Underfloor Heating - embedding UFH in existing concrete or low profile alternatives

[Annas]

Doing a refurb of ground floor of 35yr old build. Knocking down walls opening up some of the back and extending kitchen area in the process. We would like UFH throughout already have some in upstairs bathroom works really well but will need to use different method on ground floor due to not wishing to raise the floor too much.

[JohnMo]

Assume you have zero floor insulation?

 

If so don't do it, you will spend more money heating other things and not the house.

[SteamyTea]

Welcome Annas

 

As a general rule, existing floors do not have enough insulation to take full advantage of UFH, it is the insulation that needs the depth.

 

Have a look around in the specific section on here, there is a lot of information.  Using a Google site search is better that the forum's search.

[Andehh]

As has been said, but worth repeating, insulating insulation insulation! How much depth have you got?

 

If you can fit a 'good' amount of insulation, ie something at 100mm of PIR (or more to make it 'great, but I'm being realistic here based in it being a 35 year old house....) then have a 50 or 60mm screed with pipes in then that's the most efficient way of doing it.

 

If you can't afford 150mm depth for the above, then I'd go with 80mm pir and then an overlay system on top with a self leveller as a compromised solution, but which would work. Quicker warm up and cool down times, and less efficient... But still workable.

[Iceverge]

I stayed over at a mates house recently that was about the same vintage as yours. 

 

I could not believe just how cold the tiled floors were. They were very  uncomfortable under socked feet. Hurt your bones cold. Pain through your knees cold.  I totally get your desire for UFH. 

 

Meanwhile his living room which was wood/laminate was quite ok to walk on despite being, on paper, of a very similar U value. 

 

As said above, the heating losses will be very large unless you dig out the floor and install a chunk of insulation so in order to increase comfort at a fraction of the cost I would consider installing "warm" floor coverings instead.

 

Laminate, LVT, vinyl, carpet, cork, wood are all good options IMO. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Temp]

There are several low profile solutions for UFH but unless you have at least 80mm of insulation below the concrete I would avoid them. We have 80mm and wish I had fitted more.

 

If you really want UFH think about taking up the floor.