Retrofit Underfloor Heating: What to Resolve Before the Floor Goes Down

Few renovation upgrades are loved and enjoyed as much as a warm floor underfoot, and the good news is that you do not need to rebuild a home to enjoy one.

GALLERY  

When a bathroom, kitchen or living area is already being refurbished, it is the perfect moment to retrofit underfloor heating, provided the key decisions are made well before the first tile is laid.

Can you retrofit underfloor heating?
Yes, and more easily than most people expect. When tiles, carpet or timber are coming up anyway, low-profile electric underfloor heating can sit neatly beneath the new finish with very little impact on floor height.
Hydronic systems come into their own on larger projects, where floors are being rebuilt and comfort across the whole building is part of the brief.

Let the floor finish guide the system
The floor covering you choose shapes the system that suits it best. Tile and stone pair beautifully with an electric thin mat or screed cable, since both conduct warmth so well.
Floating timber can take an under timber mat, provided the manufacturer approves the flooring for underfloor heating, while carpet can be warmed by a mat laid between the underlay and the carpet.
For major rebuilds, hydronic screed or slab is worth planning before the concrete goes down.

Mind the floor height
In a retrofit, height is usually the tightest constraint, especially in apartments. Comfort Heat Australia thin mats are about 3 mm high, which creates a total build-up of roughly 6 mm once adhesive is included. Screed cable needs more depth, so check door thresholds, bathroom falls and floor wastes against your details early rather than discovering a clash later.

Retrofit underfloor heating in the bathroom
Bathrooms are the most popular place to retrofit underfloor heating in Australia, being tiled and damp.
Before finalising the design, confirm whether existing tiles are coming out or being tiled over, whether the room is being re-waterproofed, and where the doorway clearances, floor waste, thermostat, conduit and power will sit. Areas under baths, vanities and fixed cabinetry will not be heated.
While the room is open, a mirror demister mat is a lovely addition, gently warming the glass so it stays clear after a shower.

Get the trades talking
A licensed electrician must connect electric underfloor heating, and the order of work matters.
In a typical bathroom retrofit, power and conduit go in first, the subfloor is waterproofed, the cable is laid without penetrating the membrane, then come the screed, a second waterproofing layer, tiling and finally the thermostat connection.
Agreeing that sequence with every trade before work starts saves time and awkward conversations.

Beyond the bathroom
Kitchens, where people stand for hours, suit underfloor heating beautifully.
For extensions and whole-building projects, hydronic heating pairs with an Intaflo air-to-water heat pump, available from 9 to 30 kW with Wi-Fi control and solar compatibility.
Every project also benefits from a custom design layout, which Comfort Heat Australia prepares for every job, giving the whole project team one clear reference.

About Comfort Heat Australia
Comfort Heat Australia is Australian owned and operated, with more than 25 years of experience and 75 years of combined engineering and installation expertise across its team.
We deliver complete electric and hydronic underfloor heating for homes, apartments and larger developments, from custom design and supply through to installation support and ongoing care. If underfloor heating is not the right fit for your project, the team will tell you.

Invisible Luxury, Irresistible Comfort. Read the full retrofit underfloor heating guide on the Comfort Heat Australia website.

Planning to retrofit underfloor heating and have drawings ready? Submit your floorplan for a custom layout and quote, or contact Comfort Heat Australia on 1300 13WARM with questions or any other requirements. You can also request a quote online.

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