Underfloor heating is a form of central heating and cooling that uses conduction, radiation, and convection to achieve indoor climate control. There are two types of underfloor heating; electric systems that use electric resistance elements or hydraulic systems that use fluid flowing in pipes. The former is used when only heating is required and the latter, when cooling is also required. 

There are many benefits to underfloor heating and an interior design company like R&M Bespoke Living Spaces can make installation a breeze.

Benefits

One of the main benefits to underfloor heating is that a suitably sized unit can heat a larger area than a radiator can. This can reduce your heating bills, making underfloor heating an interior design investment well worth the cost of installation.

It also works at a lower temperature and there is less wastage because the underfloor heating unit will continue to heat the floor even if the windows are open. In addition to this, underfloor heating units typically use less energy than radiators.

While many homeowners are reluctant to invest in underfloor heating due to installation costs, these units require very little maintenance and whatever is required usually comes at a very low cost. This too, is a plus point that many homeowners enjoy.

Most heating systems don’t distribute heat evenly in a room, resulting in some parts of the room being colder than others. Underfloor heating addresses this and distributes heat evenly and consistently, making all parts of the room feel equally heated.

Even if the building we are in has heating, we may often find the floor too cold to walk barefoot on during cold weather. Having to wear warm footwear indoors can be the cause of discomfort and underfloor heating eliminates this. With warm floors, especially in the bathroom, where it can be extremely cold, underfloor heating can add to your comfort.

An underfloor heating unit can be installed below tile, wood, stone, or carpeted floors and an interior design company like R&M Bespoke Living Spaces can ensure the unit is not visible to anyone. Since it isn’t visible, underfloor heating does not affect the aesthetics and bespoke interior design of a room in the way that a radiator can. Radiators, in addition to being noticeable and often contrasting with the interior design of a room, take up space, unlike underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating also increases the value of the building, as it is more an investment than a purchase. Since underfloor heating is often seen as a state-of-the-art central heating system, it can attract potential buyers willing to pay a higher price for your house if you were to sell it.

Besides added comfort, underfloor heating is also more hygienic as heated floors create an environment that is too warm and dry for dust mites and other creatures to breed in. This can happen with radiators and convection heating, where floors can remain damp and cold.

Disadvantages

While these eight benefits of underfloor heating make it an interior design addition worth the cost, there are certain disadvantages to it. One of the biggest disadvantages of underfloor heating is the cost. The units can be expensive and installation can be difficult, especially in older buildings. However, a skilled team from an interior design company like R&M Bespoke Living Spaces can ensure installation is carried out smoothly and so as to not cause any inconvenience to the occupants of the building.

Underfloor heating doesn’t warm up a room instantly and a timer is often used to ensure rooms are warmed in time for when they are being used. In addition to this, if you install a small unit, it may warm the floors but may not be sufficient to warm the rest of the room.

You may also face certain limitations when using furniture and fittings, for instance, heavy or large furniture.

There are thus advantages as well as disadvantages to underfloor heating, but overall, underfloor heating is a central heating system that doesn’t affect the bespoke interior design and aesthetics of your house, making it a popular choice among homeowners.