Check the floor finish
Confirm the laminate or engineered wood is approved for electric underfloor heating and check its temperature and thermal-resistance limits.
ELECTRIC INSTALLATION GUIDE
How to Install Under-Wood Heating Mats
A dry-install electric heating system for compatible floating laminate and engineered-wood floors.
Use this overview to understand the sequence, then follow the current manual supplied with the exact mat and floor finish.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Confirm the Floor and System Are Compatible
The final floor manufacturer’s instructions and the heating-mat manual both apply.
Prepare the subfloor
The base must be sound, clean, dry, stable and sufficiently level for the specified underlay and heating mat.
Plan the heated area
Keep the mat out of fixed, floor-standing units and other areas that may trap heat. Confirm the thermostat and sensor position before laying begins.
INSTALLATION SEQUENCE
Lay the System in the Correct Order
Complete the checks and record the required electrical readings at every stage stated in the product manual.
Set out the room
Mark the heated area, permanent obstructions, cold-tail route, thermostat position and floor-sensor route. Check that the selected mat fits without crossing or overlapping.
Install the specified insulating layer
Lay the approved insulating underlay or boards over the prepared subfloor, following the product instructions for joints, edges and fixing.
Position the heating mat
Roll out and turn the mat only as the manual allows. Keep the heating cable flat and correctly spaced. Never cut, shorten, cross or overlap the heating element.
Fit the floor sensor
Place the sensor in its conduit between heating runs in the location specified by the thermostat and mat instructions, where it can be replaced if required.
BEFORE THE FLOOR IS COVERED
Test, Record and Protect the Installation
Once the mat is hidden, photographs and test records become essential.
Complete the specified tests
A suitably competent person should carry out and record all electrical tests required by the product manual before, during and after installation.
Photograph the final layout
Record the mat, cold tail, sensor route and any areas without heating before the floor is laid.
Lay the compatible floating floor
Install the approved floor finish without damaging or displacing the heating mat, sensor or cables.
FINAL CONNECTION AND USE
Protect the Floor From Excess Heat
Correct control settings and unobstructed heat transfer matter throughout the life of the floor.
Set the correct floor limit
Configure the thermostat and floor sensor to remain within the maximum temperature allowed by the floor manufacturer and heating-system manual.
Avoid heat-trapping coverings
Do not place unsuitable rugs, low-clearance furniture or other insulating items over heated areas if they could restrict heat dissipation.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Under-Wood Installation Questions
Key points before laying a floating wood or laminate floor.
Can the heating cable be cut to make the mat fit?
No. Never cut or shorten the heating element. Select the correct size and arrange the mat only as permitted by its manual.
Can I install the mat beneath any wood or laminate?
No. The floor finish must be approved for the system and installed within the manufacturer’s temperature and thermal-resistance limits.
Can the mat go beneath fitted furniture?
Keep it clear of fixed floor-standing units and other areas that can trap heat, following the exact clearances and layout rules in the product manual.