How does low-profile retrofit underfloor heating work?
Pre-routed low-profile boards go on top of your existing floor, the warm-water pipe is pressed into the channels, and your new floor finish goes straight over. No excavation, no new screed slab.
The build-up adds roughly 15–25mm — about the thickness of an engineered wood plank. Most rooms absorb that within the floor finish or a threshold strip; doors occasionally need a trim.
It behaves exactly like screeded UFH: water at 35–45°C circulates through each room's loop from a central manifold, with no radiators taking wall space.
Key fact: Low-profile retrofit wet UFH adds ~15–25mm of floor height and runs off your existing boiler or a heat pump — no major building work.
Can underfloor heating be retrofitted in a Victorian terrace or period flat?
In most cases, yes:
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces — suspended timber and solid ground floors both take low-profile systems. Floorboards, cornicing and fireplaces stay untouched.
- Flats and maisonettes — no excavation and minimal height gain, so it usually works within lease and freeholder constraints.
- Period conversions and renovations — if you're already replacing a floor finish, the retrofit layer slots in with almost no extra disruption.
We never quote blind. The site survey tells us your floor construction, insulation and heat source — and we'll tell you straight if a room isn't a good candidate. Recent retrofit and screeded installs are on our work page.
What is the retrofit installation process?
- Site survey. We measure each room, check floor build-up, door clearances, insulation and heat source. Free written quote within 24 hours.
- Design & zoning. Heat loss calculations per room, pipe spacing, loop layout and a manifold plan — each zone gets its own thermostat.
- Installation. Boards go down over the prepared floor, pipe into the routed channels, manifold mounted and connected to your heat source.
- Pressure test. Every loop is tested before anything is covered — proven leak-free while it's still accessible.
- Commissioning. We balance the manifold, set up the blending valve and thermostats, and hand over with a workmanship guarantee.
How long does a retrofit take?
Typical timelines, confirmed in your free written quote. We sequence the work room by room so your home stays liveable.
Does retrofit UFH work with my existing boiler — or a heat pump?
Both. The manifold's blending valve tempers a standard combi or system boiler down to the 35–45°C the floor needs, and the UFH can run alongside any radiators you keep.
Planning an air source heat pump? Heat pumps are most efficient at exactly these low flow temperatures, and a floor we install today reconnects to one later without being lifted. Our London cost guide covers the numbers; our wet vs electric comparison explains why electric mats can't make the same switch.
Why London homeowners choose Meridian for retrofits
Levels, thresholds, suspended floors and period quirks all need judgement before the first board goes down. We bring over 5 years of UFH experience, Gas Safe registered engineers, £5M public liability insurance and Ambiente systems and manifolds. We work London-wide (see areas we cover), including Hampstead, Camden and Fulham. Book a site survey via our contact page (written quote within 24 hours, free) or see the full underfloor heating service page.