ᐅ Underfloor Heating – Is It Better to Install Tiles or Laminate Flooring?

Majin schrieb:
It heats up faster and retains warmth longer, which also reduces energy consumption.

The response time is indeed faster with tiles compared to laminate, and tiles also have better heat storage capacity.
However, the heating season is significantly longer. During transitional periods, when I don’t have cold feet with laminate/parquet/vinyl flooring, tiles will likely cause discomfort that makes you reach for the thermostat to turn on the heating... I believe this offsets the previously mentioned advantage.

Majin schrieb:
How big is the difference when the laminate is fully glued down? (Can a layperson manage gluing it, I’ve only done regular floating installations so far).

A full-surface glue down is usually not done because in 99% of cases the laminate manufacturer prohibits it. It would also be cost-prohibitive; the adhesive would probably be more expensive than the laminate itself.

What’s important is a highly conductive underlay. A thermal resistance (R-value) of 0.01 m²K/W or even less is ideal. The extra cost pays off quickly.
Traditional cork or foam underlays have about 4 to 5 times higher insulation value!
And of course, don’t forget the vapor barrier if it’s not already integrated into the underlay.

I would always choose glued vinyl flooring. 63 sqm (678 sq ft). The total cost was 1920 for everything. This included six bags of leveling compound, five liters (1.3 gallons) of primer, diluted 1:4, 60 m (197 ft) of baseboard, 25 kg (55 lbs) of adhesive, which was more than enough, and planks covering 19.90 sqm (214 sq ft). Additionally, six cartridges of mounting adhesive.

The process was: vacuum, roll primer onto raw screed. Wait. Pour leveling compound mixed carefully with a measuring cup according to instructions. Spread it out. Let it cure. Grind off ridges with a stone grinder. Vacuum. Apply one strip of adhesive with a notched trowel. Lay the vinyl, etc. Glue on the baseboards. Two days, three people. Done. A professional who has done this many times should be involved.

The vinyl feels as warm as tile. It is soft to walk on. The appearance is close to real wood. Karsten

So, not machine-sanded after all?

My brother, who is a professional in the field, said that after seeing the leveling compound, it was unnecessary and that stone alone would be sufficient.

Good to know, it might save me a lot of trouble

Well, all that sanding