Once you are used to underfloor heating, you will not like to move to a house with radiators. Underfloor heating not only provides pleasant living comfort, but also has the great advantage of invisibility. Of course, the boiler with accessories and the first piping system are in sight, but there is always an inconspicuous place for it. Incidentally, the installation of underfloor heating is best done during construction, but there are also good possibilities to do this in an existing house.
Underfloor heating already with the Romans
Underfloor heating already existed in the Romans through a wood-fired system in which warm air was led through a hollow space under the floor. As with that age-old system, the space is now evenly heated with underfloor heating. In comparison to heating with radiators, underfloor heating has the great advantage that less heating is required for the same warmth feeling.
Never no more cold feet
For many people, that feeling starts with warm feet. It is difficult to obtain a pleasant feeling of warmth with cold feet. Although it is not daily work for everyone to walk barefoot, underfloor heating is possible without any problems. In any case, this is pleasant in the bathroom and also in other tiled rooms there is no need to immediately reach for socks, slippers or shoes.
Hot water through hoses and pipes
Underfloor heating is usually a form of heating in which hot water flows through hoses or pipes that are incorporated in the floor. Because they are spread over the entire floor, a very pleasant feeling of warmth is created everywhere. Due to the much larger radiant surface of the floor compared to radiators, the temperature of the water passing through the system can be much lower. That lower temperature ensures lower energy consumption. A thermostat is also linked to the heating, with which the temperature can be regulated. In addition to underfloor heating, where water flows through hoses or pipes, there is also electric underfloor heating. In addition to the advantage of a lower energy bill, having underfloor heating installed is also environmentally conscious.
Different systems for the installation of underfloor heating
There are various systems for the installation of underfloor heating, such as so-called dry construction or wet construction, which has to do with, among other things, whether or not chopping and milling must be performed. There is also a difference within the systems with regard to the use of hoses, pipes, studded plates or electrical mats.
Dry construction system
In a dry construction system, the hoses are processed in an insulation plate that is placed on an existing floor. Because there is no need for chopping or milling, this system is extremely suitable for existing homes or for processing on wooden floors. The floor covering or the tiles can be laid directly on the insulation boards. The elevation of the existing floor is limited and there are already systems with a construction height of only two centimeters.
Wet construction system
A wet construction system is a system in which the pipes and hoses are processed in a layer of cement. Hoses and pipes are often sixteen millimeters thick. Installing a wet construction underfloor heating is usually done during construction. If this is applied later, slots must be milled in the existing floor. Milled underfloor heating provides less heat because some of it disappears to the underside of the floor.
Stud plate system
Underfloor heating can be installed faster with studded plates than with pipes and hoses. This system is actually also a dry construction system.
Electric system
An electrical system is based on thin mats that are placed over the existing floor and can then be tiled if necessary. This system is particularly suitable for small spaces such as bathrooms and toilets. No demolition work is required during construction. The system is often used as an additional heat
Underfloor heating combined with radiators
Underfloor heating can heat the room completely independently, but is sometimes combined with radiators. Combination with radiators or a convector duct is necessary if the windows of the room have large glass surfaces. Because underfloor heating is a gradual system, places with extra cold radiation can sometimes not be sufficiently heated and radiators or a convector drain offer a solution.
Floor retains heat
Underfloor heating is a relatively slow system and heats up less quickly than radiators with much higher heat from the flowing water. On the other hand, the floor retains the heat longer than radiators. The temperature of the water with underfloor heating is usually between 35 to 45 degrees.
Advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating
Underfloor heating, like so many things, has both advantages and disadvantages. However, part of both depends on the user’s perception and the heat perception can be very personal.
Advantages of underfloor heating
- Even distribution of heat
- Low energy consumption
- Increase in value of the house
- Invisible
Disadvantages of underfloor heating
- Installing pipes
- Carpets block some of the heat
- Leaks difficult to repair
- Takes a while for a cold house to warm up