What’s under underfloor heating?

Picking the right insulation for underneath your underfloor heating system is essential

An underfloor heating system’s ability to provide a primary heating source depends entirely on what’s underneath the underfloor heating – in other words, the insulation. Get good insulation and you’ve got a low-cost, low-maintenance heating system for your home; get it wrong and you’re paying to warm your foundations. 

The logic is simple and can almost be described as the principle of roof or loft insulation in reverse. Underfloor heating insulation isn’t quite the same because heat rises, making loft insulation critical to prevent all heat escaping out of the house and into the atmosphere. 

Principles of underfloor heating insulation

But an underfloor heating system needs insulation to stop heat being transferred downwards where it will just be wasted. The laws of physics dictate that heat is attracted to the cold; so if the ground beneath you is colder than the room then the heat will go directly into the earth. Underfloor heating insulation re-directs all the heat energy upwards, making sure none is lost. 

It should go without saying that the success of a system doesn’t just depend on what’s under the underfloor heating. Because underfloor heating systems operate at low temperatures, it is critical that every room heated from below is properly insulated. 

This means that, for the underfloor heating to be effective, there should be no cracks between window fittings and walls (if there are, they can be filled with sealant); windows should preferably be double glazed and, preferably, cavity wall insulation fitted. 

Different solutions for underfloor heating systems

Different underfloor heating systems need different insulation solutions. Floors covered with tiles require an insulating backer board or mat to sit between the floor itself and the heating cable. Other systems – including “slimline” versions that require little raising of floor levels – use Depron insulation to create the same warming effect. 

No two underfloor heating systems will be the same and it is always worth seeking professional advice about the best insulation to choose before embarking on an underfloor heating project. 

Choose the right underfloor heating system with Robbens Systems

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.