BRICOFLOR UK Blog

As our little series on underfloor heating has shown, there are almost no constraints on choosing a suitable floor covering. Above all, it is important whether the respective product can withstand the temperature fluctuations and is declared as suitable by the manufacturer. Even with vinyl flooring it does not behave very differently. The question that persists, however, is how efficiently the whole thing can be operated. We will review this in our blog post today and inform you about the best way to use PVC flooring and vinyl flooring together with underfloor heating.

What Exactly is the Difference Between the Floor Covers and is PVC Harmful?

Gerflor Senso

Often it is not recommended to combine PVC flooring with underfloor heating, and that used to have a reason! Initially, harmful plasticizers were used in the production of PVC tiles, and since those plasticizers evaporate steadily, it was not suitable to be combined with any heat. However, for some years, the production methods have excluded all use of any harmful plasticizers and therefore this is no longer a problem! Of course, depending on the product, it may still contain plasticizers, but these are no longer harmful to health.

PVC floors are available in various designs and formats. The abbreviation PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is why, in principle, all variants belong to the same large group. Subgroups here are "vinyl floors" or "PVC rolls" and "vinyl laminate", which is also known as "design flooring". Design floors are a special feature because they are also available as a plastic version without polyvinyl chloride. However, this does not play a special role in the use of underfloor heating.

Low Heat Threshold Resistance

Despite its previously unfavorable reputation, LVT vinyl flooring is one of the more efficient types of flooring in terms of thermal performance. As usual, pay attention to the special labeling for suitability with underfloor heating before purchasing. Recognizable by this symbol:

Wineo 400

However, since the material expands and contracts again with rapid temperature changes, this suitability is only intended for hot water based heating systems. These only slowly reach the desired temperature, so that the material is spared. In addition, the products often have first-class values, such as extremely low thermal resistance and good thermal conductivity.

To effectively heat your rooms, you should ensure that a thermal resistance of 0.15 (m²K) / W is not exceeded. In some cases, however, PVC floors only have a resistance of 0.02 (m²K) / W, which means that not only can they be perfectly heated, but you can probably install additional sound insulation if necessary. The same is true, of course, even if you want to attach a vapor barrier under the floor to be laid. As a rule, the resistance is still very low, so they are unlikely to affect your construction project.

Click-system, Fully Sized, Fully Vinyl or with a HDF Board  – You Want to be Aware of this!

Wineo 400

For the perfect transfer of heat, it is advisable to resort to full vinyl, which you can also stick together over the entire surface. However, that does not mean that you have to do without PVC with a HDF (High Density Fiberboard) base plate or vinyl click flooring! A full-surface bonding is advisable, since there is no air layer between the heating and the flooring, which would stand in the way of the rising heat. Planks with HDF board are, however, usually solid and thus hinder the heat flow.

Depending on the substrate, you also have to weigh in HDF systems whether you also need a vapor barrier, which also has a heat-insulating effect. Even LVT click flooring is generally suitable for being combined with underfloor heating, but almost always requires additional footfall sound insulation. Also in this case, an insulating layer of air lies between material and heating. Here you should therefore pay attention to choose the lowest possible resistance values ​​and obstruct.

We hope you have now got a better idea of ​​how vinyl interacts with underfloor heating.

Are you still looking for phthalate-free PVC flooring or designer flooring that you can combine with underfloor heating? In our online shop you will find a wide selection that will serve you well. Take a look and browse in peace, until you have found the perfect flooring for yourself!

If you have any questions, we are also happy to assist you personally. Just call us or send us a message via our contact form.

Until next time! Your team from BRICOFLOR, the No. 1 for wall & floor.

Hardly any other German manufacturer is as internationally known as Vorwerk. And that's no wonder - the company has been enthusing its customers for over 100 years with first-class carpets in a variety of designs. The new range “Passion” is the result of an adapted and further development of Vorwerk’s product portfolio. In today's article, we introduce you to the advantages of Vorwerk Passion and offer you an overview of the corresponding collections.

The Perfect Mixture of Sustainability, comfort and Functionality

Vorwerk Passion "1001"

Today, floor coverings in monochrome optics or in tone-on-tone finishes are in demand. That's why all collections in the Vorwerk Passion series have a simple design that you can easily combine with different furnishing styles. So you do not run the risk of overloading your rooms with swanky patterns. The yarn of the carpets is made of 100% polyamide, it is a high-quality pile material which impresses with an appealing shine and outstanding durability. That's why it is important to be passionate about choosing a durable product that will keep you happy for years to come.

