Underfloor Heating Installation

Types of Underfloor Heating System Underfloor Heating Insulation Underfloor Heating System Accessories

Electric underfloor heating is a very efficient form of central heating. It radiates a comfortable heat evenly across the floor, whereas traditional radiators convect heat upwards which then circulates round a room resulting in warm and cold drafts.

The London Tile Co. offers only the highest quality underfloor heating systems from leading brands Devi, Magnum and Schluter, which is why we offer extensive guarantees on all our matt and cable heating systems.

Types of Underfloor Heating System

Here we provide detailed information on the various different types of underfloor heating system available to you, and their specific properties and technical abilities making them suitable for a range of different functions and applications.

PLEASE NOTE, whatever the system, do not cut, pierce, puncture or screw anything to the finished floor, which may damage the underfloor heating matting, cable, foil or pipe. Underfloor heating systems cannot be placed underneath fixed units such as; baths, showers, kitchen units or washbasins.

Key Features and Applications

Check out the table below to help you find the ideal underfloor heating solution for your project!

Mat

A cost effective method of radiating an even, pleasant temperature across timber and screeded floors. Mat underfloor heating ideal for use in bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, living areas and conservatories, in both new builds and renovations. (suitable for internal use only)

The London Tile Co. offers two different types of mat underfloor heating system; DeviMat and Magnum enerMat

DeviMat

Download DeviMat Fixing Instructions

• Thin electric mat underfloor heating system, only 3.5mm thick - floor levels will hardly be affected

• Made to ISO 9001 certification

• Ideally suited to direct bedding into the adhesive / self-levelling compound layer

• Self adhesive mesh with ultra thin pre-attached cable

• Available in 1 to 12m lengths

• Highly robust

• Available in two output levels; 100W and 150W

• 100W ONLY can be fixed directly to timber substrates (150W requires the use of Marmox Tile Backer Boards to prevent the timber substrate from expanding/contracting as a result of the heat variations)

• Suitable for a quick and easy installation

• Twin conductor (has no second tail to return to the thermostat, which saves on time and money)

• Adjustable - mesh can be cut to fit the available floor space

• Controlled by a floor sensor and a fully programmable, intelligent controller, the Devireg 550 Thermostat Timer
  - Comes with 10 year Devi warranty

Magnum enerMat

Download Magnum enerMat Fixing Instructions

• Thin electric, open nylon mat with integral conductor and resistance cable

• Only 3.5mm thick - floor levels will hardly be affected

• Ideally suited to direct bedding into the adhesive / self-levelling compound layer

• Suitable for use as a primary or comfort heating heat source (rated at 150W per m²)

• Tested from 4,000 - 10,000Volts

• Available from 1 to 10m²

• Insulation covering of the heating element, made from Teflon with a protective woven wire braid and a PVC sheath - is 100% waterproof with high tensile cable strength and durability

• FREE from electromagnetic currents - no interference between the system and any household electrical items i.e. TV, computers etc

• This system is often used for larger rooms i.e. kitchens or conservatories

• Suitable for use in re-furbishments

• Designed for use on concrete floors, although you can adapt a wooden floor using Marmox tile backer insulation boards

• Cost effective, easy to install and is 100% maintenance free

• Fully controllable with the sophisticated, digital thermostat, Magnum Digital Energy Control Timer Thermostat
  - Comes with full lifetime guarantee

Both mat systems are suitable for installation by DIY enthusiasts, however an electrician is required for final connection and testing.

Cable

Cable underfloor heating is an extremely cost effective solution to providing a warm, even temperature throughout the home. It can be used as a primary heat source, as well as for comfort heating. It is ideal for use in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and conservatories, in both new and renovated buildings

The London Tile Co. offers two different types of cable underfloor heating system; Magnum Millicable and Magnum enerCable

Magnum Millicable

Download Magnum Millicable Fixing Instructions

• Loose wire underfloor heating system - fully insulated and 100% waterproof

• Capacity of 11.5W per linear metre of cable at 230V

• Highly adaptable

  • Cable spacing can be altered to change heat output levels

  • Design caters specifically to awkward or irregularly shaped areas

• Fast and flexible installation process

• 100% maintenance free

• Can be fixed directly to primed concrete or plywood subfloors and Marmox tile backer boards can be fitted to subfloors not compatible for direct installation e.g. timber substrates

