DIY Supermarket

Although underfloor heating systems are very popular, are easy to install and cost effective, they do have some drawbacks. It is crucial to choose the most suitable underfloor heating kit for your home as, if you get this wrong, you may have high running costs, not enough heat, or damaged floors.

When installing heating under a wooden floor, you need to check whether it is likely to warp or shrink. Sometimes wood needs to be well acclimatised before laying. As well as possible effects on your floor coverings, you need to bear in mind that laying underfloor heating on top of an existing floor will raise the height and affect skirting boards and doors. Also, furniture can be dried out by underfloor heating, and it should not be installed under fitted cupboards as it will create condensation and affect the contents.

Modern underfloor heating systems are extremely reliable, long lasting and maintenance-free and have come a long way since the early days. However, both electric and water underfloor heating do still take a little longer to heat up compared to traditional radiators. If encased in screed, the electrical elements or water pipes usually need to heat that up first before the floor itself can be heated. Pipes, cables or mats which have direct contact with the floor, with a dry fixing, usually heat up more quickly. If the underfloor heating is simply providing background warmth, and is kept on more or less continuously, this isn’t a problem.