Natural stone and underfloor heating - an ideal couple

Underfloor heating systems are among the most popular heating systems in homes. Not only do they provide cosy warmth from below, so that you can pleasantly walk around barefoot, but they are also quite economical due to the low flow temperature. Particularly with underfloor heating, the question arises as to which floor covering should be selected. Are natural stone floors at all suitable for underfloor heating?

Natural stone is an excellent heat conductor

The Romans already used floor and wall heating in their buildings, so-called "hypocausts". "Hypocaust" means "heated from below". At the beginning of this type of heating, bathrooms in public thermal baths were heated by heating water basins, floors and walls with hot air or flue gases. Nowadays it looks like this: With underfloor heating, the heat has to overcome the "barrier" of the floor covering. Therefore, the thermal resistance of the floor covering is important. This value is what matters for underfloor heating. Natural stone tiles are the ideal partner for underfloor heating, because natural stone has a low heat transfer resistance and is therefore equipped with optimal thermal conductivity.

Natural stone significantly exceeds the value of many other floor coverings: "Natural stone and technostone floors can even reach peak values of up to 3.5 W(mK)," says stone expert Thomas Schubert, Managing Director of SCHUBERT STONE. Carpet, wood, parquet, PVC, cork and laminate tend to have insulating properties and do not readily give off heat, so these coverings have a high thermal resistance.

Energy-saving heat

Due to their mass, stones are very dense and have a high heat storage capacity. In addition, natural stone floors pass the stored heat on to the room more quickly and thus ensure an even, pleasant feel-good temperature. Another plus point: the heating phase is shortened. Because of all these advantages, most houses or flats that are renovated or newly built today are equipped with underfloor heating. Especially in the bathroom, the cosy warmth is a pleasure. The heating under the floor covering is not only energy-saving, but also scores as an optical added value.

Since the conventional radiators under the windows are omitted, underfloor heating allows more flexibility when placing furniture; it is practically invisible. The heating pipes are either integrated in the so-called heating screedor connected with heating mats in the screed. Wall heating is another option: Here, panels fitted with heating pipes are laid on the inside of the walls and fitted with the wall construction. This type of heating also saves a lot of energy. The combination with wall panels made of natural stone or technostone is an optimal design option here.

Which stone slabs are suitable for underfloor heating

The traditional hard limestone Levante Crema with its warm tones in beige and with brown grains or thinner slabs of grey limestone or slate provide a warm, pleasant living feeling reminiscent of glorious summer days thanks to underfloor heating. Do you also want to leave your woollen socks in the wardrobe and enjoy a warm stone floor? Then make an appointment for a consultation! Or visit the stone floor exhibition in our VILLA SCHUBERT in the Stone Centre, Vienna's largest exhibition of natural stone, technostone and parquet.