Heating is crucial in any building and often the most complex technical system. Following the installation of traditional heating systems, floors often remain cold, especially on lower levels. This occurs because heat always rises, and even with radiators at maximum, thermal energy never reaches the floor. Today, various options exist for heating rooms using underfloor heating.
The first option involves installing polyethylene pipes with special cross-links. This method of heating requires careful preparation of the subfloor. This begins with pouring a level floor. The floor then needs to be insulated, for which a special heat-reflective film layer is used.
Underfloor Heating Types – What You Need to Know
Next, special mats with grooves designed for pipes are laid on the floor. If mats are unavailable, a standard reinforced mesh can be used to secure the pipes. The pipes are installed using an S-method or circularly, ensuring they return to the starting point after circling the room. All that remains is to pour mortar over the pipes, level the floor, and cover it with any desired floor finish.
It is important to remember that pipes expand when heated, meaning that before levelling the floor, the system must be pumped with cold heat transfer fluid and pressurised to 2kg. The pipes are then connected using a manifold and integrated into the building's main heating system.
Another underfloor heating option is electric heating. Unlike hydronic heating, electric heating requires significantly fewer materials and less effort for installation, although the installation stages are similar.
Firstly, the floor must also be levelled using a cement mix. Then, the floor is covered with an insulation material, over which a roll of heating cable is unrolled. There's no need to secure the mat, and the floor covering can be laid directly over the cable. All that's left is to connect the system to the electricity supply and regulate the floor temperature using a thermostat.
The advantage of the electrical system is that it doesn't require special knowledge or tools for installation, unlike hydronic underfloor heating with pipes. However, there is one significant drawback: the considerable electricity consumption of this device, which is not at all economical.
By reviewing these underfloor heating system options, you can decide which type to prefer.