PHPI recently paid a visit to OMNIE’s headquarters to discover more about the UFH solutions from the Exeter-based company, including its new TorFloor 2 solution – a floor deck and underfloor heating system in one.
The concept of supplying a routed structural floor panel that will accommodate UFH pipes has been pioneered by OMNIE for many years. The result is a two-in-one product that has strong performance and installer friendly features – and, with the introduction of OMNIE’s TorFloor 2, it’s an idea that has now been developed still further.
“Everything OMNIE does in terms of its product design is about transfer of heat,” explained CEO Darren Trivett. “An efficient transfer from the pipe into the panel at reasonable water temperatures provides the higher heat outputs that older buildings in particular demand. When you consider that the UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe, a product that can deal with higher levels of heat loss is essential, especially as we transition to heat pumps.”
Product innovations
One key feature is the patented AL HEX aluminium diffuser technology integral to OMNIE’s panel design — where soft temper aluminium is effectively wrapped around the pipes — efficiently defusing the heat laterally, minimising any clustering of higher temperatures around pipework. That means you can get more heat out of the flow without increasing the water temperature.
The OMNIE innovations go further, with a multi-directional pipe channel design facilitating easier installation. It removes the need for separate straight and loop end panels, or the hand routing of pipe channels. Those channels are spaced at 150mm centres whilst fluted pipe exits ensure a straightforward transition into the neighbouring panels.
All in one
Designed for suspended and batten floors, TorFloor 2 is also a floor deck and underfloor heating system in one. The 22mm chipboard lower panel is complemented by a 6mm wood fibre interlocking upper panel which is also routed, foiled and printed, fully encasing the pipe. The company says installers simply need to listen out for the click when the upper panel in positioned and they’ll know it is in place — with no glue required.
A printed panel on the floor face indicates the pipe pattern beneath and, with points for screws clearly marked, the installer has the reassurance of knowing the location of the pipe when securing to joists, designed to make for a much faster installation, and to help eliminates the costly mistake of putting a fixing through a pipe.
With TorFloor 2 aluminium is now in place both under and over the pipe, providing even more diffusing metal, and increasing heat outputs by 15% over the previous design — at a lower water temperature.
There’s also a choice of top panel depending on the floor covering with woodfibre cement board and ply available — again, all routed, foiled and printed. The system produces 77W/m² at 50°C flow water temperature and is independently tested for structural strength (at 600mm joist centres) to the latest standards (tested to BS EN 1195).
TorFloor 2 is equally available as an acoustic panel, with 8mm rubber on the bottom of the cement board lower deck, whilst the base board can also be supplied as 22mm ply rather than chipboard. At the same time, all the different options on the base and top board are interchangeable and compatible.
Existing floors
While TorFloor 2 is a structural system, Lowboard 2 is intended for installation on an existing insulated floor. Exhibiting the same product enhancements — with an aluminium foiled base layer and top layer panel, and choice of woodfibre cement board and plywood — it is also an 18mm system. At roughly the height of a 5p piece, this makes it amongst the lowest profile underfloor heating products on the market.
OMNIE has also developed its Ultimate concept further with Ultimate 2 — an extruded polystyrene insulation panel. Said to save considerable time in comparison with its predecessor, with Ultimate 2 only the sub-floor surface needs to be primed. The panel itself is self-adhesive — simply peel off the back and position. Furthermore, the top of the panel is pre-primed at the factory, so it does not need to be done on site. Simply stick the panel down, install your pipework and add the levelling compound for a much quicker job all round.
