What does underfloor heating installation cost per m²?

The cost of underfloor heating installation varies by system. Electric: €50–100 per m² including installation. Wet underfloor heating (water): €80–150 per m² including installation. Dry system: €60–120 per m² including installation. Costs include thermostat but exclude floor covering.

Can underfloor heating be installed in an existing home?

Yes. For existing homes, a dry system (without screed) is the most common choice, as the floor height increase is minimal (only 1–3 cm). Wet underfloor heating requires a new screed (7–10 cm) and is therefore more invasive. Electric mats are the easiest to install in existing situations, including under tiles or laminate.

How much does the floor height increase with underfloor heating?

With an electric heating mat: 3–8 mm. With a dry system (foil + panels): 12–22 mm. With a wet screed: 70–100 mm. Bear in mind that doors and thresholds may need adjustment if the floor becomes higher.

Which floor covering is suitable for underfloor heating?

Tiles (ceramic, natural stone) are ideal: they conduct heat well. Laminate and PVC (click flooring) are suitable provided the thermal resistance value is below 0.15 m²K/W. Solid hardwood is less suitable due to shrinkage and expansion. Carpet dampens heat transfer and is less efficient.

How long does it take to install underfloor heating?

An electric mat in the bathroom: 1 day. Dry system for an entire ground floor: 2–4 days. Wet underfloor heating with screed: 3–5 days installation, plus 28 days curing time for the screed before the floor covering can be applied.

Underfloor heating installation: what does it cost in 2026?

Q: What is the difference between electric and wet underfloor heating?

Electric underfloor heating is easier to install (no pipes, no boiler needed), has lower installation costs, but higher energy costs in the long run. Wet underfloor heating (water) has higher installation costs but lower energy costs — ideal in combination with a heat pump. Electric is suitable for small spaces such as bathrooms; wet underfloor heating is more efficient for entire homes.

Compare systems

What types of underfloor heating are there?

There are three main types of underfloor heating, each with their own costs, applications and pros and cons. Choose the system that suits your situation.

System	Cost per m²	Floor height +	Ideal for
Electric (mat/foil)	€50 – €100	3–8 mm	Bathroom, utility room, small space
Dry system (water)	€60 – €120	12–22 mm	Renovation of existing home, all rooms
Wet system (screed)	€80 – €150	70–100 mm	New build, large-scale renovation

⚠️ Please note: the prices above include materials and installation, but exclude floor covering and any adjustments to doors or thresholds. For the wet system, screed costs (€20–35/m²) and drying time (28 days) apply additionally.

Per system

Costs per underfloor heating system

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Electric mat

€50 – €100 per m²

Lowest installation costs. Higher energy costs (electricity). Thermostat +€80–250. Ideal for bathrooms.

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Electric foil

€40 – €80 per m²

Flat system (2mm) under laminate/PVC. Quick to install. Not suitable for tiles.

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Dry system (water)

€60 – €120 per m²

Pipes in insulation panels, no screed required. Most popular choice for renovations. Floor +1.5–2.5 cm.

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Wet system (screed)

€80 – €150 per m²

Most efficient. Requires screed (28 days curing). Standard in new builds.

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Thermostat

€80 – €350

A smart thermostat (Nest, Tado) is more energy-efficient but more expensive. One thermostat per zone.

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Installer

€25 – €55 per hour

Electric: installer + electrician. Water: installer + heating engineer for connection to boiler/heat pump.

Energy costs

Payback period and energy costs

Underfloor heating combined with a heat pump is one of the most efficient heating systems. Compare the annual energy costs:

System	Energy source	Annual costs (100m²)	Payback period
Electric mat	Electricity	€800 – €1,400	Never (higher running costs)
Water + condensing boiler (gas)	Gas	€600 – €1,000	5–8 years
Water + heat pump	Electricity (COP 4+)	€400 – €700	8–12 years (incl. heat pump)

A heat pump combined with solar panels makes underfloor heating nearly free in summer (ground cooling) and very affordable in winter. The additional cost of a heat pump (€8,000–15,000) is partially offset by the ISDE subsidy from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Practical advice

What is the right choice for your situation?

Bathroom or toilet: choose an electric mat. Cheapest, quickly installed, ideal for small spaces.
Existing home (entire ground floor): dry system. Minimal floor height increase, no screed, suitable for condensing boiler or heat pump.
New build or major renovation: wet system (screed). Most energy-efficient, requires the lowest water temperature — ideal with a heat pump.
Upper floor (bedrooms): consider electric foil under laminate. Lightest installation, minimal floor height increase.
Combine with a heat pump: required to qualify for the ISDE subsidy and to maximise energy cost savings.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Underfloor heating

Costs vary by system: Electric €50–100/m², Dry system €60–120/m², Wet system €80–150/m². Including materials and installation, excluding floor covering.

Electric has lower installation costs but higher energy costs. Wet underfloor heating (water) has higher installation costs but lower energy costs — ideal with a heat pump. Electric is suitable for small spaces; wet underfloor heating is more efficient for entire homes.

Yes. For existing homes, a dry system (without screed) is the most common choice — floor height increases by only 1.5–2.5 cm. Electric mats are the easiest to install, including under existing tiles or laminate.

Electric mat: 3–8 mm. Dry system: 12–22 mm. Wet (screed): 70–100 mm. Adjust doors and thresholds if the floor height increases significantly.

Tiles are ideal (best heat conduction). Laminate and PVC are suitable with Rλ < 0.15 m²K/W. Solid hardwood is less suitable. Carpet significantly reduces efficiency.

Electric mat (bathroom): 1 day. Dry system (entire ground floor): 2–4 days. Wet system with screed: 3–5 days + 28 days curing for the screed.

Underfloor heating installation: what does it cost?