• Ideal for small renovation projects and wet room locations

• Suitable for use with tile, stone, marble, slate or similar

• FREE from electromagnetic currents - no interference between the system and any household electrical items i.e. TV, computers etc

• A sophisticated digital thermostat, Magnum Digital Energy Control Timer Thermostat, can control the heat and the time the system operates
  - Comes with 10 year guarantee

London Tile Co Magnum Millicable kit is a highly economical purchase. The kit includes; a Magnum millicable twin conductor cable unit, flexible sensor tube, floor acrylic primer (1 litre) and a roll of 25 metre duct tape (15mm wide)

Magnum enerCable

Download Magnum enerCable Fixing Instructions

• Electric cable underfloor heating system, 7mm thick, comprising of conductor and resistance wires insulated with XLPE and a ground wire encased in PVC

• 100% waterproof with high tensile cable strength and durability

• Suitable for use as a primary or comfort heating heat source

• Suitable for a quick and easy installation in a minimum of 30mm screed (excluding tiles, floor finish or Marmox tile backer boards)

• Available from 3 to 18.9m², which can be combined to fit all room sizes

• Ideally suited for new builds and conservatories

• Cost effective
  - Low running costs


- Inexpensive to buy

• Suitable for use with tile, stone, wood, carpet and vinyl substrates and floor coverings

• FREE from electromagnetic currents - no interference between the system and any household electrical items i.e. TV, computers etc

• 100% maintenance free

• A sophisticated digital thermostat, Magnum Digital Energy Control Timer Thermostat, can control the heat and the time the system operates
  - Comes with full lifetime guarantee

These systems usually require and experienced builder for installation and electrician for final connection and testing

Foil

Foil underfloor heating systems are thin systems, typically between 0.2-0.3mm thick, of low voltage, suitable for providing comfort heating in both domestic and commercial environments. As a low voltage foil system, it can be laid directly onto both concrete or wooden substrates without previous preparation

The London Tile Co. offers two different types of foil underfloor heating system; Magnum microFoil and Magnum enerFoil

Magnum microFoil

Download Magnum microFoil Fixing Instructions

• A technically advanced 0.3mm, foil underfloor heating system - will not raise the finished height of the floor

• Available in two low voltage output levels; 80Watt or 120Watt

• Suitable for installation directly under the ever more popular wooden, parquet or laminate floors

• Quick and easy to install

• Does NOT require a cement screed (like most other underfloor heating systems)

• FREE from electromagnetic currents - no interference between the system and any household electrical items i.e. TV, computers etc

• A sophisticated digital thermostat, Magnum Digital Energy Control Timer Thermostat, can control the heat and the time the system operates

The London Tile Co. recommend the use of 6mm Magnum Insulation for microFoil plates, beneath the heating system. This should not only increase the thermal floor value, but also reduce noise

Magnum enerFoil

Download Magnum enerFoil Fixing Instructions

• Thin electric foil underfloor heating system, only 0.2mm thick - will not raise the finished height of the floor

• Available in two low voltage output levels; 80 Watt or 120 Watt

• Suitable for comfort heating ONLY

• Powered by a enerFoil floor heating transformer, which ideally should be installed outside the room

• Ideally suited to smaller rooms, i.e. bathrooms, utility rooms and toilets

• Available in a variety of different sized foil sheets to achieve the specific coverage you require

• Suitable for use on concrete or wooden floors without screeding

• Ideally suited to wet room, bathroom and shower installations - suitable for use with wet room waterproof tanking systems, i.e. tanking systems such as BAL WP1 and Ardex Waterproof Pro System can be applied directly to the foil underfloor heating surface

• Easy to install

• Cost effective - low running costs and inexpensive to buy

• Suitable for use directly under tiles, stone, marble, slate and wood laminate

• FREE from electromagnetic currents - no interference between the system and any household electrical items i.e. TV, computers etc

• Does NOT require a thermostat controller

The London Tile Co. recommend the use of acrylic floor tile adhesive and acrylic primer Enerbond, to simply fix Magnum enerFoil to the substrate - ideal for wet or dry, domestic and commercial locations

Both mat systems are suitable for installation by DIY enthusiasts, however an electrician is required for final connection and testing.

Water

Piped water under floor heating relies on a continuous feed of circulating warm water, via a mixing valve to an adjusted lower temperature, through the sub-floor substrate to radiate heat energy evenly throughout the room, gently warming the space

The London Tile Co. offers top quality water based underfloor heating system, Bekotec Therm Hydronic Underfloor Heating System, by world renowned water based underfloor heating specialist, Schluter.

