Underfloor heating is a great option for those looking to heat a new building or an extension they plan to build on their existing homes. It is easy to install and offers greater comfort and flexibility than more traditional radiator-based solutions.
But making the decision to install underfloor heating can be a tricky one that brings with it many questions. Do you need a liquid screed floor? What if pipes break under the floor? Underfloor heating is expensive to install, right? Isn’t most of the heat lost in the floor space? All these questions and more put many homeowners off, which is a shame as a well-installed and good quality underfloor heating system offers a versatile solution that is both energy efficient and incredibly effective.
Here at J & H Lynch, we have years of experience in installing underfloor heating in Oxford. Our underfloor heating systems are expertly installed and made to last. If you’re looking for a great quality and reasonably priced underfloor heating solution in Oxford, then give us a call.
What is Underfloor Heating?
Underfloor heating is a type of electric or hot water heating solution that involves the installation of pipework into the floor cavity to effectively turn your entire floor into a radiator.
It warms the rooms from the ground up to offer improved comfort levels over traditional radiator-based systems, uses less energy to create heat, saves customers money, and places less demand on your boiler. As a result, the operating temperature of underfloor heating is lower at around 40°C than the 65°C of a traditional radiator system.
For a full guide to underfloor heating, head over to the Homebuilding and Renovation website.
Do You Have to Have a Liquid Floor Screed Floor to Install Underfloor Heating?
No, you don’t but it is advisable if you want to get the best out of the system. Fitting underfloor heating beneath floor joists is possible but wood is a natural insulator that prevents heat from radiating into rooms. This will reduce the efficiency of the system and added flooring like carpet, underlay, tiles, etc. can compound the issue further. Generally, installations under timber floors require some form of conductive material like aluminium to be installed to allow heat to penetrate into rooms.
Liquid floor screed, on the other hand, is ideal for use with underfloor heating. Liquid floor screed flows and encloses pipework to create a void-free system that prevents heat from escaping. The lack of void provides greater conductivity allowing heat to diffuse evenly throughout the screed to create an evenly heated floor. On top of this, liquid floor screed is generally thinner giving less material to heat and the material is far more conductive than wood.
For a detailed guide on liquid floor screed, head over to diydoctor.org.uk.
The Different Types of Underfloor Heating
There are two main types of underfloor heating:
- Water or wet underfloor heating
- Electric underfloor heating
Wet Underfloor Heating
In simple terms, a water-based underfloor heating system is made from a sequence of pipes that are filled with hot water from the boiler and heating pump. Wet underfloor heating systems are typically encased in liquid floors screed to provide unbeatable efficiency. As such, they are typically installed from scratch in new-builds or extensions. The benefits of a water-based underfloor heating system are:
- More efficient and cheaper to run than traditional radiator systems or electric underfloor heating systems but can be more expensive to install.
- Offer unbeatable and even heat distribution in all rooms.
- Can be used to cover large areas.
- Pipework can be segregated to heat different zones or rooms independently.
Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric underfloor heating consists of a network of cables laid into the flooring, or heated mats that can be laid onto floors before being covered. The electrically resistant cables produce heat and transfer it through the floor. The benefits of an electric underfloor heating solution are:
- Generally cheap to install… but more expensive to run.
- Suitable for smaller areas that require less heating. Electric underfloor heating will struggle to heat colder or larger areas.
- Can be installed on existing floors easily and with little fuss.
- Each area can be controlled separately.
What Are the Benefits of Underfloor Heating?
There are many benefits to installing underfloor heating, including:
Underfloor Heating Is More Energy Efficient
As mentioned previously, underfloor heating works at a lower temperatures than traditional heating methods. This is because rooms are heated from the ground up creating comfortable heat from the floor level upwards. This makes underfloor heating a great way of getting even heat throughout the rooms it is installed in. The lower temperature it runs at can also reduce costs as less energy is used.
Even Temperature Throughout Rooms
As underfloor heating is laid throughout rooms, you get an even temperature throughout. If it is installed in a liquid floor screed, then the conductivity of the material and lack of void help turn your entire floor into a radiator.
No Need For Radiators Gives More Space And Design Flexibility
Let’s be honest, radiators while unassuming take up space that could be utilized for furniture or other decorative items in your home. With underfloor heating, radiators become a thing of the past freeing up space that you never knew you had.
Easy to run and little maintenance
Underfloor heating that is correctly installed requires little in the way of maintenance. No more radiators to bleed and no more fretting over broken thermostats.
Can I Add Underfloor Heating to my Existing Home?
Yes, you can. While it’s best to install underfloor heating when building or renovating a property, it is perfectly possible to install it in an existing property. For more information or to discuss the options open to you, give us a call.
Underfloor Heating in Oxford: Why Choose J & H Lynch
If you’re looking for fast, affordable solutions for your underfloor heating needs, then you need to look no further than J & H Lynch. Our experts have years of experience in installing underfloor heating solutions and pride themselves on delivering unbeatable quality and price.
Give our specialist team a call today or leave a message on our contact us page to see what we can do for you.
