Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

The most common type of underfloor heating system on the market today are those that are used for heating beneath tiled surfaces. This is because of the fact that tiled floors are notorious for being exceptionally cold during the winter months, no matter how high a homeowner might have the central heating thermostat set. 

Because warm air rises and radiators are installed above the actual surface of the floor, there is no chance for the floor itself to get warm.  The heat just rises from the radiator to the ceiling where it simply circulates, and while that can help warm the interior of the home it does no good for the actual floor itself, or indeed the lower levels of the space.

Under tile heating systems have begun to become even more popular in recent years as technological advances have allowed a variety of underfloor heating kits to become available on the DIY market for consumers. These range from water underfloor heating systems that rely on heated water piped through tubes, to systems which are basically underfloor electric heating which uses heat mats that are installed underneath the actual surface of the tile.  This provides an under tile heating system that creates a warm floor that is perfect for those moments such as when stepping out of the shower on a frigid December morning. Instead of being greeted with a cold floor that will have you wincing, there is instead a cosy and warm tile floor.

For all available DIY underfloor heating systems simply visit your nearest home improvement store.

A bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house, which means your bathroom floors can often appear run down due to all the coming and going. One of the best flooring options for any bathroom is tile. Wood can warp and carpet can become mildewed. Bathroom tiles, on the other hand, will always keep their sophisticated, sleek look. They are also easier to keep clean than carpet. If you choose to tile your bathroom floors you might also want to consider putting a throw rug in the bathroom as the tiles can get cold in the winter and slick when they are wet.

Tiling the bathroom floor is not the only option when it comes to tiling and bathrooms.  You can transform your shower by using brighter, vibrant coloured tiles. You should consult a professional before removing old tiles.

You can also install tiles on your sink counter tops to replace that white or beige look of your bathroom or you can tile your bathroom cabinet top to add a splash of colour. Another option is tiling the walls of your bathroom instead of painting them. If your bathroom mirror needs a new look you can surround it with tiles so that it is framed. Try alternating large and small tiles to add a bit of funky style.

Tiles can brighten your bathroom with a sophisticated, updated look, while offering quick and easy bathroom maintenance. Tiling can be done by the homeowner themselves, but if in doubt it is always best to consult a professional before beginning a project.

There are a variety of underfloor heating systems available on the market today for use with different flooring surfaces. It is important to understand that the variety is there because those different types of materials require different types of heating systems.  The systems also require different preparatory steps to be taken prior to the actual DIY installation.

There are now generally two main types of underfloor heating systems sold. One is designed for use over concrete, and another that is sold for use over wood. The reason for this is because concrete and wood have two distinctly different heat energy absorption rates, with concrete absorbing heat at a higher rate than wood.

In the case of underfloor heating systems being installed over concrete, it is important that the concrete floor be completely level and properly cured. If it is a brand-new sub-floor than it should be allowed plenty of time to cure naturally; a minimum of one week is recommended. If the finished floor is not level than a thin layer of levelling compound can be used to obtain the desired completely flat surface.

Wooden floors should be thoroughly cleaned prior to any installation of an underfloor heating kit. They should also be level, and if the floor heating system is going to be an under tile heating system then a suitable layer of material should be installed in advance according to the recommendations of the Tiling Federation. Primers and sealers are recommended by adhesive manufacturers for both sub-floor types prior to any DIY underfloor heating installation.

Ceramic, porcelain and stone tiled floors can be warmed from below with either electric or water underfloor heating. Usually, the pipes or cables are sandwiched in a layer of flexible screed or adhesive between the sub floor below and the tiles on top. An underfloor heating thermostat, linked to a floor sensor, keeps the temperature of the tiles at the desired level. Modern under tile heating is extremely reliable, low maintenance, and complies with strict safety regulations.

Under tile heating can be achieved with either an electric or a water based system. When choosing an underfloor heating kit, you should consider the size of the floor area, the position of permanent fixings, and how it will work with the primary heating in the house. Electric underfloor heating systems generally heat up faster and are slimmer so that your floor level is barely raised. Wet under tile heating systems are often more economical to run, particularly in larger spaces.

It is important to get a system that is specifically designed to go under tiles. The level of heat generated varies as the heat absorbing qualities of timber, concrete and other materials are all different. The easiest under tile heating kits come in the form of linked mats with the cable already in position. These can be arranged on the floor, taking care not to cut or damage the cable, covered with tile adhesive and then tiled. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check whether expansion joints are necessary when tiling.

DIY projects are often bespoke projects: setting out to transform a particular domestic area such as a bathroom, kitchen, garage or a built on conservatory. Bathroom refurbishing is a very common DIY project. It can often be relatively straightforward as bathrooms are typically limited in terms of size and hence complexity. Even larger bathrooms have a limited set of features.

