tiled floor

[bret72]

The wife wants to tile the floor in our living room and hall way but im unsure if this is a good thing. My concern is will it be cold in the winter and draw the heat from the room.

Its going to be about 20sqmtrs with no underfloor heating, the room is heated by radiators. She wants a marble or travertine floor tile type of tile.

Would the electric underfloor heating under the the main walking areas be a good idea as i can imagine to do the whole floor would cost a fortune.
The underfloor is concrete screed.

Any advice would be appreciated

thanks

 

[tpt]

Lots do! avoid marble as its always colder than its surroundings. If you go for a good porcelain or trav (not the good bit) then it can look very very nice.

If you are in a modern house then the screen will have a proper damp proof membrane, if your house is old then it can seem colder. Ultimately the tiles will be as warm or cold as the ambient temperature, many drop a rug down in the winter and take it out in the summer.

An electric underfloor heating system will help, but dont expect it to heat your room, you will still need rads. You can use an insulation board such as no more ply to make sure the heat comes up, not down but this adds to the cost.
The running costs of modern systems are much better due to the better digital thermostats and yes you can only heat partial areas and avoid the edges and under the settee etc.

If your in a modern house, my advise would be to pop a 6mm insulation board down and then tile over that, with a good quality porcelain, not ceramic. It adds the the initial cost but there are no running costs. Others may well disagree but in my experience electric UFH (as opposed to water ufh fitted into the screen) isnt too great. only consider if your in an old, draughty house.