Why heating film under laminate is perfect for Tenerife homes

If you have laminate, vinyl or engineered wood flooring — or you're planning to install it — adding heating film underneath is remarkably simple. The film is just 0.3mm thick and lies flat under the floating floor. No tiles to remove, no screeding, no long drying times. In most cases, a room can be completed in a single day and the heating can be used immediately.

This makes it the ideal solution for living rooms, bedrooms and home offices in Tenerife — particularly in rented properties or holiday apartments where you want to minimise disruption.

Important: Not all laminate is compatible with underfloor heating. The laminate must be rated for use with underfloor heating (look for the UFH symbol on the packaging). We can advise you on compatible options and supply suitable flooring.

How heating film under laminate works

Electric heating film (also called radiant heating film or heating foil) consists of a thin layer of resistive carbon ink printed between two layers of polyester film. When connected to power, the carbon layer generates infrared heat — the most efficient form of electric heating.

The film is laid over the insulation underlay on the subfloor. The laminate floats on top, held together by its click system — no gluing, no fixings through the film. A thermostat probe sits in a channel in the insulation to measure floor temperature, and the whole system is connected to a wall thermostat.

What's included in our laminate heating installation?

  • Heating film supply (leading brands: Flexel, Herschel, Amorflex)
  • Insulation underlay (thermal reflective type, essential for efficiency)
  • Laminate or vinyl flooring of your choice (we supply and install)
  • Floor temperature sensor and thermostat wiring
  • Wall thermostat (programmable, including smart/app-controlled options)
  • Electrical connection by certified electrician
  • System testing and thermostat programming
  • 5-year full system warranty

Heating film vs heating mat — which is right for you?

Both are electric resistance heating systems, but they work differently and suit different floor types:

  • Heating film — ultra-thin (0.3mm), generates infrared heat, ideal under laminate, vinyl and engineered wood. Cannot be used under tiles (adhesive covers and traps heat).
  • Heating mat — thicker (3–4mm), uses resistive cable in a mesh, designed to go into tile adhesive. Cannot be used under floating floors.

We install both — and the right choice is determined by your floor type. If you're doing a full renovation with new tiles, a mat is the answer. If you want quick installation under an existing or new floating floor, film is the choice.

Running costs for heating film in Tenerife

Heating film is very efficient because it generates infrared (radiant) heat rather than convective heat. Infrared heat warms objects directly — the floor, furniture, people — rather than heating air that then rises to the ceiling. This means the room feels warm at a lower air thermostat setting.

Approximate daily running costs in Tenerife (€0.22/kWh electricity rate):

  • Bedroom 12m² — 4 hours/day: approx. €0.20–€0.35/day
  • Living room 20m² — 5 hours/day: approx. €0.35–€0.60/day
  • Full apartment 60m² — selected rooms, 5 hours/day: approx. €0.80–€1.50/day

Can I install the film myself?

Yes — the film itself is designed to be DIY-friendly. The main step that requires a professional is the electrical connection: in Spain, connecting a fixed electrical appliance to your consumer unit must be carried out by a certified electrician. We can supply the film only and handle just the electrical connection — see our DIY film supply page for details.