Underfloor Heating vs Radiators
Compare underfloor heating with radiators for London homes. Installation costs, running costs, comfort levels, and which suits period properties.
Underfloor Heating
Advantages
- +Even heat distribution across the entire floor — no cold spots
- +Frees wall space for furniture placement and design
- +Runs at lower temperatures, improving boiler or heat pump efficiency
- +Invisible system — no radiators on display
- +Compatible with stone, tile, and engineered wood floors
Disadvantages
- −Higher installation cost, especially for retrofit
- −Slower to heat up — not ideal for rooms used intermittently
- −Raises floor level by 15 to 50mm depending on system type
- −Repairs require lifting floor coverings
Average cost
£80 – £120 per m² (wet system, installed)
Best for
New extensions, kitchen-diners, bathrooms, and open-plan ground floors with stone or tile finishes.
Radiators
Advantages
- +Lower installation cost — especially when replacing like for like
- +Quick to heat a room — useful for intermittently used spaces
- +Easy to install, replace, or relocate
- +Wide range of styles from traditional column to modern flat panel
- +No impact on floor levels or floor coverings
Disadvantages
- −Takes up wall space and limits furniture placement
- −Uneven heat distribution — warmer near the radiator, cooler further away
- −Visible in the room, which may conflict with interior design
- −Dust circulation can aggravate allergies
Average cost
£250 – £600 per radiator (supplied and fitted)
Best for
Bedrooms, studies, and rooms where rapid warm-up is valued, or as a cost-effective whole-house heating solution.
Cost Comparison
| Underfloor Heating | Radiators | |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost | £80 – £120 per m² (wet system, installed) | £250 – £600 per radiator (supplied and fitted) |
| Key advantages | 5 noted | 5 noted |
| Key disadvantages | 4 noted | 4 noted |
| Best for | New extensions, kitchen-diners, bathrooms, and open-plan ground floors with stone or tile finishes. | Bedrooms, studies, and rooms where rapid warm-up is valued, or as a cost-effective whole-house heating solution. |
Our Verdict
Underfloor heating is the ideal choice for ground-floor living spaces, especially new extensions and open-plan areas with hard flooring. Radiators remain practical for bedrooms, upper floors, and rooms where rapid heat response matters. Many London homeowners install underfloor heating on the ground floor and radiators upstairs — a combination that balances comfort, cost, and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can underfloor heating be retrofitted to an existing house?+
Is underfloor heating cheaper to run than radiators?+
Does underfloor heating work with wooden floors?+
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