Screeding

At Thermo-Floor, we’re experts in underfloor heating systems and have experience installing these systems into various flooring types. When it comes to screeding, the main methods used are Tacker Clips, Wire Grid Mesh, Clip Rail Panel, Castellated Panelling and Floating Floors.

Tacker Clips

The sub-floor is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed.

The pipe work is laid out and securely fastened to the insulation by tacker clips which hold the pipe in the prescribed positions and prevent the pipe lifting or moving during the screeding process. The pipe is connected to the manifold before relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity. Finally, screed is laid over the top.

Wire Grid Mesh

Generally used when the thermal insulation has been installed beneath the structural slab or when thermal insulation is not required, this installation method involves attaching pipe to steel mesh which is laid over the concrete slab. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed. 

Steel mesh of an appropriate grade is fastened to the concrete slab using plastic hammer clips. The pipe work is then fastened to the mesh using tie wires which hold the pipe in the prescribed position and prevent the pipe lifting or moving during the screeding process. The pipe is connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top. The wire grid or mesh system can also be used to cast the pipes directly into the structural slab.

Clip Rail Panel

The sub-floor is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed.

The clip rail panels are laid over the top of any insulation and secured with fixing staples. The pipe is inserted into the clip rail and connected to the manifold, relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top.

Castellated Panel

The sub-floor is laid with rigid thermal insulation boards which reduce downward heat losses and provide a base on which to fix the underfloor heating tube. The floor edge is fitted with perimeter insulation which provides a barrier against perimeter heat losses and allows for expansion and contraction of the screed.

The castellated panels are laid over the thermal insulation and the pipe is clipped into the panels and connected to the manifold. Relevant tests are carried out to ensure system integrity and screed is laid over the top.

Floating Floors

Where there is a requirement of a dry floor finish instead of a screed topping, a floating floor system may be used. The floor must be flat and level to allow pre-grooved polystyrene floor insulation panels, fitted with pre grooved aluminum diffuser plates, to be laid.

The pipe is slotted into these grooves and retained by the plate and connected to the manifold. Relevant tests are carried out to ensure system configuration and the dry flooring is laid (chipboard, plywood or dry screed).