Underfloor Heating
Combining Underfloor Heating with Radiators in Mixed Schemes
Mixed schemes often put liquid screed UFH downstairs and radiators upstairs, needing clear zoning and manifold planning between the two.
It's common, particularly in renovation and extension projects, to install liquid screed underfloor heating at ground floor level while retaining radiators on upper floors, or to mix the two within the same floor level where a particular room's construction doesn't suit a wet UFH build-up. These mixed schemes work well, but they need clear planning around zoning and control so the two heat emitter types perform properly together.
From a screed perspective, the practical work doesn't differ much between a fully UFH property and a mixed one, since our focus remains on the pipework, insulation and cover within the areas being screeded. The wider coordination point is making sure the heating designer's zoning and flow temperature strategy accounts for radiators and UFH circuits, which often want different flow temperatures, being run from a shared heat source.
Where a mixed scheme is planned, we liaise with the heating installer on manifold positioning for the UFH areas and confirm pipe layouts against the design before pouring proceeds, the same as on any other project.
Why mixed schemes are common
Ground floor extensions with a new liquid screed floor are a natural fit for UFH, while existing upper floors with radiators already installed are often left as they are during a renovation, making a mixed scheme a practical and familiar approach on many projects.
Our role within a mixed scheme
Within the areas being screeded, our checks on pipe fixing, insulation, cover depth and pressure testing proceed exactly as they would on a fully UFH property; the wider system design, including how radiator and UFH circuits are balanced together, sits with the heating designer and installer.
Separating circuits on a shared heat source
A common arrangement uses two-port zone valves to separate the UFH and radiator sides of the system, each fed at its own appropriate flow temperature from a shared boiler or heat pump. This lets the UFH circuit run at its lower design temperature via the manifold's blending valve while radiators receive a hotter, unblended flow.
UFH and Radiators Together — the points that decide it
- Mixed schemes often place UFH downstairs and radiators upstairs, or split by room
- UFH and radiator circuits typically want different flow temperatures from the heat source
- Zoning and control strategy needs to account for both emitter types together
- The screed installation process itself is largely unaffected within the UFH areas
- Manifold positioning and pipe layout for UFH zones is still planned as normal
- Coordination with the heating installer covers the interface between the two systems
- A two-port zone valve arrangement is a common way to separate UFH and radiator circuits on the same heat source
- Radiator circuits generally tolerate a wider flow temperature range than UFH, giving the designer flexibility in a mixed scheme
UFH and Radiators Together — your questions
Planning a mixed UFH and radiator scheme?
We handle the liquid screed side of your UFH zones and coordinate closely with your heating installer.
Or call our landline on 01392 237700
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In short
Mixed schemes often put liquid screed UFH downstairs and radiators upstairs, needing clear zoning and manifold planning between the two.
Planning a mixed UFH and radiator scheme?
We handle the liquid screed side of your UFH zones and coordinate closely with your heating installer.