Schluter Bekotec Therm Hydronic Underfloor Heating System - Key Features & Applications

• Water based underfloor heating system with an extremely thin screed of 35-37mm (other water based systems are usually 65mm or more)

• Water used for heating is 35°C (much cooler than other water-based underfloor heating systems) - environmentally friendly (low carbon footprint), efficient and cost effective

• Thin screed has rapid dry time - reduce hours of labour and material costs

• Quick and efficient heating and cooling reaction time (faster than traditional water based heating systems)

• Suitable for use as a heating AND cooling system (i.e. run cool water through the system in the summer)

• Ideal for use in new builds, complete housing re-furbishments, new extensions and conservatories

• Suitable for use with tile, stone, wood, carpet and vinyl substrates and floor coverings

• A sophisticated digital thermostat can control the heat and the time the system operates

These systems require and experienced builder for installation and electrician for final connection and testing.

GET A QUOTE

Send your plans to orders@londontile.co.uk, or bring them in to one of our London Tile Co tile shops and receive a detailed quote, a full plan including the precise layout of all the pipes and fittings and all heat loss calculations (You will need to provide current insulation and glazing details, room heights and which way they face).

NOTE. As with all underfloor heating systems, you must ensure the screed and tile adhesive is fully cured before the system is first turned on (usually one week). Then, set to a low heat and take another full week to bring the floor up to full operating temperature

REMEMBER, tile backer board should be fitted over any un-insulated flooring or timber substrates, on installation of an underfloor heating system

The London Tile Co., recommend, where possible, fixing underfloor heating systems in latex based self-levelling compounds, such as Ardex Arditex NA

Advantages of direct bedding in a self-levelling compound (over flexible adhesive)

• It's free flowing nature leaves no voids around the cables, therefore reducing the risk of mat failure and improving the dispersion of heat

• Cheaper to buy (cost effective)

• Quick and easy to apply, saving the tiler time and the customer money

• Provides an extremely flat and smooth surface to tile too

• Can be walked on within a couple of hours

• The advanced formulation of Ardex Arditex NA is ammonia free

Types of Underfloor Heating System Underfloor Heating Insulation Underfloor Heating System Accessories

Underfloor Heating Insulation

Underfloor heating insulation is recommended for use with all electrical underfloor heating systems. The use of insulation with underfloor heating systems, increases its efficiency and output and reduces its running costs, thereby maximising thermal floor value.

The London Tile Co. offers a vast selection of multipurpose, waterproof, heat and sound insulating, Marmox tile backer boards. They have excellent heat insulation properties, with U values as low as 0.54, making them the ideal thermal barrier, insulating ALL types of underfloor heating systems including mat, cable, foil and water.

Marmox tile backer board is a cost effective and efficient insulation solution for under floor heating. The boards are easy to install and come in a variety of different sizes and depths, suitable for a wide range of applications. Although lightweight, the boards are extremely strong, able to withstand even the heaviest of wall tiles.

The London Tile Co., strongly recommend using Marmox tile backer boards with your underfloor heating systems to maximise your heat output and minimise heat loss and cost.

Types of Underfloor Heating System Underfloor Heating Insulation Underfloor Heating System Accessories

Underfloor Heating System Accessories

The perfect solution for underfloor heating temperature regulation!

The London Tile Co., offer a selection of top of the range, task specific thermostats. Each stylish and sophisticated thermostat is specially developed for ideal performance with a corresponding underfloor heating system (see table below)

Magnum enerFoil Demister

Add a splash of sophistication to your wet room installation with the Magnum enerFoil Mirror Demister. Do you find it frustrating when your mirror mists up? Well don't get all steamed up about it, The Tile Source has a solution - simply fit an enerFoil Mirror Demister panel to the back of your mirror. It's so easy to install and at only 0.4mm thick, is completely unseen.

The enerFoil Mirror Demister can be used in conjunction with a Magnum enerFoil underfloor heating system transformer, or as a stand-alone mirror demister. It's best to get an electrician to connect it to the electric supply, but then all you have left to do is simply peel off the self-adhesive backing and stick it directly to the back of the mirror.

If you have any further queries regarding underfloor heating installations, please give us a call on 0845 051 5145

Trading for over 50 years - we are your tiling experts