Estillon can get the best out of your underfloor heating system!
More and more houses and apartments are being heated by integrated underfloor heating systems. In principle, there are two types of underfloor heating system: so-called “dry” and “wet” systems. Dry systems are mainly electric systems while wet systems are installed in a layer of screed.
Traditional underfloor heating is linked to the existing CH system and this is the type of system most commonly used. Besides those which are CH-controlled, systems controlled by a heat pump are also growing rapidly in popularity. Both systems are based on the principle of heating the home using hot water which flows through pipes laid in the floor screed. The biggest – and also the most important – difference between these systems is the temperature of the water that flows through the pipes. The temperatures with a traditional system are significantly higher than those in a system controlled by a heat pump. It is true for all systems that the lower the inlet temperature, the more money you will able to save on your energy bills. However, this will affect your choice of floor covering: your options will be restricted if you choose laminate or carpet.
You can work out the combinations for yourself by adding together the heat resistance values (R values) of any screed, underlay and floor covering. If combinations exceed the applicability value, we recommend that you contact your underfloor heating installer.
Total applicability value for main source of heating: (0.13 m2K/W)
Total applicability value for additional heating: (0.17 m2K/W)
Total applicability value for heat pump: (0.09 m2K/W)
Carpet underlay
Traditionally, insulating the floor has been one of the functions that an underlay is expected to fulfil. However, the opposite is required – namely the lowest possible insulation value – when underfloor heating is installed. In order to guarantee comfort, most underlays contain a lot of air which is a natural insulator. Therefore, when choosing an underlay, it makes sense to choose a compact underlay with the lowest possible resistance value (R value).
Underlay for parquet/laminate and PVC floors
Compactness is also very important when choosing an underlay to be used in conjunction with a parquet/laminate or PVC floor, but the same applicability values apply here too. Estillon offers a variety of suitable underlays for carpet as well as parquet/laminate and PVC floors which guarantee optimum heat transfer. The table below provides a clear overview of the various options.
