All the UFH4U heating mats have a fully self-adhesive backing providing complete contact with the sub-floor. The mats are installed cable facing downwards offering greater heating cable protection and therefore making finishing the floor far easier particularly if laying tiles.
We recommend you aim to cover between 90-95% of the 'free floor space' of the area you wish to heat to insure good coverage (link to how to measure up page).
If your area requires more than 2 mats a junction box will be required. . If the total wattage of your area exceeds the 3,600watt capacity of the UFH4U thermostat you will need to have your electrician fit a suitably rated electrical contactor.
The tile floor finish may be laid directly on top of the heating cable however, the entire cable must be encased in the flexible tile adhesive. The tile adhesive / levelling compound act to evenly distribute and transfer the heat and protect the heating cable and floor finish.
The 200-watt systems will operate far more efficiently when used with insulation board (such as Marmox (link to Insulation board)). The use of insulation board minimises the transfer of cold up from the subfloor and the loss of heat down in to the subfloor.
Installing the heating mats
The UFH4U heating mats are very easy to install. Firstly make sure the sub floor is prepared and is clean, dry and secure. You can then start to lay the mat onto the sub floor -start at the thermostat and roll out the mat. When you get to the end of the area or when you need to change direction you cut the 'blue' mesh (do not cut the 'black' heating cable) to allow the mat to be rotated. The 'black' heating cable can also be stripped from the mesh in sections if required to navigate around corners. Continue this way until the available floor space is covered. If using more than one heating mat, start each mat near the thermostat so that each can be connected to the thermostat (connecting the mats in parallel).
Once you have finished laying the heating mat you install the floor probe in the conduit in a suitable position. Once you connect the thermostat and test that everything is working correctly, you are ready to install the floor finishing. If you are using ceramic tiles or stone flooring, you cover the heating cable with a flexible tile adhesive and then lay the flooring on top. If you are using wood, laminate, linoleum, carpet etc, you cover the entire heating mat with 10mm of flexible levelling compound first. Once the levelling compound has dried you can install the flooring.
