Can I Install the DITRA-HEAT Membrane Under Wood or Laminate flooring?

Yes! Schluter has updated their installation instructions to allow for alternate floor coverings to be installed over Ditra-Heat and Ditra-Heat DUO membrane. See page 17 & 18 of the 2020 Ditra-Heat Installation Handbook.

Other floor covering installations require thinset under the membrane and a cementitious self-leveling underlayment is required over the top to fill the membrane and encapsulate the Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT cables. The underlayment is applied to a thickness above the studs in the membrane as specified in the manual, according to the type and thickness of the floor covering. The underlayment should be applied in a single pour.

Suitable for these floor types:

  • engineered wood
  • vinyl
  • wood plastic composite (WPC)
  • luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and luxury vinyl planks (LVP)
  • stone plastic composite (SPC) tiles and planks
  • laminate flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is not recommended for floor warming applications. Carpets are generally not recommended, but if installed, they must not exceed an R-value of 1, including any rubber pad or mat used.

It is important to note that alternative flooring materials have heat conductivities which are on average 10 times lower than those for ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Also, not all brands and products that fall into the alternative floor coverings types are compatible with radiant floor warming. It is essential to read the floor covering data sheet, or installation instructions, or to verify directly with the manufacturer that the chosen floor covering is compatible with radiant floor warming and that the temperature limit is at minimum 85°F (29.5°C).

6 thoughts on “Can I Install the DITRA-HEAT Membrane Under Wood or Laminate flooring?”

    • Hi LG,

      Our SunTouch and Nuheat heating systems can be installed under hardwood flooring if the wood is glued or floated, but at this time there is no product that can go under a nailed-down hardwood floor.

      See page 18 of the attached manual to learn more about installing floor heat under non-stone floor coverings.

      The process is the same for both mat and cables systems manufactured by SunTouch and Nuheat.

      Warm Regards,

      The Warm Your Floor Team

  • The new Engage LVT(Luxury Vinyl wood lookPlank) Flooring says it can be heated. Your article says it can only be on tile and stone.

    Can your product be used for this> May flooring store checked and is planning to use it under my new bathroom floor with the Engage LVT.

    • Hi Sharie,

      The DITRA-HEAT floor heating system is designed for use under tile and stone flooring only. However, we have a number of other products that can be used under LVT.
      Please give us a call so we can discuss your options and get you the best system for your application: 866-558-3369.

      Warm Regards,
      The Warm Your Floor Team

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