10 reasons why you need underfloor heating in Mallorca

10 reasons why you need underfloor heating in Mallorca

Underfloor heating is a must

Or at least we think so! In Majorca, in the late autumn and early winter, as the nights draw in, household temperatures can drop dramatically. Underfloor heating gives off an even radiation and prevents the cold from creeping into the floor, providing a comfortable and cozy warmth in the house. 

Installing it is not very complicated, but it must be done carefully to avoid costly mistakes later on. The optimum area per string is about 25 m2, otherwise the heating water cools down too much. The heating pipes all congregate in one place, making it easy to warm your house room by room afterwards. 

Underfloor heating usually costs around 800 euros for the installation per 10 square meters, then about 100 euros for every additional 10 square meters. It gets a bit more complicated if you are not connected to the mains, because you will need a boiler running on both solar energy and gas/diesel. Wagner in Germany makes pumps that are very suitable, see example: https://www.wagner-solar.com/en/heat/products-heat/solar-storage-tanks/wks-combination-storage 

Floor Heating

Floating concrete floors

Floating concrete floors

Floating concrete floors 

Floating concrete floors are multifunctional and fit any space. A smooth concrete floor is stylish, seamless and easy to maintain. Because of its wear- and scratch-resistant character, a concrete floor lasts for years. In fact a concrete floor only becomes more beautiful over time! 

With its sleek, natural look and practical properties, a levelled concrete floor fits in with any living space. Other terms to describe a smooth concrete floor are: residential concrete, polished concrete or monolithic finished concrete – this is a real concrete floor with a minimum thickness of 7 centimetres, with no synthetic materials, so this is not a concrete looking floor or casting floor. 

Floating is the finishing of hardening concrete that has been poured in the morning. Floating a concrete floor creates a smooth finish and color shades – we also call this drawing or flaming. A butterfly machine is used to achieve the finish. It is round and makes circular movements over the floor. We finish the corners and edges by hand, and also sprinkle color pigments to get the right colour for the floor during the finishing process. 

The advantages of installing a cement floor are numerous: there is no delay in the building process, the floor has a natural appearance, it is energy-efficient and wear-and scratch-resistant, it combines perfectly with underfloor heating and it becomes more beautiful over time. 

How do we proceed when making floor screeds? 

We measure the number of square meters and the thickness and then we lay the reinforcement and place the edge insulation. We check the junctions at facades and sills to verify the correct height, as we do when measuring. We lay metal profiles at transitions to other floors or as a mat edge at front or back doors. After drying, we pour and flatten the concrete floor and sprinkle the top layer with the desired colour. 

The entire process takes about three days – one day for reinforcement, one day for contingencies and one day for pouring and levelling the concrete floor. It may take longer depending on the number of square metres and the number of floors.

Looking for a house in Mallorca? Some facts!

Looking for a house in Mallorca? Some facts!

Buying a house in Mallorca can involve a lot of work because of the many obligations you have as a buyer. We can help you avoid making costly mistakes by putting you in touch with the right people. 
 
How does a real estate agent in Mallorca work? 

To be a real estate agent in Spain you don’t need to be registered, have a license, have a title, pass an exam, or have a real estate agent certification. Anyone can become a real estate agent, but not everyone will be good at it. 

Do you really need a real estate agent? 

If you are wondering whether you need a real estate agent to buy a house, the short answer is no. You may be hesitant to work with an estate agent because you don’t want to be saddled with agency fees, but normally buyers don’t pay an agency commission – sellers do. 

What specifically do you need to watch out for? 
Some of the most common pitfalls when buying a property in Spain are deposits, purchase taxes, problems with off-plan properties and properties being built illegally. As you start looking into buying property in Spain, you may well come across some of the many stories of purchases gone wrong.

How much tax do you pay in Spain when buying a house? 
The purchase of a property in Spain comes with the payment of transfer tax (on average 10%), notary fees (€700,-), registration fees (€500,-) and valuation fees (approx. €800,-) 

How much downpayment do I need for a Spanish mortgage? 
For a Spanish mortgage you generally need a minimum deposit of 30% of the purchase price of the property, with lending rates currently starting at around 2% (lower for premium clients). “The maximum mortgage for non-residents is 70% of the purchase price or valuation, whichever is lower. 

Looking for an architect?

Looking for an architect?

Mallorca has strict regulations when it comes to property building and renovating licences, so it’s of the utmost importance to learn all you can about the legality and possibilities of building or renovating before you decide to buy. You will need an architect for this, but how does one find a local architect? 

It’s a good idea to get your ideas and plans mapped out before approaching an architect. There are many architects in Mallorca who will link their fee to the purchase price of the house and / or the total costs of the renovation. By gaining insight into the total costs and the legal possibilities of a building or a renovation in advance, you are in a far better position to negotiate, which can save a lot of money. In our network, we use local architects who have earned their spurs, and have developed contacts in the various town halls on the island. This is especially important because it can sometimes take a long time to get hold of the necessary permits.

Looking for an architect that suits you?
Ask friends and family if they’ve worked with an architect they’d recommend. The way their architect laid out the space may resonate with you, so get their details. If you’d rather approach an architect based on a recommendation, ask any contacts how they found working with their architect. Alternatively, you could look around the area you’re interested in and see if there are any new homes you like the look of — there’s no harm in asking the owner the name of the architectural studio that carried out their work.

Looking for an architect online?
The national AIA website will help you fine tune your search; there’s an online database of over 20,000 architecture firms. Using the Architect Finder tool, narrow the search by location and building type, then review company profiles and pictures of sample projects.

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-to-choose-an-architect

Finding a house in Mallorca

Finding a house in Mallorca

No, we are not a real estate agency, but through our work and our extensive network of contacts, we often hear about properties coming to the market long before the professional agencies do. If you’d like an extra pair of eyes looking out for you, let us know as much as you can about what it is you are looking for.

For more information: info@mallorcabuildingcompany.com