Electric Underfloor Heating Systems – Collection Guide
Electric Underfloor Heating Systems – Collection Guide
Electric underfloor heating is a modern, energy-efficient way to heat your home comfortably and evenly from the floor up. Whether you are renovating a single room or planning a whole-home heating solution, electric UFH offers fast warm-up times, low build height options, and precise temperature control.
At Eco Friendly Heating and Flooring, we supply carefully selected electric underfloor heating systems from trusted manufacturers including Warmup and Flexel, ensuring compatibility with modern flooring types and underfloor heating best practice.
Why Choose Electric Underfloor Heating?
Electric underfloor heating works by gently radiating heat upwards, warming floors, furnishings, and people directly rather than overheating the air.
- Key benefits include:
- Even, comfortable heat with no cold spots
- Silent operation and zero air movement
- Low maintenance with no servicing required
- Ideal for renovations and extensions
- Compatible with renewable electricity and solar PV
- Works perfectly with modern insulation standards
Electric UFH is particularly effective when paired with well-insulated floors and efficient thermostatic control.
Electric Underfloor Heating Systems by Type
Different electric UFH systems are designed for different floor finishes, room shapes, and installation requirements.
Foil & Carbon Film Underfloor Heating
Best for laminate, engineered wood, vinyl (with overlay), and carpet
What Is Carbon Film Underfloor Heating?
Carbon film underfloor heating uses thin, electrically conductive carbon layers to generate radiant heat evenly across the floor surface. The heating element is supplied in rolls and installed as a dry system beneath floating floors.
Carbon film systems are best suited to laminate and engineered wood flooring, and can also be used beneath vinyl or carpet when combined with overlay boards.
Key characteristics:
- Ultra-low build height
- Fast warm-up times
- Even heat distribution
- Dry installation (no screed or levelling compound)
Carbon film underfloor heating is popular in renovation projects where floor height is limited.
What Is Foil Underfloor Heating?
Foil underfloor heating uses a heating cable encapsulated within aluminium foil layers. The foil spreads heat evenly and provides earthing protection, making it ideal for floating floor installations.
Foil systems are typically installed directly beneath laminate and engineered wood floors, and can be adapted for vinyl or carpet using suitable overlay boards.
Key characteristics:
- Dry installation system
- Excellent heat dispersion
- Minimal floor build-up
- Clean and fast installation
Foil and carbon film systems provide ultra-low build height heating and dry installation, making them ideal for renovation projects.
Typical features:
- Installed directly beneath floating floors
- No screed or self-levelling compound required
- Fast response times
- Suitable for large, open areas
Examples include:
- Carbon film systems (such as EcoFilm Pro
- Foil-based heating mats
Refer to our Underfloor Heating Compatibility Guide and Parador Underlay Buyer Guide for full advice.
Heating Cable Mat Systems
Best for tiled floors and regularly shaped rooms
What Is Ecofloor Heating Cable Mat?
Ecofloor heating cable mats combine the flexibility of loose wire with the convenience of pre-spaced installation. The heating cable is fixed to a mesh mat, allowing for predictable coverage and faster fitting.
Ecofloor cable mats are designed for tiled floors in regular-shaped rooms, making them a popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces.
Heating cable mat systems combine the flexibility of loose wire with the speed of pre-spaced installation. The heating cable is fixed to a mesh mat, ensuring even heat distribution and faster fitting compared to free-form loose wire systems.
Ecofloor heating cable mats are designed specifically for use beneath tiled floors and are ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces where ceramic or stone tiles are being installed.
Typical features:
- Pre-spaced heating cable for consistent heat output
- Faster installation than loose wire
- Ideal for square or rectangular rooms
- Installed using tile adhesive or self-levelling compound
- Suitable for primary or secondary heating
Ecofloor cable mats are particularly popular where installers want:
- Predictable coverage
- Reduced installation time
- Reliable performance under tiles
👉 Refer to our Underfloor Heating Compatibility Guide for full advice.
