Time is of the essence with any build project, and of course we all know that time means money! Nu-Heat believes it has responded to this cry for help with its screed alternative for underfloor heating, FastDeck. PHPI reveals more.
Traditionally, most ground floor underfloor heating (UFH) systems have been installed within the fabric of the floor itself, where the UFH tube is held within the screed using specialist fixings. However, screeds require a long drying time, which can delay the job at hand – drying frequently takes up to 60 days: 1mm of screed depth per day of drying time – and sometimes this just isn’t feasible to keep the deadlines on track.
To combat this issue, Nu-Heat’s newly launched FastDeck is a structural solution offering a completely dry, combined UFH and floor deck product. This whole-house UFH system is said to be easy to install and will slash the screed drying time with a finished installation that can be walked on straight away, boosting access for other trades and meaning floor coverings can be fitted immediately.
To find out more, we asked installers to put a few common questions to the Nu-Heat team.
I have limited height in the areas I want underfloor heating, is this product right for me?
Another benefit of FastDeck is a superbly trim height build-up of only 34mm, as opposed to average traditional screed depths of 55-60mm.
In-screed UFH can have sluggish reaction times, and is something I’d like to avoid. How does FastDeck compare?
A speedy response time, which is easily twice as fast as equivalent screed UFH systems, is one of the benefits of FastDeck, thanks to its highly-conductive, aluminium laminated gypsum board deck. This composition also quickly and evenly transfers heat across the whole floor, eradicating cold-spots.
I’ve been asked to fit UFH in a property extension which doesn’t have a screed base, will FastDeck work for us?
FastDeck can be installed not only over a concrete or beam and block slab, but also directly over timber floors too, either at first or second fix stages. The castellated deck is attached with staples to insulation laid on top of the DPM (damp proof membrane) and optional sand binding layer, or with screws if laying on top of a timber deck.
Nu-Heat’s installation tips
*Wear gloves – handling the castellated decking and larger gypsum top decking boards is much easier if wearing gloves.
*When placing the castellated decking against a wall, place the female edges flush with the vertical surface.
*Install the tongue and groove top deck in a brick bond layout. This will involve cutting some of the boards, so make sure you wear a facemask to protect against dust and particles – the board is gypsum based so perfectly safe health-wise.
*Cut the tongue off any top deck boards if they are to be placed against a vertical surface.
*When bonding the top deck boards together, apply glue to the bottom groove before sliding in the opposing tongue. Remove any excess glue. As the glue sets it will bubble up through the join – this is what you want to see as it means enough glue was used for a full and solid join.
*Avoid walking on the deck for one hour, after which you should revisit the joins and scrape off the bubbled glue using a flat blade, such as a wallpaper scraper.
Nu-Heat also designs and supplies fully integrated ground source and air source heat pump systems, as well as solar thermal, and has delivered over 70,000 fully designed underfloor systems to self-builders, installers and developers nationwide.
FastDeck features
*The system is designed to be an all-in-one, whole-house UFH and floor deck solution, which includes everything you need to complete the job. There is no need for additional parts or components, everything is included.
*The product is a completely dry alternative to screed UFH. It cuts out the mess and slashes up to 60 days of drying time off the installation, according to the manufacturer.
*Designed as a low-profile product, it is ideal for properties with limited ceiling height.
*High-speed heating thanks to the conductive floor deck.
*Super-speedy and easy to install, assures Nu-heat. The interlocking castellated panels are laid, CAD layout drawings bespoke to your specific project are supplied to aid the fit of the FastFlo UFH tubes, which are secured via an anchor clip. Connect the pipework to the manifold, pressure-test the system, then simply fit the deck over the top of the tube.
Get in touch with Nu-Heat to find out more: [email protected]
