Work has finally started on the kitchen area now.

Because the kitchen, downstairs office and bathroom are going to be tiled, I decided to add some underfloor heating to take the chill off the tiles in the winter. Because I already had a floor with a screed installed at the correct level my options were limited. I could have dug out the whole concrete floor and laid wet heating, but it’s an awful lot of work. In the end I have used electric underfloor heating mats and then tiled on top. It’s not the most efficient heating, but they are only low power units (160 watts/m2) and it fairly inexpensive and quick to install.

The mats are simply rolled out into the areas required, avoiding large furniture, kitchen cabinets etc, and fixed with the self adhesive backing. The mat wires are only 3mm thick, so a very thin screed was poured over the mats to give a ‘level’ base for tiling. I only had about 10mm clearance under the door, so it was a bit touch and go with my levels.

Once the screen had set the tiles were laid. To cater for the slight bumps and level changes a thin layer of tile adhesive was trowelled onto the floor and then the back of each tile had the adhesive applied with the ‘comb’ applicator.

I sure hope the mats work, cos now the tiles are down there is no way to fix any problems.