Tiling over underfloor heating pipes in chipboard

[hewrigg]

I am in the process of converting a barn into a dwelling and have installed underfloor heating pipes into 40mm chipboard by routing out pipe channels to lay the pipes in. What would be the best option to fix 10 mm slate tiles to the floor. Options I am considering are,1, tile directly onto chipboard using granfix ultimate flex tile adhesive or similar.2, Overlay chipboard with 6mm tilebacker board and tile onto this or 3, overlay with exterior grade plywood and tile onto this. Quite a few companies actually supply 22mm chipboard systems to overlay an existing floor but usually recommend overlaying with plywood or backerboard before tiling. I want to avoid insulating the tiles from the pipes as much as I can.

 

[Ian]

Welcome along to TF. So as it stands, your pipes are flush with the top of the chipboard? My choice would be to fix a cement board such as hardiebacker over this, then tile, I would avoid and insulating board as this will prevent heat transfer through to the tiles.

 

[hewrigg]

Thanks for quick reply, yes pipes are flush with surface and I do want to avoid insulating the pipes.

 

[Ian]

Then go with a 6mm hardiebacker (or similar), it will need to be fixed with adhesive and screws so be careful of your UFH pipes when fitting!