Warm floors, planned properly
Bathroom underfloor heating
Underfloor heating turns a cold bathroom floor into one of the nicest parts of the room, and in a small bathroom it can free up the wall space a radiator would have taken. Electric underfloor heating is the usual choice for a single bathroom: thin mats or loose cable laid under the tiles, connected to their own thermostat.
How we work
How electric underfloor heating goes in
The heating element sits between the subfloor and the tiles, so it has to be planned as part of the floor build-up, not added as an afterthought. The floor is checked and prepared first, insulation boards are usually laid to push the heat upwards rather than into the floor below, and the mats or cable are fixed on top. The tiles then go down over the element in the normal way.
The electrical connection is made by a suitably qualified electrician. The heating circuit needs its own supply and a thermostat with a floor probe, and the work has to comply with the electrical regulations for bathrooms. We coordinate that as part of the project so the electrician visits at the right point in the sequence.
In a wet room the same principle applies, with the added requirement that everything in the wet zone is compatible with the tanking system. Our [wet rooms](/services/wet-rooms) page explains how the floor is built up there.
What the installation covers
Floor structure and levels checked first
Insulation boards laid where appropriate
Heating mats or cable laid to the planned area
Floor sensor and thermostat positioned sensibly
Electrical connection by a qualified electrician
Floor tiling over the finished system
System tested before and after tiling
Is it worth it in a small bathroom?
Often, yes. A small bathroom has limited wall space, and a heated floor can provide much of the room's warmth while keeping walls free for storage or a larger shower. The running cost depends on how the room is used and how well the floor is insulated underneath, which is why the insulation layer matters.
Free home survey and written quotation
Underfloor heating is planned at the survey stage of a bathroom project, where we check the floor construction, the layout and the electrical supply. The written quotation then sets out the floor build-up, the heating system and the tiling as separate, clear items.
Good to know
Underfloor heating and your floor finish
Tiles are the ideal partner for underfloor heating: they conduct heat well and are unaffected by the temperature changes. Our floor tiling service covers the tiling itself, and the bathroom flooring options guide compares tiles with vinyl and other finishes, including how each behaves over heating.
Underfloor heating is usually zoned to the open floor area only, not under the bath, shower tray or furniture, so the heated area is planned around the final layout. That is another reason it works best as part of a planned renovation rather than a retrofit.
Read before you commit
Common questions
Bathroom Underfloor Heating: your questions answered
Can underfloor heating go under a shower or wet room floor?
Yes, provided the system is suitable for wet areas and is installed in coordination with the tanking. We plan the two together so neither compromises the other.
Does electric underfloor heating need an electrician?
Yes. The mats are laid as part of the floor work, but the electrical supply, circuit and thermostat connection are done by a suitably qualified electrician.
Can it be fitted in an existing bathroom?
It means lifting the existing floor finish, so it is normally done as part of a renovation rather than as a standalone job.
What floor finish works best over underfloor heating?
Porcelain and ceramic tiles conduct heat best and are unaffected by temperature changes. Other finishes can work but need checking against the heating manufacturer's guidance.
Other services we provide
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