How to install your insulation boards
- You need to ensure the boards are fixed securely before fitting your underfloor heating and floor tiles.
- On a concrete floor, the boards should be adhered with the use of a rapid tile adhesive such as 20kg Ultra Rapid PB.
- For wooden floorboards, chipboard or plywood fix the boards with both rapid tile adhesive and galvanised screws at regular intervals.
Full Answer
How do you install insulation underfloor heating boards?
0:261:38A Step By Step Guide To Installing Insulation Boards for Underfloor ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a floor trowel kkoma thick bed of flexible tile adhesive onto the floor as you go lay the warmMoreUsing a floor trowel kkoma thick bed of flexible tile adhesive onto the floor as you go lay the warm up insulation boards down in place and press firmly stagger all the joints in a brick-like fashion.
Do you need insulation boards for underfloor heating?
Do I need Insulation Boards? Many people wonder if it is worth insulating under floorboards and the answer is that yes, it definitely is. Insulation boards are ideal for use with electric underfloor heating as they prevent the heat from the heating system escaping downwards to the subfloor.
How do you install insulation boards on a concrete floor?
Prime the concrete substrate using BAL Primer. The board should be fixed to the concrete base using a flexible tile adhesive using a 4mm trowel, stagger all the joints in a brick like fashion and ensure that there are no voids and the boards, taping the joints with Warmup glass fibre tape.
How do you fit insulation board?
1:583:44How to Cut and Fit Insulation Boards | TRC Top Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then it's case of tacking. In. Now you want to get a nice snug fit but you also don't want toMoreAnd then it's case of tacking. In. Now you want to get a nice snug fit but you also don't want to force apart the rafters. So by running the saw down the side you can just shave off a little bit at a.
What thickness insulation board should I use for underfloor heating?
How Much Insulation is Required? For underfloor heating, a u-value of between 0.13 and 0.25 is typically required to meet current building regs, dependent on the type of construction. To achieve 0.13 u-value performance with a typical rigid foam insulation, it would require approx. 125mm thickness or more.
Should the floor feel warm with underfloor heating?
As a general rule of thumb, your heated floor shouldn't feel hot - it should just not feel cold.
Do you need insulation boards for underfloor heating on concrete?
If the property has a solid concrete floor, it's possible to install retrofit underfloor heating directly over this base without laying insulation. This is because there is minimal downward heat loss when UFH is installed over a concrete subfloor.
Should the underside of the floor be insulated?
The truth is that our floors often don't need to be insulated because they are inside the building envelope. Floors that are exposed on the underside to outdoor temperatures do need insulation however, and unfortunately, the job is often done poorly.
Can you glue insulation board to concrete?
There are a few ways to install the boards, but adhesive that is made for polystyrene is quick and doesn't require furring strips on the wall the way nailed installation techniques do. The concrete should be dry and free from cracks before installing foam insulation boards.
Which side of insulation board faces out?
The reflective side of the board should be oriented to the exterior and the nonreflective white side should be oriented to the interior. EXCEPTION: If vinyl siding is to be installed over AP™ Foil-Faced sheathing, install foam boards with the white nonreflective side toward the vinyl siding.
How do you install internal insulation boards?
1:173:53Warmshell Interior Wall Insulation - Installation Instructions - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarting from the base of the walls fix the boards in a horizontal. Line around the room drillingMoreStarting from the base of the walls fix the boards in a horizontal. Line around the room drilling through each into the brick or timber. Behind.
How do you attach insulation boards to wood?
Coat the wood with foam insulation adhesive, then press the insulation lightly against the wood. Do not compress it, though. Wait until the adhesive begins to bond with the insulation before pressing it firmly. If the temperature is between 40 and 60 F, this takes 6 to 10 minutes.
Is underfloor insulation necessary?
Generally speaking, you only need to insulate the ground floor. If you're on an upper floor, you don't usually need to insulate your floor space. However, you should consider insulating any floors that are above unheated spaces such as garages, as you could be losing a lot of heat through those.
What type of insulation do I need for underfloor heating?
Board Insulation is by far the most common and popular insulation type, and it comes in a few different forms: EPS, or Expanded Polystyrene Insulation, is a cost-effective and popular underfloor heating insulation and is the material used within our 'Tacker' sheet for our AmbiTak system.
Do I need insulation under my floor?
Without insulation, heat and cool air are easily lost through the floor. Insulation also helps to preserve the air quality and reduce energy costs.
How much insulation do I need for underfloor heating floor?
