In recent years we have seen the steady growth in popularity of underfloor heating systems in the UK.
The option now exists for you to be able to have the technology laid beneath either a carpet, or a wood or laminate floor, something that just wasn't available a short number of years ago.
This growth should be attributed to the realisation that installing underfloor heating is not as big an undertaking as it at first seems.
Coupled with a quality underfloor heating underlay, the installation can result in a fantastic outcome and living solution with relatively little stress throughout the process.
The first question to ask yourself is which carpet or laminate underlay to use to ensure the maximum effectiveness of your underfloor heating.
Your starting point should be to either select an underlay for underfloor heating with a combined damp-proof membrane or separate damp proof foil.
This is because you need to protect the flooring from moisture from beneath.
When heat is applied it will damage the flooring faster than the moisture alone normally would.
As a rough guide the damp-proof membrane should be 200 micron thick as a minimum.
This may sound complicated but it really isn't provided you follow the steps.
The underlay that you choose to lay should have instructions enclosed that are straightforward to follow, making laying your underlay easy and pain-free.
The heating unit itself will be built into your sub-floor and on top of this is your underlay be it for carpet or for wood and laminate.
The ability of your underlay to let heat pass through is measured on a Tog rating, the higher the score means the better it is at insulating.
For underfloor heating you will require a Tog rating of less than.
35 or else the heat won't pass through into the room sufficiently.
As mentioned previously, you will benefit greatly from a damp-proof membrane on your underlay either in the shape of a combi underlay or a separate membrane.
Aside from the primary function of allowing heat to pass through into the room above, thermal underlay can protect the flooring from moisture and mask any unevenness in the sub-floor.
Easy to lay and dust free, you will not look back and instead can enjoy the acoustic and comfort benefits and the effect of the vapour barrier.
When you are considering installing underfloor heating, the installation can be made exponentially better by also laying underlay on top of it.
It gives you the obvious heat, comfort and acoustic benefits guaranteed over the carpet or flooring lifetime.
If in any doubt get in touch with a registered fitter, a successful installation will you have peace of mind, and toasty warm feet.