of thermal conductivity. In case you want to proceed with a floating or floating installation, it is advisable to choose a sheathing or mat that is suitable for heat transmission.