As underfloor heating technology has advanced, installing heating beneath tiles has become much simpler and faster. In addition to eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming professional installation, this development has made these systems considerably more accessible financially. It’s an investment that will increase your home’s worth and improve your quality of life. Underfloor heating systems are now standard in many new constructions, and enhanced energy ratings are available for properties that use them.
The first stage in installing an under-tile heating system is to lay a layer of insulating boards, preventing the heat from radiating through the boards and into the subfloor. The subfloor on the insulation boards that will be installed must be primed and properly fastened before installation can begin. The panels must be firmly attached to the subfloor, either with screws (if the subfloor is wood) or a rapid-set glue (if the subfloor is concrete or another hard material). It’s important to remember to leave around 50 mm of space between the boards and the skirting to allow for expansion when the temperature changes. Insulation boards may be measured, marked, and cut with a Stanley knife, making them a suitable material for finishing off the edges of walls and corners. Seal the joints between the boards with scrim tape, a high-quality self-adhesive fiberglass mesh tape resistant to tearing, warping, and stretching once the panels have been adequately secured to the subfloor. Before moving on to the following step, use a spirit level to ensure the floor is level.
Use a ‘loose wire’ under tile heating system, which can be more adaptable when trying to get complete coverage of the space if your room has an unusual shape. A manual with your system should tell you how much room you need to provide between each wire. Using this diagram as a guide, carefully lay your wires on the insulating board and tape them down at both ends. When your wire reaches the end of the insulating board, make a soft half-circle to continue oppositely. After laying down the wire, cover it all with tape to prevent nicks from occurring when you place the flooring on top. As a bonus, this will keep the cable in place, eliminating the risk that it will shift and cause your floor tiles to become dislodged. Before proceeding, a piece of the insulating board must be removed so the wire’s end can rest flush with the board’s top and be taped.
Putting in the probe to measure the floor temperature and talk to your thermostat is the next stage in installing under-tile heating. If you want an accurate floor temperature reading, don’t put it near or across any other heating sources like hot water pipes, radiators, or heating wires. To avoid the probe being higher than the heating wires, make a mark around the area where it will be placed (this should also be near the power supply).
After you’ve finished these, it’s best to hire a professional electrician to connect your under-tile heating system to your home’s electrical grid and give their stamp of approval.
Topps Tile has everything you need to install under-tile heating, including professional installation guidance.
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