Can underfloor heating be laid directly on the insulation?
Yes, that is the rule: the pipes are fixed on the insulation layer, then embedded in the screed. The insulation must be flat, resist compression and be covered with a membrane.
Yes, that is the rule: the pipes are fixed on the insulation layer, then embedded in the screed. The insulation must be flat, resist compression and be covered with a membrane.
The layer sequence for underfloor heating is always the same: slab, insulation, pipes, screed, and flooring. The insulation serves as a base for the pipes and prevents heat from escaping downwards.
There are three common systems. Staples driven through a grid film into the insulation, clip rails placed on the insulation, and dimpled panels—profiled insulation boards that hold the pipes in place. The choice depends on the insulation and the heating system manufacturer.
The insulation must be level; otherwise, the pipes will not be at a constant height, and the screed will not have uniform coverage. It must also be compression-resistant to support the screed and loads without crushing. A sprayed PUR is sanded level before installation, and panels ofEPS orXPS must be tightly joined.
Laying pipes directly on an uninsulated slab: a significant portion of the heat will escape downwards. The screed coverage over the pipes and the heating-up times are detailed in our guide to screed for underfloor heating. See also our floor insulation solutions.
Start from the finished floor level set by thresholds and adjoining rooms, measure down to the highest point of the slab, then subtract the floor finish and the screed: what is left is the space for insulation.
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