Underfloor heating in Paris: invisible thermal comfort
Underfloor heating in Paris has established itself as the most elegant and efficient heating solution in high-end renovations. By eliminating radiators and convectors, it frees up wall space, simplifies interior layout and delivers perfectly uniform warmth from floor to ceiling. Wild Rénovation integrates this technology into every renovation where thermal comfort is a priority.
In a Parisian apartment, underfloor heating radically transforms the experience of the space: no more cold spots, no visible appliances, a gentle and constant temperature that emanates naturally from the floor. It is the heating of the most refined contemporary interiors.
"Low-temperature underfloor heating is the noblest form of heating: invisible, silent and perfectly uniform."
Low-temperature hydronic underfloor heating
Principle and operation
Hydronic underfloor heating works by circulating warm water (28 °C to 35 °C) through a network of PEX or multilayer pipes embedded in a screed. This low temperature ensures optimal comfort — the floor surface never exceeds 28 °C — while providing heat distribution through radiant transfer, the most comfortable mode for the human body.
Coupled with a condensing boiler or heat pump, hydronic underfloor heating delivers energy savings of 15 % to 25 % compared with a conventional radiator system. In summer, the system can also operate in cooling mode by circulating water at 18 °C — a considerable advantage in Parisian top-floor apartments.
Installation in renovation projects
Installing hydronic underfloor heating during renovation requires a build-up of 8 to 10 cm comprising insulation (studded expanded polystyrene or grooved panels), pipes and fluid screed. Wild Rénovation systematically checks the load-bearing capacity of the existing floor and the available ceiling height before validating this option. In Haussmann-era buildings, original timber floors may require prior structural reinforcement.
Electric underfloor heating
Electric underfloor heating uses heating cables or radiant mats installed beneath the floor covering. Its main advantage in renovation is its minimal thickness — 3 to 5 mm — which allows installation without significant build-up. It is particularly suited to bathrooms, kitchens and smaller areas where a hydronic system would be oversized.
The initial investment is lower than a hydronic system and installation is faster. Wild Rénovation recommends electric underfloor heating as a supplement to a main heating system, or in configurations where technical constraints rule out the hydronic option.
Compatibility with floor coverings
- Polished concrete — Excellent thermal conductor, optimal heat diffusion, the ideal pairing with underfloor heating
- Tiles & natural stone — Very good conductivity, high thermal inertia, perfect for large surfaces
- Marble — Compatible with precautions: gradual warm-up mandatory to prevent cracking
- Engineered parquet — Compatible in oak 14-15 mm, glued installation mandatory, thermal resistance below 0.15 m²K/W
- Solid parquet — Not recommended above 15 mm thickness, thermal resistance too high
- Herringbone parquet — Compatible in engineered version, fully glued, outstanding aesthetic and thermal result
Controls and home automation
Room-by-room thermostat
Room-by-room control is essential to optimise comfort and energy savings. Each zone has its own thermostat and control valve, allowing temperature to be adapted to usage: 21 °C in the living room, 19 °C in bedrooms, 23 °C in the bathroom. Smart thermostats enable hourly programming and remote management via smartphone.
Home automation integration
Wild Rénovation integrates underfloor heating into the apartment's overall home automation system. The controls communicate with presence sensors, window contacts (automatic reduction when windows are opened) and ambiance scenarios. The system learns the occupants' habits and anticipates thermal needs for permanent comfort without waste.
Performance and energy savings
Low-temperature underfloor heating allows the temperature setpoint to be reduced by 1 °C to 2 °C compared with radiator heating, thanks to the superior comfort sensation of radiant heat. This reduction translates into significant savings on energy consumption, in addition to gains from the heat source operating at low temperature.
Wild Rénovation sizes each installation based on a precise thermal study — heat losses, existing insulation, orientation — to guarantee the expected performance and compliance with current thermal regulations.