With the latest technological progress, heated flooring has diversified and adapted to the most used heating methods found today. There are two techniques presently in use: electric and water.
Electric floor heating
The installation of electric floor heating is based on a prior heating calculation. The installation of the electric floor heating then passes through different stages: installation of insulation, installation of heating cable, and monitoring – it is carried out step by step and is controlled by an electromechanical or electronic thermostat.
Water floor heating: more economical
The water floor heating is currently the most economical heating system to operate. It can work with different heating methods: with heating only or with heating and air conditioning. The network of tubes, more dense than in past methods, can be powered by various types of heat generators: boiler, heat pump or even solar energy. In any case, a water floor heating project should be subject to a prior study that will be implemented by measuring the floor heating and the layout plan. Finally, the project will take shape with the installation of underfloor heating, through following steps: laying the collector, insulation, laying the pipes, connecting pipes to collectors.
Underfloor heating is the most used radiant heating system. This system can also be applied in the walls… and even the ceilings!
Benefits of radiant floor
• System Very comfortable, no noise , odor or dust movements.
• The heat is very well distributed in the room.
• No visible system flexibility for the distribution of the furniture.
Tips: No carpets or mattresses on the floor!
In order not to cause thermal blocking which prevents the heat to flow, keep a 3cm gap between the floor and furniture items. For example, placing a mattress on the floor is not recommended.
For safety reasons, avoid wooden floors and plastic flooring and go for mineral-based material with good inertia (ability to retain heat) such as ceramic, terracotta or slate. Carpets are not recommended as they transmit floor heat poorly.