Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) flooring is a durable, water-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing all-in-one flooring solution. With a dense rigid core engineered from limestone and PVC, SPC flooring has gained popularity for its versatility throughout the home and its exceptional performance underfoot.
We often get asked if NüTile’s SPC flooring is compatible with underfloor heating and if so, what properties make SPC flooring such a good companion to underfloor heating systems? By looking at heating and cooling performance, thermal conductivity, dimensional stability, and other important factors we'll showcase how SPC flooring can uplevel your underfloor heating system whilst revolutionising your flooring.
Eligibility and Guidelines for Installing Underfloor Heating with NüTile
NüTile's SPC flooring is a wonderful companion to underfloor heating,providing not only the constant comfort and warmth from a radiant heating system but the natural aesthetic of wood and stone. To ensure the best experience with SPC flooring and your underfloor heating system we have a few eligibility criteria and guidelines to meet first.
NüTile’s SPC flooring is suitable for underfloor heating systems whose heating elements have been installed and built within the subfloor. The heating elements want to have a minimum of 10mm separation from the SPC planks, including the underlay.
To allow time for the heating system to acclimatise, settle, expand, and shift, ensure the heating system has been operational for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the installation of NüTile. Five days before the installation of NüTile’s SPC flooring the temperature should be reduced to 18⁰C and following installation can be raised gradually (1⁰C/hour) to a maximum operating temperature of 29⁰C.
We recommend using a thermostat with a floor temperature probe to avoid any risk of overheating.
If your underfloor heating installation meets these criteria then you can look forward to enjoying all the amazing benefits of using SPC flooring with your underfloor heating system.
Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of a material determines how easily heat can pass through it. The easier it is the more conductive the material is, whilst the harder it is for heat to transfer through the material the more insulative it is.
An underfloor heating system wants to be finished with a conductive flooring material to ensure maximum transfer of heat from the system to the flooring. The better the flooring is at doing this, the less energy it takes for the underfloor heating system to heat the floor and therefore the room.
NüTile’s SPC flooring consists of a dense core created using a composite of 70% natural stone to 30% polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The natural stone is an effective conductor of heat, ensuring a rapid transfer of heat from the source and into the flooring. PVC has an incredibly regular structure; in the composite, this helps to create a uniform material whose parts are evenly distributed. This ensures when heat is being transferred from the SPC flooring it does so at a constant and consistent rate, ensuring the whole floor is heated evenly.
Heating and Cooling Performance
Underfloor heating systems are a wonderfully efficient and comfortable way to heat a room and SPC flooring is an excellent companion for these systems. SPC’s dense core allows for efficient heat transfer in a simple process.
- Heat Generation: Underfloor heating systems, whether they be water or electric-based, generate heat that radiates upwards towards the flooring above. This is why they are often called ‘radiant’ heating systems.
- Heat Conduction: SPC’s limestone and PVC core has a very low thermal resistance, this means that heat can pass through easily and unobstructed. These material properties ensure that SPC flooring requires less energy to heat its surface than other flooring systems with higher thermal resistance.
- Heat Distribution: The structure of the limestone and PVC composite follows a very regular pattern; this means that the heat passing through the SPC flooring is distributed evenly throughout the material. This means you can guarantee consistent warmth throughout the room and across the floor, avoiding the creation of hot and cold spots.
This efficiency of heat transfer not only makes SPC flooring suitable for underfloor heating systems but also enhances the overall energy efficiency of the system. The unique composition of SPC flooring provides excellent thermal conductivity, ensuring rapid and even heating, with slow and steady cooling when the system is switched off.
Durability
When choosing suitable flooring it is important that it not only has the correct thermal properties but also the durability and longevity to continue to perform for years to come. This becomes especially important when exposed not only to constant foot traffic but constant heating and cooling when used in conjunction with underfloor heating systems.
SPC flooring has an extremely durable composite core, composed of mostly natural stone with added PVC. This core makes SPC planks as tough and durable as most natural stone and much more durable than flexible counterparts like luxury vinyl tile (LVT). The rigid core is resistant to dents and scratches, ensuring that high traffic and the occasional impact accidents are not going to affect the longevity of your flooring.
NüTile's SPC flooring also comes with an added wear layer to further protect against scratches, stains, and daily wear. This wear layer coupled with the high strength and durability of the rigid core ensures that the daily use, and the frequent heating and cooling that SPC flooring will be subjected to, does not compromise the integrity and longevity of the material.
Waterproofing and Non-Slip Properties
With underfloor heating systems being a popular choice for bathrooms the flooring choice must be able to withstand a high moisture environment.
SPC flooring is inherently waterproof thanks to its stone polymer core which makes it fantastic for preventing moisture from penetrating the floor below. This helps to protect against mould and mildew and any potential warping, swelling, or delamination that other materials can experience in the constant presence of moisture.
SPC's natural aesthetic is made possible by being able to embed texture into the material that copies the natural grains and variations in wood and stone. This added texture not only ensures your flooring looks the part but also provides a level of anti-slip protection, helping to make your bathroom safer by reducing the risks of slips and falls.
Conclusion
SPC flooring is highly suitable and absolutely recommended for use with underfloor heating systems. A small number of guidelines should be followed to ensure the best function and performance, but as long as these guidelines are adhered to then SPC flooring makes the perfect companion for underfloor heating.
The combination of efficient thermal transfer, high durability, waterproofing, and non-slip properties, ensures that SPC flooring not only enhances the comfort and efficiency of your underfloor heating systems but also provides a timeless and natural aesthetic.
NüTile’s SPC flooring range offers the perfect balance of performance and aesthetics, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to add underfloor heating systems to their residential or commercial spaces.
View our NuStone and NuForest flooring ranges available in a selection of colours and styles.
