When choosing a local supplier really matters

Underfloor heating case study

Local, family-run businesses often prioritise service above all else, priding themselves on their values, their hard work and the high-quality products they offer their customers.

For local bakery and cafe Malcom Barnecutt Bakery Ltd, based in Cornwall, this pride in their local history went a stage further, as they were building a brand new, purpose-built premises for their business.

The 269m2 floor area was going to be heated by underfloor heating (UFH), powered by an air source heat pump, and the owner wanted to source as much of the building and its components from local suppliers.

Based in Launceston, Cornwall, Continal Underfloor is not only local to the cafe, but is also a leading UFH supplier with more than 30 years’ experience providing high-quality UFH systems all over the nation.

Continal’s Technical Advisers were initially approached by the building’s architect, looking for a low-temperature heating system that would provide suitable heat outputs when combined with a heat pump running at just 35°.

The architect was advised to contact Continal by the installer working on the project, who had worked with Continal before and knew that our products were reliable and high quality.

Our Technical Advisors worked closely with the architect to design a low-temperature system that would work perfectly in the new property, based on more than 30 years of knowledge creating low-temperature systems.

UFH is the perfect heat emitter to combine with a heat pump, as it turns the entire floor of the property into a giant heat emitter, ensuring there is enough floor area to provide the heat output the building owner needs, without the need to take up valuable wall space with radiators or other emitters.

This allows the installer to combine advanced, modern heat pumps and low temperature technology with tried-and-tested UFH systems that building owners understand and are comfortable with using, adding a particular sense of luxury to the newbuild business space.

The UFH system comprised Continal’s SUPERflex™ pipes and staples, which were laid on the ground floor of the property before being buried in a screed that would ensure efficient heating into the cafe space.

SUPERflex™ has been designed by Continal specifically as an UFH pipe. With a bend radius of less than 100mm, it can be installed easily with a significantly reduced risk of kinking, or other installation issues that can delay a project. SUPERflex™ also has a 50-year working life once installed, so it can be fitted quickly and easily, with no risk of call backs or problems.

Continal has been a leading UK design and supply specialist for energy-efficient warm-water UFH for more than 25 years. The company’s full range of UFH systems for solid floors, overfloor applications and joisted floors, as well as a full portfolio of controls and accessories, can be found at www.continal.co.uk.

UK's widest range of UFH systems

Designed to suit any type of heat source and enable UFH to be quickly and easily installed on any floor, with any type of floor covering. Our underfloor heating systems come with everything you need, delivered direct to site.