Underfloor heating mats

[Op1988]

Hi,

I'm going to be installing underfloor heating mats (150w) but I'm after some advise on the insulation boards to put down first. They seem expensive I was wondering is there a cheaper alternative? Or am I going to just have to buy the boards they recommend with the mats?

Iv never installed underfloor heating before they look pretty straight forward? Any advice would be welcome.

thanks

 

[dansk]

A little background ive been installing electric UFH for over 10 years now - warmfloorsonline.com and underfloorheatingservice.co.uk

Warm-up are talking "rubbish" - you need an XPS insulation not PIR for under-tile application.

Firstly - you need to bond the insulation to the sub-floor with flexi tile adhesive or screws and washers onto timber - tile adhesive wont key to the foil face type - secondly you are going to SLC over the cable, again which wont bond/key to the foil, thirdly the celotex/kingspan will depress and cause the tiles to come loose - that's if the SLC hasn't already broken up in pieces.

Dont buy from the big PLC who wont really look after you - i don't really care who you buy from but you are lining yourself up for a massive fail here.

TBB are expensive for a reason, that's because a lot of R&D has been carried out, these boards can take 10 tonnes/m² vertical load, proper TBB have a cement fascia for the adhesives and SLC to key to.

But after all this are they really expensive once the job has failed? nope - bite the bullet and buy the proper insulation boards for the job.

Further reading: What Tile Backer Boards Do You Use? Green Building Forum - Can you put floor tiles directly on top of high density EPS

 

[Delboybully]

It sounds to me like Dansk knows what he is talking about and if I were OP1988 I would follow his advice

 

[Op1988]

Thanks for the info dansk, what your saying does make sense. This is the reason I came on here and asked the question!

 

[joshikol]

I'd really appreciate if you advise can I put electric heating mat directly on PIR like Kingspan or Celotex if I am installing laminate (suitable for UFL) floor?

 

[littlespark]

I'd really appreciate if you advise can I put electric heating mat directly on PIR like Kingspan or Celotex if I am installing laminate (suitable for UFL) floor?

Read #16 above about PIR… but mostly follow the manufacturers instructions.

 

[joshikol]

Read #16 above about PIR… but mostly follow the manufacturers instructions.

I did read it. While #16 states Kingspan would not withhold home environment and will decompress the manufacturer states it will as TF70 it is only not suitable and will give way in heavy commercial environment like heavy machinery/vehicles. Does this mean manufacturer being Kingspan do not know their product and talk rubbish?

It also says it is suitable for most underfloor heating hence my question if anyone used it for laminate flooring where screed do not have to be poured over.