Buyers guide
Heat Parade
Buyers are faced with a wide choice of underfloor heating systems available:
BASF supplies PCI products reportedly suitable for UFH.
When fixing tiles over a UFH system, the company recommends skimming the heating mat with a self-levelling, self-smoothing product such as PCI Periplan CF 25 because a notched trowel’s edges could easily damage the heating elements accidentally.
Thisencasesthematsafelyinthe levelling compound without increasing overall height; tiling can follow in 2-3 hours using PCI adhesives.
If a tile adhesive is laid directly onto the mat, a thicker bed of adhesive than normal is needed, tiles can then be laid as normal. PCI Floorfast 20 Rapid is said to be suitable for fixing large-format, fully vitrified and ceramic tiles on concrete floors/screeds.
Alternatively, flexible adhesives such as PCI Tilefast 6 Flex and Tilefast 6 Rapidflex are said to provide excellent adhesion.
The grout specified depends on the tile type and intended use on the floor. PCI Wall & Floor Grout or PCI Fast Track Grey Grout are said to be suitable for most tasks and materials.
Danfoss Randall
supplies Devi UFH, including the recently launched DEVImat. Described as competitively priced, the product is a super sticky adhesive backed heating mat, 100% earth shielded, reportedly making it easy and safe to install. Semko approved, Part L and 17th Edition compliant and backed by Deviguard 10 year floor guard warranty, the company is committed to quality products that they guarantee the floorcovering as well as the product.
Devi has also undergone rebranding, including new logos, retail friendly packaging, new website, point of sale material and planner. www.devi.co.uk
Fermacell saysover85%of self-builds are now fitted with UFH systems, notably the 25mm Fermacell UFH overlay, reportedly also suitable for commercial requirements.
The low thermal resistance of Fermacell 2E22 UFH overlay is said to give superior heat transference compared to traditional screeds and is claimed to be 30% more efficient than timber.
Fermacell marketing manager David Prout comments: ‘The speed of installation with Fermacell UFH overlay flooring systems allows the overlay to be laid in a similar fashion to laminate flooring.
‘The dry system eliminates drying times often associated with wet screed systems as heating can be commissioned in 24 hours. It also provides specification benefits such as outstanding acoustic performance and fire resistance; and accepts nearly all floor finishes, including vinyls, laminate, tile and parquet.’
www.fermacell.co.uk
Gaia Climate Solutions (formerlyDevi Electroheat) designs, supplies and installs hydronic UFH as well as the electric alternative.
The hydronic, ultra-efficient wet, UFH system is reportedly suitable for a wide range of applications, providing high comfort levels by circulating water at low temperatures through a series of pipe loops laid within a screed, or between timber joists under the floor surface.
Gaia provides UFH solutions, including Devi electric products which have been sold for 20 years. Among these are Deviheat electric
systemandDevimatfloorwarming mat.
The ultra-flexible and lightweight pipes are unrolled and clipped into the supplied tracks. Said to have a projected life span of over 50 years, the system includes a high quality stainless steel manifold for two to 12 UFH circuits. Gaia also offers intuitive wired controls or Devilink wireless system for maximum control and
optimum efficiency.
With continuing links to the Danish Industrial Group Danfoss, manufacturer of the original Devi portfolio, Gaia offers customers in- depth, highly tailored advice on products to suit individual requirements as well building regulations and legislation, etc.
www.gaiacs.com
InstaCoustic hasteamed up with Polypipe Terrain to offer main contractors a single package integrating acoustic flooring with a quality UFH system to give what it claims is a more responsive and controllable heat than screed based systems. This partnership is designed to speed up the installation process and remove problems of overlapping trade responsibilities.
InstaCoustic’s UFH supply and installation package, designed to suit the requirements of each project, includes a high performance acoustic floor system, heating design and layout drawings and full installation by trained and approved teams of technicians.
www.instacoustic.co.uk
Junckers saysitspre- finished solid hardwood floors go well with UFH: Its boards have a reportedly consistently low moisture content due to the drying process and quality control.
The company has invested years of research and worked with all major UFH manufacturers. Its products are reportedly recommended by the UFHMA; and it guarantees its floors for use
with UFH.
Junckers offers a full technical back-up service; and has been supplying its floors successfully over UFH systems for over 20 years, including hundreds of projects annually. www.junckers.co.uk
Mapei has developed several products which are reportedly well able to cope with the thermal movements within heated substrates. It recommends that heating cables are encapsulated in a levelling / smoothing compound or screed to ensure a flat, even floor substrate. Mapei regularly specifies the universal product, Ultraplan Renovation Screed, a fibre reinforced, self-levelling compound said to have excellent resistance to thermal changes.
The product is reportedly suitable for use over different substrates, including timber, tilebacker boards, concrete and screed, and provides a protective coverage for electric cables or water carrying pipes. Ultraplan Renovation Screed is also said to be suitable for use where heating elements are fitted over insulating boards. Once poured, the product can be walked on after a few hours, says Mapei.
The company also recommends Ultrabond Eco VS90 adhesive formulated to cope with the heat transmission and other demands in service. All of Mapei’s Ultrabond Eco adhesives and Ultraplan range levelling compounds are suitable for use with UFH and certified EC1 low emissions of VOC.
Schlüter-Bekotec-Therm was specified by the md of Hampshire Tile Warehouse Group, Julian Hase, for his own home where it was used throughout the ground floor, comprising bedroom, wetroom, kitchen, hall, study and lounge.
He comments, ‘The Schlüter product allows a thinner screed for heat to be distributed quickly and therefore less energy is used. The screed panels and pipes were installed in two days and the screed laid in a day. The product’s environmental credentials were also important as I incorporated different green features such as hot water solar panels and a biomass boiler in the house to make it more energy efficient.
‘It allowed me to have individual door zone timers throughout the house which close doors automatically and keep the temperature at a constant comfortable level.’
Ian Knifton, divisional manager at Schlüter-Systems, says the product is ‘economical, effective and energy efficient. Its low supply temperature of approximately 30degC, compared to the more conventional 50degC or the 70-90degC in some radiator systems.’
The product is claimed to be highly durable, with loads in private and commercial buildings up to 5kN/sq m. www.schluter.co.uk
Tyco Thermal Controls electricUFHis installed close to the floor surface, said to result in a quick warm up of the room. At home or in the office smart UFH systems are said to provide a warm floor and a pleasant room temperature.
Uniform heat distribution makes it possible to set the thermostat 2degC lower than usual, without any loss of comfort or warmth, says the company.
Raychem offers a comprehensive UFH range, including self regulating systems ( T2Red, T2Red & T2Reflecta) said to be easy to install and energy efficient. The intelligent heating cable only produces heat when and where it is needed.
Raychem’s products are backed by the Raychem Academy, a smart portal to its latest building services solutions and knowledge resources, giving users instant access to product and application information.
www.tycothermal.com
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