electric UFH & flooring?

Milkman

Hi all,
we are looking at extending into the attic, looks like we have enough space for a 12*14 room plus en-suite. Have a couple of the attic specialists coming in this and next week to give quotes. W are trying to get together a list of items we are hoping to put in so we can cost the whole job properly. We are looking at electic UF heating, chich would be rested on a chipboard/plywood floor and then the flooring ontop.
I know most manufacturers say that laminate and solid wood are suitable but realistically what is the best florring type to put down with electic UHF?

If we have the space and don't have to do much structural work to the roof we would like this to be an official room and therefore will need planning. Anyone done this? And have you any advise?

Also, has anyone any experience with saniflow macerator pumping systems for the bathroom
http://www.saniflo.ie/San_prof.asp?name=best
- its a long way to the external waste pipes and the smaller bore sanifow pipes would be much easier to run through the house.

thanks.
M.

narommy

I don't know about saniflow. Remember seeing episoded of that "home and Leisure" program with sarah beeney and she siad that she used an overhead one once and it blocked and when she opened it the backlog fell on top of herself. Going level or down should be ok.

If you are getting a builder to do it there shouldn't be a problem with regular 4" and i'd prefer them. Mainteneance of saniflow could be hassle



Also see my dodgy diricetions for a place that does flooeing in the kids DIY play equipment for a place that does flooring. According to a gut there engineeered boards are best.
Laminate works but what finish/look do you want.

Milkman

cheers narommy,

the house has two attics(with an annex) the pipes would have to run through them both and across the annex, skirt by the side of a chimney stack(barely). We are just concerned about the diameter/length and low rate of fall for a standard pipe. The Saniflow does give a bit of piece of mind and we would make the unit mounted at floor level, so no nasty spills onto my head (maybe the floor though!).

Unfortunatly neither of us drive and we live Dublin cc so that floor supplier is too far for us. However thanks for the heads up on engineered boards.

M.

Dilbert75

Don't know about Saniflow in particular but have seen similar macerators on the continent and they seem to do exactly as they're supposed to. Great idea, as long as I don't have to do the maintenance. :eek:

rooferPete

Hi,

Depending on your heating system you may be able to get a radiator to work in the attic, I would expect electric UFH would be expensive to run.

If you can achieve a ceiling height of 2400mm for two thirds of the floorspace your attic may qualify as an "official room", though planning permission may be needed if you intend fitting a dormer window, also take care to make sure the construction is structurally sound and in compliance with the building regs.

There are a lot of attic rooms that are classed as storage areas even with en-suites but do not qualify as habitable space due to the ceiling height being too low.

I have seen the Saniflow system working, it would not be my first choice but it does work.

You don't need a great fall for a soil pipe even over a long run and it can be very useful if you are fitting a shower and hand basin as well as all the waste can be carried by the soil pipe.

If using a standard soil pipe ensure it is vented to prevent syphoning from the other fittings, I would prefer the standard pipe if possible especially if you are installing a shower as the waste pipes can block up over long runs.

.

Milkman

Guys,
thanks for the info.
Pete, we are hoping that there is enough height to be an official room without havin to put on a dormer. I think it would be worth the extra expense of PP to have an official extra bedroom.
Thanks for in info re the piping. The saniflow was just an idea, so hopefully it won't be necessary.

The heating system took months to get the balance right, so for ease we might just stick down the UHF. It would be nice to have in the en-suite as well... mhhhh

Anyway thanks again. I'll probably have more queries. We are currently looking at the attic specailists, but because we want plans drawn and possibly a dormer, we are already being advised to just go with a standard builder as it would be much cheaper. We have only just recently finished 3 years of having men in for the rest of the house and the idea of one company doing an attic turnkey solution is very appealing at the moment.

adios.
M.