The smarter way to keep warm

With the last few winters in Britain being colder than the average, and energy prices continuing to soar to record levels, UK homeowners can be forgiven for feeling a little blue at the prospect of turning up the radiators to keep warm and cosy.

As the spring season kicks in, it’s not uncommon for thoughts to turn to renovating the home and many homeowners may well be considering making improvements that will help reduce energy costs whilst making the home that bit more inviting.

One of the most efficient ways to ensure your home is warm and comfortable, without worrying about using too much energy and depending on unsightly radiators, is to fit underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating systems are not only more efficient than radiators, but can also free up wall space in your home - so you’ll no longer be restricted in the design of and layout of your rooms.

Unlike radiator-based systems, underfloor heating ensures an even dispersion of heat across an entire room, with no cold spots or draughts. Family-friendly and with no unsightly radiators it’s aesthetically pleasing and a system can be tailor-made for any home.

There are two different types of underfloor heating available on today’s market – electric and water-based systems. Electric systems use cables attached to mesh mats to effectively create a giant electric blanket, however, because they are electric they are considerably more expensive to run than water-based systems.

Water-based systems, such as those available from Polypipe’s Home Solutions range, use flexible plastic pipes which are filled with warm water directly from the central heating. The systems can also be integrated with renewable sources too, making them a smart choice for eco-savvy homeowners who don’t want a system with expensive on-going costs.

There are many different types of water-based underfloor heating systems suitable for any type of floor construction. For example, concrete or cement floors can use a Solid Floor system which comprises lightweight plastic floor panels. These are quick and easy to install via a registered installer and provide optimum comfort within the room.

For retrofit projects, Overlay and Overlay Lite underfloor heating systems work best. Both can be fitted over existing flooring. Overlay is more suited to hard flooring such as ceramic tiles and stone whereas Overlay Lite is designed for use underneath softer floorings such as carpet and laminate.

Underfloor heating is also incredibly easy to control for homeowners. Digital thermostats can allow time control per room, which means if your bathroom needs warming up first thing in the morning but your bedroom doesn’t, you can easily control this via a handy thermostat control.

As we get into spring and the winter frost starts to become a distant memory, homeowners must try to prepare for the next winter in a bid to fight off the cold. Underfloor heating offers a simple and effective solution to ease the growing concern of rising energy costs, whilst keeping homes comfortable, efficient and sustainable.

Richard Marcs used to walk by the three-storey condos in Westridge and imagine living there. With their cedar cladding, steep-pitched rooflines and setting among evergreens that back onto a ravine, they reminded him of mountain chalets. When one of the units became available, he stopped by to have a look. “I was impressed not only by the spaciousness of the condo, but how well defined that space was,” says Richard.

But he decided it was out of his price range and let it go. The unit eventually went off the market. When next he saw it about a year later, the condo was up for sale again, but in the meantime the owner had added a massive mantel to the fireplace in the living room. This time, Richard refused to let it slip through his fingers, quickly putting his downtown condo up for sale and selling within a month.

That was 10 years ago. Since then he has renovated or at least refinished nearly every surface of the three levels and basement. The decor choices reflect Richard’s bold esthetic, family roots and a life of travel. He shrewdly mixes high end items (the dining room suite from Cottswood) with savvy budget finds (sofas from Sears), elevating the whole look to that of a grand European salon. With its rich hues, opulent furnishings and crown mouldings the interior of this condo is like a Flemish painting.

But it wasn’t always so. Richard began by moving everything onto the first floor so he could paint and refinish the woodwork from top to bottom, including the cedar-stained staircase, which he accomplished by removing, painting and reassembling the frame, spindle by spindle.

Richard has cultivated a mastery of painting techniques, from striping to suede finishes, all expertly applied in rich tones of European antiquity. “I only use Benjamin Moore paint,” he offers, “for a quality look.”

The next project was the main bath on the second floor. After gutting it himself, he hired handyman Jim Hooft, who was well known in the condo complex, to do most of the installation work. Richard chose simple subway tiles enhanced with designer pencil edging and tile baseboards. The results are stunning. His success gave him the confidence to tackle the large master ensuite, removing its dated sauna and massive Jacuzzi. Aiming for a clean, open spa-like design, Richard chose a doorless S-shaped walk-in shower unit, which he found at Best Plumbing. “It’s light and required no special structural reinforcement,” says Richard.

Copperhead Electric installed pot lights and a heat lamp. For the ensuite he chose large ceramic tiles, from Home Depot, again giving it the designer look by adding pencil detailing and tile baseboards. A handsome antique desk serves as the vanity, with a floating mirror above. Although he chose not to have a bathtub installed, there is space available to keep that option open.