Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating has moved from a luxury to a mainstream choice in UK homes — and it's easy to see why. It delivers perfectly even warmth from the ground up, eliminates cold spots, runs at a lower flow temperature than radiators (making it ideal for heat pumps), and frees up wall space by removing radiators entirely. With the move away from gas boilers accelerating, UFH systems are increasingly specified as part of future-proofed heating installations.

What is included

Wet and electric systems
Compatible with all floor types
Zone control included
Reduces energy bills

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Underfloor Heating

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What is Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating comes in two main types: wet systems (warm water pumped through pipes under the floor) and electric systems (heating cables or mats). Wet systems are more economical to run long-term and work with any heat source including heat pumps. Electric systems are cheaper to install and ideal for single rooms or retrofits. Our partner installers design and fit both systems across all floor types.

When Do You Need Underfloor Heating?

New build or extension where UFH can be designed in from the start

Ground floor renovation where screed or floor build-up can be accommodated

Bathroom or kitchen renovation — both ideal UFH candidates

Removing radiators for a cleaner, more minimalist interior

Installing a heat pump — UFH is the ideal distribution system

Single room electric UFH for bathroom comfort

What the Service Involves

1System design — zoning, pipe spacing, manifold location
2Sub-floor preparation — insulation board to prevent downward heat loss
3Pipe or mat installation to design specification
4Manifold installation and connection to heat source
5Screed or floor covering over wet system
6Zone controls and thermostat installation
7Commissioning — pressure test, zone balancing, temperature setting
8Handover and controls instruction

What Affects the Job?

—Wet vs electric system — wet is higher to install, lower to run
—Floor area — primary cost driver
—Floor type — screed, floating floor, or low-profile overlay system
—Number of zones and complexity of controls
—Whether a new manifold and controls are required
—Heat source compatibility — may require mixing valve with existing boiler
—Insulation below the system — critical for efficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

Can underfloor heating be retrofitted in an existing property?

Yes — modern low-profile overlay systems add as little as 15mm to floor height, making retrofit feasible in most rooms. The main constraint is door clearance and transition to adjacent floor levels. Your installer will assess suitability.

How long does underfloor heating take to warm up?

Wet UFH systems embedded in screed take 2-3 hours to reach operating temperature from cold — they are designed to be left on at a lower temperature rather than switched on and off. Electric systems warm up within 20-30 minutes. Smart controls compensate by pre-heating based on your schedule.

Is underfloor heating compatible with all floor coverings?

Most floor coverings are compatible — tile, stone, engineered wood, LVT, and carpet (with a tog rating below 1.5). Solid wood is more restrictive due to moisture sensitivity. Your installer will specify compatible floor coverings as part of the design.

Can I add underfloor heating to a heat pump system?

UFH is actually the ideal distribution system for heat pumps — it operates at the low flow temperatures (35-45°C) that heat pumps produce most efficiently. A well-designed UFH system with a heat pump is the most energy-efficient heating combination available.