We recommend you use a minimum layer of 50mm Polyurethane insulation. If there is not enough space for 50mm insulation, 30mm can be used. We recommend Polyurethane as it outperforms Polystyrene and its greater density allows use of clip fittings.
How to keep underfloor heating system from getting damaged?
This helps to keep the heat insulated, as well as improving the system’s performance. First, make sure that the insulation is flat and the pipes or mats are securely fastened. Next, lay sand and cement screed around 75mm thick on top of the pipes or mats. Allow the screed to dry naturally before the heating system is turned on, otherwise it may be damaged. This process should take no more than seven days.
What are the different types of underfloor heating?
When looking at installing underfloor heating, you will generally be presented with two options: wet (hydronic) and dry (electric). Both can be used with different types of flooring, but each comes with different advantages and disadvantages.
How to prevent screed from making its way underneath?
Place the insulation as neatly as possible and tape the joints to prevent screed from making its way underneath. If you are installing a wet system, the pipe fixing system should then be fitted on top of the insulation at a 90-degree angle relative to the direction in which the pipes will be laid.
How long does screed need to dry before heating?
Allow the screed to dry naturally before the heating system is turned on, otherwise it may be damaged. This process should take no more than seven days. 5. Warm the system up slowly. Test your underfloor heating system before use by turning it on at low temperatures.
Why use wet underfloor heating?
The main advantage of using a wet underfloor heating system is the cost of running compared to radiators, due to the lower temperature needed to work effectively. However, they are more difficult to install and therefore may come with higher initial costs.
How far apart should water pipes be in a wet system?
Plus, make sure that the pipes are spread evenly across the entire area that you wish to heat. Leave around 200mm spacing between each section of piping, which should run from the manifold to the furthest point in the room. A qualified plumber should complete the connection of the system to the water mains.
Is underfloor heating more popular in the UK?
Underfloor heating is becoming progressively more popular in the UK. Steady growth over the last few years has contributed to its increasing prominence in the heating market. As a cost-effective and economical solution to indoor heating needs, underfloor heating is being installed in more domestic properties than ever, ...
Why is insulation important for underfloor heating?
Insulation is a crucial consideration for UFH. Ideally there should be suitable insulation below the underfloor heating pipe to resist the heat going downwards. As you would expect, you need as much heat as possible to flow upwards and into the room.
Do you need a high temperature radiator for a new home?
Building regulations mean that new build homes – and even extensive refurbishments – are so well insulated there is no need for a high-temperature heating system, like radiators, to be fitted.
Is underfloor heating cost effective?
If you are embarking on a self-build project, it’s easy and cost-effective to include underfloor heating as part of the build process.
Is electric underfloor heating cheaper than water?
Although it’s cheaper to install, electric systems use more energy than warm water systems and ultimately have higher running costs. Just like water underfloor heating, ...
Can underfloor heating be installed over a suspended floor?
Underfloor heating can be installed in or over a suspended timber floor in a new build or renovation project providing that there is sufficient insulation to reduce downward heat loss. It’s particularly important to insulate in this scenario because of the free flow of air beneath the floor that would have a substantial impact on the efficiency of the underfloor heating.
What is under floor screed insulation?
This insulation, in a modern build, may come in the form of a Celotex sheets under your floor screed as you can see in the image (below) of a floor slab being constructed and a floor screed being placed on top of a floor insulation slab. In this instance, water pipes have already been laid for water underfloor heating.
How thick is insulation?
Most insulation materials of this type are foil backed to reflect the heat back into the room and is (in this instance) 70mm thick to offer the best possible insulation qualities for the room.
What is an Insulated Tile Backer Board?
Tile backer boards are usually a cement based board with at least one of the side having either score marks or mesh attached to give a great key for the adhesive. They are waterproof and, most of the time, rigid enough to withstand movement when walked on. This allows them to be used under floor tiling but please check with the manufacturer to see if any other forms of rigidity, such as a plywood sub base are required.
What type of heating system is used for wood laminate floors?
With wood and laminate flooring becoming evermore popular, electric under floor heating systems are the perfect solution for this floor type.
Why is it important to install insulation?
It is essential that the correct type and thickness of insulation is installed for your particular floor type to prevent heat from heating system traveling downwards in to the floor and being wasted.
What is the thickness of floor slab insulation?
The foundation walls are built up to damp proof course level and the damp proof membrane is laid inside them. The insulation, usually 50mm or 75mm thick is then laid on top of the damp proof membrane. The concrete is then poured onto the insulation.
