Experience the warmth from the ground up: Discover the comfort of underfloor heating.

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Effect of Underfloor Heating on Floor Height

With the winter season in hand, most people are concerned about ways of keeping their house warm. One of the approaches is to install underfloor heating. It is a sophisticated mechanism of flexible tubes or heating cables laid under the house’s floors. It is considered more reasonable and adequate than radiators.

Although underfloor heating has various advantages, there are also several concerns, such as raising the floor. Before we dive into the concerns, let’s first understand the types of underfloor heating.

Types of Underfloor Heating Systems

  • Wet Underfloor Heating

Water underfloor heating comprises pipes placed in a circuit under the floor. It relies on warm water that runs in the pipes.

UK’s National Energy Foundation study provides the average cost of installing a water underfloor heating in a newly build structure, which is around £50 to £90 per square meter. The cost increases to the average of £70 to £120 per square meter if it requires the re-construction of floors. The average cost of using it is around £2.90 per hour.

Effect of Wet Underfloor Heating Systems on Floor Height

In Refurbishment Projects

It is one of the most common concerns with underfloor heating. Water underfloor heating uses tubes and screed in its installation, which makes it more inclined towards increasing floor height when installed in refurbishments. Complete installation of wet underfloor heating can add an average of 15cm to the floor height. So, wet underfloor heating may not be feasible in refurbishment projects.

In Under-Construction Projects

Installing water underfloor heating in under-construction projects can act as a viable option. The main concern regarding floor height is mainly related to doors and window positioning. These concerns can be managed efficiently during the design phase of the house.

  • Electric Underfloor Heating

Electric underfloor heating uses the exact mechanism, but instead of water in pipes, it utilises heating cables or heating mats placed under the floor.

  • Heating Cables: The Inscreed Cable is mainly used in electric underfloor heating. It is primarily used in projects that are already built or require re-construction.
  • Heating Mats: This type utilises heating mats instead of cables, prefabricated with heating cables.

Installing electric underfloor heating costs less than wet underfloor heating, but using it is costly. The average cost of installing electric underfloor heating in the UK is around £60 to £80 per square meter, depending on the house size and chosen cables or mats. The average cost of running it is around £2.10 per hour.

Effect of Electric Underfloor Heating Systems on Floor Height

In Refurbishment Projects

Electric underfloor heating uses cables or mats, making it a better choice for refurbishment projects. Both variants have an average thickness of a few millimetres, which will make an impact of around 2 centimetres on floor height. However, some variants can be installed within a layer of the levelling compound and will make no difference to the floor height.

In Under-Construction Projects

Similar to water underfloor heating, the impact of electric underfloor heating height can also be considered when designing the house’s structure. Although the impact is a few centimetres, it can still bother various sticklers who want perfection, even by an inch.

Impact of Insulation on Floor Height

When we add insulation to the mix with underfloor heating, concerns can be more justified. Insulation fitting is also necessary to use the full potential of your underfloor heating. It can help with the loss of heating and can assist in reducing energy and heating bills.

The average insulation thickness in the UK is around 10cm to 15cm. When we install underfloor heating on top, it can impact the floor height with a significant value. The effect should be minor on electric underfloor heating compared to water underfloor heating. So, it is necessary to consider the insulation height when installing underfloor heating, whether in refurbishment or under-construction projects.

Pros and Cons of Underfloor Heating

let’s look into the pros and cons of underfloor heating. Underfloor heating has several advantages and disadvantages, so it is advised to take time and thoroughly evaluate the system before installing it.

Pros of Underfloor Heating

We have gathered some essential pros regarding underfloor heating, which must be considered before installing it.

  • First and foremost is its energy-efficient nature.
  • Optimised spacing of the house is another feature that makes underfloor heating apart from other sources.
  • Enhanced heating enables you to not worry about the seating of the house, as the floor of every part of the house will feel warm.
  • Although it sounds like installing underfloor heating will take time. But you will be glad to hear that both variants are straightforward to install.

Cons of Underfloor Heating

Even though the pros seem attractive, there are also some notable cons of underfloor heating.

  • The installation cost is the most common disadvantage of underfloor heating and compels users to choose another heating source.
  • Installation by professionals also drives users to move away from underfloor heating, as it requires a specific skillset for installation.
  • Slow heating can also play its part in dragging down the underfloor heating installation.

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