Until now, if you wanted to enjoy the comfort of water underfloor heating in a property with an existing screed or finished floor, you had two systems to choose from:

1. Classic wet installation under the screed, which involves a lot of physical work, demolition, removal of construction waste, time, and dust.

2. Thin-layer systems, which reduce the required installation height to 2-3 cm. These have a high initial investment and, despite the small installation height, they are not always applicable due to the level of doors in the property.

If the above options have already discouraged you, wait, as there is a third option – milling channels for underfloor heating. This is the newest technology for installing underfloor heating in existing screed. For this purpose, specialists mill channels where the pipes for the water underfloor heating are placed. In this way, the underfloor heating is integrated directly into the existing screed or floor, so the milling does not reduce the clear height of the property. During the milling process, the cutters break up the screed into dust, which is collected by an industrial cyclone into bags, ready for disposal.

Below, we have summarized how it works, what you should consider, the limitations, and other frequently asked questions from clients regarding underfloor heating milling.

• What is milling of channels for underfloor heating?

• What are the steps of execution?

• What are the installation requirements?

• What would the budget be?

• Advantages and disadvantages

FAQ Topics :

What are the steps of execution?

Underfloor heating through milling can be directly integrated into the existing screed. For this, specialists use milling machines to create channels where the underfloor heating pipes are placed. The channels are usually spaced between 10 and 15 centimeters apart and are about 2 cm deep. Afterward, the pipes are laid in the screed, hydraulic 72-hour tests are performed, and the screed is poured with self-leveling screed, enhanced with additives for improved heat emission. The underfloor pipes are connected to the heating system via one or more distributors. When the pipes heat up, the heat first transfers to the floor and then relatively quickly to the room above, through natural convection.

Important: Before laying the new flooring, a specialized company will fill and purge the heating system and conduct a pressure test for tightness.

What are the steps of execution?

1. Removal of existing floor coverings and residues of adhesive or dirt.

2. Inspection of the level and quality of the screed.

3. Repair of any damage to the screed (cracks, holes, uneven surfaces).

4. Measurement and planning of heating circuits.

5. Milling of channels for underfloor heating using a special milling machine.

6. Installation of underfloor heating pipes in the milled channels.

7. Connection of the pipes to the distribution manifold of the heating circuit.

8. Laying control cables and thermostats.

9. Hydraulic testing of the connections and installation.

10. Application of self-leveling screed over the installed pipes.

11. Installation of the new flooring.

What are the installation requirements?

The screed must have a minimum thickness of 4 centimeters to allow the milling of channels for underfloor heating. This method is applicable to almost all types of screed, but an expert will inspect to ensure suitability in your specific case during a pre-installation assessment. If necessary, test drilling will be conducted. The screed should not crumble or have large cracks. Small cracks, unevenness, or defects must be repaired prior to installation. This solution is not applicable on ground floors due to increased heat loss. Existing tiles or stone coverings can remain in place.

What would the budget be?

The cost of milling per square meter varies depending on the spacing of the channels. Larger spacing generally results in lower costs. The price typically includes milling, pipes, communication cables, and their installation.

Additional costs may arise for drilling and connecting to your existing heating system, which depend heavily on the required integration activities. To estimate costs more accurately, you can request a reliable offer here.

Key cost factors:

• Size of the area to be milled.

• Spacing of the channels.

• Necessary insulation work.

• Difficulty in removing the existing flooring.

Extent of repairs needed for the screed underneath.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Milling underfloor heating allows you to quickly and cleanly add more comfort to your living space. The heating system responds instantly and does not require additional installation height. Almost all types of screed can be used, and in some cases, tiles or natural stone coverings do not need to be removed.

+ Clean Installation in Occupied Spaces

Milling with a specialized machine generates a significant amount of dust. To prevent this from spreading into the living areas, the milling machines are equipped with powerful industrial vacuum systems. These systems capture the dust on-site, minimizing dirt and disruption in the living space. This setup makes it possible to mill underfloor heating even in occupied homes.

+ Enhanced Living Comfort in Just a Few Days

If you opt for milled underfloor heating, the disruption to your daily life is relatively brief. Compared to conventional systems, the work is completed within just a few days. In a single workday, approximately 35–50 square meters of space can be milled, with pipes, manifolds, and wiring installed. Since there are no extensive construction activities, the rooms can be quickly returned to use after the installation.

+ Short Reaction Time of Surface Heating

When underfloor heating is milled into the screed, the heating pipes are positioned close to the floor covering. This allows heat to travel a short distance and quickly warm the desired rooms. In contrast, conventional systems first heat the entire screed, resulting in a significantly slower response time.

- Approximately 5% Higher Losses Due to Lack of Insulation Underneath

Installing underfloor heating directly into the screed results in approximately 5% higher heat losses due to the absence of insulation underneath. However, when the floor borders a heated apartment, this difference is almost negligible and difficult to notice.

- Lower System Inertia

Since milled underfloor heating is installed shallowly in the screed, its thermal inertia is significantly reduced. This is a drawback only when using on/off heat sources without modulation. Fortunately, such heating appliances have become almost obsolete in recent years, making this issue largely irrelevant.

Contacts

Contact phone number

+359 (0) 888 732 984

Back office: office@evoludte.com

For offers: sales@evoludte.com

Address: 1421 Sofia, Cherni Vrah Blvd. 8