When laying underfloor heating screed thickness heating (UFH) it is important to make sure that the correct floor screed thickness is used. This will ensure that the heating pipes are fully covered and allow the heat to spread evenly throughout the room. The right underfloor heating screed thickness can help prevent problems with the UFH system later on in life such as the emergence of cracks and other issues.
UFH can be installed in a variety of ways including a traditional sand and cement, a self-levelling or liquid screed. The type of flooring to be laid, the location and building requirements will influence which underfloor heating screed mix is chosen.
“Optimizing Efficiency: Underfloor Heating Screed Thickness Guidelines
For a traditional sand and cement floor screed, it is often preferred to use a pre-mixed mixture rather than one mixed on site as this offers better quality control and a more consistent product. The sand and cement is often mixed with some form of reinforcement, typically mesh to reduce the risk of debonding during drying. For hollowcore units, which have an upwards camber, it is also usual to include a layer of mesh reinforcement across the entire length of the unit. This will also control the drying shrinkage.
Liquid floor screed mixes, such as Cemfloor, can be applied in very thin layers and are particularly suited to underfloor heating installations. Often the heating pipes are placed in the concrete and then the liquid screed is poured over them to fully cover the pipe and allow for good heat distribution. This type of screed is able to dry quickly, which can be beneficial when working with a tight programme or if the project is located in a residential area where disruption needs to be minimised.