Monthly Archives: November 2025

Retrofitting underfloor heating into an existing property used to be considered disruptive, costly and impractical, especially in homes with concrete or screed floors. Traditional methods often required either removing the existing floor or adding new build-up layers, leading to increased floor height, weeks of disruption and additional structural work.

Floor milling has changed this completely.

Modern milling technology allows for precise, clean channels to be cut directly into the existing floor, making retrofit underfloor heating not only possible, but fast, efficient and cost-effective.

In this article, we explain what floor milling is, how it works, why it is now widely used in underfloor heating installations, and whether your home may be suitable.

What is floor milling?

Floor milling is a specialised process used to create narrow, accurate channels in existing concrete or screed. These channels are designed to hold water-based underfloor heating pipes without altering the finished floor height.

Using high-precision grinding equipment, experienced teams can cut channels cleanly and with minimal dust. Once the pipework is installed, the channels are sealed and the floor is ready for the final finish.

Why milling is ideal for retrofit underfloor heating

Unlike traditional installation methods, floor milling allows underfloor heating to be integrated into existing homes without major construction work.

Key benefits of milling:

• No floor height increase – pipes sit within the slab, not above it
• Minimal dust and disruption
• No removal of the existing floor structure
• Fast installation (typically 1–2 days)
• Faster heat-up times due to low thermal mass above pipes
• Reduced energy use thanks to more efficient heating response

This makes milling the preferred retrofit solution for homes with concrete floors, extensions and older properties where internal heights cannot be compromised.

How milled underfloor heating works

Here is how the process typically takes place:

1. The existing screed or concrete is assessed for suitability.
2. Precision milling equipment is used to cut channels following the system design.
3. Flexible underfloor heating pipes are laid into the channels.
4. The system is pressure-tested to ensure safe operation.
5. The channels are sealed and repaired.
6. The floor is ready for the final covering (tile, engineered wood, vinyl, etc.).

Unlike other systems, there is no waiting time for screed drying. In most cases, the heating can be commissioned immediately after installation.

How milling improves heating performance

Because the pipes are recessed into the existing slab and positioned closer to the surface, the system provides faster heat transfer and better control. This reduces running costs and enhances comfort.

In fact, installing underfloor heating through milling can improve responsiveness by 20–30% compared to traditional deep-screed systems, making it especially suitable for energy-efficient heating sources such as heat pumps and modern gas boilers.

When milling is the best solution

Floor milling is particularly suitable when:

• A home has solid concrete or screed floors
• The property is being renovated without full floor removal
• Internal floor height cannot be raised
• Radiators are underperforming, especially in large open-plan spaces
• The client wants fast installation without disruption

Common examples include extensions, glass rooms, open-plan kitchens, and older properties where traditional heating is no longer effective.

Is milled underfloor heating right for your project?

Most homes with concrete or screed floors are suitable, provided the existing slab is sound. A professional technical assessment should be completed before installation to determine depths, layout and suitability.

If you’re considering underfloor heating during renovation or converting a cold room into a usable space, milling is one of the most efficient and least invasive options available.

Why choose Channel Heat Systems for precision-milled underfloor heating

Channel Heat Systems specialises in precision-milled underfloor heating installations for both retrofit and new-build projects.

Our team uses advanced milling technology to install systems without height build-up, mess or long downtime. Every system is pressure-tested, connected to the manifold and fully commissioned by experienced engineers.

Installation typically takes just 1–2 days, and the floor is ready for your final finish without expensive structural adjustments.

Get a free underfloor heating assessment

If you’re exploring underfloor heating for your renovation or new-build project, we can help determine whether floor milling is a suitable solution.

Contact us today for professional advice and a free assessment.

Underfloor heating has become one of the most desirable ways to heat modern homes, offering comfort, efficiency, and far better heat distribution than traditional radiators. But for many homeowners, the installation process still feels unclear: How does it work? Can it be retrofitted? What type of system is best?

This guide explains everything you need to know about underfloor heating installation services, from system types to installation methods, timescales, and suitability for your home.

What underfloor heating installation involves

Underfloor heating works by circulating warm water through pipes installed beneath the floor. Unlike radiators, which heat the air around them, underfloor systems deliver radiant warmth that rises evenly through the entire room.

A professional installation typically includes:

• Heat-loss calculations and system design
• Preparing or milling the subfloor
• Installing the pipework
• Connecting the system to a manifold
• Pressure testing and commissioning
• Making the floor ready for the final finish (tile, wood, vinyl, etc.)

A well-designed and correctly installed system should produce consistent, low-temperature heating with excellent energy efficiency.

Types of underfloor heating systems

There are two main types of systems installed in UK homes:

Water (wet) underfloor heating

Warm water is circulated through a network of pipes beneath the floor. This is the most efficient, comfortable and future-proof option, ideal for both new builds and retrofit homes.

Suitable for:

• Concrete floors
• Screed floors
• Timber suspended floors
• Extensions and renovations
• Whole-house installations

Electric underfloor heating

Electric heating mats installed below the floor surface. Quicker to install but more expensive to run long-term, and less suited to heating large spaces.

Most homeowners choose water-based systems for comfort and energy savings.

Retrofit underfloor heating installation

Retrofitting underfloor heating used to be complicated and disruptive, often requiring floors to be removed or built up significantly. Modern installation methods have changed that completely.

At Channel Heat Systems, we use an advanced floor-milling technique that allows underfloor heating to be installed directly into existing concrete or screed floors.

