Blog / retrofit underfloor heating

Variotherm modular wall heating system is a modern, high output, efficient and cost effective heating solution that can be installed where other heating methods can’t be used.

This is one of the most common questions are asked by customers retrofitting underfloor heating (UFH). As UFH designers/suppliers/installers, we would recommend insulation in every case and, not just in the floor. We design systems to produce more than enough heat output to satisfy the needs of any property, however it’s the insulation in the property that keeps that heat in where it’s required!

Wall heating systems work very similar to underfloor heating in that they heat a room predominantly by radiation (like the sun) as a result of pumping warm water through looped pipes. Wall heating systems are often used as an alternative to UFH in renovation projects. Until the recent additions of retrofit and wall heating systems, installing ufh resulted in the floor having to be excavated. Although Retrofit UFH kits have eliminated the need to fully excavate flooring, this does not mean wall heating systems are now redundant. It is not always economically viable to re-lay flooring after installing ufh such as in renovations of older homes.

We answer your questions about laying underfloor heating onto existing floors.

One of the most frequent questions we get asked from customers wishing to retro-fit underfloor heating (UFH) is what is best/most cost effective, excavate the existing floor or add a board system? Whilst costs can vary hugely by area, tradesman etc., we've compiled a list of comparative costs for each type of UFH install and labour etc. on a typical approx. 75m2 project: