Underfloor Heating
By choosing Thermo-Floor for your energy efficient underfloor water heating system; whether its for a public, commercial or an industrial building or for your own home, you can be confident with a 50 year guarantee on our pipe, a five year warranty on our system, a two year warranty on our manifold fittings and a lifetime warranty on our calculations and design.
Below you will find everything you need to know about choosing your underfloor water heating system.
About Underfloor Heating
Thermo-Floor underfloor heating systems provide heating where it is needed most, at floor level. The concept has been around for centuries; first used by the Romans who warmed air by an open fire which passed through voids below their dwellings. Today underfloor heating systems are far more advanced and are the 'next generation' way of heating for any type of property, even properties with high ceilings.
With an underfloor heating system the room is heated mostly by radiant heat as opposed to convected heat from traditional radiator systems. 
Radiant heat is the most natural and comfortable form of heat as it eliminates cold spots, draughts and dust circulation.
Thermo-Floor underfloor water heating systems are simple to install, low maintenance and cost effective to run.
How Does Underfloor Heating Work?
Thermo-Floor underfloor water heating systems work by passing warm water through pipes laid within the floor structure. The heat from the pipe is transferred to the floor surface, this results in the whole floor surface being kept at the same warm temperature.
Thermo-Floor underfloor water heating systems can be powered by any heat source; for example boilers, ground and air source heat pumps, wood chip burners, bio mass boilers.
Why Choose Underfloor Heating?
It is more cost effective - Thermo-Floor underfloor water heating systems could save you between 15 - 30% on your heating bills as it reduces energy consumption.
It is natural heat - Thermo-Floor underfloor heating systems heat the room by radiant heat therefore is more comfortable.
It is healthier - Radiant heat reduces the risk of allergies and the spread of germs and it prevents dust and air circulation and virtually eliminates dust mites in carpets.
It looks great - An underfloor water heating system is out of sight so there is no need to accommodate radiators, therefore offering more wall space.
It is silent - An underfloor heating system does not use copper pipes so there are no moans and groans.
It is flexible - With a Thermo-Floor underfloor water heating system different rooms can be set to different temperatures at the same time using the same manifold.
Underfloor Heating Design & Products
DESIGN
Thermo-Floor underfloor heating systems offer a bespoke design service using full colour AutoCAD for each project at no extra cost and can cover everything from preliminary discussions, through to computer generated heat loss calculations to final installation by our own trained staff. A zone drawing indicating the manifold positions, floor sections and pipe layout is provided with an estimate of the total cost of the project.
MANIFOLDS
Manifolds are underfloor heating distribution units at the centre of the underfloor heating system. All the pipes are connected to the manifold and the water flow and return is taken from the manifold back to the heat source of the building. Below you will find a list of our manifolds with a specification for each.
SPECIFICATIONS
Self regulating manifolds (heating only):
The manifold is used with a water supply temperature of 50°C or greater. It is factory pre-assembled, pressure tested to 700kPa and epoxy coated. The pre-assembled manifold comes complete with: welded support brackets, rubber shock absorbers, circulation pump, temperature gauge on return header, pressure/temperature gauge on flow header, thermostatic valve complete with temperature probe into flow header and high limit thermostat linked to the primary valve. Each manifold floor loop contains isolation valves for manual or electric actuation on the return header and isolation ball valves on the flow header.
Low temperature manifolds (heating only):
The manifold is used with a water supply temperature of 50°C or greater. The low temperature manifold is factory pre-assembled, pressure tested to 700kPa and epoxy coated. The manifold ranges in size from 2-20 loops. The manifold is pre-assembled and comes complete with: welded support brackets, shock absorbers, temperature gauge on return header, pressure/temperature gauge on flow header. Each manifold loop contains isolation valves for manual or electric actuation on the return header and isolation ball valves on the flow header.
