Underfloor heating near new windows and doors – anything to consider?

[Arthur]

#191

Hi, I’m currently in the process of replacing my windows and doors and started thinking about installing underfloor heating at the same time.

I’m wondering how it works around areas like large windows or door thresholds. Do you normally run the pipes right up to the edges, or should there be some spacing? I’ve heard something about heat loss near openings, so not sure what the best practice is.

Would be great to hear from anyone who’s done this during a renovation — anything I should plan ahead before installation?

[SandScreedLondon]

#211

Hi, great question – this is exactly the right time to think about underfloor heating, especially if you’re already replacing windows and doors.

From a professional point of view, yes – pipes are usually run quite close to edges like large windows or doors, but not directly to the very edge. You normally leave a small margin (expansion gap + insulation zone), but at the same time, these areas are often designed with slightly tighter pipe spacing to compensate for potential heat loss.

You’re right that openings (especially large glazed areas) can be points of higher heat loss. That’s why proper insulation around the perimeter and correct screed installation are just as important as the pipe layout itself. A well-installed screed ensures even heat distribution and eliminates cold spots, which makes a big difference in real performance.

From experience, the biggest things to plan ahead are:

* insulation quality around edges and thresholds
* correct pipe spacing design (not one-size-fits-all)
* and choosing the right screed to work with the system

This is where a lot of people underestimate the importance of the screed layer — it’s what actually transfers and spreads the heat across the floor.

At Sand Screed London, we work closely with underfloor heating setups and can advise on the best screed solution for your layout, ensuring proper coverage around windows, doors, and high-loss areas. If you want to get it right from the start and avoid issues later, feel free to reach out — happy to help.

Our website & contact:

SAND SCREED LONDON – SCREEDING LONDON

[Ivan]

#280

Hi, I had underfloor heating installed during a renovation and in my case the installer ran the pipes pretty close to the big windows, mainly to stop that cold feeling near the glass. Around the door thresholds they left a bit more space I think, but that was more of a technical thing for the installation.

If you’re doing it now together with the windows and doors, it’s probably the best time to plan everything properly. I’d just make sure to double-check floor heights and levels near the thresholds, because it’s a pain to fix later 😅

The underfloor heating itself is super comfy though, especailly in winter.

[Dixon]

#310

With large windows, underfloor heating pipes are usually installed closer to the glass since that’s where you tend to feel the most cold. At the same time, a small gap is normally left from the actual window frame or threshold.

Around doors and thresholds, installers also usually leave a bit of space for practical reasons — mainly to avoid issues during installation and to protect the pipes.

If you’re doing this during a renovation, it’s worth planning ahead for:

– how much the floor height will increase,
– where built-in furniture or heavy units will go,
– the layout of large windows and doors.

It’s also a good idea to take photos of the pipe layout before the floor is covered — it can save a lot of trouble later on.

[Shaun]

#370

Hi everyone, omore thing worth keeping in mind when installing underfloor heating during a renovation is expansion joints. If you have large glazed areas or several rooms connected without thresholds, the installer should properly plan the heating loops and expansion gaps to prevent issues caused by floor movement in the future.

In practice, the pipes are usually routed closer to areas with higher heat loss, such as patio doors or large windows, but the entire system should be designed as a whole rather than simply running pipes right up to the edges. It’s also worth asking your installer for a layout drawing of the pipework and keeping a copy for future reference—it can be extremely helpful later on if you need to drill into the floor or carry out additional renovation work.

Since you’re already replacing the windows and doors, this is definitely the ideal time to coordinate everything properly in terms of insulation, floor heights, and the heating system.

[Marta]

#400

Hi everyone, I may not know the technical details as well as some of the people here, but from my own renovation experience, one of the most important things was making sure all the trades worked together properly. The windows, underfloor heating, and final flooring finish are all closely connected.In my case, the installer also stressed the importance of deciding on the final floor covering early on, as it can affect how efficiently the whole system performs.The underfloor heating itself turned out to be a great investment, and if I were renovating again, I would definitely choose it. Especially with large windows, the extra comfort during winter is really noticeable

[Author]

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