Underfloor Heating Matting Systems: How to Prepare for Installation

Underfloor heating is a lovely luxury that almost everyone can have in their home and can be a great way to gain more usable space in your living areas or even help soothe medical conditions, such as arthritis. Most commonly, underfloor heating systems are fitted in the bathroom and kitchen, however as long as you plan to fit flooring that works with the system, then you can enjoy the benefits anywhere in your home. Thick carpet is not recommended for underfloor heating systems as the heat will not be able to penetrate the material. Nonetheless, most tiling and wooden flooring is completely fine for heating systems but if you are unsure, it’s best to ask your supplier. Preparing for your underfloor heating matting system is a breeze, so don’t be afraid to have a go yourself, with these simple instructions.

Although underfloor heating should be joined up and tested by an electrician, you might be surprised to hear that most of the work can be done yourself. There are a lot of things to consider when setting up your system such as rooms size, flooring type and laying the underfloor heating matting system. Therefore, it’s important to prepare your floor properly before you start putting anything in! 

The first step to take when preparing your floor is to measure the area where the matting system will be placed, making sure that any permanent items such as the cooker and cupboards are left out. This needs to be done because the underfloor heating matting system will not be placed here, although if you are planning to use floor tiles, it makes sense to insulate underneath these appliances to achieve an even finish.

The floor should be free from damp and dust and it is advisable to seal your flooring with a primer for maximum effectiveness when applying adhesive to the floor. The floor must be skimmed with adhesive and insulation boards should be fitted as you work along the floor. Insulation boards can be easily cut with a Stanley knife and if any other flooring apart from tiling is used, appliances should be avoided. It’s important to remember that if you are using wooden flooring in your room, insulation boards must be screwed into the floor.

Finally, the underfloor heating matting system can be placed on top of your boards and again, fitted appliances such as the cooker and dishwasher should be avoided. You will need to measure up where you heater will lay but instructions for this should be available with your flooring kit and matting system purchase. 

Once you have purchased all of your underfloor kits, you should easily be able to follow the instructions provided, although there are a great number of helpful guides online for you to follow. Crown Tiles have a great range of underfloor heating matting systems to choose from, so you can get exactly what you need for any size and shape room. For more help on fitting you matting systems, you can give them a call today on 0800 156 0756.