What's in an underfloor heating kit? A complete parts checklist

Most problems on an underfloor heating job are not caused by the big parts. They come from the small things that were left off the order: no edge insulation strip, connector cores in the wrong size, or a pump pack that does not suit the heat source. This checklist goes through every part, so you can check a kit list or a quote before you buy.

MaxHeatUFH sells every part on this list, so the whole system can come from one place. If you are comparing underfloor heating supplies, use the tables below to make sure each kit you look at is complete.

What are the main parts of a water underfloor heating kit?

Part	What it does	Where to find it
Floor system	Holds the pipe at the right centres: castellated panels or clips on insulation for screed, overlay boards for low build-ups, grooved chipboard or spreader plates for joisted floors.	Castellated panels, overlay boards, joisted floor systems
UFH pipe	Carries the warm water through each room. Every pipe we sell has an oxygen barrier.	UFH pipe
Manifold	Splits the flow into separate loops. Each port has a flow meter for balancing and takes an actuator.	Manifolds and components
Pump and mixing pack	Circulates the water and, on a boiler, blends it down to a safe floor temperature.	Pumps, actuators and valves
Controls	A thermostat per zone, an actuator per port, and a wiring centre that links them to the pump and heat source.	Thermostats and controls, wiring centres
Fixings and extras	Edge insulation, pipe clips, Eurocone connector cores, ball valves, pipe conduit and tools.	Tools and fixings

What does each floor system need?

The floor system changes what else goes on the list. Our floor systems guide explains how to choose one.

Floor system	Parts to add to the core kit
Screed with castellated panels	Castellated panels, edge insulation strip, and insulation underneath. The panels hold the pipe, so no clips are needed.
Screed with clips on insulation	Insulation boards, a grid membrane, pipe clips and a tacker gun, plus edge insulation strip.
Low-profile overlay	Overlay boards for 12mm pipe, washers and fixings to suit the subfloor, and the right adhesive or primer for the floor finish.
Joisted timber floor	Grooved chipboard panels and chipboard screws from above, or spreader plates fitted from below, with insulation between the joists.

Which small parts get missed most often?

• Edge insulation strip around every wall, so the screed can expand and heat is not lost into the walls.
• Eurocone connector cores in the right size for your pipe, two per loop (flow and return).
• Isolating ball valves on the manifold, so it can be serviced without draining the system.
• Pipe conduit where pipes run close together near the manifold, to stop that area overheating.
• An actuator for every port, not just one per zone.
• A wiring centre with enough zones for every thermostat, and a pump and boiler output.
• A pressure test pump, so the loops can be tested before the floor is covered. See our pressure testing guide.

How much pipe and how many manifold ports?

Most homes use 16mm pipe at about 6 to 7 metres per square metre at 150mm centres. You need one manifold port per loop, and a room usually has one or two loops depending on its size. Our guides on how much pipe you need and how many manifold ports explain loop lengths in detail.

The easiest way to get the quantities right is to design the floor first. Design your UFH system yourself in 3 minutes with MaxHeatUFH ProLoop and get an instant quick design and quote. ProLoop places the manifold, lays out the circuits and prices every part of the kit.

Which pump pack goes in the kit?

• Boiler: a blending valve pump pack, which mixes the water down to floor temperature. See UFH with a boiler.
• Heat pump: usually a non-mixing pump set, because the water is already at floor temperature. See UFH with a heat pump.
• One room off a radiator circuit: a single room mixing pack. See single-room underfloor heating.

What is in an electric underfloor heating kit?

Part	What to check
Heating mat or loose cable	Mats suit square and rectangular rooms; loose cable goes round awkward shapes. Choose the mat closest to the free floor area without going over it, and never cut the heating cable.
Insulation or backer board	Sends the heat up into the room, so it warms faster and costs less to run.
Floor-sensing thermostat	Every electric floor needs one, with the floor probe fitted between the cable runs.
Adhesive, levelling compound or membrane	To suit the subfloor and the finish going on top.

A qualified electrician must make the final connection. Browse electric underfloor heating.

Can I buy the whole kit in one order?

Yes. MaxHeatUFH is a UK underfloor heating supplier, so the floor system, pipe, manifold, pump pack, controls and fixings can all come in one order. Order by 12pm, Monday to Friday, for next working day delivery to the UK mainland. Some Highlands and islands postcodes take 2 to 4 working days. Installers and builders can open a free trade account to see trade prices, shown ex VAT, on every part.

Frequently asked questions

What comes in an underfloor heating kit?

A water kit has a floor system, UFH pipe, a manifold, a pump and mixing pack, controls and fixings. An electric kit has a heating mat or cable, insulation or backer board and a floor-sensing thermostat.

Do underfloor heating kits include the thermostats?

It depends on the kit. Check that there is a thermostat for every zone, an actuator for every manifold port and a wiring centre to link them.

Is screed included in a water underfloor heating kit?

No. Screed is laid by the builder or a screed contractor. The kit covers the heating system and the parts that hold the pipe. See screed depths and drying times.

How do I know how much pipe to order?

Allow about 6 to 7 metres of 16mm pipe per square metre at 150mm centres, or design the floor in MaxHeatUFH ProLoop to get the exact quantities.

Do you install the kit?

No. MaxHeatUFH is a supplier. We work with vetted, approved installers across the UK, and you can get an installation quote.