CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

With all the underfloor heating systems that are currently available on the market, one of the options that is oftentimes overlooked is heating mats.  This method employs mats or heating pads consisting of wires that generate heat as an electrical current is passed through them. This heat then travels up through the floor, heating the room.

Although this is a great DIY underfloor heating project for the avid Do-It-Yourself’er, you should still employ the services of a certified electrician in order to connect this system to the home’s electrical source.  Here are some preparatory steps to take prior to contacting the electrician for the final hook-up procedure:

Step #1 – Make sure the floor is clean and then lay out the mat making sure that it fits the space it is intended for.

Step #2 – Check the manufacturer’s specifications for preparing the “thinset” (adhesive mortar) and then spread it over the area using a trowel.

Step #3 – Spread the mat out over the thinset, pressing it down using a grout float (usually made from rubber).  Make sure that the heating mat is placed into the thinset.

Step #4 – Install the flooring you have chosen.  Remember that if you are using stone or tile to insert the floor sensors about 12 inches in from the edges prior to laying down the thinset and continuing.

Step #5 – Contact a certified electrical contractor in order to connect the heating mat to the underfloor heating thermostat , which they will then wire into your circuit breaker.

Underfloor heating systems are not some new technology that has been recently developed.  In fact they date back over 1000 years to Korea.  There are two ways to approach the installation of an underfloor heating system – either hire a professional contractor or do it yourself as a DIY underfloor heating project.  There is a lot to consider when you are deciding which route to take, but if you are mechanically inclined, the DIY course of action can be beneficial.

In the UK, DIY underfloor heating projects have become quite popular for a number of reasons.  However, the primary reason is because it is more cost-effective to do it yourself – and that means a lot today considering how unstable the economy has become in the past couple of years.  Just be aware that some underfloor heating kits are easier to install than others, so do your homework and research this before you jump into the project.  Remember that failing to plan could mean that you are planning to fail.

Search the internet to find the highest quality and type of underfloor heating systems at the best values and compare several underfloor heating kits.  One of the key benefits of using the internet while searching for the right system is that it enables you to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type of underfloor heating system as well as comparing the costs.  This will help you decide on the type of system (electric, film heating, hot water, or mat) that you want to install.

Have you heard of electric underfloor heating?  If you’re like most people, you may be thinking that it is an amenity that only the rich and famous have.  Well, you couldn’t be more wrong.  Today, electric floor heating is a viable and affordable solution to heating your home during the cold winter months.  In fact, it is increasingly popular.

Underfloor heating is a noiseless and efficient way of heating your house.  Because you can’t see the system at all – no radiators, no vents – it also is a chic and stylish way to heat your home.  Though underfloor heating has been used since the Roman Empire, advances in technology have made it an affordable option for everyone, not just the elite.

Electric underfloor heating systems have grown in popularity over the last couple of years primarily because everyone is concerned about rising heating costs and energy efficiency.  Unlike radiators, underfloor heating systems will warm an entire room evenly rather than just a single corner.  This will reduce damage to furniture, paint, and wallpaper throughout your home as well.

Additionally, because there is no bulky radiator to deal with, you can arrange your furniture any way you like.  With warm floors, the possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to home design. You can use anything you want – cement, natural stone, marble, tile, and just about any other floor covering.

When electric underfloor heating systems are installed properly, they require very little maintenance.  They rarely break down and are most conducive to households with members that have allergies, breathing issues, and other sensitivities.

One of the primary methods employed in underfloor heating systems involves using circulating hot water in order to heat up the floor and the room.  These are referred to as water underfloor heating or wet underfloor heating technologies.  With a hot water heating system, pipes are laid beneath the floor and hot water is circulated through them in order to produce the desired heating for the room or rooms it is being installed in.

You can have the installation done professionally or you can take this on as a DIY underfloor heating project as there are numerous underfloor heating kits currently available on the market.  If your DIY savvy is not that sharp, you should consult with a professional contractor that is experienced in hot water underfloor heating installation.  In the UK and other European countries, water pipes that are 15 or 16 mm in diameter are normally used although some companies will use anywhere from 10 mm to 18 mm.

Despite the fact that wet underfloor heating systems may be a bit more costly to install than other systems, they can increase your home’s energy efficiency by as much as 10% to 40%.  In any event, you will see a noticeable reduction in your monthly utility bills because it takes less generated heat to operate these types of systems.  As with other types of underfloor heating systems, you can install an underfloor heating thermostat in any room so that you can heat a specific room only when others are not in use.

Under tile heating refers to underfloor heating systems that are installed between the floor and the tiles. Typical systems are either hydronic (water based) or electric. They work by heating the tile from within the cementing, between a wooden or concrete base and the tiles themselves.

Different types of under tile heating systems

There are a few different types of under tile heating kits available. The right one to choose is based upon a few different factors, including the size of your space, the amount of heat you want the system to provide, and whether you are installing the under tile heating system in an internal or external room.

The first type is a loose wire or cable kit, which comes as a roll of cable on a drum. You mark out your floor, and space the cable according to however you see fit. The second type is the cable mat system, which works exactly as the loose wire kit, except that the cables have been embedded into matting and spaced for you. Cable mats come in different watts per metres squared. For instance, 150 watts per m2 is a good choice for an internal room, while 200 watts per m2 is better for something like a conservatory.

The use of underfloor heating insulation

When installing an under tile heating system, it also is a good idea to use underfloor heating insulation in the form of tile backer insulation boards, which block the heat from penetrating into the wooden or concrete sub-floor.

