Standard Floor Screed
For this application a minimum of 50mm high density polystyrene insulation is tightly fitted on top of the site concrete, beam & block or pre-stressed slab. The tubing is then clipped on to the insulation using purpose made clips. After pressure testing the system, a standard screed (sand and cement at a 4:1 ratio) of 65-75mm is laid. Thinner screeds containing a fibre additive for 50mm is also available. The perimeter of the room should have 15 -25mm polystyrene between the screed and the wall to the depth of the screed. This floor construction is suitable for any floor finish. Damp proof membrane should be installed to architects instructions. Less insulation can be used for intermediate floors.
Tubing Installed from Above Timber
Foil-faced Celotex insulation is tightly fitted across the joist space on 50mm x 25mm battens nailed to the side of the joists. The tubing is clipped to the insulation using the purpose made clips. Normally 25mm Celotex is used for upper floors with at least 50mm recommended for ground floors or floors above unheated areas. The insulation should be fitted so that a space of 12mm is left between the insulation and the underside of the floor. After pressure testing the system, the floor may be finished with flooring grade chipboard or a hardwood flooring. A similar type floor is to fill the air gaps with a dry screed creating a thermal mass. This can be achieved by dropping the insulation approx 40mm. In this case the insulation does not require a reflective layer.
Floating Floor- Tubing in Tracked insulation
Pre- tracked insulation (available from Rayotec) is laid on to the site concrete, beam & block, pre-stressed slabs or existing floor. The tubing is pressed and clipped into the tracked insulation according to the CAD layout. After the system has been pressure tested, flooring grade chipboard or laminated hardwood is laid on top. The joints are to be glued and an expansion gap left between boards and wall (this will be hidden by the skirting board). This floor construction is suitable for carpet or hardwood finish. Damp proof membrane should be installed to architects instructions. This floor construction is suitable for carpet or wood veneer finish. (This system is particularly useful in fast build applications like timber frame; as the house construction isnt delayed in any way.)
Typical Retrofit onto Existing Floor
Battens are nailed to the existing floor (or sub-floor in new applications). Foil faced Celotex is tightly fitted between the joists leaving a 12mm gap from the underside of the floor. The tubing is then clipped onto the insulation using the supplied purpose made clips. After pressure testing the system, the floor boards (either flooring grade chipboard or hardwood) can be fitted. As with the suspended floor type; Tubing Installed from Below Timber, dry screed can be used in the air gaps creating a thermal mass. This floor construction is a useful method when using plank hardwood floors in new properties as well as existing ones.
Tubing Installed from Below Timber
With the floor being decked, joists are to be notched as per the notching diagram. The tubing is then fed through the pre-notched joists and clipped to the underside of the floor decking using the supplied purpose made staple clips. After pressure testing the system, 2L2 flexible insulation is stapled to the joists directly underneath the tubing. An alternative option is to use fibre glass or rockwool insulation and use a reflector foil for between the insulation and tubing.
Retrofit Thinnest Layer of Any Floor Heating System!
2L2 flexible 6mm foil faced insulation (or equivalent) is laid on top of the existing floor. Then 50 x 15mm battens are nailed at 400mm or 600mm centres, depending on the thickness of the floor boards. The tubing is then fitted to the insulation using the supplied purpose made clips. After pressure testing the system, chipboard or hardwood planks can be installed. This is the thinnest warm water construction and is ideal for anyone wanting to install wooden flooring over an existing floor. By raising the floor by 15mm, a heated floor can be achieved.
