Under Floor Heating
Under floor heating is fast becoming the popular unobtrusive method of heating the home giving high comfort levels, together with low running costs and environmental benefits.
Ideal both for new build or refurbishment projects, under floor heating with low capital cost and easy installation will emit radiant heat around the room providing an even draught-free and warm environment without the need for radiators.
Suitability of Penthouse Carpets
Penthouse carpets are suitable for use where a under floor heating system has been installed. Careful consideration should be given to the maximum tog value quoted by the system manufacturer which should be adhered to whilst ensuring that the performance over the lifetime of the carpet will not be compromised due to a under specified carpet being chosen in order to meet the maximum tog value.
Confirmed suitability of carpets with under floor heating systems
Recent test carried out jointly by the UHMA (Under floor Heating Manufacturers Association) and the Carpet Foundation has conclusively proved that carpet can be used over an under floor heating system without impairing its performance.
Types of Under floor Heating Systems
There are a variety of under floor heating systems available with each system manufacturer recommending different maximum tog values, generally however most systems would fall into one of the following three categories:
- Conventional floor system
comprising of concrete slabs or a floating floor on a sand and cement screed which contain heating pipes where the maximum combined tog value of the carpet and the underlay is often given as 2.5 tog or even higher.
- Under floor system
where electric heating cables are buried within a screed or within a suspended timber floor. With the use of a thicker carpet and underlay combination then such systems can overheat therefore a manufactures recommended tog value of 1.5 may have to be adhered to. - Under tile system
often installed as a pre-spaced electrical heating cable attached to a open weave mesh mat and are specifically for use under a tiled or other hard floor. Careful consideration must also be given as to method of installation in order to avoid the possibility of the carpet and underlay moulding itself to the shape of the cables within the heating system matting and transferring this effect into the surface of the carpet. The maximum tog value quoted by the system manufacturer must not be exceeded.
Penthouse Carpets always recommends that you consult with the heating system manufacturer to ensure that the combined tog value of carpet & underlay is suitable for the system.
Wooden Subfloor
Where the carpet is due to be laid on a wooden subfloor it is very important to ensure that adequate time has been allowed for the wood to fully condition whilst the under floor heating system is running in order to avoid the possibility of variance of original dimensions from changes in moisture levels. Penthouse Carpets can not be held responsible for the rucking or shrinkage of carpet and underlay caused by movement in the underlying floor surface.
Guide for the Installation of Carpets and Underlay
As a general rule double stick installation systems are recommended to provide close contact between the floor, underlay and the carpet thereby allowing better heat transfer and to avoid the development of uneven heating pockets.
Choice of underlay & underlay manufacturers
Often a very difficult choice as a balance must be struck to enable the underlay to allow adequate heat to pass through the carpet into the room whilst also meeting the need to provide the support to ensure the carpets performance over it's lifetime is not compromised. Traditional heavy underlays including waffle foams, felt, or crumb rubber are not normally recommended for use with under floor heating systems, generally thinner rubber or foam cushion underlays perform better. Two of the preferred underlays both from the point of view of carpet performance and for low tog values are Gates Technics 5 (tog value of 0.5) and Gates Technics 6 (tog value 0.63). Additionally Ball & Young's Roma and Silver Lining having tog values of 0.8 and 1.5 respectively are widely used in installations where a under floor heating system is installed.
Penthouse Carpets would always recommend that you consult with the manufacturer to ensure that the chosen underlay is suitable for use within the installation and that all guidelines with regard method of fitting are closely followed.
Adhesives & tackifiers
Normal adhesives tackifiers such as F Balls F3 & F41 are suitable for use within the fitting requirements of installations where a under floor heating system is present. Penthouse Carpets would always recommend that you consult with the manufacturer to ensure that the adhesive or tackifier is suitable for use within the installation and that all guidelines with regard method of use are closely followed.
For further information contact Stuart Thompson, on 01706 341231 or make an enquiry via the contact form.
Further Under Floor Heating Recourses
- Gates Technics and Durafit Information - interfloor.com
- Ball & Young Information underlay.com (website down)
- F Ball & Co f-ball.co.uk