Underfloor heating systems have become quite popular with British homeowners. When you look at new builds in architectural magazines, you rarely see radiators anywhere. Many homeowners also look to installing underfloor heating systems as a way to update their older homes. But are underfloor heating systems really better than radiators? Underfloor heating specialists such as floorheatingonline.com can advise you on which heating system to choose, including the type of flooring you have in your room.

How is the heat distributed?

Traditional, wall-hung radiators distribute the heat via air, working from the ceiling downwards, whereas underfloor heating systems work from the floor upwards, with the heat penetrating through the flooring and into the room. This means much of the success of a floor heating system depends upon the type of flooring in a room. Timber flooring, thick carpets with underlay, or laminate all respond differently.

Which is more expensive to install?

Radiators are by far the cheaper option when it comes to installation. However, a large number of DIY builders are opting for underfloor heating instead for several reasons.

What makes underfloor heating more attractive than radiators?

With an underfloor heating system, the heat radiates upwards slowly, creating a more comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. Unlike with radiators, there are no hot spots, cold spots or drafts created. Also, the absence of radiators makes the room more attractive, eliminates a dust problem, and gives more flexibility in room design and furniture layout. Also, underfloor heating systems are considered to be more energy-efficient when operated at low temperatures.

A good way to find someone to install your underfloor heating system is to make enquiries among people you know who have had similar work done. They will be able to recommend someone who was realistically priced and was a good workman.  If this is not an option then there are several other ways to find an installer.

The telephone book will have advertisements for installers and these will show which sort of systems they fit. Some may fit all types of underfloor heating while others may specialize in certain systems. For example, some may only deal with solar powered underfloor heating systems. Another place that will be able to help in your search for an installer is your local do it yourself store which will probably have a list of people who can do the work.

Should none of these options help you to find someone to install your underfloor heating then the internet is a good way to find an installer in your area. This can often give you a choice of two or three different people to do the job. When you have decided on your installer, it is always advisable to ask them for references so that you can be sure that you are getting someone who has the relevant experience, and that you are not getting a workman who is not an expert in the field you require. This is also a good reason for going the personal recommendation route wherever possible.

Proponents of underfloor heating could potentially talk for days on the various benefits of under tile heating and underfloor electric heating systems. Water based underfloor heating is generally cheaper to run than central heating using old fashioned radiators.  This is based on the logic that the water uses a lower temperature than that required by radiators, but this claim is really only justified if the heating system is switched on for a full 24 hours a day, which is rarely the case in most homes.

One of the claims that is proven, is the simple fact that houses using underfloor heating systems generally achieve the same level of comfort for homeowners at 2° lower thermostat temperatures than rooms heated with normal radiators. The reason for this is simple: radiators simply heat the air, while underfloor heating systems heat not only the floor but also the entire room and every individual in it from their feet upwards; if your feet are warm the rest of your body will also be warm.

Perhaps one of the only downsides to underfloor heating systems is the simple fact that there is generally a slow response time. This response time can be cut down significantly with the use of electric underfloor heating systems instead of wet underfloor heating, but as a general rule it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to warm up a wooden floor, or several hours for a concrete floor. This is only considered to be a real drawback if the property is only occupied periodically.

Although underfloor heating systems are ideal for any room of the house they are perfect for kitchens; what could be better than standing on a warm floor when making your breakfast on a cold morning? Having conventional radiators in a kitchen can make the room too warm and having no heating means that it can be too cold to make working a pleasure.

A serious consideration is the fact that kitchens are frequently short of space, and in this instance underfloor heating systems are one solution to the problem of how to fit in a radiator. The system can be used with either tiled or laminate flooring which are probably the most used flooring for kitchens, and are ideal when getting the floors dry after cleaning.

There is a disadvantage to using this system in kitchens and this is that units should not be fitted over a floor that already has components of a heating or plumbing system embedded in it.  This will not be a problem with new builds, but can cause problems when renewing or replacing an existing kitchen. This is more of a problem in other rooms where there may be furniture which will be moved around from time to time.

Underfloor heating systems take time to warm up but this is not a major problem in a house which is constantly occupied, as the heating will be on more often during bad weather. There are programmable systems, so it can be set to switch on as needed. The underfloor heating thermostat helps to control the temperature, keeping it at a comfortable level.

When using underfloor heating systems, it is important to take into consideration the type of floor covering that you may be planning on using.  Coverings such as carpets or laminate flooring may make it difficult for the heat to pass through so it is essential to choose a type which will work with your flooring rather than against it. 

There are special types of underfloor heating which are designed especially for use with laminate or wood floors.  They are thin so they have little impact on the height of the floor and as with electric and water underfloor heating, they are out of sight and free up wall space as there is no need for unsightly radiators. 

The use of these carbon heating systems for laminate flooring also removes the need for an underlay with the laminate boards, as they are insulated as well as providing a moisture barrier and an underfloor heating thermostat to control the heat.  Some brands make use of an insulation material known as Depron, which does not allow heat to escape in the wrong direction. 

Carbon underfloor heating systems require no adhesives and are very easy to install, coming complete with full instructions from the manufacturer.  Underfloor heating systems offer a cost effective alternative to standard central heating as lower temperatures are required than when using traditional radiators.  They also offer a safer alternative as there are no hot pipes for people to burn themselves on and they do not gather dust or harbour dust mites which might cause allergies.