Underfloor Heating

Underfloor Heating Cardiff

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Underfloor heating enquiry page

Under Floor Heating

At J&Z Bathroom Fitters Cardiff our specialist team are experts in fitting underfloor heating.

They have the technical know how to ensure that your have an efficient underfloor heating system and can advise on the best layout based on your room and budget.

We have all the skills to complete an underfloor heating project from start to finish so you don't need to worry about getting in multiple trades to do one aspect of work to then hand over to another. The biggest issue with such an approach is then establishing who can provide a viable guarantee for the work, should something go wrong. Unfortunately, it is well know in the building industry that one trade will point the finger at the preceding trade if something is not to their satisfaction and re-works or squabbles over who did what often end up causing a delay in completing the project or worse, issues with quality.

Our team ensures the floor is level and in a suitable state for laying underfloor heating pipes or cables and importantly know what bases, insulation, screeds and top floor surfaces will enable you to get the best possible heat transfer whilst still achieving the visual impact that you were after.

Underfloor Heating Installers near me

If you are looking for underfloor heating installers near me and live around Cardiff, contact us today to arrange a quote

Underfloor Heating Installation Cardiff

Regardless of which type of underfloor heating you choose, electric or water, both provide the same main benefit - namely removing the need for radiators. This can be very useful in smaller rooms which is why electric underfloor heating is particularly popular in wetrooms and bathrooms - where space is limited and most of the time you will be walking around in bare feet.

Out of the two underfloor heating options electric is the more popular of the two with well over 60% of new installations being electric in the UK. There are a few reasons why electric is more common that wet systems -  one of the main aspects being costs. Clearly if installing a wet system takes you over your budget but an electric one does not that makes things fairly clear cut and explains why the balance is almost two to one in favour of electric underfloor heating.

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Underfloor Heating Installers Cardiff

The installation of electric underfloor heating is generally easier than water and as a result makes it cheaper to install it. In terms or time and hassle - if you are planning to change your floor, either changing floor tiles, laminate or even vinyl in just one room combining that change with the install of underfloor heating means that it just adds a little more to what you had been planning to spend.

Since the heating from an electric system works by the heating up of a think cable which is run around the floor it is fitted within the screeding which may well be planned to level your floor to make it ready for tiling, laminates or luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). Most electric underfloor heating systems are only a few mm thick even if they are preset in electric mats. This means that the net result is a minimal, of not negligible, difference in floor height if you are going from one room which has traditional heating to the one where you are having underfloor heating installed. It's not great to be tripped up, especially in bare feet if there is a small lip to step over to get into your underfloor heated room.


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Wet Underfloor Heating Cardiff

Wet underfloor heating can also be referred to a water or a hydronic heating system but all essentially mean the same thing.  For wet underfloor heating small pipes, which have heated water running through them in exactly the same fashion as radiators, are set and run along the floor to then heat up the flooring surface. One of the main reasons wet underfloor heating is less common than electric is that these pipes are much thicker than electric cables and as a result will make a much bigger impact on floor height, especially with the inclusion of insulating boards to maximise the effectiveness of the heating pipes.

To retrofit a hydronic system will therefore require extensive work to be done on the existing floor to minimise the height differential from one room to another. That's why a water underfloor heating system will more commonly be found installed as new in a new build property or across a whole floor of a house, where the floor level will be even across that floor from room to room.

Electric Underfloor Heating Cardiff

When laying electric underfloor heating, if you have a uniform rectangular shaped bathroom we can use electric underfloor heating mat. The electric heating cable is pre-installed into a mesh mat which can be rolled out. Several of these can be used and connected together which makes for a fairly speedy fit for this part of the installation process.

When you have a more irregular floor space or you have some permanently fixed items in the room then utilising a loose cable will be the best option, especially as this can be laid around those awkward fixtures. As both mat and loose electric underfloor heating come in different power options we will be able to advise on which power option will be most suitable and cost effective for your particular room. We will ensure that the space between cables and the power of the cables will provide the right amount of heat taking into account the floor substrate and final floor covering.

Installing underfloor heating will often involve several layers of different materials being stalled to provide the perfect finish and minimise any heat loss away from the surface of your floor. The use of adhesives, then an insulation board followed by the heat mat or loose cabling, followed by levelling compound, if required, then adhesive before the tiles are added on top. Whilst this outlines a scenario for tiles some aspects will be the same, or changed slightly based on the existing sub floor base and what your final floor surface will be.

