Underfloor Heating

Feel the Heat

Under floor heating is not a new idea. It was widely used by the Romans and, although effective, it was time consuming to set up.

Now, at the flick of a switch you can have the same benefits, but without the hard work.

Triple K Thermotec Underfloor Heating Foil is a 240v system producing 200w/m2 or Netextra also rated at 200w/m2. Regulated by a wall-mounted thermostat, which is in turn controlled by a floor sensor, the system is economical and safe to use in any room. Thermotec installation should be covered by RCD protection.

Heat Requirement Calculations

Click here to open the Heat Requirement / Price calculator

Checking the heat requirement calculation for every project is good practice. By ensuring that the overall heat output value is greater than the overall heat requirement of the room; warm and comfortable conditions can be maintained. Use the heat requirement calculation to find the average room heat value in watts. This figure is called value A.

Next plan out the Matting layout and list the heat output of each mat. Calculate the overall heat output value in watts by adding up the heat output of each mat in the plan. This figure is called Value B.

When value B is greater than value A, the installation is suitable for primary and secondary heating.
When value A is greater than value B, the installation is suitable for secondary heating.

Due to the considerable number of different building constructions, the heat requirement calculation should only be used as a guide.

Heat Up Times

Floor construction and finish will govern heat-up times. Where heat up times increase, cool-down times will be correspondingly longer, so it is unlikely that the floor will be heating up from cold each day.

Installation Applications

Triple K Underfloor Heating Foil

Installing on a timber substrate

Thermotec underfloor heating foil is designed to make installation of heating under engineered timber floors even easier. Thermotec foil comprises of 3 layers of polyester which encapsulates the copper bus bar and conductive heating strips creating an ultra thin heating system in outputs to suit the heating requirements of any building.

Whilst Thermotec foil is proven in flooring applications, it is important to ensure that the laminate or engineered board of choice is approved for use in conjunction with underfloor heating and that the manufacturers guidelines concerning residual moisture content are observed.

It is essential to allow an expansion gap around the perimeter of the floor. Thermotec foil sections can be shortened to suit site conditions, please call our office to speak to an advisor.

It is important that items of furniture used in rooms with underfloor heating have legs or "bun feet" to ensure adequate airflow under the item of furniture to dissipate the heat.

Triple K Underfloor Heating Net

Installing on a screed or concrete substrate

It is important that the substrate to be tiled is rigid - substrates such as concrete or cement screeds will provide good, solid background. For new concrete or cement screeds the minimum drying times should be observed, i.e. at least six weeks for concrete and at least three weeks for new screeds. For older substrates of this type it may necessary to control any suction by applying a coat of suitable primer or flexible additive. Whether working on a new or old substrate, a flexible, cement-based adhesive must be used.

It will be seen from both diagrams shown here that the main advantage of this system is minimal additional height requirement. The Mats themselves only require a 2.5mm additional height, making it ideal for use in renovation. If there is any doubt as to the level of insulation in the substrate, concrete or screed substrates should be overlaid with Dukkaboard to reduce heat loss and improve the efficiency of the system.

1. Finished floor covering, could be ceramic, stone timber carpet or vinyl. *

2. Flexible tile adhesive, when tiling over, or self leveling compound when laying a soft floor finish (vinyl, carpet or timber)

3. Triple K Underfloor Heating

4. Sand and cement screed, min. 50mm

5. Polystyrene insulation to current building regulations

6. Reinforced concrete ground slab

Prepare wooden floors first by screwing down all loose boards, and then by fixing Dukkaboard over the floorboards at 300mm centres. The board is supplied in 10mm or 12mm thick sheets, 2500mm x 600mm, and is composed of extruded polystyrene coated on each side by a fibreglass mesh and cementitious mix layers. These form a high-strength, water proof, stable substrate on to which the underfloor heating elements and tiles can be fixed. If plywood is chosen as a stiffener instead of Dukkaboard, it should be screwed down at 300mm centres and primed with suitable primer of flexible additive.

1. Finished floor covering, could be ceramic, stone timber carpet or vinyl *

2. Flexible tile adhesive, when tiling over, or self leveling compound when laying a soft floor finish (vinyl, carpet or timber)

3. Triple K Underfloor Heating

4. 12mm Dukkaboard screwed down at 300mm centres **

5. Floorboards or chipboard flooring

6. Floor joists

*Manufacturers of soft floor coverings (including timber) should be contacted as to the suitability of their product when used with electrical under floor heating.

**Floors can be overlaid with 18mm plywood if required, instead of Dukkaboard

Triple K Thermotec Underfloor Heating is one of the most efficient methods of heating available today. Depending on individual requirements and building construction, it can be installed as the only heat source in a room. It can also be used a supplementary heating or to take the chill of a tiled floor.

Primary Heating

In rooms that meet the current insulation regulations, the heat loss is equivalent to 40w/m². the standard range is rated at 150w/m².

Heat output ensures that comfortable room conditions can be easily obtained when underfloor heating is the only heat source.

In older buildings where insulation levels may be lower or in areas of high heat loss, it may be necessary to install extra**. Rated at 200w/m² the same comfort levels can be maintained on the coldest days. extra is the recommended choice for a conservatory.

Secondary Heating

Triple K Thermotec Underfloor Heating can also be used as an additional heat source to remove the cold feeling from a tiled floor. When an existing primary heating system is already in place, Triple K Thermotec Floor Heating is suitable for providing additional warmth to the floor. When Triple K Thermotec Floor Heating is used to supplement the main heating system, saving can often be made by reducing the temperature settings on the main system.

Triple K Thermotec Underfloor heating can be adapted to suit any shape or size of room - see the example in the diagram right.

A planning service and samples are available on request. Further detailed information is available on testing and on installation beneath soft floor and timber coverings. Extras connection kits are also available.

Wiring

All yellow cable on the heat mat must be in the floor covered by either the flexible tile adhesive or a self levelling compound. The two connection wires, black (or brown) and blue, should  then be run to the Thermostat location.

Connection wires must not cross heating wires. Connection wires may be extended if they are not long enough using cable available through your local distributor. If more than one mat is used per thermostat they must be wired in parallel, not in series. /connection wires may in this case be connected at a junction box and a single feed taken back to the thermostat. For areas exceeding 16 amps (approx. 24m² Thermotec or 17m² Thermotec Extra) that you require to be controlled by a single thermostat, a contactor must be used.

Please note in multiple mat installations, mats must be wired in parallel, not in series.

Controls

Two types of thermostat are available, both control the temperature via a floor sensor which is situated in a conduit (see diagram).

STOCK NUMBER 5265 - is a 7 day programmable thermostat which makes any system very versatile and efficient. This thermostat features an early start feature which ensures that the floor is at your desired temperature at your desired time.

STOCK NUMBER 5260 - is a standard non-programmable thermostat for specific applications.

Heat mats and accessories

Installation tips

• Roll out the heat mat(s) onto a clean floor. Heat mats can be laid either way up.
• Where required, Thermotec can be fitted as a single wire.
• Cut mesh backing either side of the yellow heating wire. Secure the mesh backing to the floor using staples, hot melt glue or spray adhesive.
• Do not join one heat mat to another in series. Heat mats must be wired in parallel with all connection wires terminating at the thermostat or termination mounting box.
• Do not install heat mats under fixtures (e.g. kitchen units, bath, etc) or over floor movement joints are present.

Contact Triple K Head Office for more information.