Heating Mats (Sticky Mat Systems)
Best for tiled floors and regularly shaped rooms
What Is a Sticky Mat (Heating Mat) System?
Sticky mat systems consist of a pre-spaced heating cable fixed to a self-adhesive mesh mat. The mat is rolled out across the floor, making installation fast and consistent.
Sticky mats are designed primarily for tiled floors and are best suited to regular-shaped rooms.
Key characteristics:
- Pre-spaced cable ensures even heat
- Fast installation
- Installed beneath tiles using adhesive or levelling compound
- Ideal for bathrooms and kitchens
Heating mats feature pre-spaced heating cables fixed to a mesh, allowing for fast and consistent installation.
Typical features:
- Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and tiled spaces
- Installed beneath tiles using tile adhesive or levelling compound
- Excellent heat distribution
- Available in multiple sizes
WarmUps Stickymat and Flexels Ecofloor are direct competitors in the same product category—mesh-mounted cable mat systems. If you are looking for a quick-to-install, self-adhesive mat for tiled floors, they will function in almost exactly the same way.
Loose Wire Heating Systems
Best for irregular rooms and tiled floors
What Is Loose Wire Underfloor Heating?
Loose wire underfloor heating uses a free-lay heating cable that can be spaced and routed manually across the floor. This offers maximum flexibility during installation.
Loose wire systems are ideal for irregular room shapes, rooms with fixtures, or areas where heating coverage must be adjusted precisely.
Key characteristics:
- Fully adjustable cable spacing
- Ideal for complex layouts
- Installed beneath tiles or levelling compound
- Suitable for primary or secondary heating
Loose wire systems offer maximum flexibility where room shapes are complex or fixtures are present.
In-Screed Systems
Best for tiled floors and heavy-use areas
What Is an In-Screed Electric Underfloor Heating System?
In-screed underfloor heating systems are designed to be installed inside a thick concrete or screed layer, typically during new builds or major construction projects.
The heating cables are fixed to insulation boards and then fully embedded within a screed layer, which acts as a thermal mass, storing and slowly releasing heat.
Key Characteristics – In-Screed Systems
Heating cables buried within screed
Requires 50mm–100mm+ screed depth
- High thermal mass
- Slower heat-up times
- Longer heat retention
Best Applications
- New builds
- Extensions
- Large open areas
- Projects with high heat demand
In-screed systems are embedded within thick screed layers and are best suited to new builds or projects requiring high heat output. In-screed systems are best planned early in the build process due to their significant impact on floor height.
Decoupling systems
What Is a Heated Decoupling System?
Heated decoupling systems are electric underfloor heating solutions specifically designed for tiled and stone floors, most commonly used in renovations, bathrooms, and kitchens.
These systems use a special decoupling mat (such as DCM-PRO) that performs two functions at once
- Holds the heating cable securely in place
- Separates (decouples) the tiled surface from subfloor movement
This decoupling action helps prevent tiles from cracking or lifting due to natural movement in the subfloor.
Key Characteristics – Heated Decoupling Systems
Designed specifically for tile and stone floors
- Heating cable fits into pre-formed studs or channels
- Tile adhesive applied directly over the mat
- Protects tiles from subfloor movement
- Minimal increase in floor height
Best Applications
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Renovation projects
- Areas with existing subfloor movement
Heated Decoupling Systems – DCM-PRO Explained
Warmup DCM-PRO systems (Decoupling membrane) combine electric underfloor heating with a decoupling membrane that protects tiled floors from cracking caused by subfloor movement.
DCM-PRO is available with two backing options, both using the same heating cable and offering the same thermal performance.
DCM-PRO Peel & Stick (V3)
Features a self-adhesive backing for fast installation on smooth, dry substrates. This version allows immediate tiling and can reduce installation time by up to 40%.
Best for:
- Smooth, clean subfloors
- Warmup Ultralight boards
- Prepared screed
DCM-PRO Fleece Backing (V3)
Requires traditional tile adhesive beneath the mat, making it better suited to uneven, rough, or damp substrates. The fleece backing allows improved bonding and repositioning during installation.
