Slate/Ceramic Floor & underfloor heating
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:30 pm
Quick points:
Electric UFH
Pros: relatively cheap, easy to install
Cons: v expensive to run, longevity issues (if a cable 'breaks' you've got no heat! It does happen)
Hot water UFH
Pros: better heat outputs, more robust than electric type, cheap to run
Cons: install cost (pipe, insulation, screeding, blending valve etc etc), more involved fitting
As far as heating the floor- it's got to be done. Ground floor tiled areas are very cold in winter. We have Hot water type in the kitchen and it is great (have radiators as backup). Having tried it during the winter without the UFH- it is extremely cold. However, non-ground floor bathrooms have no UFH and are still bearable in the winter (heat coming up through the ceilings of rooms below).
If working to a budget - go for the eletric type. If wanting to extend UFH in future- go for the hot water type. (But bear in mind you would have to dig the floor (if concrete) to lay pipe/ screed etc).
Your idea of a radiator is prudent. You can utilise standard lockshield valves (non Thermostatic), and with careful adjustment still have a comfortable temperature. Your heating will not be on all the time anyway as it is probably controlled by a remote thermostat (probably in the hallway)- therefore no chance of it turning into a sauna!
If you did want a thermostat- no reason why you couldnt have it away from the towel rail (straight through pipes into the rail, with the thermostat/ ls mounted along the pipes in a more discreet location!)
HTHs and let us know the decision!
Electric UFH
Pros: relatively cheap, easy to install
Cons: v expensive to run, longevity issues (if a cable 'breaks' you've got no heat! It does happen)
Hot water UFH
Pros: better heat outputs, more robust than electric type, cheap to run
Cons: install cost (pipe, insulation, screeding, blending valve etc etc), more involved fitting
As far as heating the floor- it's got to be done. Ground floor tiled areas are very cold in winter. We have Hot water type in the kitchen and it is great (have radiators as backup). Having tried it during the winter without the UFH- it is extremely cold. However, non-ground floor bathrooms have no UFH and are still bearable in the winter (heat coming up through the ceilings of rooms below).
If working to a budget - go for the eletric type. If wanting to extend UFH in future- go for the hot water type. (But bear in mind you would have to dig the floor (if concrete) to lay pipe/ screed etc).
Your idea of a radiator is prudent. You can utilise standard lockshield valves (non Thermostatic), and with careful adjustment still have a comfortable temperature. Your heating will not be on all the time anyway as it is probably controlled by a remote thermostat (probably in the hallway)- therefore no chance of it turning into a sauna!
If you did want a thermostat- no reason why you couldnt have it away from the towel rail (straight through pipes into the rail, with the thermostat/ ls mounted along the pipes in a more discreet location!)
HTHs and let us know the decision!
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