Self regulating manifold (heating or cooling):
The manifold is used with a water supply temperature of 50°C or greater for heating and pre regulated 18°C for cooling. The manifold is factory pre-assembled, pressure tested to 700kPa and epoxy coated. The cooling circuit must have a pre-regulated flow to the manifold. The manifold ranges in size from 2-20 loops. The pre-assembled manifold comes complete with: welded support brackets, rubber shock absorbers, circulation pump, temperature gauge on return header pressure/temperature gauge on flow header, thermostatic valve complete with temperature probe into flow header, high limit thermostat linked to the primary valve and condensation sensor (which will close the primary cooling circuit should condensation become detected). Each manifold floor loop contains isolation valves for manual electric actuation on the return header and isolation ball valves on the flow header.
Low temperature manifold (heating and cooling):
The manifold is used with a pre regulated water supply for both heating and cooling. This low temperature manifold is factory pre-assembled, pressure tested to 700kPa and epoxy coated. The manifold ranges in size between 2-20 loops. The pre-assembled manifold comes complete with: welded support brackets, rubber mounting kit, three ball valves on each flow connection, each loop fitted with two preset TS-valves for heating and cooling, one isolating ball valve with flow meter and connections for the heating tube, high limit thermostat, condensation sensor and 24V thermal actuators.
PIPE
Our Polyethylene Pipe is one of the most robust and sturdy available in the UK. However this does not compromise its flexibility, this is a result of over thirty years’ research, development and knowledge. The pipe has a thick wall diffusion barrier which eliminates corrosion as it is does not allow oxygen to pass from the air through the wall of the pipe. During production of the pipe an EVOH film (ethylene vinyl alcohol film) is applied to the exterior of the synthetic pipe. The film has a high diffusion resistance. This production method provides an optimal bond between the pipe and the EVOH layer ensuring that the tube and the EVOH layer do not separate. The pipe is “kink” resistant which makes it extremely suitable for all floor and wall heating or cooling.
PIPE SPECIFICATION
16 x 2.7mm and 20 x 3.4mm (KIWA BRL 5601) - This PE-40 tube is used with a maximum water temperature of 50°C and a pressure up to 6 bar. In heating installations with a working pressure up to 3 bar it is possible to increase temperatures up to 55°C.
16 x 2mm (KIWA BRL 5602) -This is a PE-RT (polyethylene raised temperature resistance) tube. The basic material is Dowlex 2344. It has been specially developed for use in heating systems where the water temperature is up to 95°C.
Thermolink radiator connection system 14 x 2mm and 16 x 2mm - The plastic tube in the Thermolink system has thick walls and is seamlessly extruded. This PE-RT tube can resist high thermal loads (110°C – 3bar). This tube has a corrugated sleeve and is available in two colours (to enable the installer to distinguish between supply and return tubes.
Thermo-Floor Alu-flex tube - is specially designed for underfloor heating systems and has excellent flexibility and reliability. It ensures a fast, economical and safe system. Alu-flex has a homogenous welded aluminum core with a 0.4mm wall thickness. This aluminum core is bonded using a special link layer that has a homogenous connection with the aluminum. The combination of aluminum and electrons cross polyethylene combined in one product gives Alu-flex the advantages of the plastic and metal pipes: pressure tight according to DIN 4726 4729 IKP-UNI, 100% oxygen close, an evenly soak low coefficient, flexibility, sound dampening, after bending the tube stays in a solid form, resistance against high pressure and temperature, fully resistance against corrosion even with chemical or electric influences, can be relocated easily with a metal detector, little pressure loss and much more.
FLOOR BUILD UPS
Below are examples of floor build ups that Thermo-Floor underfloor heating systems can accommodate.
Solid floor screeded:
Tacker Clips - The sub-floor is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed. The pipe work is laid out and securely fastened to the insulation by tacker clips which hold the pipe in the prescribed positions and prevent the pipe lifting or moving during the screeding process. The pipe is connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top.
Wire Grid/Mesh - Generally used when the thermal insulation is installed by others beneath the structural slab or when thermal insulation is not required, this installation method involves attaching pipe to steel mesh which is laid over the concrete slab. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed. Steel mesh of an appropriate grade is laid and fastened to the concrete slab using plastic hammer clips. The pipe work is fastened to the mesh using tie wires which hold the pipe in the prescribed position and prevent the pipe lifting or moving during the screeding process. The pipe is connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top. The wire grid or mesh system can also be used to cast the pipes directly in the structural slab.
