Tiles & Energy Efficiency

Tiles & Effective Thermal Mass

When homes are built to take advantage of solar radiation entering through windows in the winter months, tiles absorb the heat from the direct sunlight and release the stored heat as needed at night to keep rooms warmer. Conversely in the summer and in hot climates, tiles shielded from the sun will stay cool longer and can actually help lower air-conditioning costs.

Used properly - the right amount in the right place, with proper insulation - thermal mass can help maintain comfortable temperatures inside year round. If floors in direct sunlight areas are covered with carpets or lino, it stops the sun’s warmth being absorbed into the floor to be released when it is colder.

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)

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. 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.

Our stocked and recommended DEVI Heating System is a specialist application based UFH range, currently the largest specialist heating cable manufacturer in Europe.

DEVI design systems from the standard home to multistorey buildings and offer a complete design and supply service including consultations and specifications.

Features of the DEVI system include:

Keeps the floor dry
Less cleaning required.
Provides an even controlled heat.
Most cost less per hour to run than a fan heater.
Programmable thermostats provide a “set & forget” heating system.
Devi heat mats are approximately 3mm thick, consistof a heating cable fastened to an open weave mat and are available in varying sizes from 0.5m².
Due to their construction they are able to be fastened directly to the floor prior to tiling, the mats ensure the cables are evenly spaced giving an even heat.
The open weave allowing the glues and adhesives to penetrate and bond directly with the floor.
As with all Devi products under tile heat mats are manufactured to international standards so the customer