Underfloor heating: is it the thing for you?

Five points to consider if before you choose your underfloor heating system 

Underfloor heating systems are riding a wave of popularity in the UK at the moment – and there are many good reasons why that is so. 

But before you splash out the several thousand pounds it could cost to convert your home to underfloor heating, it’s worth taking a look at our list of points to consider. 

1) Do you want to free up wall space currently used by radiators?

In many UK homes, potentially valuable space is being taken up by radiators. Where we could put storage space, or move furniture – or even put a door or some other structural alteration – there is so often a radiator in the way. 

The beauty of underfloor heating is that it removes the need for radiators – meaning you can have blank, uncluttered walls where you want them throughout your home. 

2) Do you want a more or less constant heat?

If you do, then underfloor heating could suit you. Because underfloor heating works by warming up the floor itself, which then radiates the head upwards, it only warms the room once the floor is warm. In some rooms and with some underfloor heating systems, this can take up to 24 hours. 

Needless to say, this is no good if you only want to have the temperature on for a short period of time – in a room you rarely go into, for example. 

3) Will underfloor heating be enough?

Underfloor heating will keep a well-insulated, draught-proofed room warm for hours. But because of the relatively low surface temperatures a floor can have compared to, say, a radiator, it will never exceed more than 100 watts of heat per square metre. 

Sometimes this won’t be enough to keep a room warm on its own – so you need to bear in mind that underfloor heating should be put in after you’ve properly insulated and draught-proofed your home. 

4) What kind of floor covering do you want?

Underfloor heating works best under solid floors like concrete or brick that absorb the heat from the underfloor heating circuit and store it in the floor itself. The solid floor can then be covered with something that similarly absorbs the heat. 

There is some argument over whether wood floors benefit from underfloor heating. Wood is a well-known insulator, and can negate the effects of the heating system. 

5) Are you prepared for repairs?

It may be a hypothetical question – most underfloor heating systems are extremely durable and, if fitted properly, will work well for years. 

However, a repair could mean the digging out and replacement of parts of your concrete or brick floor – with all the attendant mess and inconvenience that could cause. It’s always worth keeping some spare tiles back in case the eventuality arises. 

If you have satisfied yourself that underfloor heating is for you then congratulations – you will soon be able to enjoy a luxurious level of comfort and warmth in your home. 

Robbens Systems is a company with many years of expertise in underfloor heating. With more than 15 years in the business, the company is ideally placed to help you plan and install underfloor heating in a wide range of buildings – from care showrooms to renovated buildings. 

Our expertise can help you get the underfloor heating system you’ve always wanted, and our trained technicians are there to help you every step of the way. For more information, call us today on 01424 851111 or email robbens@underfloorheating.co.uk.

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