The Best Tiles for Underfloor Heating

Posted on 5th November 2025

Underfloor heating is the perfect addition to any living space, especially during the cold winter months. Not only does it bring warmth to your feet, but underfloor heating actually also helps to heat your house or living space more efficiently!

In this blog, we’ll discuss what tiles are suitable for underfloor heating, explaining the benefits and drawbacks of different options, so you can make a fully informed choice before you buy!

Why are some tiles not suitable for underfloor heating?

Some tile materials and types are not suitable for use with underfloor heating for a variety of reasons. In some cases, tiles are not well suited to the expansion caused by temperature changes, which can lead to cracking.

In other situations, tiles may be too thick to effectively conduct heat, making them less effective and subsequently a waste of money.

Equally, porous tiles, or those which are likely to be less durable, become more prone to cracking under heated conditions.

What tile is best for underfloor heating?

Porcelain, ceramic and some natural stone tiles are generally regarded as the best for underfloor heating because they conduct heat effectively. Each tile type has different strengths and, ultimately, porcelain tiles are generally the best option for underfloor heating in most cases.

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Best tiles for underfloor heating in bathrooms/wet rooms

In bathrooms and/or wet rooms, you need tiles which are non-porous, and highly dense for underfloor heating. This prevents the tiles from holding water, which can stagnate and begin to smell or even damage the tiles/heating system.

As a result, porcelain tiles are generally the best choice, thanks to their absorption rate of below 0.5%, and dense composition. They’re exceptionally strong and won’t hold even nearly enough water to become damaged.

Furthermore, the aesthetics you can achieve through porcelain tiles are also highly versatile. Whether you’re looking for stone/wood effect tiles for your bathroom, or you’re after a certain colour tile, you’ll be able to find what you need with porcelain paving.

Best tiles for underfloor heating in kitchens

Again, porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles are the best tile options for underfloor heating in kitchens. Many natural stone tiles offer great heat conductivity, which is their standout feature.

Porcelain brings the same benefits and more, including durability, moisture resistance and effective heat retention. This means that your floors will stay warmer for longer, decreasing the costs to actually heat the floor.

Is porcelain or ceramic tile better for heated floors?

Generally, we’d recommend porcelain over ceramic for heated floors. It retains heat more effectively, and it’s exceptionally durable. Whilst ceramic is a great conductor of heat and is usually cheaper, it’s much less durable and more porous, meaning it’s far more likely to get damaged and need replacing/repairing.

Why porcelain tiles are great for underfloor heating

Porcelain tiles are great for underfloor heating because they’re unbelievably strong and also great heat conductors.

A kiln-vitrification process ensures extreme durability for all of our porcelain tiles, which means it can withstand varying temperatures created by underfloor heating.

Equally, porcelain transfers and retains heat very well, meaning the tiles will stay warm for long periods of time, which can even save on energy bills.

Installing tiles over underfloor heating: Considerations

When installing tiles over underfloor heating, there are certain considerations to make. These include proper subfloor preparation, the use of flexible materials, and following specific protocols:

• Substrate preparation and conditioning - Substrate must be fully cured before tiling, and surface must be entirely level.

• Adhesive and grout - Flexible, polymer-modified adhesive and grout should be used to handle thermal movement.

• Decoupling membrane - It’s recommended to install a decoupling membrane, which separates tiles from the subfloor, preventing cracks.

• Movement joints - Joints must be included around the perimeter between heating zones. Fill with flexible sealant.

What temperature can floor tiles be heated to?

Floor tiles can generally be safely heated 29℃ (84°F). The ‘flow temperature’ refers to the temperature of the water, or heating element in the wires under the floor, and this often reaches 35℃ to 55℃ , depending on the system type and amount of heat loss.

Can underfloor heating crack porcelain tiles?

Correctly installed and heated porcelain tiles will not crack as a result of the heating. However, improper installation or wrong adhesive/grout use could cause cracking issues.

Using a non-flexible adhesive could cause extreme pressure on tiles as heat causes expansion which, in some cases, could lead to damage.

Also, installed tiles which aren’t allowed to cure properly (at least 14 days) may not be optimised for heat expansion and movement. Be sure to follow all installation instructions closely to avoid damage to tiles.

Will porcelain tiles affect the heat coming from underfloor heating?

No, porcelain tiles will not negatively affect the heat coming from underfloor heating at all. In fact, porcelain is the most suitable option for underfloor heating thanks to its excellent thermal conductivity.

Equally, despite being very strong, porcelain tiles are thin, allowing heat to rise and transfer through them quickly.

For more information about porcelain and its suitability for underfloor heating, get in touch with us and we’d be happy to help.

Contact Porcelain Paving Direct