Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating: a comparison of systems - which solution is right for you?
Underfloor heating stands for modern heating comfort: it distributes heat evenly and comfortably, is energy-efficient and gives you maximum freedom when designing your room, as there are no radiators to get in the way. But which underfloor heating systems are actually available and which is the right one for your new build or renovation project? The choice depends on many factors - from the energy source to the type of installation and the available installation height. As your experienced specialists for heating technology and screed work, operating throughout Germany, we provide you with a well-founded overview of the most common systems and advise you on the optimum solution for your needs.
Fundamental decision: Water-operated or electric?
The first distinction is made according to the energy source:
- Water-bearing underfloor heating (hydronic systems): The standard for full heating
- Function: Hot water from your central heating system (e.g. heat pump, gas boiler, pellet boiler) circulates through pipes laid in the floor. The floor transfers the heat to the room.
- Advantages: Very energy-efficient due to low flow temperatures, ideal for renewable energies, low operating costs (compared to electricity), high level of comfort, cooling often also possible in summer.
- Disadvantages: Higher installation costs, slower heating behavior.
- Our focus: As a full-service provider, we concentrate on these efficient water-bearing systems.
- Electric underfloor heating:
- Function: Heating mats or cables under the floor covering generate heat directly from electricity.
- Advantages: Low installation costs, very flat, fast heat.
- Disadvantages: High operating costs (electricity!), therefore usually only useful as additional heating or for small, rarely used areas (e.g. bathroom).
Water-bearing systems: The installation types in detail
With efficient water-bearing systems, we differentiate according to the type of pipe installation and embedding:
- Wet systems (pipes in screed): The classic in new buildings
- Principle: The heating pipes are laid on an insulating layer and then completely enclosed by the heating screed (cement or calcium sulphate screed). The screed serves as a heat accumulator and distributor.
- Laying types: We have mastered the standard methods for fixing pipes to insulation:
- Tacker system: Flexible with retaining pins on insulation boards/rolls.
- Dimple system: Quick and precise by clicking into dimple plates.
- (Velcro or rail systems are also possible).
- Advantages: Very robust embedding, good heat storage, proven technology.
- Disadvantages: Requires complete screed drying time(ready for covering!), higher construction height.
- Dry systems: low weight & quick installation
- Principle: The heating pipes lie in prefabricated grooves in insulation boards (e.g. EPS, wood fiber). Metal heat conducting plates are placed over the pipes to distribute the heat quickly and evenly. Dry screed elements or suitable floor coverings are then laid directly on top. No wet screed is required.
- Advantages: Low installation height, low weight (ideal for wooden beam ceilings), no long drying times, fast heating reaction.
- Disadvantages: Often higher material costs, careful planning of load distribution over the dry screed is important.
- Ideal for: Renovations, lightweight constructions, wooden beam ceilings.
- Thin film & milling systems: The solution for minimal installation heights
- Principle: The aim is to retrofit with the lowest possible installation height. Either by laying very flat system mats or by milling channels for the heating pipes directly into an existing, suitable screed(milled system).
- Advantages: Minimal installation height, very fast heating response, ideal for retrofitting underfloor heating in old buildings.
- Disadvantages: Milling requires a suitable existing screed; the insulating effect downwards depends on the existing structure.
Choosing the right system: What is important?
Choosing the optimum underfloor heating system is crucial. We take this into account in our nationwide consultation:
- New build or renovation?
- Available construction height? (Often the most critical point in old buildings!)
- Condition of the subfloor? (Concrete ceiling, wooden beams, existing screed?)
- Your heating source? (Especially important for low-temperature systems such as heat pumps)
- Your budget?
- Sound insulation requirements?
Expert assessment: There is a suitable solution for almost every situation. We will find it together with you.
Complete underfloor heating systems nationwide
As your partner for modern heating technology and floor construction, we offer you:
- Professional planning & design of all common water-bearing systems.
- Professional installation of heating pipes of your choice (stapler, studs, milling).
- Delivery & installation of the perfectly matched heating screed (for wet systems).
- Everything from a single source: reduced interfaces, smooth coordination.
- Quality assurance: Including pressure test and monitoring of the heating protocol.
- Nationwide execution by our experienced heating and screed teams.
Tailor-made heat from below for every project
Modern underfloor heating systems offer maximum comfort and efficiency. Thanks to various systems - from wet to dry to milled systems - there is a suitable solution for almost every building situation. Professional planning and installation of the entire system are the key to long-lasting satisfaction.
Your optimum underfloor heating: let us advise you!
Are you interested in a new underfloor heating system or would you like to retrofit one? Contact us for comprehensive advice on the various underfloor heating systems and a detailed quote for the complete installation including screed - nationwide. We are there for you by phone, email or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Tacker systems (flexible) and stud systems (fast) are very common and efficient in new buildings. The milling system is often ideal for retrofitting in old buildings, as it requires the lowest additional installation height (prerequisite: suitable screed).
Special cutters are used to cut precisely fitting channels into the existing screed. The heating pipes are inserted into these grooves. The surface is then usually only thinly filled before the floor covering is laid.
Pipe laying is often quicker and the pipe spacing is precisely specified. The studded panels can also often take over the insulation function directly. However, the pipe routing is somewhat less flexible than with stapling.
Depending on the system and area, laying the pipes alone is often done relatively quickly (often 1-2 days for a detached house). However, the entire process including screed and its drying takes considerably longer.
As your specialist company, we take care of the detailed planning and design of the heating circuits. This is based on the heat load calculation for your rooms to ensure efficient and even heat output.