The Tiny house Blog

Top 10 Benefits of Underfloor Heating and Floor Screed Installations for Your Home

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
June 9, 2025
Top 10 Benefits of Underfloor Heating and Floor Screed Installations for Your Home

Homeowners today want the comfort, efficiency, and durability of heating options. We hear a lot about smart homes today, but relatively little about smart home heating. Two of the more modern innovations – underfloor heating and floor screed – are setting the world alight for all the right reasons.

Whether it’s for new construction or a remodel, these two products can be combined to contribute to an energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and luxurious living experience. But what are the benefits, exactly?

Here is the list of the top 10 reasons underfloor heating and floor screed installations are a savvy investment for your home:

1. Even Heat Distribution

Arguably, the most appealing benefit of underfloor heating is its floor-wide blanket of heat. Unlike radiators, which heat from the top down (warming the air nearest them first, then creating hot and cold spots around the room), underfloor heating works from the bottom up. This way, you can ensure that heat photography rises evenly, so you have perfect ambient temperature throughout.

Combined with an effectively applied floor screed as a thermal conductor, heating is optimally distributed and is also stored, providing for optimal comfort and efficiency.

2. Increased Energy Efficiency

In-floor heating is an efficient source of heat. They work at lower temperatures compared with standard radiators yet provide the same level of warmth. This makes them perfect for the well-insulated home, where lower energy levels are required to achieve a comfortable temperature.

When a floor screed is added, particularly a liquid screed (e.g., liquid anhydrite or liquid cementitious screed), heat transfer is enhanced. This will ensure your underfloor heating doesn’t have to work quite as hard or for as long, saving you money on your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint.

3. Free Up Wall Space

Radiators command the wall where they are placed, preventing you from installing bookshelves or artwork or maintaining a more minimalist vibe. The entire underfloor heating system is hidden underground, which means you are free to design your home without the encumbrance of radiators or other types of wall-mounted heating.

This can be especially useful in open-plan rooms or smaller areas where space is limited. A smooth, level floor screed can be added to finish the surface, ready for laying your final floor covering.

4. Silent Operation

If you’ve ever been woken up by the clanking or spluttering of old-school radiators, you'll appreciate the peace and quiet of underfloor heating. There are no moving parts, no pumps, no fans in the living space, only quiet, calm warmth.

The floor is built up as it is installed with high-quality screed; the underfloor area is insulated and encapsulated, significantly reducing the sound that travels through your home, and the noise reduction in the house is measurable.

5. Better Indoor Air Quality

Radiators can kick up dust and allergens as they warm the air and move it about the room. This can exacerbate conditions like asthma or hay fever. Radiant heat from underfloor heating warms the air in the room without circulating it.

Along with a dust-resistant screed installation, you are combating bacteria bonded to its surface, resulting in a healthier environment and improved indoor air quality, which is ideal for households with children, pets, or allergy sufferers.

6. Low Maintenance and Long Lifespan

Underfloor heating systems, when installed correctly in conjunction with the floor screed, have very low maintenance requirements. When installed, they are sealed underneath the floor so they cannot be damaged or worn. First-rate units can deliver years of use, serving as a very sound long-term investment.

The screed also serves to protect the heating pipes or cables. It envelops the system, inhibits movement, and adds longevity, providing a secure, solid, and stable foundation for lasting results.

7. Compatible with Most Floor Coverings

It doesn’t matter if you favour tile, laminate, engineered wood or carpet; underfloor heating can work with an extensive range of floor finishes, so long as it’s laid over a suitable screed. The screed forms a flat, smooth surface, ensuring the heating system operates efficiently under any floor covering, which is ideal for the system.

You can even choose between self-levelling/rendering or fast-setting/drying screeds, depending on the type of floor and your project schedule.

8. Adds Value to Your Property

With more and more buyers searching for energy-efficient and contemporary ways to heat their homes, installing underfloor heating could potentially add value to your home. It’s often considered a luxury, especially when it's installed throughout the house or in crucial areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and open-plan living areas.

Installation by a professional UK screed installer will help maintain the high quality and long life of your underfloor heating, ensuring it retains its luxurious feel and performs at its peak for many years.

9. Improved Safety and Comfort

Underfloor heating doesn’t have exposed pipes or hot surfaces, so there is less risk of burns or damage, which is a significant advantage for families and the homes of the elderly. The heat is balanced and not sharp, making everyone safer and more comfortable.

Furthermore, screeded floors reduce potential floor movement, squeaks, and unevenness, creating an ideal stable base for most floor types.

10. Future-Proofing Your Home

As the world moves toward sustainable building practices and more efficient heating technologies, underfloor heating represents a forward-thinking solution. It's particularly compatible with renewable energy sources such as ground and air-source heat pumps.

Using the right screed, especially one with high thermal conductivity and environmental performance, helps maximise your system’s efficiency and prepare your home for future building standards and energy regulations.

Conclusion: A Smart, Sustainable Choice

Numerous benefits of installing both underfloor heating and floor screed in your home can be provided; here, we discuss just some of the great ones. From energy savings and comfort to safety, design freedom, and long-term value, the advantages are readily apparent.

With a renovation or self-build project ahead, perhaps now is the best time to consider specifying underfloor heating and floors that are ready to receive it from a specialist installer. Not only will it make everything you do so much more pleasant, but it will also bring your home right up to the cutting edge in terms of practical, contemporary design.

Ready to take the next step? Consult with a specialist from Next Level in Edinburgh, Glasgow or beyond to discover the ideal system and screed solution for your specific needs and enjoy a warmer, quieter, and more energy-efficient home for years to come.

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