Blog / Frequently Asked Questions

This is one of the most common questions are asked by customers retrofitting underfloor heating (UFH). As UFH designers/suppliers/installers, we would recommend insulation in every case and, not just in the floor. We design systems to produce more than enough heat output to satisfy the needs of any property, however it’s the insulation in the property that keeps that heat in where it’s required!

Probably one of the most frequently asked question we get is "what type of flooring can I have with underfloor heating". It's a good question as there are a lot of variables to consider with each flooring option. Simply put, we would rank the types of flooring that are most commonly used in the following order:1.    Tiles/natural stone – Porcelain, ceramic, granite, marble, travertine etc.2.    Vinyl – Karndean, Amtico etc.3.    Engineered wood – usually 14mm-18mm4.    Solid wood – 22mm max5.    Carpet – max 2.5 tog ratingBut why are some more popular than others? There are a lot of variables to consider when choosing flooring to lay over your underfloor heating, such as thermal conductivity, insulation properties, style, etc. Lets break it down into those 5 types of flooring.

We often get asked the question, “….how much is it per m²?” It is difficult to give an accurate answer without specifying the system to the exact requirements of each individual, for example: Our 1 port kit (£299.97+vat with thermostat) will cover: 20m² with 200mm pipe spacing 15m² with 150mm pipe spacing Or 10m² with 100mm pipe spacing (which is often used for conservatories, heat pump use etc.)

All of our kits, with the exception of the single room thermostatic valve kit would require a separate room thermostat. The thermostatic valve kit measures the return water temperatures to open and close the mechanical valve.

Underfloor Heating in Joisted Floors There are three main types of floor joists: 1. Standard timber joists. Usually 9” x 2” at 400mm centres in homes built since 2000 but often smaller in older homes. Chipboard or planked flooring is usually nailed or screwed to them. Installing Underfloor Heating – Option a)  Wooden battens are fixed down the lengths of each joist 100mm/75mm from the top of the joist and 75/50mm foil backed insulation (such as Kingspan, Celotex etc.) is fitted in between the joists and supported by the battens. A 25mm gap is needed from the top of the insulation to the top of the joist. The pipes are stapled to the insulation and then, depending on the size of the joists, a sand/cement mix can be fitted to create thermal mass. The biscuit mix adds 20kg/m2 so the suitability of this should be checked with your building surveyor.

The cost of underfloor heating depends on the size of the installation and the individual conditions in your home. The cost of installing underfloor heating in your home depends on your answers to several questions. Do you have the necessary skills to install the system yourself, or will you require professional installation? How big is the area where the heating system will be installed? What type of system will be installed? Wet underfloor heating systems, in which hot water produced by your boiler is pumped through pipes laid beneath the floor, are often more expensive to install than dry underfloor heating systems, in which electric wires supply the heat. However, wet systems are more efficient and therefore have lower running costs.

Underfloor heating can be fitted underneath carpeted floors, but there are some factors that you need to take into consideration to work out whether underfloor heating is a good choice if you have carpet. If your carpet is too thick and insulating, you won’t feel the benefit of the underfloor heating because the heat will not be able to penetrate through into the room. Instead, the heat will be trapped beneath the carpet where it could cause overheating.

Wooden floors have enjoyed a boom in popularity in recent years, with more home owners than ever recognising the advantages of a floor that is easy to clean,durable and attractive. If you are considering installing a heating system underneathyour wooden floor, there are some factors that you should take into account beforeyou go ahead with the installation. Wood is an insulator, which means that it slows down the transmission of heat produced by the underfloor heating system, reducing the system’s efficiency. However, wood is less insulating than other flooring types such as carpet. The heat transmission characteristics of the wood can also be beneficial in that wood holds onto heat for a long time after the underfloor heating system is turned off, which means that the room will be kept warmer for longer by the underfloor heating system. The floor will feel pleasantly warm but not hot underfoot.

Firstly you need to determine the size of the area to be heated and what pipe centres you need to install at – this will be determined by the heat source, the room type and possibly the floor covering. In Conservatories, wet rooms and areas with large glazed parts we recommend installing the pipes at 100mm spacing to compensate for the higher heat loss. If using an air or ground source heat pump, the pipes should be at 100mm regardless of the room type. A boiler based system in a standard solid construction room would usually have pipe installed at 200mm spacing.

Our products are manufactured in Europe and meet the highest possible accreditations in underfloor heating. We offer industry leading warranties based on the following: 50 year pipe warranty 10 year manifold warranty 2 year pump warranty