Laminate v engineered wood with electric underfloor heating

[morgan616]

Hi all,

Going to install warmup underfloor heating and not sure whether to go with laminate flooring or engineered wood. The main issue I am pondering is which is best at conducting the heat into the room. I thought laminate was, but I'm not sure now from my research.

Also am I missing out any other important considerations?

The laminate will be quickstep Elite which is 8mm thick. http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/tprod11229/Quick-Step-Elite-Old-Oak-Natural.html
(it's available much cheaper elsewhere)

The engineered wood, is to be 15mm-20mm thick such as this http://www.factory-direct-flooring....-lacquered-150mm-oak-engineered-flooring.html

Have you fitted either? What have your experiences been like?

 

[AronSearle]

Lamaintes will still likely be 95%+ wood with some plastic facing, so what really matters is the thickness.

 

[Diyisfun]

Laminate, very little wood.
http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/what-is-laminate-wood-flooring.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminate_flooring
=========

Laminate wood flooring is comprised of composite wood pressed together at high temperature: the photograph, or image, of hardwood then covers this composite wood, producing laminate flooring. A clear, hard layer is then placed on the top, giving it its sheen and durability. Because it is not manufactured from real wood or wood veneers, this makes it a far more cost effective option, especially for new homeowners with a limited budget.

 

[AronSearle]

Laminate, very little wood.
http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/what-is-laminate-wood-flooring.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminate_flooring
=========

Laminate wood flooring is comprised of composite wood pressed together at high temperature: the photograph, or image, of hardwood then covers this composite wood, producing laminate flooring. A clear, hard layer is then placed on the top, giving it its sheen and durability. Because it is not manufactured from real wood or wood veneers, this makes it a far more cost effective option, especially for new homeowners with a limited budget.

So 95% wood then

 

[big-all]

to run electric under floor hearing costs around 3 times the cost off mains gas central heating

 

[Diyisfun]

Laminate, very little wood.
http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/what-is-laminate-wood-flooring.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminate_flooring
=========

Laminate wood flooring is comprised of composite wood pressed together at high temperature: the photograph, or image, of hardwood then covers this composite wood, producing laminate flooring. A clear, hard layer is then placed on the top, giving it its sheen and durability. Because it is not manufactured from real wood or wood veneers, this makes it a far more cost effective option, especially for new homeowners with a limited budget.

So 95% wood then

Don't know where you get 95%, its states NOT 'real wood'
Laminate is plastic

 

[JohnD]

Laminate is plastic

no it isn't

laminate flooring is made of wood pulp and glue, with a picture of some wood stuck to the top.

 

[Diyisfun]

laminate flooring is composed of 80 percent wood..
Laminate flooring is a compressed fibreboard plank, covered by a photographic image of wood
===
Ok its wood, but not as we know it

 

[morgan616]

Thanks for the replies.. enjoyed the laminate is it wood or plastic not banter.

I know electric is approx 3 x the amount of gas but underfloor heating is more efficient and heats the room more evenly so you feel warmer at a lower temp. I installed it before and my tenants all raved about it.

That said, no doubt it will cost more to run. But I'm going for it...

... No one who would recommend say 8mm quickstep laminate over 12-14mm engineered wood? Or vice versa?

Not after opinions about the aesthetics of laminate v engineered, just what is more efficient at letting in the heat.

 

[big-all]

do you tell the tenants they are paying 3 times as much to heat the rooms with underfloor heating ??

 

[morgan616]

I'm living in the flat which is going to have the underfloor heating installed.

The other 2 bed flat I mentioned had electric underfloor heating installed 5 years ago. All the tenants have told me the bills were very reasonable and preferred it... No doubt the good insulation helps.

 

[big-all]

yes the key is to reduce the heat loss to the minimum then your talking 30 for electric compared to 12 for gas per month
rather than £300 for electric compared to £120
less than a pound a day difference is not a killer where as £6 is in a financial and possibly literal way

 

[AronSearle]

I have to wonder if anyone who can afford underfloor heating gives a damn about the cost, some people just don't seem to care.

Laminate, very little wood.
http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/what-is-laminate-wood-flooring.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminate_flooring
=========

Laminate wood flooring is comprised of composite wood pressed together at high temperature: the photograph, or image, of hardwood then covers this composite wood, producing laminate flooring. A clear, hard layer is then placed on the top, giving it its sheen and durability. Because it is not manufactured from real wood or wood veneers, this makes it a far more cost effective option, especially for new homeowners with a limited budget.

So 95% wood then

Don't know where you get 95%, its states NOT 'real wood'
Laminate is plastic

Read your own link

Inner core – high-density fiberboard (HDF) made from wood fibers fused with resin. HDF is an engineered wood product that’s strong, hard and dense, and keeps the laminate board stable, flat, and moisture resistant.

As far as thermal resistivity, the values will be near identical to hardwood or MDF.

So all that matters is thickness.