Check Available Floor Height: It’s important to check the boundaries of your room and work out the available floor height and make sure everything will fit. The Depron Protect boards are about 6mm thick and the mat is about 2mm thick and then you have to add the thickness of the wooden flooring you have chosen.

What thickness of wood to go for? Engineered wood varies in thickness from 12mm-22mm and wood laminates come in thickness of 7mm-12mm. The maximum thickness of wooden flooring allowed over the foil heating mats is 18mm and generally, the thinner the better as the heat will get through easier.

2) Get a Quote

Do your Own Calculations: Measure you room and get the area in m2. Take away the fixed furniture such as wardrobes or kitchen units from your overall room size to work out the free floor area. You need to leave a border around the edge of the room and away from fixed units of between 15-20cm so the mat required will be around 80-85% of the free floor area. The area of Depron Protect Insulation Boards ordered should be 20% larger than the total floor area to allow for wastage.

Get Rayotec to Provide an Estimate:  If you are unsure what size you would need then you can always email a set of floor plans to Rayotec along with details of your floor coverings (ie Engineered wood) information about your subfloor (ie concrete or floorboards) and we will send you a quotation. Don’t forget to include your telephone number in case we have any questions. You can get in touch via our contact us page here.

Always Purchase Protective Insulation Boards: It is essential that Depron Protect Insulation boards are used under the foil heating mats. They are simply loose laid on the subfloor and then the joins are taped together. They have been tested to provide adequate protection and stop the mats from getting damaged. Most wooden floor underlay does not provide adequate protection. You can find more information on them here.

3) Installing the Kits

Subfloor: Imperfections, such as bumps or unevenness, should be addressed before installation. This helps to ensure that the wooden flooring sits evenly and makes good contact with the underfloor heating mats. Our Depron Protect can be laid on wooden subfloors and concrete subfloors.

Store Your Flooring Correctly Before Installation: Wood is sensitive to changes in moisture levels, so it's crucial to consider the moisture content of the subfloor and the surrounding environment. Ensure that the subfloor is dry and that the moisture levels are within the acceptable range for the wooden flooring you're installing. Wooden floors should not be stored outside or in very humid conditions. Excessive moisture can lead to warping, cupping, or damage to the floor.

Installation with Testing: Install the electric underfloor heating products as per the manual. If you have any questions just give us a call or send us an E mail. It is really important that all the testing is done by an electrician before the wooden floor is fitted just in case the matting has been damaged during the installation. If you find that the heating mat has been damaged during the installation you can be safe in the knowledge that you are covered by Rayotec’s Worry Free Guarantee. 

   Our Worry-Free Guarantee is included, so if you damage your mat during installation, we'll replace it free-of-charge. Click here to find out more.

Expansion Gaps: Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Leave sufficient expansion gaps around the perimeter of the room and any fixed objects, such as columns or thresholds. These gaps allow the wood to expand without causing buckling or damage. The size of the expansion gap will depend on the specific requirements of the flooring manufacturer.

Let Your Flooring Acclimatise: After you have installed the wooden flooring do not turn on the underfloor heating until the flooring has acclimatised. The length of time depends on the thickness of wood but it is typically 7-14 days. You should always start the temperature of the heating mats at a low level such at 15c or 16c and increase it gradually until you reach the desired temperature.

4) Setting the Thermostat

Temperature Control: Rayotec supply a range of digital programmable thermostats that are designed for electric underfloor heating to control the room temperature. Every thermostat has a floor probe which will cut off the power to the mat if the flooring gets above a set temperature to provide protection. Typically wooden floorings should not go over 27C and the floor probe should be programmed accordingly.

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1. Inexpensive Kit - Both foil mats and compatible insulation boards are inexpensive 
2. Easy and cheap to install - As there is no tile adhesives or self levelling compounds, installing under a floating wooden floor is fast and inexpensive (particular compared to under vinyl, Amtico and Karndean). This makes it very popular with landlords, commercial properties and renovators on a budget.
3. Large Compatibility: Most engineered wood flooring and wooden laminates are compatible with electric underfloor heating systems. Engineered wood is manufactured with layers of wood veneer and plywood, which offer better dimensional stability compared to solid hardwood floors. This stability makes it less susceptible to temperature and humidity changes, making it a suitable choice for use with underfloor heating.
4. Low profile: The insulation is 6mm and the foil mats are roughly 2mm thick meaning minimal increase in floor height. 

Differences between Engineered Wood and Solid Wood Flooring