Now the colder days and nights are really here with a vengeance, it may be a good time to factor in the inclusion of underfloor heating (UFH) if you’re planning any new hard floors for your home. UFH is a straightforward and cost-effective way of keeping virtually any kind of floor warm underfoot in the winter months, but which tiles is it best paired with? Read on as we’re about to find out…
Square Solutions
Keep the flooring sleek and simple with large-format (600mm x 600mm) vitrified ceramic tiles – these are our Stonebase design, available in Light Grey as shown here, and also in Taupe and Grafite, they are vitrified ceramic and also come in a 300mm x 600mm format. They’re designed to look exactly like real stone (but at a much more wallet-friendly price!), and are completely suitable for use with UFH, so the whole room can remain cosy underfoot, whatever the weather. When installing these particular tiles, Mapei Keraquick adhesive will need to be mixed with Mapei Latex Plus adhesive to give the flexibility required for use with UFH.
Loft-Style Looks
Large format tiles, including plank-style tiles are good choices if you’re installing UFH – just the scale of the tiles makes the job more manageable, especially if you’re dealing with large scale spaces! For more advice and helpful hints and tips regarding UFH, take a look at our expert knowledge here and don’t forget, you can also post questions or have a live on-screen chat with our advisors too. We’re particularly keen on this natural wood-effect porcelain floor tile, it’s our Madeira Black Matt design, with a textured finish, perfectly replicating wood planks in four other natural shades as well and, crikey, it’s in the sale at the moment too! Hurry!
Polished Performance
This vast kitchen area is absolutely the kind of space where UFH is an priority – large open spaces need a gentle background heat to take any potential chill away. These are our Muse Grey Polished tiles, available in both matt and polished finishes, and in four colour options. Again, that 600mm x 600mm format combined with minimal grout lines create a spacious and free-flowing vibe.
Gold Helix Side Table from Audenza | Swing Decor Beige Multicolour Stripe by Tile Mountain | Mitcham Industrial Oak Side Table by Modish Living
Take to the Floor…
Our Swing Decor Multicolor encaustic-style porcelain tiles (centre) come in seven different colours and patterns, and are perfect for adding a splash of intense colour and pattern – perhaps for the hallway, porch, utility or boot room – all areas which would also benefit from UFH too, of course. And if you’re choosing these tiles for a larger space such as a living or dining room, we thought we could suggest a couple of side tables that would sit beautifully alongside the square motifs. On the left, it’s the Gold Helix Side Table from Audenza, and on the right, it’s the Mitcham Industrial Oak side table, from Modish Living.
Warm & Inviting Looks
This room looks as cosy as anything – the large swathes of tiles in dark and inviting colourways make it look very inviting. But…you may not want to light up the log burner every day or evening, and that’s where UFH becomes the star of the show. Install beneath your porcelain floor tiles and have the secret advantage of warm floors underfoot, which are fully controllable via our Ezewarm Touch Tontrol thermostats. Our Wi-Fi Pro-Stat Thermostat offers Wi-Fi control from the unit itself or from a connected smartphone app (up to six settings per 24 hours) and comes with floor, air, and external sensors. So no more walking into a cold room first thing in the morning or when you get back from work! Oh, and these tiles are our gorgeous Muse Dark Grey Matt large formats in porcelain.
Celine Green Velvet Armchair from Habitat | Gold Toucan Side Table from Artisanti | Asiatic Sheepskin Rug from Cult Furniture
Cosy Ideas
So, our shopping ideas this week are chosen simply because they have an autumnal flavour, and we’re so glad to be able to cosy up in warm living room, with a cuppa or glass of mulled wine, and enjoy the change of season! From left; Celine Green Velvet Armchair with brass legs, available from Habitat, and in a several colours, including navy and dark teal. The Gold Toucan Side Table from Artisanti has a glass top and just adds a quirky touch of fun to a living room (or it could also work as a bedside table too!). And finally, the fabulous Asiatic Sheepskin rug from Cult Furniture comes in various colours and looks fab on the floor as well as draped on the seat or over the back of a sofa… and on a practical note, a sheepskin on a leather sofa doesn’t slip out of place, unlike a throw or blanket!
Three of our Favourites for UFH
Create a cosy, traditional look in a bathroom with our Dorset Grey patterned tiles, each tiles measures 450mm x 450mm but looks like four smaller squares, as each is a scribed tiles with decorative grout lines. Also in Dorset Black as well, shown right. And centre stage here are Surface Bone Matt porcelain tiles, with the appearance of concrete, which are just right for larger spaces that need the warmth of UFH.
As always, we would love to see your completed tiling projects, so don’t forget to send us some pics – tag us on Instagram or hit us up via Facebook. And remember, if you have any questions about underfloor heating, you can always visit our Help Centre section or give our friendly customer services team a call on 01782 223822.
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Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.