Screed over underfloor heating heating (UFH) is a modern and energy efficient way to heat your home. It works by pumping heated water through flexible piping in the floor and radiates warmth upward into the room. The result is a warm and cosy floor which is very comfortable under foot. There is an important interaction between the UFH and the screed and it is essential to get the mix right.
Unfortunately, when a specialist UFH and a specialist screed supplier are working with each other there can often be a knowledge gap between the parties that causes problems such as cracks in the heated subfloor zone. This can lead to a breakdown of the system, unhappy clients and a damaged reputation for the company involved.
Screed Over Underfloor Heating
There are a number of different ways to install UFH, one option is to use a traditional sand and cement mixture which can be applied up to 55mm thick. This requires a degree of curing time before the surface floor finish can be installed.
Another option is to use a liquid screed product such as Cemfloor Therm which is a self-levelling screed that can be poured directly onto the specified area. This can be done much quicker than a traditional screed mixture, typically enabling an entire floor to be installed in a day.
In addition to a fast installation process, a liquid screed also dries much faster than a traditional mix, reducing the time that the UFH has to be turned on and off. This is a very important factor in the control of an underfloor heating system and helps prevent cracks in the floor.