Underfloor heating was once considered a luxury that most couldn’t afford. However, it is far more economical than it once was, thanks to new technologies. While a stylish, warmed floor seems a world away from the scratchy nylon carpets that typically cover office floors, modern offices are all the rage, and investing in underfloor heating could even save you money.
One of the biggest benefits of adding underfloor heating into the workspace is creating a better work environment. There has been a significant shift - likely inspired by the Silicon Valley working wonderlands - towards creating more enjoyable offices.
The idea is to create a workspace where employees want to be, thus increasing their motivation to produce high-quality work. Although we’re unlikely to ever move back to luxury personal offices, some beautiful collaborative office spaces inspire work envy!
If you’re looking to ditch claustrophobic cubicles, maximize natural light, and clean things up with fresh paint, it makes sense to look at your floors too.
If you’re considering installing underfloor heating, you’ll likely want to update your flooring too. Engineered wood is typically the most suitable flooring type for underfloor heating, adding class and elegance to any office space.
Spending money on the office may seem like an ineffective use of your budget, but as mentioned previously, an attractive office can potentially improve your employees’ productivity. A good work environment may also encourage employees to stay with the company - cutting down those huge costs associated with staff turnover.
Your flooring is one of, if not the biggest focal points of your office, so updating it will make a huge difference. Engineered wood flooring, in particular, has the effect of solid wood flooring, which makes spaces seem fresh, open and airy while retaining a feeling of luxury.
Controlling temperature in an office can often be difficult. We are facing a cost of living crisis that has skyrocketed energy bills, but being environmentally conscious is another key consideration.
Traditional radiators can’t keep a room at one temperature. Since heat rises, the heat produced by a radiator heats the area around it. The rest of the air is taken to the ceiling and mixes slowly around the room - resulting in as much as an 8-degree temperature difference between the floor and the ceiling.
With underfloor heating, you’re heating from the bottom, allowing the heat to rise and create radiant warmth. This results in more ambient temperatures that will be more comfortable for you and your team.
Traditional radiators are also unsightly and can ruin the aesthetic you want in your office space. With underfloor heating, everything is kept tidily out of sight - bar your handy thermostat.
As underfloor heating is more efficient, it can also help reduce energy costs. This is particularly true in office spaces where the heating is typically ramped up most of the time - we don’t expect you’re telling your employees to put on an extra jumper when it's chilly!
Traditional radiators also circulate bacteria, dust, and fumes around a room. Underfloor heating, on the other hand, reduces moisture levels which then eliminates dust mites and mycobacterial growth. Furthermore, since underfloor heating doesn’t use convection airflow, germs, and allergens are not spread as widely as they would be with traditional radiators - meaning less staff sickness!
Despite not being the most traditional choice for the office, there are many benefits to installing underfloor heating. Investing a lot of money into the workplace cuts company profits, but having a reputation as a good employer and a space where employees want to be will pay back in dividends. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the toasty warmth too!
When you want to renovate your office space, approach it with the same level of care as your property. It may be tempting to seek out the cheapest and easiest things to install, but when you ask someone to spend 40 hours of their week in an office, it’s worth trying to create a comfortable, inviting environment!
