Underfloor Heating Floor Construction Types and Installation Methods
Underfloor Heating floor construction can take many forms. These vary according to the type of building you’re working with. Whether it’s a solid floor or a timber joisted floor, EcoHeatCool can offer a custom solution to suit your property and individual requirements. Below are a sample of the different cross-sections and build-up options most commonly used in underfloor heating floor constructions today.
Screed floor construction
Solid floors offer the best performance for underfloor heating. Screed is made up from a sand-cement mixture at different ratios depending on your requirements. Because the screed conducts heat effectively, it’s the ideal companion to an underfloor heating system. The conductivity means you will have an even spread of heat throughout the whole floor area. During installation, Underfloor Heating pipes are laid on top of a layer of insulation. The screed is then applied on top as shown in the illustration, ensuring the pipes are wrapped and held firmly in place. Screed solid floor construction is a very cost effective solution. To find out more about screed floor construction, contact us here today.
Standard between joist floor construction
When it comes to installing an underfloor heating system to a standard timber joist floor construction, there are various options available. Batons are attached to the side of the existing joists, then insulation is laid on the batons. The pipes are then set on top of the insulation and held in place with a sand and cement layer of biscuit screed. A thin layer of polythene membrane placed on top of the screed will help to prevent any moisture from getting into the floor above.
Dry floor construction
Dry floor construction for Underfloor Heating systems refers to both timber and solid substructures. This can include a range of floor types from floating floors and timber baton structures, through to both acoustic and sprung cradle floors. Depending on the construction type of the property, underfloor heating modules are installed above the floor decking. Dry floor constructions provide an efficient underfloor heating system, ensuring heat spreads evenly across the floor.
Diffuser Plates on-top of joist construction
Heat diffuser plates are a good choice for timber joisted floating floors. First, a layer of insulation is laid between the joists, upon which the metal heat diffuser plates are set. The hot water underfloor heating pipes then lay in the grooves of the heat diffuser plates. Because of the metal conductivity, the heat diffuses rapidly across the pates resulting in a more even spread of heat across the whole floor.
Low profile (15mm) floor construction
Low profile floor constructions offer an excellent solution for retrofit projects, where height build up needs to be minimised. The 15mm low profile system offers excellent thermal properties, and can be easily laid on top of existing flooring. A pre-bonded insulation board is recommended to first sit on top of the existing floor. The low profile system that houses the pipes sits on top of the insulation board. Finally, a low profile screed is applied to hold everything in place. This provides the structure upon which tiles can be installed.
If you’d like to speak to one of our experts on anything to do with underfloor heating floor constructions, then simply get in touch with us here today.