The ThermRite HeatBoard THERMO system pairs a 22mm structural routed P5 chipboard panel with a matching 6mm fibre cement cover board to create a complete, low-profile overlay solution for water underfloor heating on joisted and suspended timber floors. It combines the structural strength installers expect from the established HeatBoard chipboard range with the tile-ready, printed guidance of a dedicated cover board, in a single coordinated bundle.
Each chipboard panel is factory-routed with 4 channels at 150mm centres to accept 12mm underfloor heating pipe, and is designed to sit directly on joists at up to 600mm centres. The foil-backed cement cover board is printed with clear pipe-run and safe fixing guidance, so installers can see exactly where the pipe sits and where it is safe to screw down flooring or cover boards, reducing the risk of accidental pipe damage during the build-up.
22mm
Chipboard Thickness
6mm
Cement Cover Board
28mm
Total Build-Up
12mm
Pipe Size
150mm
Pipe Centres
0.72m²/1.08m²
Panel Coverage
Printed Layout Guidance
The 6mm cement cover board is printed with pipe-run and fixing guidance directly onto its surface, giving installers a clear visual reference for where the underfloor heating pipe runs beneath, and which areas are safe to drill or screw through when fixing floor coverings above.
Dry Installation - Panel Sizes Differ
This is a dry-fix system requiring no screed or curing time, so floor finishes can generally follow shortly after installation. Note that the chipboard panels (1200 x 600mm) and the cement cover boards (1200 x 900mm) are different sizes, so cover board joints will not align directly with chipboard joints - stagger both layers according to the installation instructions.
Underfloor Heating Pipe Sold Separately
This bundle includes the routed chipboard panels and printed cement cover boards only. 12mm underfloor heating pipe, fixing screws, and jointing adhesive for the cover boards are not included and should be ordered separately.
22mm Structural Chipboard Panel
A load-bearing routed P5 chipboard panel engineered to sit directly on floor joists, providing the structural base for the whole floor build-up.
6mm Fibre Cement Cover Board
A durable, printed cement cover board overlays the chipboard, adding thermal mass and a tile-ready surface finish while protecting the pipework below.
Foil-Backed for Heat Transfer
The foil-backed construction of the cover board helps direct heat upward into the floor finish rather than being lost downward, improving system responsiveness.
4 Routed Channels at 150mm Centres
Precision-routed channels hold 12mm pipe securely at 150mm centres, supporting flexible, multi-directional pipe layouts to suit most room shapes.
Tongue-and-Groove Fast-Fit Panels
Tongue-and-groove jointing on the chipboard panels speeds up installation and helps keep the floor build-up tight and stable underfoot.
Low 28mm Total Build-Up
The combined 22mm chipboard plus 6mm cover board gives a total floor build-up of just 28mm, minimising the impact on door clearances and step heights in renovation projects.
HeatBoard THERMO Chipboard Panel
Material
P5 moisture-resistant chipboard, BS EN 312
Panel Size
1200 x 600mm
Thickness
22mm
Coverage per Panel
0.72m²
Routed Channels
4 channels at 150mm centres
Pipe Compatibility
12mm underfloor heating pipe
Joint Type
Tongue and groove
Installation Base
Direct to floor joists
6mm Fibre Cement Cover Board
Panel Size
1200 x 900mm
Thickness
6mm
Coverage per Panel
1.08m²
Surface Marking
Printed pipe-run and fixing guidance
Backing
Foil-backed for improved heat transfer
Suitable Finishes
Ceramic and porcelain tile, plus other compatible floor finishes
System Build-Up
Total Floor Build-Up
28mm (22mm chipboard + 6mm cover board)
Installation Method
Dry-fix - no screed or curing time required
Suitable Applications
Renovation and new-build joisted or suspended timber floors
Installer Type
Suitable for professional installers and competent DIY projects
Coverage Required
HeatBoard THERMO Panels
Printed Cement Cover Boards
10 m²
14
10
20 m²
28
19
30 m²
42
28
50 m²
70
47
100 m²
139
93
150 m²
209
139
200 m²
278
186
Quantities Shown for Reference
The table above shows panel and cover board quantities for a selection of common coverage sizes, based on the manufacturer's stated panel coverage rates. Always confirm exact quantities against your room layout, allowing for cutting waste around fixtures, doorways and awkward room shapes.
Do the chipboard panels and cover boards join at the same points?
No. The chipboard panels are 1200 x 600mm while the cement cover boards are 1200 x 900mm, so their joints naturally fall in different places once installed. This staggered joint pattern is intentional and helps improve the overall stability of the finished floor.
What size underfloor heating pipe does this system use?
The chipboard panels are routed with 4 channels at 150mm centres to accept 12mm underfloor heating pipe. Pipe is sold separately and is not included in this bundle.
Do I need to screed over the top of this system?
No. HeatBoard THERMO is a dry installation system - once the cement cover board is fixed in place over the routed chipboard and pipework, floor finishes can generally be laid without any screeding or curing delay, subject to the chosen floor finish's own installation requirements.
Can this system be tiled directly?
Yes. The 6mm fibre cement cover board provides a tile-ready surface suitable for ceramic and porcelain tiling, as tile adhesive does not bond reliably to bare chipboard.
What subfloor is this system suitable for?
HeatBoard THERMO chipboard panels are designed to be fixed directly to floor joists on suspended timber floors, making the system well suited to both new-build joisted floors and renovation projects replacing an existing timber floor.
