Flooring Compatible with QuietWarmth Radiant Heating Systems.

With all of the different flooring brands out there, it can be hard to tell if your flooring is compatible with QuietWarmth Radiant Heating Systems. The good news is most kinds of flooring are compatible! We will cover some common flooring brands and how you can find out if your flooring is compatible if not listed in the article.

QuietWarmth Radiant Heating Systems by Brand of Flooring

Different brands have different installation instructions when it comes to radiant heating. We will cover some of the common flooring brands below. If you do not see your brand of flooring don’t worry. Later in the article, we will discuss QuietWarmth’s compatibility by type of flooring.

Does LifeProof work with QuietWarmth?

Yes, LifeProof is compatible with QuietWarmth. The flooring temperature must not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. QuietWarmth mats are designed not to be able to exceed 85 degrees. Unlike wire mesh mats, QuietWarmth’s ink mats are thinner than a credit card so you will not have to worry about wires showing through the flooring. However, you will need to create a channel for the lead wires either in an underlayment beneath, or the subfloor.

Does SmartCore work with QuietWarmth?

Yes, SmartCore will work with QuietWarmth. Like LifeProof, SmartCore also has a maximum temperature limit of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They also require the use of an in-floor heating sensor to accurately monitor the temperature of your floors. All of QuietWarmth’s thermostats come with an in-floor sensor included.

QuietWarmth Heating Systems by Types of Flooring

If the flooring you are planning on installing was not listed above, we are going to discuss QuietWarmth’s compatibility based on the flooring type being installed.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring and Laminate Flooring

Luxury Vinyl and Laminate flooring are wildly popular flooring options. When manufactured to be “floating flooring”, meaning they are not glued or affixed in any way to the subfloor, they can be used with QuietWarmth Float.  Two provisions to keep in mind are that the flooring should be approved for radiant heat by the manufacturer and at least 4mm thick. While the conduction of luxury vinyl and laminate is not as good as tile, the planks still transfer an effective amount of heat through. Most manufacturers establish a temperature limit of around 80-85°F. QuietWarmth was designed with this safe limit in mind, so our maximum heat output is 85 degrees. Some flooring manufacturers have stipulations regarding separation between the radiant heat and the flooring – these stipulations apply to traditional systems such as hydronic or electric cable. QuietWarmth should be installed directly below the flooring without encapsulation in self-levelers or cementitious compounds. If your flooring has a pad attached to the back, you can still use it over QuietWarmth Float. While this will inhibit some of the heat transfer, it will not render the system ineffectual. If you are installing over a concrete substrate, it is imperative that you use a vapor barrier to block the moisture vapor emissions. Remember- water and electricity don’t mix!

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Stone Tile

Stone and Tile are the ideal types of flooring to pair with radiant heating systems, as they are great conductors of heat with minimal expansion and contraction. QuietWarmth Tile makes the addition of radiant heating to your tile assembly easier than ever. The mats have a convenient peel-and-stick backing that firmly bonds to your properly prepared tile substrate, minimizing the time and hassle associated with running heated cables. You can start your tile install the very same day. The QuietWarmth Tile radiant heat film is also integrated with a protective anti-fracture membrane which helps isolate cracks up to 3/8-inch wide.

Woods

Solid Hardwood

Installing solid hardwood over a radiant heating system can be tricky, but a desirable luxury to have. Hardwoods can be affected by sudden temperature changes so you should raise the floor’s heating temperature gradually, so as not to damage the flooring. It is very important to ensure that the solid hardwood you are using is approved for use over radiant heat, as some species of wood are more susceptible to warping, cupping, buckling, etc. As always, be sure to carefully monitor the relative humidity in the area and ensure proper acclimation prior to installation to avoid serious issues with your flooring.

Another important determination is how the hardwood will be installed. If you intend to nail-down or mechanically fasten your wood floors, you cannot use QuietWarmth as the nails will puncture the film, disrupting the connection of the mat. QuietWarmth Tile is suitable for glue-down applications of hardwood flooring.

Engineered Hardwoods

Engineered hardwood floors tend to be better suited for use with radiant heat systems than solid wood. Engineered woods have a multi-layer construction, which makes them more dimensionally stable and less prone to significant expansion/contraction. This type of wood flooring is generally more tolerant of changes in temperature and humidity than traditional hardwood floors. As always, it is important to ensure that your specific flooring is approved for radiant heat by the flooring manufacturer.

The installation method will again play a role in what type of QuietWarmth system to use. Many engineered woods can be “floated”, meaning they are not affixed to the subfloor. Some woods have a “click-together” or “locking” mechanism built into the planks, but often the process to float an engineered wood involves gluing the tongue and groove of individual planks together. In a floating application, you should use the QuietWarmth Float radiant heat mats.

Alternatively, you may want or need to glue-down your engineered wood. With this installation process, you should use the QuietWarmth Tile mats, as they are specifically designed with an added layer to bond with adhesives.  

If you intend to staple-down or mechanically fasten your engineered wood, QuietWarmth systems are not suitable for that application.

Carpet

QuietWarmth cannot be installed underneath carpets.

Warranties

Some flooring manufacturers will void the warranty if you install the flooring over radiant heat, as certain products are not suited for changes in temperature. You should always check the manufacturer’s specifications or installation instructions for the style of flooring you intend to use to ensure it can be installed over radiant heat. As previously mentioned, there may be some stipulations regarding radiant heat that seem confusing or contradictory. The most common one we see is requiring separation between the heating system and the flooring. These limitations are in regard to traditional radiant heat systems (hydronic & electric cable) and should not be applied to QuietWarmth. QuietWarmth is engineered to generate warmth, whereas hydronic tubes and electric cables get hot; QuietWarmth is safe to install directly below the flooring. If you are concerned with the warranty of your flooring being voided with the addition of radiant heat, it is best to contact the flooring manufacturer to get more information. And remember, if you need more information, we are always here to help!