Clip Rail - The sub-floor is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed. The clip rail panels are laid over insulation and secured with fixing staples. The pipe is inserted into the clip rail and connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top.
Castellated Panel - The sub-floor is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed. The castellated panels are laid over the thermal insulation and the pipe is clipped into the panels and connected to the manifold. Relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top.
Structural concrete floors:
Wire Mesh - The hardcore and sand base is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses. A DPM is laid over the insulation. Steel mesh of an appropriate grade is laid and fastened to the insulation using plastic clips. The pipe work is fastened to the mesh using tie wires which hold the pipe in the prescribed position and prevent the pipe lifting or moving during the concrete pouring process. The pipe is connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and concrete is laid over the top.
NB: Heated screed or concrete floors will expand and contract slightly during use, the edge insulation is normally sufficient to take up this movement. In some instances and dependent on the desired floor finish (marble, stone, tile) screed expansion joints will be required.
Expansion Joint - Heated screed or concrete floors will expand and contract slightly during use and with a floor finish of tile, marble or stone screed expansion joints will be required. Thermo-Floor polyethylene pipe is made to withstand this movement however pipes that pass through the movement joint are covered with conduit sleeves as a safety precaution.
Movement Joint -If there is the requirement the underfloor heating pipework must runacross movement joints in a structural floor slab, a conduit sleeve is fitted to the pipe to allow sufficient movement.
Batten/sprung floors:
Batten floor on Heated Screed - Battened floors can easily be installed over floors which have a heating system already embedded in the floor screed itself. This screed provides a level floor so the batten floor can be easily installed in the top of the heated screed without any further building work being required.
Over Concrete or Timber Deck - Battens of an appropriate size are fixed to a concrete or timber decking. If required, insulation can be laid between the floor battens. The pipe is either fixed directly to the concrete or timber deck using appropriate fixing materials or to the insulation using Tackerclips. The pipe is connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and the floor covering is laid over the top. The pipes should be encased in an 8:1 blend of sand and cement which should be laid level with the tops of the battens.
Batten Diffuser Plate - These are suitable for sports halls or similar projects where adjustable height floor battens are used which provides a variable floor void. Insulation is installed between battens and the diffuser plates are laid over the top. The pipe is fixed into the inset pipe grooves and connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and the appropriate flooring is laid over the top.
Floating floors:
Thermo-Floating Floor - Where there is a requirement of a dry floor finish instead of a screed topping a floating floor system may be used. The floor must be flat and level, pre grooved polystyrene floor insulation panels, fitted with pre grooved aluminum diffuser plates are laid. The pipe is slotted into these grooved and retained by the plate and connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system configuration and the dry flooring is laid (chipboard, plywood or dry screed).
Suspended floors:
Standard Joists - 25mm x 25mm battens should be fixed along the length of the joists with 9mm plywood laid over the battens so the surface of the plywood is 70mm below the surface of the joists. 40mm insulation is laid over the plywood between joists and pipe is fitted to the insulation. Where necessary, the joists are notched to allow the pipe to pass from one bay to another. The pipe is connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and the floor covering is laid over the top. The pipes should be encased in an 8:1 blend of sand and cement which should be made level with the tops of the joists.
Engineered Joists - Engineered joists may not be notched to allow the pipe to pass from one bay to another so a different method must be used. A wooden decking consisting of 18mm plywood or 22mm chipboard must be laid over the joists. Once the decking is in position, the underfloor heating system can be installed using any of the within screed, floating floors, or battened floor systems described above.
Electric Underfloor Heating
Thermo-Floor can also supply Electric Underfloor Heating systems, this is ideal for projects where you want to install a new tiled floor on top of an existing floor. These special, extremely thin electrical heating mats are quick and easy to install and are ideal for smaller rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Our Guarantee
Relax with a fifty year warranty and watertight guarantee...
Read more >
