TILES AND NATURAL STONE
The aluminium mesh, which covers the pipes and spreader plates, not only plays a role in the uniform distribution of heat, but also provides reinforcement of the structure.
HOW DOES THE OPAL-SYSTEMS UNDERFLOOR HEATING WORK?
One of the special features of the OPAL-Systems solution lies in the direct contact between the pipes, spreader plates and the flooring.
- The structure of our heating system is comprised of 18 mm water-repellent MDF panels, (1) processed in a sheltered workshop. These are milled to accommodate aluminium spreader plates (2).
- The aluminium omega profile spreader plates (2), suspend and protect the pipe, ensuring optimum heat transfer to the top.
- The hot water circulates in the high-quality pipes (3), with an antioxygen barrier (DIN 4726 standard), which are clipped simply with foot pressure into the spreader plates.
- The heat distribution is ensured optimally partly through the spreader plates (2) and partly through the metal mesh used (4) which, combined with the tiling or parquet glue, equips the entire structure. The upper layer of screed is therefore no longer necessary.
Thanks to this ingenious design, OPAL-Systems ensures superior thermal comfort compared to the best systems currently available on the market and allows for installations to achieve much higher overall outputs thanks to its greater responsiveness and its operation at low temperature.
The OPAL-Systems underfloor heating can be combined with all types of boiler (oil, gas, condensing, pellets) and heat pumps. In the case of mixed use with radiators, you simply need to use a mixing valve.
INSTALLATION CONDITIONS AND SUITABLE FLOORINGS
To guarantee its efficiency and durability, it is essential that the OPAL-Systems installation must be performed on a stable, flat and insulated floor.
Numerous surfaces are possible and we continue to test different solutions according to the needs of our clients. Below you will find some of the most common suitable surfaces for OPAL-Systems underfloor heating.
FLOATING OR NAILED-DOWN WOOD FLOORING
Larger spreader plates can be provided to be compatible with a floating floor installation. In the case of nailed-down or screwed flooring, the absence of screed makes it easier to locate the position of the pipes so as not to puncture them when fitting the floor!
GLUED-DOWN WOOD FLOORING
Much like tiling, glueing down the wood floor offers similar performance in terms of fixing and heat distribution. Clearly, it is important to make sure that you use a wood flooring that is compatible with underfloor heating.
DECORATIVE FLOORING
(Poured EPOXY, vinyl, carpet, ETC. )
Poured directly onto the aluminium mesh (epoxy, resin, etc.), laid or stuck on a layer of Egaline primer (vinyl or carpet), there are multiple options. Contact us to find out more.
reactivity and intermittence
The fast reaction time of the OPAL-Systems underfloor heating makes it possible to operate the system on an intermittent basis, depending on when the building is occupied and according to different energy inputs (sun, people, log burner, etc.).
“With a traditional (slow) underfloor heating system, regulation according to interior temperature leads inevitably to discomfort. For example, when the system restarts in the morning, there is a significant gap between the ambient temperature and the setpoint. The sensor demands maximum energy production. When the ambient temperature is achieved, the floor has accumulated too much energy, which causes excessively high temperature in the room. It is possible that by the time this effect is fully felt (2-3 hours later), these benefits have disappeared. Then there will be a decreased output which, in turn, can only be compensated very slowly.” See Architecture and Climate.
Thanks to the option to operate intermittently, OPAL-Systems makes it possible to realise energy savings of up to 30% (compared to continuous operation), while also improving thermal comfort.
THE ADVANTAGES
OF OPAL-SYSTEMS
COST SAVINGS
Underfloor heating makes it possible to make record energy savings of up to 30% compared to a traditional radiator heating system thanks to intermittent operation functionality.
RESPONSIVENESS
The excellent reaction time of our system works for heating AND cooling.
ENVIRONMENTAL
OPAL-Systems is designed in such a way as to contribute to protecting the environment, saving energy and natural resources, in its use and in its production.
EXCELLENT THERMAL COMFORT
Thanks to its responsiveness and ideal distribution of temperature according to the height of the room to be heated (from occupants’ toes to the top of their heads), without displacement of air or dust.
INVISIBLE AND UNOBTRUSIVE
The absence of visible heat emitter (radiators, pipework, etc.) affords greater space and greater freedom in the use of rooms and the location of furniture, as well as offering new possibilities for layouts and interior decoration.
LIGHT AND EASY TO INSTALL
Its thinness and lightness make it possible to install on existing floor surfaces without damaging them (for listed buildings), to install on an existing floor (storeys) or even to install it vertically or sloping.
INSTALLATION
1. Cut the panels on site using a plunge saw, fitted with a vacuum to collect dust.
2. Lay the panels (floating, glued or fixed depending on the material) onto a perfectly flat, stable and insulated material.
3. Insert the omega profile aluminium spreader plates.
4. Unwind and push in the pipe.
5. Staple the aluminium mesh used.
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