A typical bathroom DIY project involves replacing deteriorated features. An old bathroom may have become water damaged, with rotting wooden floors and decaying plaster, have a worn out, or out of fashion, bath or shower or a worn out floor covering.

Though contemporary tastes have become increasingly diverse, a perennial favourite is the use of both floor and wall ceramic tiles and a white bath or glass shower enclosure. DIY shops will tend to have a huge range of fittings however, and the Internet can further provide what the traditional shops may not.

When fitting a new bathroom, you may want to consider using the opportunity to install new features such as more sophisticated plumbing, underfloor heating, new decorations, a different colour scheme and perhaps new double glazed windows.

Before commencing installation work efficient and adequate stripping out of the old features is required. Skipping odd jobs to save time may result in you having to go back later and correct mistakes at additional cost. Also, ensure that you have designed the new bathroom properly; you would not want to be some way into the project before realising a new feature does not fit in well with your design.

Water underfloor heating, also known as wet underfloor heating, is a type of underfloor or radiant heating system. Underfloor heating is an alternative to traditional types of heating such as wood, coal, gas or oil burners or wall radiators. In contrast to such types of heating, which convect heat which circulates in room air currents, usually concentrating in the highest part of a room, radiant heating brings heat into a space at floor level more evenly and efficiently. It is often cheaper to run due to the efficiency of the heat distribution and does not take up space in a room as the system is placed under the floor.

Water underfloor heating circulates heated water through a network of underfloor pipes. The entire system is regulated by an underfloor heating thermostat. The material in which the pipes are laid, which is typically concrete or wood, absorbs a great amount of the radiated heat, acting as background heat storage. Due to the relatively slow-acting nature of this heat absorption and retention, rooms have to be typically pre-heated by a number of hours to ensure the optimal and desired temperature.

In most cases, the installation of a water underfloor heating system is no more expensive than the installation of a network of radiators. Commercial operators usually market water underfloor heating on the basis that it is in the long run cheaper and more efficient than radiators.

Water underfloor systems are best suited to newly laid floors, where they can be incorporated easily during a new build.

Homeowners wishing to install an underfloor heating system, have two primary options available. The first option is the electrical system. This simply uses electricity to heat up the network of wires installed under the floor of the house. If you have no experience with this form of underfloor heating, you must hire a professional for the installation since improper wiring can be very dangerous. On the other hand, the hot water piped system is also available and provides the same results.

A hot water underfloor heating system utilises a network of pipes through which hot water is circulated under pressure. The cost and efficiency of the hot water underfloor heating system depends on both the quality and size of the pipes being used. Higher quality pipes require an initial cost that can be significantly higher. While, pipes that produce more resistance, and therefore more heat, produce more pressure and thus require more energy to circulate the water.

Homeowners contemplating the installation of a hot water underfloor heating system need to balance the cost of the initial installation, with the cost of running the system, against the system’s efficiency.

Hot water underfloor heating systems can also use solar-heated or geothermal heat pumps as part of the system as an alternative to gas heating. These systems can be susceptible to air bubbles and therefore blockages. Air bubbles can occur because of the nature of the pipes’ installation. Because the pipes lie flat or may have high spots, bubbles that are present in the water can easily congregate. This is especially prevalent in the high spots. In order to prevent these bubbles from accumulating and stopping the circulation of water, it is recommended that a centrifugal pump be installed with the system to purge it of blockages.

The use of insulation as part of the process of installing underfloor heating systems can assist the effective running of the system. One such insulation system is Marmox insulation boards. When your underfloor heating system is working as effectively as possible, the heat remains in the room and you will notice an overall reduction in your fuel bills.

Marmox insulation boards assist the underfloor heating system to heat the entire floor over a shorter period of time. The aim of installing underfloor heating is to achieve a comfortable, cosy environment. By installing Marmox insulation boards, that aim should be achieved somewhat faster. When your heating systems are working effectively they are kinder to the environment. Simply by laying Marmox insulation boards, you can do your bit to reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

As an example, a standard underfloor heating system would take around two hours to heat a tiled floor. Marmox insulation boards could reduce the heating time to just 15 minutes.

Marmox insulation boards are reinforced and are therefore, robust. The boards are constructed from stable, waterproof polystyrene. Each face has a cement polymer mortar with a fibreglass mesh within. The boards are lightweight and very easy to handle. They are water and weather resistant. Their fire rating is zero.

Marmox insulation boards have been designed to be used in conjunction with underfloor heating systems for tiled floors. The boards are easily bonded with the tiles to ensure hassle free installation of your entire heating system.