BENEFITS OF UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Underfloor heating (UFH) is the preferred choice of heat emitter for many self builders – and with good reason. Its low flow temperatures marry up perfectly with renewables such as heat pumps. What’s more, standard boilers run more efficiently with UFH compared to using radiators.

It’s also a hidden system, so a key benefit is that it reduces the need for wall-hogging traditional radiators – although you may still want to include a towel rail in wet zones such as bathrooms, to provide a timely boost when external temperatures drop into the minus figures.

UFH works by pumping a controlled flow of warm water through tubing embedded in the floor. This in turn warms the surface above, transforming it into a whole-room, low-temperature heating emitter. The system performs most efficiently in combination with tiled flooring and similar hard surfaces, but can be installed beneath engineered wood floors, carpet and more.

Solutions are available for both screeded and suspended timber floors, including low-profile options to help maximise floor-to-ceiling height.