Where is laminate flooring laid?
The Laminate flooring underlay is laid directly onto the concrete and the laminate or engineered flooring is laid on top of the underlay.
What to put on top of bare floorboards to keep warm?
A rug - it's not going to solve all your problems, but putting a rug on top of bare floorboards will help to block some draughts and keep your toes warm.
What else should you insulate in the home?
While floor insulation is a great way to save money, it is by no means the first form of insulation you should look at around your home.
How to fill gaps between floorboards?
Draught-proofing - simply use sealant or caulking to fill the gaps between your floorboards and between skirting boards and the floor. Add an insulating layer under your carpet or floor-covering - try a fibreboard underlay or polyfoam board. A rug - it's not going to solve all your problems, but putting a rug on top of bare floorboards will help ...
What insulation is used below concrete?
Modern houses tend to incorporate slabs of polystyrene insulation a few inches below the concrete floor surface, effectively reducing this type of heat loss.
What is the difference between solid wall insulation and cavity wall insulation?
Solid wall insulation, for homes built earlier, insulates around the outer wall itself.
What percentage of heat loss is through the ground floor?
Floor insulation. About 10% of heat loss from an average home is through the ground floor. If your floor isn't already insulated, this could be a good move to help you cut your energy bills.
Do floorboards need ventilation?
One thing to remember, however, is the need for ventilation. The void (or crawlspace) below the floorboards will have ventilation grills and these should not be blocked up, as floorboards may otherwise become damp and start to rot.
Why is insulation important for underfloor heating?
The insulation increases the efficiency of the underfloor or undertile heating system used . It will take less electricity to maintain your floor temperature setting. Less energy is also wasted through the concrete or floor void. If you are fitting undertile heating to an un-insulated floor then the use of insulation boards is especially important. ...
What is an insulation board?
Insulation boards can be called by different names depending upon the manufacturer, e.g. tile backer boards or marmox boards. Brands include Varme, Heatmat, Marmox and Wedi and boards come in a variety of thicknesses. However, not all boards are the same, so check the type you are going to use. Ensure your boards are coated, with some uncoated foam boards the tile adhesive may separate from the foam which could result in the floor lifting.
What is a Varme tile backer board?
Varme tile backer boards are made of waterproof extruded polystyrene and are available in 6mm, 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm and 60mm thickness. They have a fiberglass mesh embedded onto each face into a cement polymer coating which provide exceptional compressive strength and rigidity. It also means they are suitable for use in a wetroom installation.
What kind of adhesive do you use for underfloor heating?
On a concrete floor, the boards should be adhered with the use of a rapid tile adhesive such as 20kg Ultra Rapid PB. For wooden floorboards, chipboard or plywood fix the boards with both rapid tile adhesive and galvanised screws ...
Do I need insulation for underfloor heating?
Do I need to use insulation with Underfloor Heating? If you want to save on energy costs then the installation of insulation boards with electric underfloor heating systems is highly recommended. In all cases, warmup times are reduced which lead to lower running costs.
Is insulation good for fuel bills?
However, with constantly rising fuel bills you will soon start to reap the benefits. If you read the Sunday Telegraph column by Jeff Howell, you will know that installing insulation is extremely beneficial, as long as it is fitted correctly.
Can you use insulation boards on an underfloor heating system?
Using insulation boards with an electric underfloor system is not a cheap option . You may need to budget about 50% of the cost of the cable mat heating system. However, with constantly rising fuel bills you will soon start ...
What is an insulation board?
Insulation boards are ideal for use with electric underfloor heating as they prevent the heat from the heating system escaping downwards to the subfloor. The Warmup Ultralight™ Insulation Boards do not let the heat pass through from the heater to the subfloor.
What is ultralight board?
Ultralight™ is a specialized composite board for floor heating applications. The boards multi-layer design with aluminum, non-woven fleece, and PEF insulation works to achieve 3-in-1 benefits: insulating, heat spreading, and decoupling.
Do I need Insulation Boards?
Many people wonder if it is worth insulating under their floors and the answer is that yes, it definitely is. Insulation boards are ideal for use with electric underfloor heating as they prevent the heat from the heating system escaping downwards to the subfloor. The Warmup Ultralight™ Insulation Boards do not let the heat pass through from the heater to the subfloor. Therefore the heat gets pushed upwards, onto the floor surface where you want the heat to go. It is recommended to always carry out a heat loss calculation if you are considering buying an electric underfloor heating system to understand how well your house is currently insulated and how big the heat loss is in your home.
