UFH design received - any tips on how to mark out the floor / install

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

Given the challenge of getting a UFH design done, now that we’ve (eventually) selected our UFH supplier, I thought I’d share the layout design they have provided. I had requested a spiral pattern and first time they sent over a serpentine design. I’m pleased I checked it as soon as it arrived as they they re-ran it and sent the spiral pattern, but I do like having both as a comparison.

 

We will be installing the pipework and now that we have a design to look at I’m interested in hearing advice on how best to tackle (practically) the layout. I’m purchasing a UFH staple gun and decoiler for the pipe.

 

I’ve got a couple of weeks before we start this. My initial thoughts are to mark out 150mm spacing across each room in both directions (partly to double-check the design), and lay the longest loops first.

 

Spiral configuration that we’re installing:

Close-up of the longest runs:

 

 

[Barnboy]

I marked my perimeter at the required spacings, then ran a chalk line from mark to mark to create a web pattern.

Next I took a permanent marker and followed the web around each room marking the turns of each loop. Once I was happy I had the correct layout according to the designs I took some line marker paint and drew each loop out over the challk line, turning ay each marker pen mark.

Once everything was drawn out and I was happy, as I was fixing onto concrete I marked and fixed down the pipe clips and started laying the pipe out from the manifold starting with the furthest loop from the manifold 1st and working loop by loop back toward the manifold in each direction until all loops were fixed down.

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

@Barnboy that is exceptionally helpful, especially with the photos added - very much appreciated. Chalk line ordered!

[JohnMo]

Couple of comments - because I can't help myself.

 

1. You have all loops transiting via what I assume is a hallway, then an additional 3 loops dedicated to the hallway. Deleted the dedicated loops and spread the pipes transiting through halls to provide hall heating.

2. Low temp heating will perform just as well with either spiral or serpentine.

3. Design is done on the premise of zoned heating, using a thermostat to control each area. Bit like adding the largest radiator you can fit on a wall in each room. As it is the floor array isn't designed for room heat loss, so balancing the heating will be battle.

3. Your pantry wants to be cold, I would keep all pipes well away from there by at least 300mm.

4. Assume your manifold is in or close to the utility, with all the loops transiting through that area, it will always be hot in heating season, you do not need a dedicated loop there. You will also need to think about adding insulation to pipes to prevent overheating. So 9mm insulation for the first 2m of each loop or run in 20mm conduit to thermally disconnect from screed for the first couple of meters.

5. Drawing by something selling products, not heating design. It isn't a heating design.

[torre]

Alternative to the chalk line is a membrane with a printed grid

[SimonD]

19 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

It isn't a heating design.

 

This.

 

1 hour ago, Great_scot_selfbuild said:

My initial thoughts are to mark out 150mm

 

There is a pattern here on buildhub that we see a constant stream of UFH systems all with 150mm space regardless of the house. So:

 

- do you not have a heating engineer working with you to design the ufh as part of the whole heating system?

- what has the supplier provided you in terms of design specification relating to floor output compared to heat load?

- and have they also specified lots of room stats

 

1 hour ago, Great_scot_selfbuild said:

Chalk line ordered!

 

Get an inkline instead - clearer marking on all types of substrates plus you get water resistant ink too. That way you can use it to do your full markup. https://tftools.com/blogs/product-advise/inklines-versus-chalklines?_pos=2&_psq=inkli&_ss=e&_v=1.0