Thermal comfort is a cornerstone of modern architectural design. However, choosing the right heating and cooling system often poses technical challenges, especially in renovation projects. Dry floor heating has emerged as a leading solution, but is still surrounded by myths about its mechanical resistance and thermal behaviour.
The innovative system HAKA DRY by Alphatech not only dispels these doubts, but also offers architects and engineers a powerful tool for design freedom and energy efficiency.
Shattering the Myths: Performance and Resilience in Practice
There are two main concerns of professionals towards dry construction: the thermal performance in relation to thermobeton and the mechanical strength of the floor. HAKA DRY provides definitive answers.
Myth 1: «Dry construction lacks thermal efficiency due to lack of thermal mass»
The truth is that the high thermal mass of thermobeton implies a high thermal inertia. The HAKA DRY system, on the other hand, is based on speed and immediate response.
- Direct Heat Transfer: EPS 300 kPa panels incorporate a thermally conductive aluminium foil that distributes heat directly and evenly across the surface, eliminating standby and cold spots.
- Optimal Traffic: It uses larger diameter pipes (14 mm x 2.0 mm), ensuring better water flow and more efficient heat transfer.
Result: Faster space heating and better temperature control.
Myth 2: «Dry building materials do not have sufficient mechanical strength and are difficult to install»
Traditional fibreglass panels are heavy and difficult to process. HAKA DRY radically changes the situation:
- Lightweight Construction: Each EPS 300 kPa plate weighs just 1 kg and is easily cut with a simple cutter, drastically reducing time and labour costs.
- High Load Resistance: Despite its low weight, the system offers impressive mechanical strength that reaches the 500 kg/m², making it perfectly safe for any domestic or professional use.
Haka Dry gives freedom of design
Beyond its technical excellence, HAKA DRY offers solutions to three key design issues.
- Minimum Application Height - Ideal for Renovations
The biggest problem in renovations is the limited available height. HAKA DRY is the ultimate solution, as its total height, including the finished floor, does not exceed 40 mm.
- All-in-one system: heating, insulation, soundproofing
HAKA DRY is not just a heating system. It is a complete floor solution that:
- Provided by built-in thermal insulation 25 mm (λ=0.033W/(m-K)).
- Offers sound insulation 16-17 dB, limiting the transmission of impact noise.
- Total Freedom in the Choice of the Final Floor
The system is compatible with almost any type of surface finish, allowing unlimited aesthetic options:
- Ceramic tiles for maximum performance.
- Wooden floors and laminate (up to 15 mm thick).
- Pressed cement mortar and marble.
HAKA DRY (Dry Building) vs HAKA THERM (Thermobeton)
| Criterion | HAKA DRY (Dry Building) | HAKA THERM (Thermobeton) |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Renovations, Airbnb, spaces with limited height | New constructions, high thermal mass buildings |
| Installation Speed | Very Fast | Typical |
| Total Height with floor | Ultra Low (~40mm) | Standard (~120mm) |
| Speed of Response | Direct | Slow (high inertia) |
| Construction weight | Minimum | Important |
| Thermal Mass | Low | High |
The choice between dry construction and thermobeton is not a question of superiority, but of suitability. The HAKA DRY is the ideal choice for projects that require speed, flexibility and low height, such as renovations and short-term rental homes. For new builds where thermal mass is desirable, the solution HAKA THERM with thermal concrete remains a reliable option.
Alphatech, offering both leading technologies, provides not just materials, but specialized solutions, ensuring that every project is functional, aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient.
Talk to an Alphatech engineer to analyse your project requirements and choose the underfloor technology that best suits your needs.
Read the article in KTPIRO magazine about HAKA DRY products here
