Underfloor Heating for Wood, Timber and Laminate Floors
Warmup’s foil-based underfloor heating is designed to warm engineered wood, natural timber floorboards, and laminate gently and evenly — without overheating the floor or drying it out.
Nationwide
Distributor Network
5 Years Warranty
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Before and after install
Gentle, Even Heating for Wood and Laminate Floors
Warmup’s wood and laminate floor heating uses a foil-based (or free-form cable) electric heating element that spreads warmth evenly across the room, designed for use beneath engineered wood flooring, natural wooden floorboards, and laminate. The core wire has spring-like flexibility and is built to cope with heavy furniture, and even household items like snooker tables or stiletto heels, when installed correctly.
A floor sensor sits between the heating wires and works together with an intelligent Warmup thermostat to keep the surface temperature under the laminate from ever exceeding 27°C. For the best balance of comfort and running-cost efficiency, Warmup recommends operating at 24°C. Because this system sits beneath a floating floor rather than within a screed, it takes a little longer to warm a room than inslab or undertile systems — typically becoming effective within 2 to 6 hours of switch-on. The denser and thinner the flooring material, the faster the heat-up time and the more responsive the system.
Installation typically takes as little as 1 to 2 days and can be done yourself, though Warmup installers are available if you’d prefer to leave it to the professionals. The system is laid in four layers: the subfloor is prepared so it’s level and free of grit, a quality underlay with damp-proof properties is added (Marmox insulation boards are recommended here), the foil heating pad and floor sensor go down next, and the laminate or timber planks are laid on top to finish. The heating pads are designed never to overheat and can be left running continuously.
The system is pet and child-friendly, with no protruding cables or hardware, and is 100% waterproof. Warmup’s heating elements and controls are approved and certified to New Zealand and international standards, and come with a 5-year warranty.
What to Know Before Heating a Wood or Laminate Floor
Important Considerations
- Both engineered wood flooring and natural wooden floorboards can be used with Warmup’s electric floor heating system.
- The floor surface temperature must not exceed 27°C — a floor sensor working with an intelligent Warmup thermostat enforces this automatically. A running temperature of 24°C is recommended for the best balance of comfort and running cost.
- Denser, thinner flooring materials heat up faster and respond more quickly to the system than thicker or less dense options.
- Because heat has to pass through a floating floor rather than a screed, expect a longer warm-up time (2–6 hours) than with undertile or inslab systems — pre-heating overnight or ahead of peak use with a programmable thermostat helps offset this.
- A quality, damp-proof underlay (Marmox insulation boards are recommended) improves performance and helps protect the floor above.
Warm Wood and Laminate Floors — Without Compromising the Finish
Warmup’s low-temperature system is designed to deliver comfortable warmth beneath wood, timber, and laminate floors while protecting the floor finish above. Contact us for a free, obligation-free quote or call 0800 WARMUP (0800 927 687)
Warmup Foil Heating Mat (for Wood & Laminate Floors)
Warmup’s foil-based heating mat is laid on the subfloor beneath a laminate, engineered wood, or natural timber floor finish. Key features include:
- Foil-based or free-form cable construction for even heat distribution across the room
- A floor sensor, used with an intelligent Warmup thermostat, keeps the surface temperature from exceeding 27°C, with 24°C recommended for optimal running costs
- 100% waterproof and pet and child-friendly, with no protruding cables or hardware
- Spring-like core wire designed to withstand heavy furniture and everyday use when installed correctly
- Approved and certified to New Zealand and international standards
- Backed by a 5-year warranty
Affiliations, Partners & Accredited Installers
Wood & Laminate Floor Heating FAQs
A: Yes. Warmup’s electric floor heating system can be used beneath engineered wood flooring, and the foil-based element and floor sensor work together to keep the surface temperature within a safe range for the floor above.
A: Yes. Warmup’s system can also be used with natural wooden floorboards, as well as engineered wood and laminate.
A: No. A floor sensor is placed between the heating wires and works with an intelligent Warmup thermostat to ensure the surface temperature under the laminate never exceeds 27°C. Warmup recommends running the system at 24°C for the best balance of comfort and efficiency.
A: Because the heating element sits beneath a floating floor rather than within a screed, it takes a little longer to warm the room than an inslab or undertile system — typically becoming effective within 2 to 6 hours of switch-on. Using a programmable thermostat to pre-heat overnight or ahead of peak use helps make sure the floor is warm when you need it.
A: Yes — installation typically takes 1 to 2 days and can be done yourself, following the standard four-layer process (subfloor prep, underlay, heating mat and floor sensor, then floor finish). Warmup installers are also available if you’d rather have it professionally fitted.
A: Warmup’s heating elements and controls for wood and laminate floors are approved and certified to New Zealand and international standards and come with a 5-year warranty.
