Concrete floors with Under Floor Heating?

Shaff

We're just about to have a kitchen extension. We have quite contemporary tastes and have our heart set on having polished concrete floors, but wanted this to be warmed by Under Floor Heating (UFH).

Our building company is trying to talk us out of it, warning us that it will be almost impossible to do, there will be cracks and difficulty laying the piping. He has even told us that it will look ugly and that most people go for tiles....

I get a sense that his view is not impartial and he may be thinking it is to much of a hassle to do OR he could be right?

As we know nothing about DIY and are easily swayed - is there a real genuine why we cannot lay UFH with concrete? Are there any issues to take on board or is my builder just after an easy life?

Advice most appreciated!

Silver-Surfer_2

What are they saying is impossible?

Polished concrete or polished concrete with ufh?

They're right most do go for tiles. It may delay you schedule having polished concrete but if you want it speak to a specialist.

System

Have they tendered for the job knowing there was to be a polished concrete floor? Could be they didn't properly cost the specialist installer required and are trying to put you off to keep their margins (cynical side talking)

But it's definitely possible and common with polished concrete, speak to a specialist subcontractor and they will help.

There will be some hairline cracks on the floor btw... Either way

Shaff

Thanks

Polished concrete and UFH they said would be difficult together.

I'm not sure I entirely understood their explanation, but something like
normally there would be some kind of line or sectioning of the floor would be laid down to allow for expansion and flexibility. However they could not do this if here was UFH.

the other reason was something to so with the pressure created by the UFH affecting the concrete (but at this point he lost me i'm afraid...)

They had already quoted £2500 to lay the concrete floor, and £3000 for the UFH supply and fit for both.

Silver-Surfer_2

£3000 for some plastic pipe and a manifold. He's having a laugh.

Yes there will be expansion gaps, how big is the floor?

Shaff

Floor is about 6 x 5 m..!!

Am I being ripped off then??

Silver-Surfer_2

Five and a half grand.

Was that including the polished floor?

Shaff

Yes supply, parts, labour everything for both concrete floor and UFH including connecting to the boiler...

Kimmie26

I don't understand the technicalities of it, but my landlord has a polished concrete floor with UFH. It's a very large area they have done, which appears to be in sections.

It looks great, but spills cause spots and marks so need to be wiped up immediately!

Akk223

I got my underfloor heating kit for my entire house (4 bedroom house) from wundatrade for just over £1k. They even did the designs free. Installation including moving a boiler to a different part of the house and fitting out three bathrooms came to £5k, so I think you are being substantially overcharged!

I have also had concrete laid for my entire downstairs and it was certainly no where near to what you have been quoted. In fact much lower.

Silver-Surfer_2

Akk223 wrote: »

I got my underfloor heating kit for my entire house (4 bedroom house) from wundatrade for just over £1k. They even did the designs free. Installation including moving a boiler to a different part of the house and fitting out three bathrooms came to £5k, so I think you are being substantially overcharged!

I have also had concrete laid for my entire downstairs and it was certainly no where near to what you have been quoted. In fact much lower.

Was it a polished finish?

I bet you've had a screed floor.