EcoTherm® has launched a new rigid thermal insulation board designed specifically for tacked- or clipped-pipe underfloor heating systems. EcoTherm®'s Underfloor Heating Board Eco-UFH allows quick and easy fixing of flexible heating pipe to the insulation board’s mesh-reinforced surface. The boards can be used in solid concrete floors with screed overlay, as well as suspended beam or block constructions with battens and floating floor covering.
EcoTherm®’s new Eco-UFH boards are manufactured from rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam with a protective “skin” on both faces. The skin is made up of a heavy duty fibre mesh laminated to an aluminium foil outer face; this forms a tough protective membrane - no additional membrane is required - and it is printed with a grid to allow simple positioning of pipes at accurate centres. The fibre mesh provides superior clip retention and even allows a reduction in the number of clips required per metre of pipe. As well as installers benefitting from time and cost savings, building occupiers also gain, enjoying faster warming and elimination of cold spots, plus reducing heating costs – the insulation prevents energy being wasted warming up the building’s foundations.
The new EcoTherm® underfloor heating boards are 1200mm x 2400mm and are available in thicknesses of 25, 50 and 70mm depending on the insulation value required. Thermal conductivity is exceptionally low, at 0.022 W/mK, which means maximum insulation for minimum thickness. The board is durable, will not shrink, and offers good compressive strength – 140kPa. Green credentials are also impressive – PIR boards are zero ozone depleting, with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of only 3; considerably less than target value.
EcoTherm®’s Marketing Manager, Dale Kaszycki, explains, “Every element in the manufacture of EcoTherm® Eco-UFH makes it the ideal solution. PIR has the minimum thickness to give maximum insulation value, and the facing has three benefits for the installer; the printed grid makes positioning easy; the mesh holds the pipe clips fast; and the aluminium foil means there is no need for an additional membrane.”
With production facilities across Europe, and a brand new high-capacity line at its plant in Essex, EcoTherm® supplies its product range in the UK through insulation distributors and builders’ merchants nationwide.