Underfloor Heating

[cfrazerg]

Hi Everyone,

Im Quite a novice at this DIY lark. I want to put underfloor heating in my newly built extension kitchen/dining area. Should I put a additional timber on top of my floorboards and then insulation boards on top of the boarding too before I start to lay the heating mat ?

Some people say you should put a levelling compound on top of the electric matting or can I just use flexible adhesive on top of matting when laying my tiles? Also whats the best flexible adhesive to use. My only concern is the area is about 45m2 and if I was to self level on matting then use adhesive it would be incredably expensive for such a large area yet I dont want to cut costs.

Hope someone can help cheers.

 

[Gazzer]

In regards to you wanting to cut costs. Whether you use leveller or adhesive over the heating works out roughly the same.
It is better to level then tile as its a safety measure against damage to the cables plus you will have no air pockets which you may well do if you just use adhesive direct to the cables.

 

[cfrazerg]

Ok thanks for that.

As I will need SLC and then Adhesive for 45m2 is there anywhere I can buy these in bulk as I have read a 25kg bag will only roughly do 1m2 depending on thickness. Screwfix and most places I have looked only do 25kg bags so would need about 45 at £20 a throw this would cost £900 and thats without the adhesive too.

 

[Gazzer]

This all depends on what tile stockists you have near you.
Try googling places like CTD, TileTown, Tile Giant.

I think from memory CTD will sell Weber and Bal
TileTown, Weber and Tilemaster
Tile Giant , Mapei

Sadly there are no shortcuts in a correctly prepped job only comebacks.

 

[cfrazerg]

Yes thanks Ramic Im getting your point on the cost cutting short cuts. Cheers

 

[Gazzer]

On other matters, have you thought of getting a tiler in. While you may think its cheaper to DIY you may find a professional could do the job correct, quicker and maybe even pass on some trade savings.
Laying electric underfloor heating has its issues, the main own being floatation of the cable when pouring the leveller. The cables or mats need to be laid correctly 1st though and we see many classic mistakes that can ruin the installation.
Quotes dont cost and I feel its worth getting a few before making any costly mistakes.

 

[cfrazerg]

Thanks that's a great bit of advice.

 

[Gazzer]

You are not far from Oldham are you ? If so we have a top guy in that area.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Hi Everyone,

Im Quite a novice at this DIY lark. I want to put underfloor heating in my newly built extension kitchen/dining area. Should I put a additional timber on top of my floorboards and then insulation boards on top of the boarding too before I start to lay the heating mat ?

Some people say you should put a levelling compound on top of the electric matting or can I just use flexible adhesive on top of matting when laying my tiles? Also whats the best flexible adhesive to use. My only concern is the area is about 45m2 and if I was to self level on matting then use adhesive it would be incredably expensive for such a large area yet I dont want to cut costs.

Hope someone can help cheers.

Although you are on the right tracks and Neils advice is valid, with your 'novice' skills this sounds a job too far!

 

[cfrazerg]

Thanks for all everyones advice. I may be a novice but My DIY skills are not bad although never put underfloor heating down before. I have tiled my old bathroom and kitchen and both looked pretty good. Id love to pay a profesional for most of my jobs but as most of my money has gone on the new house I have to do it all myself.

I reckon I could do most DIY jobs physically its the knowledge of what to do correctly that worries me.

Ill be using 6mm Styrofoam as insulation above the plywood Ill put down to cover floorboards. Ill use adhesive to put them down but then should I prime the insulation boards before I put my Klima UFH down.

 

[thompsonbrown]

when you say Styrofoam as insulation do you mean cement backed foam boards such as marmox or orby also you can get thermal primers which will reduce heat loss.

 

[cfrazerg]

The ones I've got are Styrofoam Close Tolerance Extruded Polystyrene insulation boards provide a high thermal barrier between sub-floors and floor coverings

 

[thompsonbrown]

just check with supplier of boards, whether there suitable for your needs. the only blue foam boards i can think of are for underfloor heating under wood or laminate floors over a concrete floor

 

[cfrazerg]

Yes got me worried their most blue ones ive been looking at have been for wood floors but i remember site said for . supplier says "Styrofoam Close Tolerance Extruded Polystyrene insulation boards provide a high thermal barrier between sub-floors and floor coverings; this increases the efficiency of any under floor heating system by reducing the heat loss into the floor structure.
Extruded Polystyrene is a 100% closed cell foam and is not affected by moisture. With a compressive strength of 300 Kn/m² the boards are an ideal product for areas with excessive loadings and high foot traffic. The Close Tolerance cut face of our Extruded Foam makes an excellent surface for installing ceramic and stone flooring and ensure all the boards are level when butted together, any bonding should involve solvent free adhesiv.

This is off ebay though.