Despite the fact underfloor heating (UFH) has been identified as the top ‘aspirational feature’ by homeowners, installing it into existing properties has always proved to be a major obstacle for installers and end-users alike; with customers often having to sacrifice room height, or pay a premium to have floors re-laid.
In order to address this issue, Uponor has launched its Minitec UFH system – the thinnest system on the market. With a finished installation height that can add as little as just two centimetres to any floor, Minitec can be quickly installed on top of existing screed or tile floors with minimal application preparation required.
What’s more, the Minitec system’s proximity to the surface significantly reduces both floor heat-up times and temperature change, providing the same level of comfort at a much lower operating temperature compared to other retrofit heating systems.
The water-based system can be fitted by just one installer and uses adhesive panels with raised foil naps and prepared grooves to guide the pipe loops, which can be laid at both 45° and 90° angles depending on requirement, across the floor. The pipe can simply be ‘clicked’ into place by the individual installer, avoiding the need for any specialist stapling installation tools, and then connected to the manifold as with any traditional underfloor heating system.
Self-adhesive edging strips in I and L profiles, as well as doorway mounting kits, are also included in all Minitec kits.
Once laid, the system can be covered by a floor-levelling compound. As the adhesive tiles feature punched holes, the compound can be spread evenly and firmly bond with the foil. The entire installation is just 15mm in height and once the compound has dried, which could take a little as just 24 hours, then the required floor covering can be laid.
Neil Young, Applications Manager – Indoor Climate at Uponor, comments: “Underfloor heating has finally shed its tag as a luxury product solely reserved for the new-build properties. Given its low operational temperature requirements, it’s one of the most energy efficient heating technologies on the market – especially if partnered with an air or ground-source heat pump – and homeowners are now realising the long-term cost saving options on offer, as well the added comfort factor.
“However, retrofitting an underfloor heating system has typically presented a number of issues which nearly always result in either a lengthy – and therefore costly – installation process, or a noticeable loss in room height. With Minitec, we’ve introduced a product that can be installed by just one technician directly onto an existing floor, and adds just two centimetres to the room’s floor height.
“We believe Minitec will allow installers to embrace the rise in demand for retrofit UFH installations, but on a much better time scale. Similarly, existing homeowners will be able to enjoy the many benefits of a UFH system without the inconvenience of a long installation process or noticeable loss in room height.”
Uponor’s Minitec system operates using 9.9 x 1.1mm PE-Xa pipe and 1120 x 720mm floor panels.
