underfloor electric heating query?

VixxAnn

would appreciate some advice and any testimonials from people who have this..
Whilst re-doing our kitchen we would like to take out the radiator and install electric underfloor heating (either cables or mats) we are probably going to tile the floor (which is wooden floorboards - not concrete). I am overwhelmed with info on the web and would just like to hear from someone that has done this and if you can recommend a good supplier. BTW - I even noticed they are selling it in B&Q now!

dianne268

We bought it from Wickes and put it in under the bathroom tiles. Its on a timer and lovely to feel under foot. I now plan to put it under the conservatory floor that we are building. Dianne

booty40uk

Hi VixxAnn
I find that it works well in taking the chill off of a tiled floor but not so sure about using it as the only means of heating in a room. Good along with a radiator.
Screwfix Direct have it at reasonable prices. I would recommend the mats instead of the cables.......much easier to install.
PS. Dont tile onto floor boards. You will need to lay plywood (minimum of 12mm thick) either ontop of the existing boards or replace the boards completely with 18mm ply. Make sure all boards and ply are securely fixed and use a flexible tile adhesive and grout.
Hope that helps
Andy

tanith

My brother installed the cable type on the whole of his ground floor and it seems to work fine , it his only source of downstairs heating and the house always feels warm and toasty in the winter....

Alan_M_2

We fit a lot of this, over 60% of the stone sales we make have some form of underfloor heating.

Nearly all manufacturers make it clear that electric underfloor heating is not the primary heat source for a room and I would generally advise a radiator is fitted although you could downsize it if you want.

The only real exception is conservatories, becuase you can have upto 95% floor coverage with the heating mat and opt for a higher 200w system rather than the standard 150. However, you absolutely must fit insulation boards under the heating elements to make the most of the enegry otherwise it will sink into the concrete slab.

Water underfloor heating is a different proposition.

VixxAnn

Thanks - I was definately thinking of this as the sole form of heating in the kitchen and am a little concerned to hear mixed responses as to whether this is suitable or not - any more comments???

Eventually we were planning to put it throughout the whole of the downstairs as we get round to changing the carpet for laminate or hard wood. We will keep radiators upstairs.

Don't want to make an expensive mistake - how suitable is this going to be?

Alan_M_2

You also need to consider running costs, which for electric underfloor heating throughout the whole downstairs of house would be quite a reasonable amount.

The technology is advancing all the time and the systems become more effecient, but it is still complimentary system rather than the sole heating source.

VixxAnn

I have been researching this on various websites and found one that states it CAN be used as a primary heat source....

ahttp://www.allbriteuk.co.uk/
we are pleased to introduce to you the most technologically advanced yet easy to install underfloor heating system.
It is so advanced it fits under any floor covering as a PRIMARY heat source and it can save money on existing heating costs.
Allbrite's unique underfloor heating system can fit on any sub floor under any flooring product.

Is this type of material more suitable for my needs? (kitchen with no radiator)

Alan_M_2

I took a look at the system they're selling and it's new to me, their literature makes sense and seems at least a reasonable premis, it all comes down to one thing which I copied straight from their site:-

In order for our system to be used as a primary heat source you only need to cover 80 - 90% of your floor surface (65 - 75% in kitchens & bathrooms)

This is your most impotant calculation, what area of the floor can you actually cover once you've deducted all the fitted furniture, this then tells you if the mat will provide enough heat.

On an unrealted point they appear to be selling marble and Limestone which is 10mm thick for flooring, whilst this would be fine in a low traffic area such as a bathroom, it is really not recommended at all for kitchens, hall, living rooms, dining rooms where it has to deal with outdoor footwear, furniture etc. So not good from that perspective.

VixxAnn

We checked this out against our kitchen plans last night and reckon we come in at around 70% floor area when you take out the cupboards, appliances etc. Am quite interested in this matting - sounds good - we haven't decided on our type of flooring yet - possibly some kind of tiling - maybe even slate (not bought of that website).

Alan M you sound like you have some knowledge of this subject - what thickness floor should we be looking for then?

Alan_M_2

That really depends on the product chosen, but if you wanted a limestone or marble, then for a kitchen floor it needs to be at least 13mm thick. Slate the thickness depends on the density of the product and thats the key.

But generally a kitchen floor has to put up with much more abuse than a bathroom floor, washing machines, stools and chairs etc.