2 . Set in stone
‘ There is often a misconception that only a select few tiles are suitable for underfloor heating – this is not always the case ! All our natural stone and porcelain are entirely suitable for underfloor heating with the correct installation and have been tried and tested as fit for the job ,’ comments Fernandez . ‘ Natural stone tiles tend to be thicker , which will take a little longer to heat up , but means it will retain the temperature for longer - thanks to its natural density and thermal conductivity . Porcelain is a manmade product that is fired at an extremely high temperature , resulting in a strong , robust tile . Porcelain is also a good thermal conductor , and tending to be thinner , will heat up faster yet still retain the heat for a long while after .’
3 . Installation non-negotiables Once you ’ ve chosen your natural
stone or porcelain tile to work with your underfloor heating system , there are a few important steps that any homeowner should consider to avoid issues . Speaking to the manufacturer of your heating system and screed for full specifications is a great first step , but there are some other crucial steps to bear in mind .
Firstly , find an experienced tiler . Check your installer is experienced in installing natural stone and porcelain and understands the correct installation process .
Underfloor heating is also much safer for children . A heated floor eliminates the need to have scolding , hot surfaces such as radiators and heaters .
The second step is to make sure you carry out a full commission of your underfloor heating , prior to installation . This includes a full heat up and cool down of the system which takes around 7 days . This process will allow any weaknesses in the screed to be identified .
Thirdly , make sure to use anti-fracture matting . The industry standard is to install an anti-fracture matting or membrane between the screed and your tiles . This membrane absorbs any movement caused by the underfloor heating which , in turn , is caused by the expansion and contraction from the heating and cooling process . The matting stops this movement transferring to the tiles and without it , there is a risk of hairline cracking .
Next , check which adhesive you require . In any case , use an S2 graded flexible white adhesive . However , some underfloor heating systems require extra flexibility and need an S1 adhesive . Your installer should be aware of which adhesive is best for the job .
Finally , gradually increase the temperature once your underfloor heating system is installed and your tiles are down . This is to help the adhesive to cure . Starting at a very low temperature , increase your heating by one degree each day . This gives you the control to adjust the temperature at a rate that your new tiles can handle , preventing a shock to the stone or porcelain .
www . mystonefloor . com
32 - www . refurbandrestore . co . uk