Underfloor Heating: Everything You Need to Know

Kate Fryer
Aug 11
3 min read

If you're renovating your home or planning an extension, you've probably considered underfloor heating.

Once seen as a luxury, it's now becoming the preferred heating system for many homeowners, offering comfortable, even warmth without the need for bulky radiators.

At Khaya Studio, it's something we discuss with many of our clients. While it isn't the right solution for every home or every room, when specified correctly it can transform how a space feels and functions.

Here's everything you need to know before deciding whether underfloor heating is right for your project.

What Is Underfloor Heating?

Rather than heating a room from radiators mounted on the walls, underfloor heating gently warms the floor itself.

Heat rises evenly across the entire room, creating a comfortable ambient temperature with fewer hot and cold spots.

There are two main types:

Wet (Water-Based) Underfloor Heating

Warm water circulates through pipes laid beneath the floor and is connected to your boiler or heat pump.

This system is generally the best choice for:

New builds
Large extensions
Whole-house renovations
Homes using air source or ground source heat pumps

Although installation costs are higher, wet systems are typically more economical to run over the long term.

Electric Underfloor Heating

Electric cables or heating mats are installed beneath the floor finish.

These systems are generally easier to retrofit and work well in:

Bathrooms
En suites
Cloakrooms
Small renovations

Installation is often simpler, although running costs can be higher than water-based systems, particularly in larger areas.

The Benefits of Underfloor Heating

A More Comfortable Home

One of the biggest advantages is simply how comfortable it feels.

Instead of pockets of heat around radiators, warmth is distributed evenly throughout the room, making the entire space feel cosy.

More Freedom When Designing

As an interior designer, one of my favourite benefits is the freedom it gives when planning furniture layouts.

Without radiators occupying valuable wall space, you have much greater flexibility when positioning sofas, beds, cabinetry and artwork.

The room immediately feels cleaner, calmer and less cluttered.

Improved Energy Efficiency

Because underfloor heating operates at lower temperatures than traditional radiators, it can be more energy efficient—particularly when paired with modern heating systems such as air source heat pumps.

Invisible Heating

Let's be honest…

Radiators rarely improve a room aesthetically.

Removing them allows architectural features, furniture and artwork to take centre stage rather than competing with large white panels on the walls.

Is It Suitable for Every Home?

Not necessarily.

While underfloor heating can work in many properties, there are several factors to consider:

Floor construction
Ceiling heights
Insulation levels
Existing heating system
Floor finishes
Budget

Period properties often require particularly careful consideration to ensure moisture movement and breathability aren't compromised.

Every project is different.

What Flooring Works Best?

Some flooring materials conduct heat much more effectively than others.

Excellent choices include:

✔️ Engineered wood flooring

✔️ Natural stone

✔️ Porcelain tiles

✔️ Luxury vinyl flooring (LVT)

Thicker carpets and dense underlays can reduce efficiency, so these require careful specification if underfloor heating is planned.

This is one reason flooring decisions should always be made alongside the heating design rather than afterwards.

Is It Worth Installing Upstairs?

Clients often ask whether they should install underfloor heating on the first floor.

My answer is…It depends.

Bedrooms generally don't require the same level of heat as living areas, and existing radiator systems often perform perfectly well upstairs.

If you're undertaking a complete renovation, however, installing underfloor heating throughout can provide a consistent heating system and remove radiators from every room.

Things to Consider Before Installing

Before committing, it's worth thinking about:

Your renovation budget
Your heating system
Floor finishes
Future maintenance
Build-up height
Room usage

These decisions are easiest to make early in the design process, before layouts and finishes are finalised.

My Advice

Underfloor heating is one of those investments that people rarely regret.

The comfort it provides is difficult to appreciate until you've lived with it.

However, like any part of a renovation, success comes from careful planning rather than simply choosing the latest technology.

At Khaya Studio, we always consider heating, flooring, furniture layouts and architecture together, ensuring every decision contributes to a home that is both beautiful and practical.