Rugs and underfloor heating – make the room both comfy and stylish

Can you place a rug on underfloor heating?

Let’s start with the most important question: Yes, you can put a rug on underfloor heating! However, to get the most effect from the heating system, there are a few things to consider before covering your heated floors with rugs, such as materials, sizes and placement. Is it complicated? Not at all! Let us guide you in finding the best rugs for heated floors.

Rugs and underfloor heating: Are high-pile options the right choice?

When thinking of warmth and rugs at the same time, it seems natural to go for a thick shaggy rug. But that will bring an unnecessary burden to the heating system, as it will have to work overtime to get the heat through the rug’s thickness and into the room. Instead, opt for a low pile rug or even a flatweave rug, as they will allow the heat to circulate from the floors easily. These thinner options can provide both cosiness and style to your room without blocking the heat from circulating.

Finding the best rug materials for underfloor heating

When you have underfloor heating, you want the heat to circulate up from the floors and into the room. A rug will add a layer that the heat needs to go through to affect the room temperature, and an ill-considered choice of rug material can create a barrier that prevents the heat from reaching the rest of the room. Some of the best rug materials for underfloor heating are those made from natural fibres such as cotton, wool or jute, as they are perfect choices for areas with underfloor heating. Both cotton and jute rugs are commonly thin and will let the heat pass through them, and wool is a heat-resistant material that doesn’t absorb the heat but lets it out in the room without taking damage.

Rugs for underfloor heating: Why choosing a synthetic rug for heated floors might not always be optimal

While synthetic fabrics can be beautiful and practical, they are sometimes less optimal for rooms with underfloor heating. To find a suitable rug for your heated floor, you first need to ensure the rug’s material can withstand heat exposure. Then, you want to consider that, depending on the synthetic material, the rug might conduct heat poorly and, therefore, block the heat from circulating in the room. This won’t harm the rug, but you may not get as much effect from your underfloor heating as before you placed the rug. If that’s the case, choosing a smaller-sized synthetic rug can be a good solution, as the heat can circulate from the uncovered floor space surrounding the rug.

Underfloor heating rugs: Finding the right sizing and placement

Depending on the space and layout of the room you’re decorating, you might want to consider both placement and rug size. Even if you style with a thin rug made from natural materials, there will be little space left where the heating system can spread the warmth without going through the extra layer if the rug covers almost the entire floor. Here you should choose a small-sized rug or a medium sized rug, depending on the floor space you have. This will allow the heating system to do its thing unrestricted and in the most optimal way possible for most parts of the room, and you can still enjoy having a beautiful rug on the floor.

Bath mats and underfloor heating

Stepping out of the shower and landing on a cold floor is a rather unpleasant experience, so we totally understand why underfloor heating is a popular choice for bathrooms. As are bath mats! But can you still use a bath mat if the floor is heated? Yes! Whether you fancy a round bath mat or a rectangular one, you have lots of opportunities to decorate your bathroom. However, materials are key here; choose a cotton bath mat as the natural material will allow the heat to circulate into the room. Also, you must pay attention to the back of the rug. Some bath mats have an anti-slip backing made of latex or other rubber material that’s not compatible with heated floors. The rubber material might melt from the heat and cause damage to your floors. So always ensure your bath mat is suitable for heated floors before placing it.

Can using rugs with underfloor heating cause damage?

Having a comfortable indoor climate can improve the quality of life considerably, especially in the winter months. But that doesn’t mean that you have to stop decorating your home with beautiful rugs; you just have to think one step in advance. As mentioned above, rubber and heated floors are not a match made in heaven. Ensure that the back of your rug is not covered with latex or other rubber material. If you’re using an anti-slip underlay to keep your rug in place, a thick felt underlay is not the most optimal choice as felt is a material with poor heat-conducting properties and therefore might reduce the effectiveness of your heating system. For the same reason, you shouldn’t use a rug with rubber backing on your heated floors. Make sure your underlay is made of a material that can withstand heat without the risk of melting.

Well-thought choices are key in finding a underfloor heating carpet

By making well-researched choices, you can find the perfect rug for your heated floors without compromising on either style or comfort. Adding rugs to your floors can elevate the atmosphere in the room, allowing you to match colours and shapes with other interior design elements in your home. By selecting a rug made of natural materials that are not too big for the area, you can prevent your rug from blocking the heat. If you’re thinking about installing underfloor heating at home, rest assured that there will be a rug suitable for your room, and make sure to start the project by finding out the best flooring for underfloor heating to improve your indoor comfort in the best way possible.