UNDERFLOOR HEATING
UNDERFLOOR HEATING: RIGHT FOR REFURBISHMENT?
Tomorrow’s Flooring spoke to Nu Heat who explain why this popular technology isn’t just for new builds - injecting warmth into older buildings.
Underfloor heating is installed into many new- build properties, but it is also a popular option in older properties that are being refurbished. This can present major challenges and it is vital to ensure that the system is suitable. Insulation in the existing property is likely to need improving through wall insulation, double glazed windows and doors. Floor insulation is essential and could affect floor height build-up. A good underfloor heating supplier like Nu- Heat will undertake full
heat-loss calculations and advise where shortfalls, if any, will be.
Of the three standard floor constructions available - floating floor, suspended timber and screed – suspended timber floors have little impact on floor height build-up, although ceilings or floors will have to be removed in order to lay the floor heating tube. This is acceptable if they are being replaced anyway but if they have to remain in-situ a floating floor is a better solution. The floating floor
construction is a popular option for retrofitting UFH due to minimal floor height build-up and straightforward installation, as it is laid over the existing deck. An average floor height build- up of 150mm means that screed is better suited to renovation projects where floors are being removed or sufficient height is available.
Bungalow on the moor Sometimes a refurbishment property doesn’t appear to tick the boxes for UFH, but that doesn’t necessarily rule it out. A 1980s bungalow on
Bodmin Moor had 60mm loft insulation, 30mm floor insulation and no wall insulation, but heat loss calculations using Nu-Heat’s specialist Optimiser software indicated that by using Nu-Heat’s floor construction SL14 (14mm Fastflo® in liquid screed with cliptrack), the system would achieve the required comfort levels. The owners agree that it has been exceptionally successful, especially as the primary heat source is an air source heat pump.
44
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62