The Vorwerk carpets are also characterized by their green properties. All Passion series collections bear the Community Eco-friendly Carpet Seal of Approval, which, in addition to organic production, guarantees you two additional benefits: the carpets do not contain any harmful substances and have a neutral scent right from the start. Not only environmentally conscious customers, but especially families with small children will be pleased about these features. Additionally, for those who suffer from complaints due to particulate matter, the German producer has good news: according to the Life Balance seal, the Passion collections are ideally suited for allergy sufferers. They bind the dust distributed in the rooms and thus improve the air quality. They promise even more comfort due to their underfloor heating suitability - every member of the Passion line can be combined with a hot-water underfloor heating system. You can therefore finally say goodbye to freezing feet!

All Beginnings are Difficult? Not With These Models!

Anyone who may be new to installing carpets in their own premises might think twice about their first choice. The Passion series makes it easy for you to make the decision - it offers you two excellent collections at a low price that will allow you to enjoy the benefits of textile floor coverings. Vorwerk Passion 1005 uses, in contrast to the other collections, a loop texture, which gives it a considerable resistance. This is reflected in the highest use class for the living area with which it is awarded. Also Vorwerk Passion 1021, which may be known by some under its previous name Bingo, has a lot to offer: the carpet for private use has a flattering surface and can even be installed on stairs. Its chair-wheel design counteracts potential damage from office chairs, and thanks to its anti-static properties, your computer equipment is protected against exposure to electrical charges.

The Carpet that Brings Something Unique to Each Living Space

Vorwerk Passion "1002"

Even if you are looking for a refined carpet for your apartment, you will not be disappointed by Passion by Vorwerk. Thanks to different surface structures and individual color palettes, you are guaranteed to find the flooring that meets your needs and requirements. If you prefer monochrome decors to be boring, take a look at Vorwerk Passion 1002: this collection has a mottled texture that will bring dynamics to your spaces. Their cut edge strength promises a visually perfect result during installation, as the edges will not fray. Vorwerk Passion 1004 stands out above all for its unique color spectrum: The gentle rosé, gray and lilac tones exude a feminine charm and make you relax like never before. Their frisé structure not only feels pleasant, but also conceals roadways and light soiling.

Are you looking for something more luxurious? Then Vorwerk Passion 1003 could be the right choice for you. The soft shaggy surface will pamper your feet - this is testimony to the luxury class 3 award. With its use class 23, the carpet can even be used in heavily frequented areas in your home like the hallway, for example. Vorwerk Passion 1001, formerly known as Vorwerk Bolero, meets the highest standards of comfort and functionality with ease: the collection belongs to the highest usage class for the living area and can therefore be used flexibly in various rooms. According to the luxury class 4, the soft frisé velor provides a fascinatingly soft feeling with every step.

Reliable Partners for Commercial Use

The Passion line is not limited to carpets for private use: it also provides two strong representatives for the contract sector. Vorwerk Passion 1000 (the successor to Vorwerk Modena) does not at first glance seem like a typical floor for commercial spaces: the textile knitted fabric is available in a total of 40 different plain colors. In addition to neutral tones, you can choose from expressive colors such as red, orange and turquoise. With this color variety no wish remains unattended! With its use class 32, the carpet is suitable for light to medium-weighted object spaces. The same applies to Vorwerk Passion 1006, the second alternative for commercial use. This collection is characterised by a discreet dot pattern, which creates an exciting, but still overall calm and harmonious appearance. The special COC manufacturing process guarantees a precise and true color representation of the pattern. Both Passion 1000 and Passion 1006 are classified as flame retardant floor coverings according to fire protection class Cfl-s1, so that the technical requirements of the object area are met.

We hope that we have triggered your curiosity with our contribution! If you want to convince yourself of the qualities of Vorwerk Passion, a visit to our online shop is worthwhile. There you will find all the collections in the series so that you can easily compare them. If you have questions about our products, you can always contact our service team. Just write us a message using the contact form and we will help you!

Until next time! Your team from BRICOFLOR, the No. 1 for wall & floor!

Vinyl flooring has enjoyed great popularity for years and is therefore considered a versatile and technically perfect successor of the laminate. However, although both types of flooring can now imitate wood and other natural materials deceptively realistically, laminate flooring was able to score for a long time due to its uncomplicated installation. With the new Rigid Board technology, the vinyl floor manufacturers are now battling the little brother of the parquet - presenting robust and versatile design coverings that make the renovations child's play. What hides behind the innovative floors and what benefits can they offer you? We would like to introduce to you to our solution today.

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