Heated wood floor: underfloor heating under wood flooring

What the rule says

In Wallonia and Flanders, the rule limits direct electric heating, and names electric underfloor heating. Wallonia: 2,500 W at most per home up to 150 m², then 15 W per additional m², on any fitting, appliances already in place included. Flanders: 15 W at most per m² in a renovation subject to a permit or a notification with an architect; in an extension, the cap is calculated on the extension alone. Brussels: we have not found a cap. One room remains possible; a whole home, not within these limits.

In Luxembourg, direct electric heating cannot be the main heating of a building that is new, extended or converted. Partial heating remains possible: the regulation cites the bathroom.

In the Netherlands, a heating system that is fitted or renewed must reach a performance that direct electricity does not reach. The guide published by the public agency RVO rules out electric underfloor heating as main heating; the agency’s page allows local electric appliances controlled room by room. For a room heated as a supplement, the official documents point towards local heating being allowed, without naming electric underfloor heating: to be confirmed by the municipality.

The rule, country by country, with the texts

The short answer

Yes, electric underfloor heating can be fitted under wood flooring. The 5 mm carbon film rests on the existing floor; three-layer engineered wood, the click kind, is laid floating on top. No screed, no glue. According to the manufacturer, this is how about 85% of its projects are done.

What is under your feet

From bottom to top	Thickness
Existing floor, dry, sound and flat	it stays in place
Reflective layer	1 mm
Insulating and sound-deadening layer	4 mm
All-carbon film	0.45 mm
Three-layer engineered wood, floating	13 to 15 mm
Height added	18 to 20 mm

The manufacturer states 16 to 20 mm for floating wood flooring: 16 mm assumes 11 mm planks.

For comparison, the manufacturer gives 45 to 65 mm for water-based underfloor heating cast in a screed, wood flooring not included.

Does the wood flooring not get too hot?

No, and that is why this build-up works. The whole surface heats, so it does not need to be hot. According to the manufacturer, the surface of the wood flooring stays 1 to 2 °C above room temperature, that is 20 to 24 °C in service. The 27 °C limit that wood flooring manufacturers usually set for underfloor heating is not reached in normal operation.

Which wood flooring is suitable

The simple case: click three-layer engineered wood, 13 to 15 mm, which its manufacturer approves for underfloor heating and for floating installation. It says so on its data sheet.
Glued-down wood flooring, herringbone, large planks: possible on a decoupling mat (19 to 25 mm in all) or on a dry screed (35 to 45 mm).
Solid wood flooring: glued, or better screwed, onto dry screed; to be discussed with the floor layer.
Wood flooring that its manufacturer does not approve for underfloor heating is not laid.

How the fitting goes

We check the floor: dry, sound, flat to within 2 mm over one metre. The old floor covering stays if it holds firm.
We roll out the reflective layer, the insulating layer, then the film. The electrician connects it to 230 V, with one thermostat per room.
The wood flooring is laid straight away, floating: no glue, no drying time.
We go over it with the thermal camera, room by room, before handing the place back to you.

The manufacturer reckons on about 75 m² a day for a team of two.

What is not done

No film under fixed furniture, or in a shower.
No fitting on a floor that deviates by more than 2 mm over one metre, without a levelling compound first.

What about consumption?

It depends on the building, not on the wood flooring. The manufacturer’s readings, most of which come from homes with wood flooring, are on the measured consumption page. To get a first idea for your own home, there is the simulator.

Updated on 9 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions on this subject.

Is a floor sensor needed under wood flooring?

The manufacturer does not provide for one: the surface of the wood flooring stays 1 to 2 °C above room temperature, and control is by the room thermostat. A sensor can be added as a limiter if the manufacturer of the wood flooring asks for one.

What height with wood flooring?

The manufacturer states 16 to 20 mm. The sum is simple: 5 mm of heating, plus the thickness of the wood flooring. With 13 mm planks, that makes 18 mm; with 15 mm planks, 20 mm.

Can the old floor stay?

Yes, if it is dry, sound and flat: tiles, screed or an old floor covering stay in place, the heating is laid on them, and the floating wood flooring on top.

What about solid or glued-down wood flooring?

It is possible, but higher: glued-down wood flooring needs a decoupling mat (19 to 25 mm in all) or a dry screed (35 to 45 mm). For solid wood, the manufacturer refers you to the floor layer's advice.

Which wood species should I choose?

Oak is the rule. Beech and maple move more when the temperature changes: the wood flooring manufacturer's approval is what decides.

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Audience measurement

Underfloor heating under your wood flooring, in 16 to 20 mm.