How To Install Underfloor Heating On Concrete Floor?

Getting out of bed on a chilly winter morning and feeling a warm, cosy floor beneath your feet. That’s the wonder of underfloor heating systems, a comfy and practical way to warm up your home from the bottom up. How to install underfloor heating on concrete floor systems has become more accessible and affordable for homeowners looking to add both comfort and value to their homes. 

Underfloor heating systems work well with various flooring types, like wood, laminate, stone, and even carpet. If you’re thinking about adding it to an existing concrete floor, that’s doable, too. Besides, underfloor heating on concrete floors is effective because concrete floors are good at holding heat, making them a great match for this particular project.

While concrete is sturdy, you should be cautious to avoid messing it up by installing the underfloor heating system incorrectly. Also, make sure you insulate properly before placing the underfloor heating, or it won’t work as it should. With the right tools, the installation process is quite simple, and you can finish it in no time.

Read more: How To Insulate Concrete Floor?

Preparation for Underfloor Heating Installation on a Concrete Floor

With good preparation, your underfloor heating project will go much more smoothly, and you’ll be enjoying your warm floors before you know it! 

First, take some time to research different heating systems. This will help you plan better, estimate how long the project will take, and budget accordingly. While this is definitely a DIY-friendly project if you have basic electrical and plumbing knowledge, don’t hesitate to call in a professional if you’re not confident.

Start with these preparation steps:

• Make sure your home is properly insulated – check your windows, walls, and attic
• Remember that poor insulation will let heat escape through walls, window gaps, and your roof, wasting energy and money
• Inspect your concrete floor – it should be solid, level, free of cracks, and preferably smooth
• If your floor is damaged, repair or replace it before proceeding
• Clean the floor thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt, or grease
• Gather all your materials and equipment before you begin

Having doubts or questions? That’s completely normal! A quick consultation with our underfloor heating specialist at Pro-Mix Concrete can save you time and prevent costly mistakes down the road.

Read more: Install Damp Proof Membrane On Concrete Floor

Steps to Install Underfloor Heating On Concrete Floor

Learning how to install underfloor heating on concrete floors properly will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure the optimal performance of your heating system.

Prepare the Floor

When setting up underfloor heating, you have two options:

• Water underfloor heating
• Electric underfloor heating

Yes, the latter is the simpler and faster choice!

Start by removing the skirting boards and room doors, which will need modification to accommodate the higher floor level. Before laying any pipework, you must place insulation boards over the concrete floor.

Read more: Lay Vinyl Flooring On Concrete

Cut the Boards

Ensure that insulation boards are laid flush against the internal walls for both underfloor heating systems. These boards are typically made from polystyrene or polyurethane and can be easily trimmed with a sharp knife. Now, you can tape any gaps between the boards with insulating board tape.

Without insulation boards, most of the heat will be absorbed by the concrete floor beneath, with very little warmth reaching the surface.

Place the Heating Pipes

Next, proceed to position the heating pipes, securing them on top of the insulation boards. These coils should be placed near one another to guarantee an even distribution of heat.

To prevent chilly areas, maintain their proximity. To prevent chilly areas, maintain their proximity. The underfloor heating layers include insulation boards, heating pipes, and screed, working together to provide efficient heat distribution throughout your space.

Read more: How To Clean Concrete

Apply the Floating Screed

If everything checks out, the next step is to cover the pipework with a layer of screed. This mixture, known as a floating screed, is a blend of sharp sand and cement mixed in a 1-to-4 ratio. It serves a dual purpose as:

• An insulator
• A foundation for the final floor covering

It’s advisable to plan this phase so that you have enough time to apply the concrete screed to the entire pipework installation in one go rather than working on small sections at a time.

• For underfloor heating where the concrete floor serves as the sub-base, the floating screed should be around 65 mm to 75 mm thick. As you lay the concrete mixture, maintain a 6-bar pressure in the pipework.
• Further, mix the dry screed with water and a plasticiser to make it more manageable. Be careful not to step on the pipework during this stage.
• Use a finishing trowel to work the screed between the pipes, ensuring each pipe section is uniformly covered to the same depth.
• It is time to employ a wooden batten or another straight edge to level everything before compacting and smoothing it with the trowel. The goal is to achieve a smooth and even surface. If you encounter difficulty getting the level, add a thin layer of levelling compound.
• Following this, you’ll need to allow the screed to set. Typically, it takes up to 48 hours to cure, but it can take as long as 100 days to fully dry and be ready for the final surface covering.
• If needed, you can use an accelerator to expedite the drying process. But confirm with the supplier that it’s suitable for the job at hand.

Read more: How To Seal Concrete Floor?

Install Foor Coverings

Once the surface of the floor screed has fully cured, you can install your preferred final floor covering.

• Ceramic and stone tiles are recommended due to their high thermal conductivity. It is needed for underfloor heating systems.
• Polished screed and resin are also favoured for the same reason.
• Linoleum, vinyl, solid, and engineered wood have a high heat transfer capability, while carpets and rugs are considered to have moderate heat conductivity.

The underfloor heating timber floor detail requires special consideration, as the heat must transfer effectively through the wood while allowing for natural expansion and contraction.

Read more: Use Ready Mix Concrete For Any Construction Project