Why milling is the best retrofit solution

• No floor height increase
• No need to remove existing floors
• Clean, dust-free cutting
• Pipes sit just beneath the final floor finish
• Faster heat-up times
• Installation typically completed in 1–2 days

Retrofit underfloor heating is now suitable for almost every home, including older properties, extensions, and ground-floor rooms that previously felt cold or inefficient.

New-build underfloor heating installation

For new-build homes, underfloor heating is often installed before the final screed layer. This allows for full integration and maximum energy efficiency.

Key advantages include:

• Ideal pairing with air-source and ground-source heat pumps
• Excellent energy performance
• Even temperature distribution
• More space — no radiators needed
• Low-maintenance, long-lasting system design

Whether you’re building a single property or a full development, professional UFH installation ensures the system performs for decades.

How long underfloor heating installation takes

Installation times depend on the size of the property and the method used.

Typical timescales:

• Milled retrofit system: 1–2 days
• New-build screed system: 2–5 days (including curing time if screed is fresh)
• Electric mats: Same day

A professional team will provide a clear schedule and ensure minimal disruption.

What underfloor heating costs

Prices vary depending on:

• Total floor area
• Number of heating zones
• System type (retrofit or new build)
• Manifold requirements
• Floor construction
• Controls and thermostats

Although underfloor heating can cost more upfront than radiators, it typically reduces running costs by 15–25% and is especially efficient when paired with a heat pump.

The long-term savings and comfort often outweigh the initial investment.

Why choose Channel Heat Systems as your underfloor heating installer in the UK?

Channel Heat Systems specialises in both new-build and retrofit underfloor heating installations, including advanced milled-floor systems for concrete and screed in the UK.

Our services include:

• Full system design and consultation
• Precision milling for retrofit homes
• Professional pipe installation
• Manifold connection and setup
• Complete pressure testing and commissioning
• Fast, clean installations with no floor build-up

What sets us apart is our ability to install underfloor heating in properties that were traditionally considered unsuitable, all with minimal disruption.

Get a free underfloor heating assessment

If you’re considering underfloor heating for your home or project, our team offers expert advice and a free underfloor heating assessment to determine the best solution for your space!

Many homeowners assume that underfloor heating can only be installed in new builds or homes with timber floors. But that’s not true anymore.

Thanks to modern floor milling technology, it’s now possible to retrofit a water underfloor heating system into an existing concrete or screed floor without ripping anything up or raising floor levels.

Let’s explore how it works, why it’s efficient, and what makes it one of the most practical heating upgrades for British homes.

Why retrofitting underfloor heating in a concrete floor used to be difficult

For years, homeowners were told that installing underfloor heating in existing concrete floors was too disruptive or expensive as traditional systems often required:

• Breaking out the existing slab
• Pouring new screed
• Raising floor height, which caused issues with doors and thresholds

This made retrofitting underfloor heating messy, time-consuming, and costly until new precision milling techniques changed everything.

How modern channel-cut systems make retrofit underfloor heating possible

At Channel Heat Systems, we use advanced floor-milling equipment to create precise, dust-free channels directly in your existing concrete or screed floor. These channels hold flexible water heating pipes, which sit just below the surface of your final floor finish.

This innovative approach allows underfloor heating to be installed in virtually any home – cleanly, quickly, and without major construction.

Key advantages include:

• No digging or breaking up concrete
• No added floor height or screed build-up
• Minimal dust and disruption
• Typical installation time of 1–2 days

Once installed, your new underfloor heating is pressure-tested, connected to the manifold, and ready for your chosen flooring whether tile, engineered wood, or vinyl.

Why underfloor heating in concrete floors is energy efficient

Because the heating pipes are placed closer to the surface, heat transfer is faster and more consistent than in traditional systems. Concrete also acts as a natural heat store, distributing warmth evenly across the entire floor area.

This results in:

• Even, comfortable warmth throughout the room
• Faster response times
• Lower running costs (typically 15–25% less than radiators)
• Excellent compatibility with heat pumps and efficient boilers

In short, concrete floors aren’t a drawback but a thermal advantage.

How long retrofit underfloor heating installation takes

For most homes, installation is completed in just 1–2 days, depending on the size of the area.
Because no additional screed or build-up is required, there’s no drying time meaning your new heating system can be used almost immediately.

This makes channel-cut underfloor heating one of the fastest and cleanest retrofit methods available today.

Typical costs of installing underfloor heating in existing concrete floors

The cost of retrofit underfloor heating depends on the total floor area, number of heating zones, and the chosen control system. However, because our process avoids removing and relaying floors, it’s often more affordable than traditional installations and offers long-term savings through better efficiency.

Concrete is also one of the best materials for low-profile underfloor heating, thanks to its strength, stability, and excellent heat conductivity.

Why choose Channel Heat Systems for retrofit underfloor heating

At Channel Heat Systems, we specialise in retrofit water underfloor heating for concrete and screed floors. Our channel-cut method combines advanced equipment with skilled installation to deliver high performance, low energy use, and minimal disruption.

Our systems are:

• Installed and ready in just 1–2 days
• Fully tested and commissioned
• Compatible with all major heating sources and floor finishes
• Designed for long-term comfort and efficiency

We transform existing concrete floors into efficient heating systems that work beautifully, all without the mess.

Upgrade your concrete floor with modern underfloor heating

If you’ve been told underfloor heating isn’t possible in your home because of your concrete floors, it’s time to see what’s changed.

Contact Channel Heat Systems today and get a free underfloor heating assesstment:
📞 0203 9166 264
📧 info@channelheatsystems.co.uk
🌐 channelheatsystems.co.uk