Andrew Coy explains why selecting the right sort of flooring to go with underfloor heating and vice versa is so important.
PRESSURE to achieve targets on sustainability and carbon reduction mean heat pumps paired with underfloor heating (UFH) were always likely to increase in popularity in 2021.
With consistent hygiene and interior air quality increasingly becoming a key factor in the construction and maintenance of commercial buildings it’s possible that the more energy efficient and more hygienic option of UFH will be specified on a more regular basis.
If you add in the long-term cost saving and ease of design it’s likely radiators will become less and less popular in the UK commercial market – which mirrors the situation in much of northern Europe.
The consistent ambient temperature within a water-based UFH solution offers efficient performance at reduced flow temperatures compared to traditional wall radiators, resulting in reduced energy usage and overheads.
Floorcoverings
UFH is surprisingly adaptable and can be used with several different floorcoverings – but ensure you get specialist advice when choosing or designing your heating system. The systems should work with most well-insulated floorcoverings, but harder surfaces offer better conductivity and better heat output rates.
UFH will turn stone, ceramic marble, or flagstone floors into warm surfaces, but it’s vital the final installation of the floor structure is stable and rigid.
When covering a heated floor with carpet it is crucial to avoid fitting carpets with felt or rubber crumb underlay. These materials can restrict the effectiveness of the system as they prevent heat transfer. Sponge or waffle pattern moulded based underlay will work best and a TOG value of 0.5 is the maximum recommended.
Laminate flooring is the easiest to install over a heating system, while vinyl flooring is sensitive to long-term exposure to heat which puts temperature limits on a system. UFH manufacturers can offer advice on best options before the installation of any floorcovering
UFH systems
The wide range of UFH designs available on the market provides options compatible with tiles, stone, wood, engineered wood and carpet, there’s an option for every floor type.
Solid floors
Solid floor UFH is suitable for newbuild projects. Lightweight plastic floor panels can be installed quickly and easily before being covered with screed and the floorcovering is added on top. Tile, carpet, wood, or laminate can be installed as the overall floorcovering.
Overlay systems
Overlay systems can be fitted over existing floors and are an option for renovating or as a later addition to newbuild projects if the flooring has already been installed. The different overlay options suit different floorcoverings.
Overlay systems are suitable for heavyweight floorcoverings such as ceramic tiles, or where the floorcovering needs to be secured directly to the panel, such as solid wood. However, there are also tailored overlay systems which work very well with lightweight floorcoverings such as laminate, engineered wood or carpet, offering easy handling, and cutting, making them suitable for installation in larger areas and multiple rooms.
Modular heating panels
Traditionally, installing UFH into a building’s upper floors could be challenging in refurbishment and newbuild projects, where it’s often a difficult task to manoeuvre around the floor joists. However, modular heating panels will deliver a preconfigured solution that can be easily fitted and connected onsite. They can be placed strategically in areas that need heat the most for maximum efficiency.
A UFH specialist should be able to offer computer modelling which will detail heat loss to allow a consistent, efficient temperature throughout the building.
The program used by UFCM assesses the relevant data including U values and Tog ratings of materials.
Underfloor Climate Management specialises in underfloor heating solutions and offers the highest standard and most comprehensive level of design and technical expertise.
www.ufcm.co.uk
