THE SMART CHOICE
Force drying liquid screeds can make underfloor heating a commercially viable solution for all kinds of buildings. Ross Verity, Managing Director of ForceDry Ltd explains why.
While the earliest applications of underfloor heating can be traced back to 5,000 BC the major developments are far more recent. Certainly, in my 26 years in the industry I have seen many improvements, and I believe the biggest benefit has come with the advent of flowing gypsum screeds.
Theses liquid screeds can be force dried quickly and safely, thus removing one of the biggest headaches for contactors – the very lengthy, and uncertain drying times. The drying times given on screed datasheets are generally based on a fixed environment, at 20C and 60% relative humidity throughout the stated drying period. It is rarely if ever possible, to achieve these conditions naturally on a construction site in the UK. Typically an anhydrite screed, installed at 50mm depth, will be said to have a drying time of 60 days, given these fixed environment conditions, but on a construction site this will often extend to 90 days or more.
I recognised the potential of force drying some years ago, and developed unique technology specifically for use with liquid screed flooring, before launching my business in 2013. Using our system, following the screed manufacturer’s instructions, we can bring the drying time down to 28 days.
We have worked on many housing developments, but I am struck by the fact that developers typically specify radiators for the affordable housing allocation, keeping underfloor heating for the more expensive properties. I felt sure underfloor heating could be a viable solution for all types of property – including affordable housing.
With this in mind, we decided to do a study to compare the costs of a radiator-based heating system with an underfloor heating system. We worked with leading contractors to gather data and costs based on a brief to install the systems in a one, two and three-bedroom property. We considered three specifications: traditional radiators and a 75mm sand/cement
28 | SCREEDS & RESINS
screed, traditional radiators with a 50mm flowing screed, and a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating.
The findings showed that, for an 80m² dwelling, installation costs for the sand/cement approach range from £3,003.72 to £3,483.10. For a 50mm flowing screed with radiators costs start at £3,163.72 to £3,563.10 and for a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating costs range from £3,464.63 and £4,082.30. The costs for the underfloor heating approach also included force drying.
Our study shows that the underfloor heating method is only marginally more expensive to install than radiators. However, time is money in construction and site running costs and penalty clauses for development over runs can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Clearly, the fact that force drying can cut around 70 days from the total installation time for liquid screed floors represents a very significant cost saving for contractors and developers alike. Not only this, but force drying also brings certainty to any construction programme.
There is an additional, important benefit in using liquid gypsum screed flooring - it’s sustainable. Liquid gypsum comprises 98% recycled waste material, requires less energy to produce and, because it is thinner, uses less material. These factors result in a carbon footprint over 70% lower than that of sand/cement screeds.
So, underfloor heating with a flowing screed can be a viable solution for all kinds of housing. It is economical to install, environmentally friendly and performs very efficiently. It can save developers and property owners time and money during build and allows them to offer a superior product specification. Homeowners and tenants then benefit from the comfort, economy and low maintenance this kind of system offers.
www.force-dry.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk
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