Best for:
- Uneven or imperfect subfloors
- Renovation projects
- Areas where additional bonding strength is required
Both versions act as an anti-fracture membrane and are suitable for bathrooms and wet rooms when installed correctly.
Heated decoupling systems are ideal where tile protection, reliability, and low build height are priorities.
Heated decoupling systems are designed for tiled floors where protection against subfloor movement is required, making them ideal for renovations and bathrooms.
Electric Underfloor Heating Systems – Comparison Table
| System Type | Best For | Floor Finishes | Installation Method | Floor Height Impact | Ideal Use Case | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foil Heating Systems | Floating floors & renovations | Laminate, engineered wood, vinyl & carpet (with overlay) | Dry installation | Ultra-low | Regular & large rooms | No screed required |
| Carbon Film Heating (EcoFilm Pro) | Low-profile floating floors | Laminate, engineered wood, vinyl & carpet (with overlay) | Dry installation | Ultra-low | Renovations | Not suitable for wet rooms |
| Ecofloor Heating Cable Mats | Tiled floors (simple layouts) | Tiles & stone | Adhesive or leveller | Low | Regular-shaped rooms | Pre-spaced cable |
| Sticky Mat Systems | Fast tile installations | Tiles & stone | Adhesive or leveller | Low | Bathrooms & kitchens | Quick install |
| Loose Wire Systems | Complex tiled layouts | Tiles & stone | Adhesive or leveller | Low | Irregular rooms | Maximum flexibility |
| Heated Decoupling Systems (DCM-PRO) | Tile protection & heating | Tiles & stone | Decoupling mat + adhesive | Minimal | Renovations & wet rooms | Anti-fracture membrane |
| In-Screed Heating Systems | New builds & extensions | Tiles & stone | Embedded in screed | High | Large areas | High thermal mass |
For tiled floors, several electric underfloor heating options are available. Heating mats and Ecofloor systems are ideal for regular-shaped rooms, while loose wire systems suit complex layouts. Heated decoupling systems are recommended where tile protection is essential, particularly in renovations. In-screed systems are best suited to new builds where higher floor build-up is planned.
Choosing the Right System for Your Floor Type
| Floor Type | Recommended UFH Systems |
|---|---|
| Laminate | Foil or carbon film |
| Engineered wood | Foil or carbon film |
| Vinyl | Foil or carbon film with overlay boards |
| Carpet | Film or foil with overlay boards |
| Tiles & stone | Heating mats or loose wire |
👉 Refer to our Underfloor Heating Compatibility Guide for full advice.
Insulation – The Key to Performance
Proper insulation beneath electric underfloor heating is essential.
Benefits of insulation:
- Faster heat-up times
- Lower running costs
- Improved comfort
- Reduced heat loss into the subfloor
Insulation boards or insulated underlays should always be used unless a system includes integrated insulation.
👉 Refer to our Parador Underlay Buyer Guide and insulation product guides where applicable.
Smart Controls & Thermostats
All electric underfloor heating systems should be paired with accurate temperature control.
Benefits include:
- Reduced energy usage
- Floor temperature protection (especially for vinyl and wood)
- Zonal heating control
- Smart app and scheduling options
Both Warmup and Flexel systems are compatible with modern digital and smart thermostats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is electric underfloor heating expensive to run?
When installed with proper insulation and controls, electric UFH can be very efficient, especially when used in zoned areas or well-insulated homes.
Can electric underfloor heating be the main heat source?
Yes. With correct heat loss calculations and coverage, electric UFH can act as primary heating.
Can I use electric underfloor heating with vinyl floors?
Yes, but vinyl requires additional protection layers such as overlay boards and strict temperature control.
Is electric underfloor heating suitable for renovations?
Absolutely. Low-profile foil and film systems are particularly suited to retrofit projects.
Do I need overlay boards?
Refer to our Underfloor Heating Overlay Board Guide for full installation advice.
Explore Electric Underfloor Heating Systems
Browse our full range of electric underfloor heating systems, insulation, thermostats and accessories to find the right solution for your project.