Guide · West Sussex · PO19
Microcement with underfloor heating — Chichester specification
For new-build microcement with underfloor heating in Chichester, the questions are about programme integration and screed compatibility — the visual finish is confirmed at sample stage. That's why the spec sheet below matters more than the aesthetic on this brief. The Chichester catchment we work across covers PO19, PO20 — reached via the A27 / A286, 1 hr from brighton via the a27. Nearby coverage includes Fishbourne (2 mi), Bosham (4 mi), Selsey (8 mi). Site conditions matter here: harbour-adjacent salt exposure in the western catchment. That shapes the primer and sealer specification below, not just the visible finish.
Substrate diagnosis before we quote
Microcement is one of the most UFH-compatible floor finishes on the market — 2 mm thickness gives fast thermal response and low resistance (0.02 m²K/W). But the screed must be commissioned to a slow heat-up schedule first, cracks resin-injected, and expansion joints honoured through the finish.
Detailing notes for your designer
A continuous microcement floor across a large open plan with UFH is the single most requested combination in modern-build interior design. Colour the microcement 1–2 shades darker than the joinery for the room to read as bright without going stark; sealer matt for domestic, satin for hospitality.
The spec sheet
On-site programme
- Screed commissioningWeek 1–4
UFH commissioned to a manufacturer schedule — typically a slow ramp to 55°C then back to ambient. Cannot be skipped.
- Substrate prepDay 1–2
Cracks resin-injected, screed skimmed flat to SR2, moisture tested (below 75% RH).
- Base coat + meshDay 3
Fibreglass mesh embedded in reinforced base coat, honouring the substrate joints.
- Colour coatsDay 4–5
Two 1 mm colour coats, hand-trowelled.
- SealerDay 6–7
3 coats polyurethane floor sealer. UFH re-commissioned at 1°C per day increment after 7 days.
Where installs go wrong
- ✕Firing the UFH before microcement cure — the finish crazes.
- ✕Missing substrate expansion joints — cracks telegraph through.
- ✕High-conductivity floor with a rug — creates a stress line at the rug edge.
- ✕Ambient-only cure — UFH schedules matter for both the screed and the microcement.
What's specific about Chichester for this brief
ufh-ready floors in Chichester — Q&A
Other guides for Chichester
Microcement with underfloor heating — other Sussex towns
Related products & services
The short version
For ufh-ready floors in Chichester: expect a £90–£160 per m² budget, a build programme of about 6–10 working days on site, and a survey-to-install window of 4–6 weeks. The finish is one continuous mineral surface — no joints, no trims, no visible transitions.