A Practical Test With Tiles, Engineered Timber, Carpet & Floating Timber Over Warmset FIR Underfloor Heating
Clients often ask how much it will cost to run Warmset, but they rarely ask how long it will actually take to feel warm underfoot. While predicting one’s heating running costs is virtually impossible without specific scientific calculations (due to the many variables that must be considered), measuring how fast a floor gains warmth is far simpler. So, we built four displays, each fitted with a Warmset 150 W/m² far‑infrared heating mat, to measure the first 15 minutes of warm‑up time for the coverings Australian renovators and builders specify most often.
Test set‑up at a glance
| Parameter | Specification |
| Electric Underfloor Heating | Warmset Gold and Warmset Gold Aluminium, 150 W/m² |
| Build‑up (all displays) | Rigid insulation ➜ Warmset mat ➜ (adhesive layer where applicable) ➜ floor covering |
| Adhesive layer | 10 mm flexible tile adhesive under tiles & engineered timber |
| Floor start temperature | ~19 °C |
| Measurement interval | 0–15 minutes, surface temperature recorded with FLIR TG165-X thermal camera |
Results after 15 minutes
| Floor covering | Start (°C) | Finish (°C) | Δ (°C) |
| Ceramic tile (with 10 mm adhesive) | 19.0 | 25.0 | + 6.0 |
| Engineered timber, 15 mm (with 10 mm adhesive) | 18.8 | 20.8 | + 2.0 |
| Carpet (no underlay) | 18.8 | 32.8 | + 14.0 |
| Floating timber/laminate, 8 mm (no underlay) | 19.0 | 31.5 | + 12.5 |
What the numbers mean
1. Tile on glue — the steady performer
The temperature of the tile rose at 1°C every 2.5 minutes. Tiles are dense and highly conductive. They don’t jump in temperature, but they store and radiate heat evenly. A 6 °C rise in 15 minutes brings the surface to a comfortable 25 °C; from that point the floor continues to absorb energy and you feel luxurious, even warmth across the room.
2. Engineered timber on glue — gentle but slower
The temperature of the wood rose by 1°C every 7.5 minutes, not surprisingly. Timber is a natural insulator, and our 15 mm plank confirmed it: only a 2 °C bump. Don’t misread the small delta—wood simply releases heat more slowly. In practice you pre‑heat a little earlier, then enjoy a softer, moderated warmth that never feels hot to the foot (and easily stays well below the 26 °C limit most timber suppliers recommend).
3. Carpet — rapid rise, careful control
The temperature of the carpet rose by nearly 1°C per minute. With no underlay, the carpet surface jumped 14 °C. Fabric traps air, so the heat stays right at the surface. Add a 5‑10 mm foam underlay in a real installation and the temperature rise flattens out, but you’ll still see the fastest perceived warmth.
4. Floating timber/laminate — thin, light, responsive
The temperature of the floating floor rose by 1°C per minute every 1.2 minutes. At just 8 mm, the laminate behaved a lot like carpet: 12.5 °C in 15 minutes. The click‑lock boards are lightweight and sit directly over Warmset, so they warm rapidly. Use that responsiveness to your advantage with smart scheduling—short heating bursts achieve comfort without long run times.
Key take‑aways for homeowners
- All flooring warm effectively with Warmset, but the time it takes to warm up changes with thickness, installation style and conductivity of the material. Discuss with your builder, architect and Warmset representative your preferences to ensure you choose the solution that suits you.
- The use of a thermostat in programming your system is crucial to manage your comfort at home, with pre-heating times differing by type of floor. Sometimes clients get frustrated about installing a thermostat in every room, but that is actually the smartest way to manage your heating bill!
Final thoughts
Whether you love the crisp elegance of porcelain, the organic feel of oak, or the plushness of carpet, Warmset puts controllable, energy‑smart comfort under every step. These 15‑minute snapshots demonstrate the range: from the gentle rise under engineered timber to the lightning‑fast response beneath carpet and laminate. Pair that knowledge with a well‑programmed thermostat, and you’ll strike the perfect balance between comfort, efficiency, and design freedom.
Disclaimer: This internal test was carried out under controlled conditions using Warmset Australia demonstration displays. Real‑world results may vary with sub‑floor insulation, ambient temperature, floor thickness, and thermostat programming. Data is provided for informational purposes only.
