Wood floors is regularly rising in reputation and reveals no signal of stopping. In line with Rated Individuals’s Dwelling Enchancment Developments report 2021, wood floors ranked 4^th within the high house enchancment jobs. Additionally, the identical report highlighted that the set up of electrical underfloor heating ranked 4^th within the high eco jobs posted, no surprises as the 2 go hand in hand.

Electric underfloor heating isn’t only a ‘nice-to-have’ anymore because it was regarded as an costly luxurious. Technological evolution and the expansion of higher vitality environment friendly methods have made electrical underfloor heating extra accessible, however how a lot does it actually value to run electrical underfloor heating?

Moreover, with the launch of SAP 10 simply across the nook, electrical heating is changing into the popular alternative for brand spanking new construct initiatives. The present iteration of SAP 10 will considerably scale back the carbon emission issue for electrical energy from 0.519 kgCO2/kWh to 0.136 kgCO2/kWh, making the carbon emission fee of electrical heating a lot decrease than fuel.  This can make electrical heating probably the most environmentally pleasant and greatest performing heating technique for EPC scores. See ThermoSphere’s latest report on Heating systems and the environment.

What you must find out about electrical underfloor heating and wood flooring:

Most wood floors sorts can be utilized with an electrical underfloor heating system however their suitability will depend on the density and moisture content material of the board so producers pointers have to be adhered to.

Growth and contraction

All wooden is hygroscopic, that means it absorbs moisture, the moisture causes the wooden to contract and broaden over time.  Each timber (pure hardwood) and engineered wooden will probably be affected by moisture. Relying on the sort of timber you’re selecting and the atmosphere of your mission location the moisture content material can fluctuate. Additionally, relying on the time of yr, a timber ground will broaden and contract because of the indoor humidity altering. The ground have to be laid to permit motion, in any other case it could possibly bow and even crack. Then the advantages of a heat heated ground will probably be misplaced.

The perfect thickness of boards

The perfect thickness of wood boards is between 12 – 15mm, with 18mm being the utmost. The thicker your wood floorboards, the longer it’ll take to warmth up your room to the optimum temperature, which may result in greater working value. The really helpful ratio of thickness to width ought to be within the vary of seven to 11. An instance could be a board with a thickness of 16mm and width of 160mm would give a ratio of 10, which is ideal. It’s at all times vital to test the suitability of a wood ground with electrical underfloor heating by contacting the flooring producer.

Thermal conductivity

A ground floor temperature of 27°C shouldn’t be exceeded. This temperature is now an industry-wide suggestion, attributable to it being classed because the ‘excellent temperature’ primarily based on historic analysis exploring development and shrinkage charges. At 27°C the growth was deemed ‘invisible’ to the bare eye and so is now {industry} commonplace.

The perfect wood ground kind for underfloor heating

Engineered wood boards are perfect for underfloor heating, because of the core being made up of layers of ply and completed with a stable wooden high layer, this helps to scale back the increasing and contracting brought on by moisture. Ideally, the thickness of the highest layer of the board shouldn’t exceed 5mm and all the board thickness to not exceed 18mm as beforehand talked about. Relying on the circumstance it may be really helpful that the boards are glued collectively upon set up. That is to assist mitigate any dangers brought on by temperature adjustments.

The electrical underfloor heating system you need to use

ThermoSphere Foil is the most secure and most superior electrical underfloor heating system, which prices lower than one common takeaway espresso to run 2m² of electrical underfloor heating for one month. It’s designed to warmth engineered timber, laminate, carpet, or vinyl ground finishes. It is just 1.5mm thick so there may be minimal affect on ground top, the overall ground build-up (excluding the ground end layer) is simply 7mm!

ThermoSphere Foil is designed for sturdiness, making a long-lasting set up with environment friendly warmth switch. The double layer of foil is particularly designed to guard the heating aspect and obtain an excellent unfold of warmth to the ground above. ThermoSphere Foil is the one heating foil with a steady earth braid to make sure full safety and security.

ThermoSphere Foil was the primary absolutely earthed foil system within the UK to characteristic protected and accessible cable loops which helps to simplify the ‘reduce and return’ course of throughout set up, ensures warmth switch shouldn’t be misplaced and gives safety for the warmth aspect after set up is full.

Foil electrical underfloor heating reduces affect sound

Exhausting flooring with out isolation between the masking and floorboards creates elevated affect sound. For affect sound together with footsteps, an appropriate degree of 62dB is about for flooring in new builds and 64dB for conversions as set out in Half E (Resistance to Sound) of the Constructing Rules.

Our Foil incorporates a 1.2mm cushioning overlay (slip layer), this protects the heating cables from abrasion. A further, 5mm cushioning underlay additional protects the heating cable and reduces additional abrasion by creating a cosy match to the protected layer. Combining these two layers provides 21dB in affect sound discount.

Foil in motion: Premier Home

A 1960‘s concrete body workplace constructing which was transformed into 119 luxurious residential flats over 13 flooring. Two key components have been a low ground build-up and low-impact sound.

Foil was the right resolution for the consumer’s necessities enabling excellent room heights regardless of the constraints of the construction. Importantly the acoustic enchancment surpassed the constructing necessities stipulated by constructing management. Read the full case study

For additional data on ThermoSphere Foil and the complete electric heating range go to www.thermosphere.com or contact immediately by calling 0800 019 5899.