Can rubber granulate mats or rubber tiles be laid over underfloor heating, and how thick should they be?
Yes, rubber granulate mats and rubber tiles can be installed over underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is a low-temperature heating system. The coverings are laid loose without adhesive, rather than bonded to the subfloor. This leaves the heated screed and the heating pipes embedded in it untouched, while allowing the covering to be taken up again at any time.
Heat transfer through the covering needs to be considered because PU-bound rubber granulate is a poor conductor of heat. Heat from the system must pass through the mat or tile before reaching the surface. As thickness increases, the surface responds more slowly to control changes. The heating output is not lost. It simply reaches the surface later. Continuous operation at a steady temperature is therefore preferable to frequent readjustment.
Thickness should be selected according to use. For light use, such as beneath cardio equipment, 1 cm is sufficient and is the minimum recommended thickness. For dumbbell training, thicker and more elastic gym flooring of 3, 4 or 5 cm is appropriate, although it responds more slowly to underfloor heating. The most demanding activity expected in the area should determine the thickness.