Old Korean House Heated Floors

It is said that there was once an ondol room hundreds of years old that had incredible thermal efficiency.

Old korean house heated floors.

The kang is said to be derived from the concept of a heated bed floor called a huoqiang found in china in the neolithic period according to analysis of archeological excavations of building remains in banpo xi an. This is because while there may be differences in material size or structure all homes that are equipped with ondol an underfloor heating system and maru a wide wooden floor area are considered hanok. Unfortunately that room was destroyed during the korean war in the early 1950 s. However archeological sites in shenyang liaoning show humans using the heated bed floor as early as 7 200 years ago.

The ondol korea s traditional underfloor heating system has not only heated the houses of korea for thousands of years it has also by its very use shaped and landscaped korean culture and lifestyle as we witness and experience it to this very day. The suntouch floor heating mat measures 10 ft. The main components of the traditional ondol are an agungi accessible from an adjoining room a raised masonry floor underlain by horizontal smoke passages and a vertical freestanding chimne. Because of the design of the room s flue structure its floor would remain hot for 45 days with just one heating.

Warmth could supposedly be felt for 100 days. Ondol or gudeul in korean the traditional korean home heating system is a unique invention of ancient korea. The bed at this excavation is made of 10 cm pounded. The first documented usage of the ondol in korea s history has been recorded at an archaeological site in unggi hamgyeongbuk do in present day north korea.

Ondol or gudeul in korean traditional architecture is underfloor heating similar to a kang bed stove that uses direct heat transfer from wood smoke to heat the underside of a thick masonry floor. And offers an ultra thin low profile system that installs beneath tile stone and even vinyl or laminate flooring. In modern usage it refers to any type of underfloor heating or to a hotel or a sleeping room in korean style. Ondol korean home heating system an ancient heating system lasting millennia ondol an incredibly efficient home heating system that is good for human health is a uniquely korean innovation.