Whilst there are some differing opinions on the comparative ongoing running costs of an electric underfloor heating systems like most power consuming devices as well as the actual efficiency of a device, user behaviour also plays a big part in the total amount of energy, which an appliance or system will use.

Whilst underfloor heating will take longer to heat up a room than central heating due to the lower operating temperatures this can simply be overcome but setting your heating timers appropriately.

As certain floor surfaces such as tiles and polished concrete retain heat very efficiently once they are heated they require less ongoing heat to maintain a steady temperature output. Since electric heating is often retrofitted into a room rather than a whole house the proper use of the thermostat and timer should enable you to enjoy the benefits of underfloor heating with minimal effort. So in addition to kitchens and bathrooms living rooms and hallways are also popular choices for underfloor heating as this allows full use of the floor and wall space available.

If your house is already fitted with renewable energy generation such as solar panels then installing electric underfloor heating over a much wider area will be a very cost effective feasible option.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Underfloor Heating in Cardiff

  • Which underfloor heating is best?

    The reason two main types of underfloor heating exist is that one may be better for you and your particular circumstances making it the best choice for you. 

    Firstly let's explain the difference between electric and water or wet underfloor heating. 

    Electric underfloor heating typically uses a 2mm diameter cable which generates heat through it i.e. it is the heating element, which subsequently heats the floor surface fitted above it - usually tiles. A water-based system uses heated water from your boiler to go through the piping running underneath your floor surface to heat up the floor. Both can be set up to be zone controlled if you are covering a large area or different rooms.

    As a simple rule of thumb for an area smaller than 15m2, an electric underfloor heating system will be cheaper ad quicker to install and the additional running costs of the system will not be 'too' noticeable as an additional cost to your monthly electricity bill. For larger areas, the running costs will start to be a significant additional cost - unless you are an electric-only household generating your own electricity. 

    If you currently have gas central heating the running cost per m2 for water-based underfloor heating will be much less noticeable to your monthly heating bill especially as you will have effectively simply replaced the radiator with an underfloor radiator. The fitting and integration to your boiler system is more involved for wet underfloor heating so it will b significantly more to install this system.

  • Why choose J&Z Bathroom Fitters to install our underfloor heating in Cardiff?

    We have a wealth of experience installing both wet and electric underfloor heating. Most bathroom-only underfloor heating will be electric, but if required, we can also fit wet underfloor heating too. A new underfloor heating installation will often require additional floor levelling and then tiling on top, and we can provide the complete service, so why choose anyone else?

  • Is underfloor heating more efficient than traditional radiators?

    Underfloor heating is generally considered to be more efficient than traditional radiators. This is because underfloor heating distributes heat more evenly across a room, providing consistent warmth from the floor up. Radiators, on the other hand, tend to create hot and cold spots within a room. Additionally, underfloor heating operates at lower temperatures, which allows for greater energy efficiency. This means that underfloor heating systems can heat a room more effectively while using less energy compared to traditional radiators. However, it's worth noting that the efficiency of underfloor heating can vary depending on factors such as insulation and the type of heating system used.

  • How does underfloor heating work?

    Underfloor heating works by distributing heat evenly across the floor surface, providing a comfortable and efficient way of heating a space either using an electric or water-based system. In an electric system, a network of electric wires or heating mats is installed beneath the floor. When the system is turned on, the electric current passes through the wires, generating heat that radiates upwards to warm the room. Water-based underfloor heating systems, on the other hand, use a network of pipes installed beneath the floor. Hot water from a central heating system or a dedicated boiler circulates through these pipes, transferring heat to the floor and then radiating it upwards. This form of heating provides a more even distribution of heat compared to traditional radiators and can be controlled in specific zones to accommodate individual temperature preferences.

  • Can underfloor heating be installed in all types of flooring?

    Underfloor heating can be installed in many types of flooring, but not all and not with the same efficiency and effectiveness.

     It is compatible with a range of flooring materials such as tile, stone, wood, laminate, and even carpet. However, there are certain limitations and considerations depending on the type of flooring. For example, hardwood flooring needs special care and attention during installation to prevent damage from the heat. Carpeted floors may require a lower temperature setting to ensure even heat distribution and will not be very effecient. 

  • Are there any maintenance requirements for underfloor heating systems?

    Yes, there are maintenance requirements for underfloor heating systems just the same as you would for your boiler to ensure optimum efficiency. Regular maintenance includes cleaning and checking the system for any leaks or blockages. It is important to ensure that the pipes and valves are in good condition and functioning properly for a wet system. This system should also be flushed regularly to remove any debris or sediment that may have accumulated. 

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