Under vinyl or laminate: the thinnest solution.

The short answer

Yes, on two conditions, both set by the manufacturer of the heating: the vinyl is at least 8 mm thick, and its own manufacturer approves it for underfloor heating and for floating installation. It then clicks together directly on the carbon film, with no screed and no glue.

Why 8 mm

Thin vinyl, 2 to 5 mm, is made to be glued onto a screed. Laid floating on the heating, the floor covering has to hold by itself: it needs a rigid core, which is found from 8 mm upwards. That core stays flat, clicks together firmly, spreads the heat and does not let what is underneath show through.

The heights

According to the manufacturer, laminate gives off slightly less heat at the surface, and feels colder to the touch.

What temperature

In the film, 32 °C at most at 115 W/m². At the floor surface, 20 to 24 °C in service, according to the manufacturer. No floor sensor: the room thermostat does the regulating.

For which rooms

• Bathroom and kitchen: vinyl is waterproof and wipes clean in one go.
• Rented home: no screed and no glue, one day of work, the old floor stays in place.
• Office, secondary rooms: laminate is often enough.

How the fitting goes

1. We check the floor: dry, sound, flat to within 2 mm over one metre.
2. Reflective layer, insulating layer, film; the electrician connects it to 230 V, one thermostat per room.
3. The vinyl clicks together on top, with the expansion gap that its manufacturer requires along the walls.
4. Check with the thermal camera, room by room.

What is not done

• No vinyl under 8 mm laid floating: it is glued, onto dry screed.
• No floor covering that its manufacturer does not approve for underfloor heating.
• No film in a shower or under fixed furniture.
• A thin floor covering shows up the defects in the subfloor: beyond 2 mm over one metre, we apply a levelling compound first.

The other floor coverings: wood flooring, tiles. All the heights: fitting without screed.

Updated on 9 October 2026.