During the freezing cold winter months, what better time is there to talk about one of our favourite products: underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating is a heating system that sits underneath your floor tiles to heat them; this heat then rises up to warm the rest of the room. Generaly underfloor heating features a heated mat design that consists of a series of electrical cables that are held in position by a mat and fitted underneath your tiles.
Underfloor heating is more than just a luxury; it can be an incredibly useful investment for your bathroom.
So, without further ado, here are 9 reasons that you might want to consider underfloor heating for your new bathroom.
1. It’s more affordable than you think
You might expect underfloor heating to be a major financial investment, but it might be more affordable than you think. While the price of installation can vary, the price of the system itself is very reasonable.
Our underfloor heating mats are available in various dimensions to suit any size of bathroom. Prices range from anywhere between £120 for 1m2 to £400 for 5m2. The accompanying touch-screen timerstat is available for as little £100. For the UK average bathroom size of 4m2, that’s under £500 for your underfloor heating materials.*
*Prices correct at time of publishing.
2. It keeps your tiles warm
I think we can all agree: stepping out of a hot shower onto freezing cold tiles is a horrible experience, especially during the winter months. Underfloor heating will keep your bathroom tiles warm and toasty; you’ll never have to complain about cold floors again.
3. Single source of heat
One of the main benefits of underfloor heating is that it can be used as a single heat source in your bathroom. If you live in a well-insulated building, you can use underfloor heating in lieu of a radiator to keep your bathroom warm.
Underfloor heating can give you more freedom in your bathroom design. You can plan out your new bathroom layout without having to worry about where to put a radiator. This is also useful for small bathrooms that lack the extra wall space needed for a radiator.
If you live in an older building with poor insulation, you may need an additional heat source during very cold weather. You could install a small heated towel rail in conjunction with your underfloor heating; it will add extra heat during the winter months and can be used to warm your towels the rest of the year, so it doesn’t feel like a wasted appliance.
4. Cost-effective heating
Underfloor heating has the significant advantage of being more cost-effective than other heating methods. Underfloor heating operates at a lower temperature than conventional heating to warm the room consistently and evenly.
With a steady, low-level temperature, underfloor heating can be more cost-effective to run than radiators or heated towels rails. The Trademat+ uses approximately 1p per hour, per m2.
With underfloor heating, you can get the same effect as a radiator or heated towel rail, while also saving money and energy.
5. Easy-install
Some electric underfloor heating system feature “Tack n Stick” technology, which allows for easy installation. The underside of the heating mat has a tacky adhesive, which enables you to position and re-position the mat before cutting, without risk of movement. The underside also has strips of adhesive tape which hold the mat in place, ready for tiling. Installation is quick and simple, so you won’t have to spend days waiting for your tradesman to install it.
6. Easy to use
Newer underfloor heating is systems come are controlled by a Touch-Screen Timerstat. This can be installed in a convenient location in your bathroom and is designed for recessed fitting. The Timerstat controls when your heating turns on and off, as well as the temperature.
With touch-screen functionality, the Timerstat is incredibly easy and convenient to use. It can be programmed to turn on the heat at a certain time, like the timer on your boiler, so the room is warm and cosy for you getting up in the morning. It can also be used to manually turn the heat on and off as and when required.
7. Suitable for wet rooms
Underfloor heating has the unique benefit of being suitable for use in wet rooms. Traditional heating fixtures, like radiators and heated towel rails, are not ideal for use in wet rooms; the high levels of condensation can cause them to rust. Underfloor heating is a great alternative for heating your wet room.
8. Prevents mildew
Damp and mildew is a common problem in bathrooms, due to the moist, cold conditions. Underfloor heating can help with this. Underfloor heating provides a constant low level of heat, that can’t be feasibly provided with a radiator. This heat keeps the room warm and dries out excess moisture and condensation, which helps to prevent damp and mildew from forming.
9. Safe for the whole family
Underfloor heating is a great heating option for families with young children. This low-level heat source is safer for young children than radiators or heated towel rails, as it eliminates the risk of burned fingers.
Underfloor heating is also ideal for homes with pets. It prevents your pets from burning themselves on hot radiators, and also gives them a cosy place to lie down.
Still not sure if underfloor heating is right for you or your next renivation?
Call us on 01256 236 506 and one of our experienced staff members will be happy to talk you through your options!