Wet underfloor heating installation for new and existing floors
Underfloor Heating Installation
Underfloor heating (UFH) is a wet heating system that circulates warm water through pipework laid beneath the floor finish, connected to a manifold and heat source, providing even heat and working well at the lower flow temperatures suited to heat pumps.
Definition
What Underfloor Heating covers
Wet UFH pipework is laid within a screed, floating floor system or retrofit low-profile panels, depending on whether it's new-build or a retrofit into an existing floor build-up, and connects to a manifold that regulates flow and zoning to each area. It is commonly specified in extensions, new builds and renovations, and increasingly alongside heat pump installations.
Suitable for
- New-build ground floors and extensions where UFH can be designed in from the outset
- Renovations where the floor is already being taken up
- Properties pairing UFH with a heat pump for lower running flow temperatures
- Kitchen, bathroom and open-plan living areas
Not suitable for
- Existing floors with no plan to lift the floor finish, where retrofit options are limited and should be assessed individually
- Rooms with permanent fitted furniture covering most of the floor area, which reduces the heating effect
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Design
Calculating heat output required per room and planning pipework runs and zoning to suit.
- 02
Installation
Laying pipework, insulation and edge insulation, and connecting to the manifold.
- 03
Screed or floor finish
Coordinating screed pour or floor finish installation, with appropriate curing time before the system is fired up.
- 04
Commissioning
Pressure testing, balancing the manifold and commissioning the system with controls.
Typical timescale
Installation of the pipework and manifold typically takes a small number of days per floor, followed by screed curing time (commonly around four to six weeks for a traditional screed) before the system can be brought up to full temperature. Confirmed at design stage.
Cost guidance
Underfloor heating typically costs £60–£120 per m² in our area, with screed type, floor preparation and zoning pushing costs toward the top of that range. We provide an itemised quotation after a site visit rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Screed supply and laying is coordinated as part of the installation but priced according to area and screed type
- Existing floor build-up depth and joist capacity (for retrofit projects) are confirmed on survey, as they affect which UFH system is suitable
- Floor finishes (tile, engineered wood, carpet) have different thermal performance with UFH, which we advise on during design
Areas we cover
Underfloor Heating across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for underfloor heating in each town we work in.
Related services
You may also need
FAQs
Underfloor Heating FAQs
Can underfloor heating be retrofitted into an existing floor?
Yes, low-profile retrofit systems are available for existing floors, though the practical option depends on the existing floor build-up and door threshold heights, which we assess on survey.
How long does screed take to cure before I can use UFH?
A traditional screed typically needs around four to six weeks to cure before the system is gradually brought up to full temperature, following the screed manufacturer's guidance. Faster-curing screed products can reduce this.
Can UFH be combined with radiators in the same house?
Yes, this is common — for example underfloor heating downstairs with radiators upstairs. The manifold and zoning are designed to handle both parts of the system together.
Discuss your underfloor heating project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.