It is possible for an under floor heating unit to function without being insulated; however, energy conservation is one major reason that homeowners desire under floor heating. It is a law of physics that the heat in a warm object radiates toward nearby cooler objects. So when your uninsulated under floor heating system is properly engaged, it will most likely travel to and warm up the subfloor even before the heat conducts to the room itself. The result of this is that more energy is expended in the act of heating the floor.

The presence of a high-quality wall of insulation will curb the dissipation of warmth to the sub-floor, make your underfloor heating unit perform better, lessen the amount of time it will take for the floor and room to heat up, and, most importantly, cut your power bill.

An excellent material to use for insulation is polystyrene. Polystyrene has has been proven to have excellent thermal attributes, as well as enough durability to handle the wear it will take as people walk over the floor. This material is also resistant to rot, waterproof, lightweight, simple to work with, and easy to shape with a honed cutting tool.

How much insulation is necessary for the project depends on the kind of structure in which it’s being installed. The thickest insulation you can find will be best; if you’re building a house, it’s simple enough to revise the plans to accommodate this project. When working with building or renovation plans, the density of the material you use for insulation will depend on how high the floor will be once finished.

How the insulation strips are fitted is determined by the kind of flooring you’ll have. Sub-floors made of concrete will need a water-based tile glue that has some flexibility. When dealing with sub-floors made of wood, it is important that the boards are very firmly attached to the joints before you apply whichever glue you will be using.

Even if the cables of the underfloor radiant heating system do not extend across the entire floor, the the presence of good insulation will ensure your enjoyment of a toasty room and floor.

Casey has written on many home improvement related topics. Check out his sites: hardwood stair treads or rigid foam insulation