Renovation - Radiators Vs Under Floor Heating

WaltKowalski

Very general question.

I'm about to undertake a renovation project - 4 bed bungalow.
Central heating has to be installed.

In very general terms, how much more expensive is it to install underfloor heating than radiators?

BryanF

WaltKowalski wrote: »

Very general question.

I'm about to undertake a renovation project - 4 bed bungalow.
Central heating has to be installed.

In very general terms, how much more expensive is it to install underfloor heating than radiators?

unless you intend installing a lot of floor insulation, then your money would be better spent on the external building fabric: insulation & ventilation, then heating consideration. have a read of this & this

WaltKowalski

Thanks - yes, am installing a lot of insulation, under floor, in external walls and attic.
I don't know the 1st thing about it all - obviously!

My only thought on the matter is that I don't like radiators.
If the price difference isn't too much, I'd much prefer not to have them.

BryanF

WaltKowalski wrote: »

Thanks - yes, am installing a lot of insulation, under floor, in external walls and attic.
I don't know the 1st thing about it all - obviously!

in that case please get an architect in with retro-fitting experience

My only thought on the matter is that I don't like radiators.
If the price difference isn't too much, I'd much prefer not to have them.

there is so much more involved than a straight price.
what's the heat source? with rads- oil,gas,timber basically all the standard fuel sources work well. if your going with underfloor then you need to CAREFULLY consider what best heating source works with UFH. some of lower temp operating technologies like heat pumps are getting great press at the moment but imo when considering UFH V rads, considering only the set-up costs Rads win by a mile

WaltKowalski

I have someone 'project managing' for me.
I was planning on installing a solid fuel stove with a back boiler.
That's as far as the decision making process has gone yet.

I just thought I might be able get a general idea.

Thanks for the advice.

DOCARCH

As a 'rule of thumb' installing underfloor heating is approx/roughly the same cost as installing new radiator pipework and radiators.

The difference, in terms of cost, with underfloor heating is (generally) you need to work out the cost of removing the existing floor structure and providing a concrete floor slab/sub floor, insulation and a concrete screed to take the underfloor heating pipework.

If you were going to replace the existing floor with a concrete slab anyway, then the cost difference between underfloor heating vs. new radiators/pipework would be negligble.

WaltKowalski

DOCARCH wrote: »

If you were going to replace the existing floor with a concrete slab anyway, then the cost difference between underfloor heating vs. new radiators/pipework would be negligble.

Exactly what I wanted to hear! Thank you!

dar31

going to renovate a bunglow this year, and the house we are in at t
he moment has underfloor heating.

upon discussion with her self, we decided to put underfloor heating into any rooms that have tiles on floor, etc kitchen halls bathrooms. in the bathrooms we are planning to put in heated towel rails with a small rad on the bottom as well.
bedrooms and lesser used rooms we want a more instantaneous heat as and when needed.

this is whats in our would like list, we havent done any research on cost or how practical it is yet.

for the kitchen and your own ensuite/main bathroom it is probably worth ripping up the floor for it.