Underfloor heating or radiators???

m_curiousity

Hi all!

In the midst of getting our loft converted into bedroom and small en suite wetroom, always planned on getting underfloor heating up there for two reasons:

Saving on wall space which could be used for furniture
Felt it would potentially add to value should we sell in future

Plumber has mentioned that personally he thinks the additional cost of underfloor vs radiators isnt really justifiable in his opinion, (approx £1500-£2k) obviously the choice is ours at the end of the day but it has made me question my assumption that it might add value as a sort of 'luxury' feature. The rest of our house is standard radiators.

Am curious as to other peoples opinions and whether anyone else has gone with underfloor heating in loft - would you recommend or waste of money?

Thanks!

mandm65

To answer your question Underfloor heating or radiators, i would always choose Underfloor heating (WET), even in the loft. Its efficient and like you said it saves space and gives that modern look. UFH to be most effective you need to consider floor tiles.
I am not sure about the type of UFH is proposed but judging by the quoted price, it seems wet.
HAH.

Hintza

We have a GSHP and underfloor heating downstairs. In the end we didn't get it up stairs for a number of reasons (mostly cost)

1. You need make the floor/joists stronger.
2. You need to put in the correct type of sub floor for it to work efficiently.
3. Where do you dry the towels?

Plumber90

Hintza wrote: »

We have a GSHP and underfloor heating downstairs. In the end we didn't get it up stairs for a number of reasons (mostly cost)

1. You need make the floor/joists stronger.
2. You need to put in the correct type of sub floor for it to work efficiently.
3. Where do you dry the towels?[/QUOTE]

Seeing as it's underfloor heating just chuck them on the floor

Hintza

Plumber90 wrote: »

Seeing as it's underfloor heating just chuck them on the floor

Nice....lol

Having said that we use the floor of the loo downstairs to dry very wet coats.

southcoastrgi

Hintza wrote: »

We have a GSHP and underfloor heating downstairs. In the end we didn't get it up stairs for a number of reasons (mostly cost)

1. You need make the floor/joists stronger.
2. You need to put in the correct type of sub floor for it to work efficiently.
3. Where do you dry the towels?

thats wrong as well

Hintza

southcoastrgi wrote: »

thats wrong as well

I guess you might get away with it in a small bathroom. But I think you will find you are arguing against my structural engineer!

But please expand!

southcoastrgi

UFH either goes under the existing flooring or on top of it, neither of which req any strenghting of the floor or joists & when i start taking heating advice from a structural engineer it'll be time for me to back England to win the world cup

john.h

southcoastrgi wrote: »

UFH either goes under the existing flooring or on top of it, neither of which req any strenghting of the floor or joists & when i start taking heating advice from a structural engineer it'll be time for me to back England to win the world cup

So you mean i don't need a structural engineer when i tile my floor :D

john..

m_curiousity

Thanks everyone, yes the quote is for a wet system, i wouldnt really fancy electric due to increased running costs. Guy has said he could put the system in between the new joists that went down so no increase in floor height which isgood.

Anyone got any experience of whether this adds value ??

Doozergirl

It doesn't add value.

People want a warm house. UFH is a nice to have, but nice to have does not add value. It may add some saleability, but really, when you're looking for a house, there is so much that comes above UFH on the list of needs and then wants - and some people couldn't give two hoots whether it's UFH or radiators - and that is where it falls down. If they were comparing you and an identical beighbour, they might pick your house but they won't pay more because the house is no warmer, and in reality, your conpetition isn't identical.

Value is added by increasing floorspace.

Value is detracted from by a lack of maintenance and perceived cost to fix.

UFH is in addition to the cost of radiators (which most would feel is the accepted level) and therefore doesn't detract from the value when it isn't there.