Designing Your Living Room and Bedrooms? Consider Tiling your Floors to Maximise your Thermal Heat Calculations!
Architects and engineers often recommend tiled floors because these automatically introduce warmth to your home, using thermal mass which can then be built into your ‘build envelope’ design calculations!
Thermal mass works by using a simple principle of physics: heat moves from warmer surfaces to cooler surfaces. Properly designed thermal mass such as installing porcelain and ceramic tiles on floors absorb heat during the day then, as the air temperature drops, the heat moves from the tiles to the cooler air in evenings. An added bonus is that because tiles absorb the heat, in summer they’ll provide a cooling effect in living spaces during a hot day.
In other words, thermal mass evens out variations in temperature. It helps keep you comfortable, day and night, all year round!
Thermal Mass: Tile has a high thermal mass calculation as unlike carpet & timber, the clay is able to absorb heat during the day and release it in cooler evening periods.
If Even and cost-effective heating is your Priority then think tiles which can be heated underfloor, unlike most other flooring products.
Underfloor heating (UFH) systems are one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods to heat a home. In fact, the DEVI underfloor heating system is one of the most inexpensive compared to some other heating alternatives.
They are also one of the most comfortable as a quality system will ensure the heat is evenly distributed and rises from below, recreating the ideal vertical temperature gradient. Conventional forced-warm-air methods tend to produce heating results that are too local and from the top down. Just as you wouldn’t stand underneath a fan/radiant heater to feel warmth, underfloor heating gives you warmth whilst providing an overall cosy home.
Whilst it is true that different materials work with UFH, careful considerations must be made on the flooring materials used. For example, timber flooring requires specialist systems and run the risk of warping, cupping and other problems. Carpets must adhere to certain thermal resistance ratings before even being considered suitable. The selection therefore becomes rather limited and usually always points towards Tiles.
The most efficient, effective and stable surface to heat is tile and stone flooring!
Cosy homes come from good designs & clever material choice for active and passive heating. Porcelain tiles and solid stone are great for both! If you would like a more comprehensive conversation on your home design and cost-effective heating solutions, come and see us at one of our 30 stores Nationwide. We’d love to help.
For latest ranges, see our website; or to locate a store near you, click here.
Tile Warehouse – We make Design and Selection Easy, from the floor up!
