underfloor heating

Longcliffe Quarries launch LONGFLOOR liquid cement screed

Longcliffe Quarries are now supplying LONGFLOOR, a groundbreaking dry powder bulk binder for the manufacture of liquid cement screeds. The LONGFLOOR liquid cement screed system has major advantages over both traditional screeds and anhydrite/gypsum flowing screeds. LONGFLOOR can be laid at ten times the speed of traditional screeds, manual handling

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Underfloor Heating Cheaper Than Traditional Radiators

Force drying specialist ForceDryA has conducted a new study that looked into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators, showing that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two

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Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

underfloor heating

Longcliffe Quarries launch LONGFLOOR liquid cement screed

Longcliffe Quarries are now supplying LONGFLOOR, a groundbreaking dry powder bulk binder for the manufacture of liquid cement screeds. The LONGFLOOR liquid cement screed system has major advantages over both traditional screeds and anhydrite/gypsum flowing screeds. LONGFLOOR can be laid at ten times the speed of traditional screeds, manual handling is avoided and a denser, more even surface and creamy smooth finish achieved. LONGFLOOR dries at three times the speed of anhydrite/gypsum based flowing screeds. There is no laitance to sand off.  Contamination and blistering issues with wet concrete or cement based floor adhesives are totally avoided. This innovative product is not susceptible to cracking, crazing or curling and can be laid in wet areas. Applications include both domestic and commercial and provide good thermal conductivity over underfloor heating. It can be applied down to 25mm thickness in bays of up to 150m2. A single crew can lay 1000m2 in a day. The binder consists of superfine high purity limestone powder plus a suite of dry chemical reagents and admixtures manufactured to BSEN 13813:2002. It is made in a new state of the art factory at the Longcliffe quarry near Matlock then delivered by Longcliffe tanker to a stockist’s silo where sand, cement, water and a liquid admixture are added. Stockists are typically ready mixed concrete plants, mixer or dry leg. Delivery to customer can be from drum mix or volumetric trucks. LONGFLOOR liquid cement screed is discharged or more usually pumped in to the building, then simply dappled before applying LONGCURE, a sprayed proprietary curing agent. Longcliffe Quarries are the UK’s largest independent producer of calcium carbonate, (limestone), powders, a company with a 90 year history of quarrying and grinding high purity Derbyshire limestone. As a result of a unique manufacturing process LONGFLOOR has a certified 95% recycled content. Andy Littler, LONGFLOOR Director said: “We are very excited about this pioneering easy to use screed product. For many years the concrete industry has tried to develop a cement based liquid screed which flows well, dries quickly and is not prone to cracking. We have now achieved this. The screed industry is witnessing a sea change in favour of cement based liquid screeds and we intend to make LONGFLOOR the market leader and top performing benchmark standard”. LONGFLOOR screed is currently available to screed contractors in the North West, Midlands, South East, London, South West, Humberside and Scotland. LONGFLOOR screed is being supplied on a daily basis in these areas with contracts up to 600m3 secured. We would welcome enquiries from additional stockists who would receive full technical and commercial support from the highly experienced Longfloor team. For further information please go to www.longfloor.co.uk or phone the LONGFLOOR sales office on 01629 540284.

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Underfloor Heating Cheaper Than Traditional Radiators

Force drying specialist ForceDryA has conducted a new study that looked into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators, showing that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two and three bedroom property. Three specifications were included: traditional radiators and 75mm sand & cement screed, traditional radiators with a 50mm flowing screed, and a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating. The findings showed that, for an 80m2 dwelling, installation costs for the sand and cement approach range from £3,003.72 to £3,483.10; for a 50mm flowing screed  with radiators costs start at £3,163.72 to £3,563.10 and for a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating costs range from £3,464.63 and £4,082.30. The costs for the underfloor heating approach also includes force drying, which facilitates fast, safe drying of liquid screed floors. This approach reduces drying time typically from around 90 days to as little as 28 days, representing a significant time saving and additional cost saving in the construction process. “There is a perception that underfloor heating is expensive and only practical in commercial terms for installation in higher end properties. However, our study shows that the underfloor heating method is only marginally more expensive to install than radiators, but when combined with force drying with the considerable cost benefits of the time saved  factored in, the overall costs could actually be less. This means underfloor heating with a flowing screed can be a viable solution for all kinds of housing, including social and affordable,” said Ross Verity, managing director of ForceDry. Verity also points to the environmental benefits of using liquid gypsum screed flooring, which comprise 98% recycled waste material, require less energy to produce and, because it is thinner, uses less material. These factors result in a carbon footprint over 70% lower than that of sand and cement screeds. “This approach is economical to install, environmentally friendly and performs very efficiently. It can save developers and property owners time and money during build and allows them to offer a superior product specification. Homeowners and tenants then benefit from the comfort, economy and low maintenance this kind of system offers,” he concluded.

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Underfloor heating a commercially viable alternative to radiators a new study finds

A new study into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators has shown that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study, conducted by force drying specialist, ForceDry, was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two and three bedroom property. Three specifications were included: traditional radiators and 75mm sand & cement screed, traditional radiators with a 50mm flowing screed, and a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating. The findings showed that, for an 80m2 dwelling, installation costs for the sand and cement approach range from £3,003.72 to £3,483.10; for a 50mm flowing screed  with radiators costs start at £3,163.72 to £3,563.10 and for a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating costs range from £3,464.63 and £4,082.30.  The costs for the underfloor heating approach also includes force drying, which facilitates fast, safe drying of liquid screed floors. This approach reduces drying time typically from around 90 days to as little as 28 days, representing a significant time saving and additional cost saving in the construction process. Ross Verity, managing director of ForceDry, said:  “There is a perception that underfloor heating is expensive and only practical in commercial terms for installation in higher end properties. However, our study shows that the underfloor heating method is only marginally more expensive to install than radiators, but when combined with force drying with the considerable cost benefits of the time saved  factored in, the overall costs could actually be less. This means underfloor heating with a flowing screed can be a viable solution for all kinds of housing, including social and affordable.” Verity also points to the environmental benefits of using liquid gypsum screed flooring, which comprise 98% recycled waste material, require less energy to produce and, because it is thinner, uses less material.  These factors result in a carbon footprint over 70% lower than that of sand and cement screeds. Verity said:  “This approach is economical to install, environmentally friendly and performs very efficiently. It can save developers and property owners time and money during build and allows them to offer a superior product specification. Home owners and tenants then benefit from the comfort, economy and low maintenance this kind of system offers.”

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