UFH GUIDE · KENSINGTON
Restoration flooring over underfloor heating in Kensington
UFH and wood flooring is where most Kensington installs go wrong, because the rules differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and the consequences (cupping, gapping, delamination) only show up months later. Kensington's stucco-fronted homes usually keep original cornicing, so scotia detailing has to be sympathetic rather than chunky. This page covers exactly how we fit floor restoration over UFH for Kensington homes — temperature ramps, underlay tog, and which products are actually rated for the heat output you've got.
What matters for floor restoration in Kensington
- Maximum surface temperature for any wood floor is 27°C — Kensington new-build manifolds often run hotter and need a thermostat cap.
- Underlay tog should sit under 0.5 — anything thicker insulates the heat back into the screed instead of the room.
- Screed must read below 1.8% CM moisture before any wood goes down. We bring our own meter to every Kensington survey.
- A 14-day temperature ramp (start cold, +5°C per day) protects the boards and the joints during commissioning.
- We dust-extract sand on site so you can stay in the property; gaps are filled with resin-and-sawdust slurry matched to the boards before staining.
Typical Kensington use cases
Wet UFH on screed in Kensington
Default spec: 14–15mm engineered oak, glue-down, low-tog underlay or fully bonded.
Electric UFH retrofit
Lower output — most restoration specs are still safe, but we check the wattage per m² before quoting.
Kensington kitchen extension
UFH in the new section, joist construction in the old — we plan an expansion break at the transition.
Nearby areas we cover
We fit floor restoration across Kensington and the surrounding area, including:
Kensington is part of our wider London coverage — see all services and areas there.
Kensington FAQs
- Can I fit solid wood over UFH in Kensington?
- We don't recommend it. Solid moves too much with temperature swing — engineered oak gives you the same look with proper stability.
- What's the right underlay for UFH in a Kensington flat?
- Something under 0.5 tog, ideally a fully bonded adhesive. We use Sika Bond or F. Ball depending on the screed.
- How long after the UFH is commissioned can you fit?
- Minimum 14 days after final screed temperature, with documented moisture readings under 1.8% CM.
- Do you cover Kensington for UFH installs?
- Yes — and the surrounding Notting Hill, Holland Park, Chelsea area. UFH installs are one of our most common Kensington jobs.
Summary
Restoration over UFH in Kensington is fine — but only with the right spec, the right underlay, and the right ramp. We do all three in writing before fitting.
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