The Importance of Insulation and Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating can be installed in different ways. We can distinguish between wet construction and dry construction. A wet construction system means that we process the heating pipes in the cement of the floor. We do not necessarily have to install insulation for the underfloor heating. With a dry construction system, we will not place the heating pipes in, but on the floor. As a result, it is of great importance that the plumber also applies good underfloor heating insulation. Due to the way the plumber places the heater, it must first apply a layer of insulation material to the floor. On top of this, galvanized shrinkage nets are installed in which the heating pipes are incorporated. Then the plumber can place the floor covering over it.
IS FLOOR INSULATION NECESSARY FOR UNDERFLOOR HEATING?
If your home is heated by underfloor heating, you often do not think of floor insulation. After all, the heat comes from the floor, so people often think that insulation is unnecessary. However, this is a misconception. Insulation is indeed necessary with underfloor heating. The main reason for this is that the heat is quickly lost when there is no insulation. By applying insulation in combination with underfloor heating, the floor stays warm longer. The insulation material retains the heat so that the underfloor heating installation does not have to work as hard. With insulation and underfloor heating, the energy bill only decreases further.
WHAT TYPES OF UNDERFLOOR HEATING ARE THERE?
Anyone who thinks that there is only one variant of underfloor heating is wrong. Nowadays we know different types of underfloor heating. We list the best-known species here.
WET CONSTRUCTION
This is the variant of underfloor heating in which the plumber pours a layer of cement over the pipes. Often in this case there is hot water floor heating. Wet construction is the most sustainable and economical underfloor heating. There is one disadvantage: due to the cement, it takes a relatively long time before the floor is warm. With the help of insulation, you can prevent this.
DRY CONSTRUCTION
The opposite of wet construction is dry construction. With this variant of underfloor heating, the plumber lays the floor directly on top of the pipes. This will therefore not first apply a layer of cement. The big advantage is that the floor heats up faster. In addition, the floor does not lie unnecessarily high, which is often the case with wet construction.
HOT WATER FLOOR HEATING
If you are looking for an economical system for underfloor heating, choose hot water floor heating. In this installation, a central heating boiler or heat pump ensures the supply of hot water to the piping system under the floor. This underfloor heating can be applied by the plumber both wet and dry.
ELECTRIC UNDERFLOOR HEATING
In addition to the hot water floor heating, electric underfloor heating is possible. Heating elements inon the floor are used for this. The disadvantage of this form of underfloor heating is that it is not exactly energy efficient. That is why people often only use electric underfloor heating for small spaces, such as the toilet.
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TYPES OF INSULATION UNDER THE UNDERFLOOR HEATING
We already mentioned that it is wise to combine underfloor heating with insulation. In addition to different heating options, there are also different types of insulation. Below is an overview of the insulation options for underfloor heating.
INSULATION BOARDS
The first option for insulation with underfloor heating is insulation boards. This will apply to a plumber at all times under the piping of the heating system. The advantage of sheet metal is that you save energy and that the floor heats up quickly.
FOIL
In addition to insulation boards, you can also use foil as insulation material for underfloor heating. We will use a special kind of foil that reflects the heat. The big advantage of this is that the heat rises faster so that a room is warm earlier. In addition, the foil is thin, so that a floor does not lie unnecessarily high.
TACKER PLATES
For the insulation of underfloor heating, we can also use tacker plates. These are plates that consist of a thin layer with EPS. As a result, the insulation material retains the heat well. An additional advantage is that the pipes of underfloor heating are easy to apply to tacker plates. This can be done with the help of special U-clips.
STUD PLATES
Finally, stud plates can be used as insulation for underfloor heating. Because of the studs on these plates, the piping can easily be placed between them. The pipes do not need to be fixed, because the studs keep them in place. The biggest advantage of this insulation is that much less heat disappears through the soil. This is different from the other insulation options for underfloor heating.
REFLECTIVE FILM AND THERMAL RESISTANCE
Underfloor heating can heat a home more efficiently. As a result, you use less energy and this is better for the environment. How the heating is installed on the floor also contributes to the degree of efficiency with which the house can be heated. If a dry construction system is used, an insulation material must be installed between the heating pipes and the floor. This insulation is also a reflection film that ensures that all generated heat is radiated upwards. In addition, it is also important that the right floor covering is chosen for an optimal result. Have the floor covering with a lo thermal resistance so that the heat output of the heating is not limited by the material.
ADVANTAGES OF INSULATION UNDERFLOOR HEATING
We already mentioned it in the part above, but the biggest advantage of insulation with underfloor heating is that less heat is lost. Most insulation materials can retain heat released from the pipes. Other materials, on the other hand, ensure that less heat disappears through the soil. With the help of insulation, you ensure that the heat that the piping radiates is optimally used. Because less heat is lost, a central heating boiler or heat pump also has to work less. So less energy is consumed, which ultimately results in a lower energy bill.