Electric under floor heating - thoughts/opinions?

Haggisman · 6 Oct 2014 at 13:28

I'm planning on replacing the cream carpet in our living/dining room with laminate, as it's not the most suitable for 2 cats and a toddler (despite our best efforts at keeping it clean with rugs etc, it has several stains which are proving impossible to shift despite multiple attacks with vanish, rug doctors etc.)

I was contemplating the sense in installing some of the electric underfloor heating mats while doing it, but wondered what people thought of this, both in terms of it's effectiveness, and running costs?

I know that compared to a wet system, an electric one will cost significantly more to run, but how does it compare to standard wall mounted radiators (which we currently have)?

Having a wet system installed isn't currently an option due to the costs involved.

john_s · 6 Oct 2014 at 13:57

Is there a good amount insulation under the floor?

Haggisman · 6 Oct 2014 at 14:02

john_s said:
Is there a good amount insulation under the floor?

As far as I can tell from a quick look under the carpet, it's some kind of tiles on top of concrete, so I'd have to put down insulation boards.

pitchfork · 6 Oct 2014 at 14:08

Electric underfloor heating should be used to supplement your rads, not replace them

It can feel nice underfoot though, it's up you. I don't find I need it because my heating system keeps the house sufficiently warm but if you're the kind of person who feels the cold it's a nice thing to have.

I'd rather spend more money on the flooring and get some nice engineered, laminate is kind of chavvy.

Haggisman · 6 Oct 2014 at 14:23

pitchfork said:
Electric underfloor heating should be used to supplement your rads, not replace them

It can feel nice underfoot though, it's up you. I don't find I need it because my heating system keeps the house sufficiently warm but if you're the kind of person who feels the cold it's a nice thing to have.

I'd rather spend more money on the flooring and get some nice engineered, laminate is kind of chavvy.

Hmm, might give it a miss then, the idea was to get a cleaner look for the room and get rid of the radiators, but if they'll be needed anyway, I might as well just use the money to get some nicer looking ones.

Re: laminate vs engineered, we're not looking at the cheapo, split & peel after 6 months laminate that everyone used 10 years ago, but the bevelled & textured stuff, as from everything I've read, it is more durable/hard-wearing than solid/engineered wood, and given the abuse from pets/kids looks like the better option (we have laminate in the hall, which has had furniture, pushchairs, bikes, toys, and god knows what else dragged over it, and still looks like new after a clean.)