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Discover everything you need to know about purchasing an underfloor heating system. Whether you're aiming to install a whole house heating system to allow you to walk around bare foot with maximum comfort, or just heat a single room, our guide explains how underfloor heating works and how it can keep you warm during cold weather.

What is underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating has become one of the most popular home heating options, appealing to both self-builders and those extending or renovating their houses. Underfloor heating adds a touch of luxury to your homes design, nothing compares to the warm, cosy feeling underfoot when you take off your shoes at the end of a long day.

Unlike radiators, which heat the surrounding air through convection, underfloor heating employs both convection and radiant heat to warm a space. This combined approach ensures a consistent temperature throughout the room, effectively eliminating cold spots.

Underfloor heating can also be installed in virtually any home, either during construction or by retrofitting into an existing property, and it is compatible with almost any type of flooring.

Which type of underfloor heating system should I choose?

There are two types of underfloor heating systems:

Electric underfloor heating

Wet underfloor heating

Electric systems use electricity to heat thin wires, while wet systems circulate heated water through pipes. Choosing the right system depends on your project and preferences.

Electric systems are often more suitable for small areas like bathrooms and renovations because they don't raise floor levels. On the other hand, wet systems are better for larger spaces or new constructions, as they are integrated into the structural sub-floor.

At Designer Heating, we proudly partner with UK-based company Cosytoes to supply our underfloor heating products. Their Trademat+ system features a network of electrical cables secured by a mat and installed beneath your tiles. These mats are available in various sizes, ranging from 1m² to 5m². Using a ‘Tack n Stick’ backing which is super easy to install, you can position the mat before cutting to ensure most accurate results.

Water underfloor heating, also known as a 'wet system', operates by circulating warm water through a network of pipes installed beneath the floor. Please note that we do not stock this type of underfloor heating system at Designer Heating.

At Designer Heating we have a range of heating solutions suitable for nearly any floor finish and every room in your home.

Advantages of underfloor heating

Underfloor heating offers several advantages over traditional heating systems like radiators. Key benefits of underfloor heating include:

It reduces cold spots in large areas of your home.

It eliminates the need for multiple bulky radiators, increasing available floor space throughout your home.

The system operates at lower temperatures than radiators, making it overall more energy efficient.

It’s compatible with multiple flooring types.

You can select underfloor heating zones, that you can control independently.

When used in bathrooms, it can prevent mildew due to the regular heat source drying out condensation.

The underfloor heating installation process

The installation process for underfloor heating may disrupt your daily routine for a period, so it's essential to ensure you can accommodate these changes and choose the most convenient time to proceed with the work.

All electrical tasks, including wiring and connecting the thermostat to the heating system, must be carried out by a certified electrician.

CosytoesTrademat plus system is quick to install as the mats have a fixed cable space that give a pleasant even spread of heat over the floor surface. It is a good idea to lay out the installation without securing the mat, to ensure that you have the correct size. Take care not to cut or damage the cable with sharp tools and wear soft soled shoes throughout.

Once you have positioned your heating mat you can then remove the protective strip from the self-adhesive tape and secure it to the floor.

What type of flooring can be used with underfloor heating?

One huge advantage of underfloor heating is that it can be used with almost any flooring type. Most commonly thought to be used with tiles, it can also be used with the likes of wooden flooring and laminate, as well as carpet (although it should not have a tog underlay rating of higher than 2.5 in order for the underfloor heating to be efficient).

Ceramic and porcelain tiles, luxury vinyl tiles and natural stone flooring are amongst the most efficient floor choices for underfloor heating. Whilst polished concrete flooring also work very well, as the thermal mass of the concrete retains heat, meaning your room will stay warmer for longer after the heating has been switched off.

Costs to consider

A variety of underfloor heating systems are available, with costs depending on factors such as the size of the underfloor heated area, running time, heat output, and system type. Additionally, a thermostat is required to control the system.

These costs will vary based on the property's size, the building's heating requirements, and whether it is a new build, renovation, or conversion. Although underfloor heating has a higher initial cost compared to radiators, don't be discouraged. The running costs are typically much lower than those for radiators. Additionally, underfloor heating systems have a lifespan of over 50 years.

Our Cosytoes Trademat plus products start from £99.95 and range to £199.95 per m² depending on the size you need. The additional Touchscreen Thermostat is £69.95 and is required for the system.

Choose your underfloor heating today

Warm up your home in the most efficient way and install underfloor heating today. Suitable for a variety of rooms throughout your home and compatible with multiple types of flooring, there’s an underfloor heating solution to suit all.