Renovating or extending is the natural time to add underfloor heating. We work alongside your builder, plan around the floor you have, and choose a system that keeps floor levels and door heights sensible.
A new extension. The floor is being built from scratch, so a wet in screed system usually goes in. Pipe on insulation, screed over the top, finished floor to follow. We coordinate with your builder and the screeder so it happens in the right order.
An existing room being refurbished. Digging out for a deep screed often is not practical, so an overlay system over the existing floor is often the answer, adding only a small amount of height. It can be one room, a whole floor, or the extension and the rooms it opens into, all on one system.
Adding underfloor heating to a house that is already built comes down to the floor. We look at the construction and levels, then choose the method that fits with the least fuss.
A low profile panel system is installed over an existing suitable floor, with the final floor finish installed above it.
The underfloor heating system is installed between timber floor joists.
The pipework is installed before screed or concrete is laid over the system.
On a renovation there is a lot happening in a small window. We will tell you and your builder exactly when we need access and what has to be ready. That means insulation down, floor clear, a route for the manifold and a power supply for the controls.
We pressure test the system before the floor goes back over it, so any issue is found while it is still easy to reach.
A low profile overlay wet system running through a glazed garden room and into the adjoining space. Grooved insulation panels are laid over the existing floor and the pipe is pressed into the routed channels, so the finished floor level barely changes. A good approach where digging out for a deep screed is not practical.
A wet in screed underfloor heating installation in a modern extension with full height sliding glazing onto the garden. Continuous pipe is clipped over insulation in a close even pattern across the whole floor, with blue edge insulation around the perimeter, laid ready for the screed.
A wet underfloor heating circuit in a ground floor extension still under construction. Blockwork walls are up to damp proof course, the floor is built up over insulation and a membrane, and pipe is clipped in a wide even pattern with the layout marked out on site, set out ready for screed.
A low profile overlay wet system fitted through the hallway and rooms of an existing, already plastered house. Grooved foil faced panels sit on the existing floor and small bore pipe is pressed into the channels, carrying the circuit through doorways from room to room with very little change in floor height.
These are the three main ways a wet system is fitted. In screed means the pipework is installed before screed or concrete is laid over it, which suits new floors, extensions and any floor being dug out and rebuilt. Overlay means a low profile panel system is installed over an existing suitable floor, with the final floor finish installed above it. Between joists means the system is installed between timber floor joists. The right method depends on the property, the floor construction and the project, so we look at each one before advising.
Overlay underfloor heating, sometimes called low profile overlay underfloor heating, is a wet system built from shallow panels laid over an existing suitable floor. The pipe sits in the panels and the final floor finish is installed above it. Because there is no deep screed, it adds much less height than an in screed system, so it is often chosen for renovations and for heating one or two rooms. Whether it suits your project depends on the existing floor, so it is a good thing to look at on a site visit.
In screed systems add the depth of the insulation and the screed, so they suit floors that are being built or dug out. Overlay systems add much less, between joists systems sit within the depth of the floor, and electric mats add very little. The exact height depends on the system chosen, so tell us the floor levels and door heights you are working with.
Many finishes can be used, including tiles, stone, engineered wood, vinyl and carpet with a suitable underlay. Some, such as thick carpet or solid wood, need more thought than tiles or stone. Check the guidance from the manufacturer of the finish you have chosen and tell us your plans early.
Yes. A single room such as a bathroom or kitchen can have its own system. For a whole floor or a whole house a wet system is normally planned as a set of circuits.
Often, yes. A low profile overlay system sits on top of the existing floor and only adds a small amount of height, so you can heat a room, or a whole floor, without excavating for a deep screed. Whether it is the right approach depends on your floors, door heights and what else is happening in the room. It is a good thing to look at on a site visit.
Often, yes. Pipework can be laid between the joists with insulation below and the floorboards refitted on top, or an overlay system can go over the boards. Which suits best depends on the floor construction, so it is worth a look on a site visit.
Often, yes, as long as the existing floor is suitable. That means it needs to be sound and level enough to take the panels. The overlay system is laid over it and your chosen floor finish then goes on top. We check the floor on a site visit and tell you if it needs any preparation first.
Between joists means the wet system is installed between the timber joists of a floor. It suits properties with timber floors where the boards can come up. Insulation goes in first so the heat is directed up into the room, the pipework is laid and pressure tested, and the floorboards are then refitted on top.
It depends on the floor and on how much needs to be lifted. Overlay systems generally involve less disruption than digging out for a screed. We will explain what to expect when we quote and plan the work around your builder if you have one.
Yes. An extension can have its own underfloor heating circuit. Whether it also links to other rooms depends on the heat source and the existing floors, so tell us what is planned.
Tell us about the project and we’ll come back to you with what we need to know and where to go next.
