UNDERFLOOR HEATING
TILING TO HEATED FLOORS: THE TILE ASSOCIATION’S ESSENTIAL GUIDE
When considering tiling to heated floors or beginning any major tiling job, it is always important to seek advice from an expert.
For over a decade, The Tile Association (TTA) has represented the whole of the UK wall and floor tile industry. Its mission is to promote professionalism and technical standards in the tiling industry, as well as provide technical support to both members and their customers. The Association play an important role in the development of industry standards, and next month TTA will host a plenary meeting of the International Standards Organisation Committee for Ceramic Tiles and Tile related products, it is this ISO Committee that sets the Standards that the international and UK tile industry works to. TTA also provides expert technical advice essential to anyone working on tiling projects.
Over the last few years, specialist under-tile heating systems have become the
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‘must have’ for bathrooms and kitchens. They give that added feel of luxury and free up valuable wall space in rooms where that space is at a premium. They can be fitted on top of
existing floor surfaces so there’s no need to dig up floors and they are very thin so there is noticeable extra height to the floor.
Typically the types of underfloor heating can be categorised as either hydronic, where warm water flows through underfloor heating pipes and is designed to heat the room and be used as the sole heating source. And electric, where either thin electric heating cables are installed below a floor designed to remove the chill from a tiled floor, or electric underfloor heating cables are installed within a concrete floor designed to actually heat a room and be used as the sole heating source.
Systems that are installed just beneath a tiled floor are typically of the electrical variety and are available in
a number of forms. Firstly, there is heating cable on open weave mesh matting; this type of system consists of a thin electrical cable (2.0-4.5mm in diameter) which is pre-spaced onto an open weave mesh. Mat systems are supplied in various sized rolls to cover the floor area. Some of the rolls are self-adhesive or have double-sided adhesive tape to fix the mat to the floor. A mat type system offers a quick installation and even floor temperature as the heating cables are already spaced. Secondly, there is loose laid heating cable; this type of system consists of a thin electrical cable (2-6mm in diameter) that is supplied on a drum. The cables are available in different lengths to cover the floor area. The cable is laid out across the space using adhesive tape. A loose cable system offers ease of installation in awkward/odd shaped rooms. And thirdly, there is heating foil; the foil system consists of a thin heating foil (0.2mm) that is encased in a plastic membrane. The foils are supplied in set size sheets and are individually laid out and bonded to the floor area. Correct bonding procedures must be followed when
using this type of system as the tile adhesive has to adhere to the foil and not the existing floor.
You will find more detailed information in TTA’s technical document called “Tiling to Heated Floors” which will guide you through the fundamentals and help you avoid the pitfalls. As the industry experts TTA always recommends seeking the advice of a professional before beginning any tiling project.
www.tiles.org.uk
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
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