If you’re planning to install underfloor heating, it’s important to select a pipework system that is robust and will last the lifetime of your project. Choosing the right pipe will ensure you get a high-quality finished result and that your system runs efficiently and effectively. Our underfloor heating pipe comes in a variety of options, widths and lengths so you can build a system that meets your specific requirements.
A typical underfloor heating system uses a hot water pump to circulate water through the floor slab or screed, heats it and then radiates that warmth across the floors and into the room. This type of system is known as a hydronic underfloor heating (UFH) system and is suitable for both new build properties and retrofits, whether you’re using an air or water-based UFH solution.
Underfloor heating systems have a number of advantages, including minimal space usage and a fast installation time. They can be installed in a range of flooring types, including wood and carpet tiles, and can even be used with a floating floor. A major benefit of underfloor heating is that it can be installed without the need for radiators, which can make rooms more spacious and create a better atmosphere in your home.
The underfloor heating pipes are installed underneath the floor and can either be buried within the screed or concrete slab, or they can be laid in a traditional manner between joists. Whichever option you choose, there are a number of considerations to take into account. You need to decide how to connect your underfloor heating pipe to your manifold and also what type of flooring you are going to use.
Different flooring materials have different heat conduction properties, influencing how close the underfloor heating pipes can be to walls and each other. It’s important to keep this in mind when designing your piping layout as the wrong distance can cause uneven heating or damage wall structures and finishes.
Underfloor heating piping should be well-insulated to protect against thermal loss and to prevent condensation. It’s also vital to avoid overlapping the insulation around your pipes to ensure there are no gaps.
In some cases, it’s beneficial to add additional insulation around the pipework and manifold. This will help to keep the system energy efficient and reduce running costs by reducing energy consumption.
The laying of underfloor heating pipes is governed by a number of regulations, including the requirement to maintain a certain distance from the walls. This distance is not compulsory and is based on a combination of factors that help to optimise the heating performance and safety of your system.
Typically, the spacing between underfloor heating pipes is 200mm. This will vary depending on the type of heating you’re using, with boiler based systems typically being laid at wider spacing and heat pumps being advised to be laid with 100mm pipe centres. This allows the piping to dissipate heat quickly and evenly, maximising your heating efficiency and comfort.