Installing Under-floor Heating

Getting a heating contractor is the best option for installing under-floor heating, but it can be done yourself by following these steps below without the use of a heating contractor.

Step 1

Be familiarized with what suites your certain floor type so the heating system will be functional. For example, pipes are suitable for screed-embedded under-floor heating which cannot be applied to wooden floors. A heating contractor will give you great advice for what will be best.

Step 2

When dealing with solid floors, the heating pipe/cable is normally inserted in the floor screed in new buildings by a heating contractor. When installing heating systems in buildings with solid floors, the pipe should be laid on the surface and covered with timber, a laminate or possibly a tile surface. Take note that this changes the level of the floor which means that all the doors, skirting boards and other items are to be lifted as well.

Step 3

Make sure that the cables are adequately spaced apart from each other. A heating contractor will recommend that you do not embed the electric elements directly on the screed. Use heating mats or mesh backing to space the cables along the surface. If the floor is tiled, you can embed the wires in flexible tile adhesive and proceed to cover it with insulation.

Step 4

When dealing with suspended wooden floors, mount the cables and pipes in between the joists. Timber proves to be a very good insulator so use care when doing this. To improve the heat transfer through timber, a heating contractor will recommend you choose from aluminum plates, mortar fillers, or pipe clippings that do not exceed 25mm from the underside.

You will be able to find a heating contractor on this website if you feel you would prefer to have a qualified person do the job. If you are a heating contractor, sign up for free on this website and get more work today.