THE HEAT IS ON
Cameron Fraser, Director at Ceramique Internationale, discusses the use of underfloor heating in commercial environments.
Having distributed and retailed electric underfloor heating (UFH) for almost 20 years, we are finding that consumers are now much more savvy about its use. In fact, the underfloor heating market is growing, with an estimated volume increase of at least 20% over the last five years.
This market expansion is also being reflected in the commercial and building sectors with higher end projects increasingly incorporating UFH. And, why wouldn’t they? It is easy to install at the point where your hard floorcovering is being fitted - laid within the adhesive screed under the tiles or stone, tiled over and then connected to a programmable thermostat so you can control the temperature and the times it is in operation.
Because the installation of UFH actually only adds a few millimetres to the floor build-up it is also suitable to be used in any room and is effectively like a high spec electric blanket, using heating elements to generate warmth and create radiant heat. With this in mind, builders and specifiers are recognising the benefits of using UFH in bathrooms, kitchens and conservatories to either complement or replace more traditional convected heat sources such as radiators, gas fires, log burners or electric fires. In short, it can add an element of luxury to a new home without impacting on the aesthetics.
Boutique hotels are also choosing to install UFH in en-suite bathrooms for that added home-from-home luxury and we are seeing it being used in spa areas to add to the comfort and experience of their customers.
In reality, there have been few changes in terms of technology in electric UFH systems in the last 20 years because the whole concept relies on copper - the conductor of heat. The technology
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and the use of copper won’t change until a better, cheaper conductor of heat is discovered. All that said, advances have been made in terms of efficiency, with modern UFH able to use lower wattage to achieve the same temperatures – therefore making them much more cost effective and efficient.
However, the way in which we use and operate UFH systems has changed – making them a more attractive option for new-build projects. One of the growth areas is multiple zone systems – with two or more thermostats – which barely existed five years ago but now represent at least 5% of sales. This development suits tech-driven consumers who want to control their homes from a smartphone app. This technology has been adapted widely to control central heating systems in the home but up until recently it has been deemed too ‘gimmicky’ for electric UFH – however that is all changing.
Aside from the comfort and luxury of UFH there are many other benefits. Firstly, with the continued desire for minimalist looks in both homes and hotels, the hidden nature of UFH is a real bonus. Plus, in bathrooms and wet room areas it also has the added safety benefit of helping to speed up the drying of tiles.
While traditionally UFH has been used under hard floor surfaces there are also now products available that can be used under soft flooring, such as carpets and engineered wood, so there really is no barrier.
In short adding UFH to a project can add value and luxury at a relatively low cost and we expect to see it continue to be used more widely in both commercial, residential and hospitality sectors.
www.tilesandmosaics.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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