Amber’s Ultimate Guide to Underfloor Heating Components

Many of us take the comfort of underfloor heating for granted, but behind that warmth lies a complex system of components working together to provide efficient and consistent heat.

Whether you’re a tradesperson looking for reliable supplies or a retailer seeking quality products for your customers, selecting the right components is essential.

At Amber Underfloor Heating, we offer a range of electric and wet underfloor heating products designed for optimal performance and durability.

This guide offers an overview of these key components and the benefits they bring to any installation.

Electric Underfloor Heating

Heating mats

Electric underfloor heating mats feature electric heating cables or wires which are attached to a thin, flexible mat.

These mats are powered by electricity and controlled by a thermostat, allowing the cables to warm up and provide radiant heat beneath the surface of a floor. The heat rises from the floor, warming the floor covering and room above.

Most mats – like our AmberMat range – feature a strong, self-adhesive design with heating cables attached. Foil mats feature cables embedded in an aluminium dissipation layer which helps evenly spread the heat across the floor.

Ideal for use beneath hard flooring such as tile or laminate, these mats are perfect for smaller areas like bathrooms or kitchens and can serve as either a primary or secondary heat source.

Heating cables

Electric heating cables are individual, flexible cables which can be installed as loose-lay cables with tape, or embedded within a decoupling membrane.

Heating cables are especially suited to awkward spaces or areas that require precision installation. By adjusting the spacing between the cables, you can control the heat output to provide either primary or secondary heating, making them an excellent choice for large or small areas alike.

Decoupling membrane

A cable-carrying decoupling membrane is an essential part of electric underfloor heating installation.

Often made of polyethylene or polypropylene, it features studs which create channels designed to embed and fasten underfloor heating cables and helps to evenly distribute warmth.

Also, it prevents damage to the floor covering by absorbing movement in the substrate or subfloor, as well as improving adhesion between the floor covering and the substrate.

Our new Amber decoupling membrane has many new features and even better capabilities, including 40% higher compression resistance, 45% more tensile strength and reduced curling and rollback.

Wet underfloor heating

Heating pipe

Underfloor heating pipes are a key component in wet systems.

Designed to circulate warm water through the floor, these pipes are made of a durable, flexible material which is resistant to corrosion and chemical damage.

Installed in loops, they provide even heat distribution and are connected to the manifold which distributes warm water through the system. The pipes are designed to operate at low operating temperatures, making the system energy efficient and cost effective for users.

Here at Amber, we provide a range of different underfloor heating pipe options, as well as accessories to aid installation, including euroconus pipe fittings and pump sets.

Manifolds

Manifolds are the central hub of wet underfloor heating systems, connecting the underfloor heating pipe to the heat source, whether this is a boiler or a heat pump, and controlling the flow of water to each heating circuit.

Manifolds are designed to deliver reliable heating performance, complete with features like flow meters, isolation valves and temperature gauges for easy monitoring and adjustment.

Our Amber Manifold is available in two to twelve ports, with two manifold bars – one for the flow and one for the return – complete with bracket, automatic air vent, drain fill valves and pressure gauge.

We also supply ancillaries such as ball valves and pre-assembled pump sets and mixing packs, which help to make installation easier.

Aluminium Plates

Aluminium plates are designed to help evenly spread heat by securely holding pipes when installing wet underfloor heating systems.

These plates – sometimes called heat spreader or heat diffuser plates – are commonly installed in suspended floor systems or placed over floor joists or battens.

They are ideal for ensuring optimal heat transfer and are suitable for a wide range of project types.

Our Amber Aluminium Plates feature omega-shaped grooves which hold pipes more securely than standard U-shaped grooves.

Grooved Overlay Panels

Grooved overlay panels are designed for easy installation of wet underfloor heating systems, particularly in retrofit projects.

The panels are made of a highly conductive material – like aluminium – to facilitate excellent heat transfer. They are typically installed on top of the subfloor and feature grooves that form channels which securely hold warm water heating pipes in place for even heat distribution.

They also make installation simpler. Most floor coverings can be installed directly on top of the boards, and they eliminate the moisture, weight, mess and long drying times of screed.

In addition, their low-profile design reduces impact on floor height, making them a versatile choice for a range of buildings, including residential and commercial projects, as well as new-builds and retrofits.

Thermostat

Thermostats are the control centre for both electric and wet underfloor heating systems.

They regulate the temperature of the underfloor heating and allow the end-user to control their system for efficient and comfortable heating, as well as optimising energy usage.

Various models are available on the market, ranging from basic manual controls to advanced smart systems which offer features like holiday mode, programmable schedules and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Here at Amber, we have a wide range of thermostats, including our DT-two and DT-two+ thermostats which offer a colour screen, seven-day schedule and open window technology, with the DT-two+ also featuring Wi-Fi connectivity and smart home integration.

Underfloor heating from Amber

By selecting the right components, you can ensure an underfloor heating system operates efficiently, providing consistent warmth.

Whether you’re working with electric mats or heating cables and decoupling membranes, or installing a wet system with pipes and manifolds, our products are designed to offer durability and ease of installation.

Explore our full range of high-quality components and accessories to make your next underfloor heating project a success.

Get in touch with our friendly team today.