Carpet Over Radiant Heat

This includes any underlays and overlays.

Carpet over radiant heat.

If the carpet is thick then the r value is 2 1 a significant increase that will build a higher thermal resistance. Optionally if especially high point loads are anticipated on a floor it is advised that a thin layer of underlayment plywood be applied over ecowarm radiantboard prior to carpet and pad installation to protect the very tough pex radiant tubing. Rubber pad allows the heat to transfer from the carpet better than any other type of padding. Like the padding radiant heat works better with thin carpet.

The single most important choice you will make for your basement carpeting if you have radiant heat is the pad you select. Radiant floor heating with carpet underfloor heating is well suited for use under carpet provided that care is taken when choosing the carpet. While rubber pad costs more than other types of carpet padding it is inherently anti microbial and provides a great feel underfoot. The thickness generally correlates to.

Furthermore the hot air from conventional radiators causes the air in the room to circulate. To safely and effectively install wool over electric radiant floor heating it is best to have the wool carpet at 3 8 which will give it an r value of 1 575. You always have the option of putting a rug over a hard floor. Radiant floor heating on the other hand is quite tolerant of carpeting although there are limitations.

You will sacrifice cushion for heat transfer. Underfloor heating heats up objects rather than the air and does not cause air circulation. It is the nature of the beast in floor radiant heat. As with all radiant heating installations a thin slab foam rubber pad should be used in all cases.

Both the heating system manufacturer and the carpet pad manufacturers will have to be consulted. The designer and installer of radiant systems should be aware of these limitations in order to direct the building owner into making wise floor covering decisions to read more click the link above. What type of flooring should not be installed over radiant heat. The overall thickness of any materials above the heater needs to be taken into account too as this will ensure efficient heat transfer.

As a result of this they circulate the dust and impurities. Carpet thickness often ranges from about 1 8 inch thick to 1 inch but there is some variation. Carpets tend to absorb dust. Carpet is naturally an insulator which makes it more difficult for radiant heat.

Carpet and in floor radiant heat work well together but it takes more coordination than usual. You don t have to rule carpeting out though.