Fast Installation

A major benefit of using the Profix® panel as an end-return and/or highway panel, in combination with grooved dry screed replacement boards, is fast installation. Using the Profix® panel to locate 180° pipe bends and runs through heating zones to and from the manifold is straightforward, avoiding the extra cost and mess associated with cutting additional pipe channels into the dry screed replacement boards. The Profix® panels feature multiple pipe retention clips to hold the 10mm or 12mm diameter pipe securely in place. In addition, the panels fasten together thanks to purpose made locking features included in the design.

In order to ensure a good quality installation, it is essential the structural sub-floor is < 75% RH (BS 8203 : 2017), otherwise first a liquid DPM will need to be applied, and that it is flat and free from stepped or uneven areas before laying the IsoRubber thin resilient acoustic isolation material. This can be achieved by using a pre-levelling system, such as a self-smoothing compound.

Twenty-four hours before installation, the IsoRubber should be rolled out into position to acclimatise. Once acclimatised, the IsoRubber should be lifted and an even layer of Isobond adhesive applied to the level sub-floor. This should be left for approximately 20 minutes or until the Isobond becomes tacky, before laying the IsoRubber. For very porous surfaces, a water based PVA primer should be applied before applying the Isobond adhesive.

The IsoRubber should be fitted with all joints tightly butted and up against the perimeter walls or other vertical upstands. The surface should be smoothed using a roller to ensure good adhesion with no air bubbles. Once ready, self-adhesive backed Profix™ PE Perimeter Insulation should be applied to all walls and other vertical upstands before bonding the XPS-backed Profix® end-return / highway panels to the IsoRubber using Isobond adhesive. The grooved dry screed replacement boards can then be laid over the IsoRubber in brick-bond pattern.

The underfloor heating pipe can now be installed, the system pressure tested to make sure there are no leaks, and quick-drying Profix® Levelling Compound* (or qualifying alternative levelling compound) mixed and poured over the Profix® end-return / highway panels and smoothed to finish flush with the upper surface of the grooved dry screed replacement boards.   

* 30 N/mm² minimum compressive strength (after 28 days)
     5 N/mm² minimum flexural strength (after 28 days)

In good drying conditions, the Profix® Levelling Compound dries rapidly enabling light foot traffic in these areas after just 4 hours and final floor coverings to be applied after just 24 hours, depending on the type of floor covering chosen.

Floor Coverings

The Profix® Grooved Screed Board System installed onto a thin IsoRubber resilient acoustic isolation material creates a very thin, predominantly dry-fit, warm-water acoustic underfloor heating solution suitable for a wide range of different floor coverings, including tiles, engineered wood, vinyl, and carpet. However, more thermally conductive floor coverings will ensure higher heat outputs and faster warm up times are achieved.

Tiles or Engineered Wood

Tiles or Engineered Wood floor coverings can be laid directly over the grooved dry screed replacement boards. However, the surface of the grooved dry screed replacement boards should first be primed, using a suitable acrylic dispersion primer, and allowed to dry before applying a cement-based tile adhesive or wood flooring adhesive (if required).

Luxury Vinyl or Carpet

For Luxury Vinyl (LVT) or Carpet, an additional minimum 3mm skim coat of Profix^® Levelling Compound (or equivalent qualifying cement-based levelling compound), will be required. The surface of the grooved dry screed replacement boards should first be primed, using a suitable acrylic dispersion primer, and allowed to dry before applying the levelling compound.