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Best carpet (tiles) for radiant

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jjaslow
jjaslow Member Posts: 6
in Radiant Heating

Yeah, I know 😅 - carpet and radiant dont go well together. The rest of my house is tile and laminate, but this is for my home theater room and I really want the acoustic benefits of carpet so Im willing to compromise slightly in this room.

I dont even need padding underneath, Im just thinking of putting the carpet (thinking Im gonna use carpet tiles, but Im not wedded to that) right on top of the plywood underflooring (its effectively a staple up system in this room, which is an addition to the rest of the house).

Ive looked around for the lowest R value carpet I can find. And have been looking for carpets with the preferred backing materials (I read that felt is ideal), but cant really find a great answer.

Thx for any recommendations!

Comments

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,862

    I don’t think that any of us are carpet experts, but you wanna keep the TOTAL r value of floor finish and sub floor below r2. Avoid wool: it has an r value of r4.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,607

    Check the manufacturers spec sheet to see if there are any temperature limitations. Same with any adhesives.

    I uses some of the heavy commercial carpet squares in my home. I got them from a carpet remnant store for a few bucks each.

    Home Depots has peel and stick versions.

    I doubt the 1/4-5/16" thickness will be too much R-valve.

    Screenshot 2025-12-06 at 9.07.14 AM.png
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 228

    The commercial glue down or peel and stick carpeting would work the best. I was at a training at Ledgend Valve a few years ago. The whole office and training center has radiant and that's what they used as a floor covering. They said R value of that carpet wasn't enough to make a huge difference unlike a thicker pile carpet and padding.

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 26,607
    Screenshot 2025-12-07 at 8.59.31 AM.png
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    jjaslow
  • TAG
    TAG Member Posts: 797

    I did a cork floor in my den at my old house … it was quiet .

    I'm not sure what the R value is …. interesting that 3/4 wood =1. we all know that works .. and works well

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,843
    edited December 19

    I'd worry a lot more about the acoustic properties than the R value, if that's what you are after. A hard, tight weave carpet with a smooth finish really isn't a whole lot better acoustically than wood! You can also consider putting carpet on sections of wall, if excess echo or resonance is a problem.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England

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