Eurorenova the new standard in retrofitting
When designing new installations in renovated buildings, the primary constraint is typically insufficient room height, and consequently, the lack of space to install a new floor assembly on top of the existing substrate.
Eurorenova is a solution that enables the installation of hydronic underfloor heating directly on the existing base layer. As a result, height limitations within the room no longer constitute a barrier to implementing a new heating system. In this configuration, the required thickness of the new screed layer should not exceed 3 cm.
Structural safety and floor level management
The implementation of the Eurorenova mats has a direct impact on building safety by eliminating risks commonly associated with conventional methods:
- Structural protection: retaining existing screed layers in renovation projects eliminates the risks associated with demolition and removal, thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the load-bearing elements. This approach prevents potential damage to concealed mechanical and electrical services embedded within or beneath the slab. The system establishes a high-performance bonded overlay that integrates with the existing substrate without significantly increasing the dead load on the building’s structural framework*.
- Floor level integration: the system’s low-profile build-up provides a decisive advantage in renovation projects where traditional screeds (typically 6-8 cm) are dimensionally non-viable. By significantly reducing the required thickness, the system enables the installation of new floor finishes while maintaining existing threshold heights and seamless transitions between rooms. This eliminates the secondary costs and structural complications associated with trimming door leaves, adjusting stair landings, or reconstructing floor-to-wall junctions.
- Preventing cracks and separation: a critical failure point in conventional thin-layer overlays is the interfacial debonding (delamination) from the underlying concrete substrate. The EURORENOVA mat addresses this through a proprietary perforation pattern designed to facilitate high-flow penetration of the fresh screed. This allows the material to pass through the reinforcement layer and establish a mechanical bond directly with the mineral substrate. The result is a monolithic, structurally integrated assembly that effectively mitigates the risk of cracking and separation.
Structural substrate integration
In standard new construction, a conventional 7 cm screed provides sufficient mass to function as an independent, self-supporting element. However, low-profile systems lack this inherent mass and require permanent mechanical integration with the structural base to ensure stability.
This system facilitates deep penetration of the screed through the mat’s perforations, establishing a direct bond with the mineral substrate. The result is a monolithic composite structure where the existing and newly applied layers operate as a single integral unit under load. This configuration allows for maximum dead load reduction without compromising the system’s ability to withstand static and dynamic loads, ensuring high compressive and shear resistance.
Diagnostics of interfacial delamination (loss of bond)
- Acoustic resonance (hollow sounding): voids or air pockets trapped beneath a debonded screed layer produce a characteristic acoustic resonance, often referred to as “hollow sounding” or “drumming,” when subjected to dynamic loading or foot traffic. This phenomenon is a primary indicator of a compromised mechanical bond between the overlay and the substrate.
- Degradation of surface finishes: this typically manifests as fractures resulting from flexural tension in ceramic tiles and the structural failure of grout joints, caused by the absence of continuous substrate support.
- Thermal transfer impedance: the formation of an air gap between the delaminated screed and the substrate introduces a high degree of thermal resistance. This gap acts as an insulating barrier, significantly restricting heat conduction and reducing the thermal emissivity and overall efficiency of the underfloor heating system.
Thermal dynamics and system efficiency
The system’s reduced thermal mass facilitates significantly accelerated thermal response times compared to conventional screed assemblies. Due to its low thermal inertia, the installation allows for high-precision climate control and an almost instantaneous reaction to thermostat adjustments and building automation signals.
Moreover, the integrated castellation pattern of the mat allows for versatile pipe routing at both 45° and 90° angles. This geometric layout enables heat load intensification in perimeter zones, such as areas adjacent to large glazing, effectively neutralizing localized heat loss and ensuring an optimized isothermal distribution across thermally sensitive areas of the room.
Structural safety and substrate stabilization
A significant advantage for facilities with restricted load-bearing capacity is the system’s minimal self-weight. Eurorenova reduces the structural surcharge by over 50% compared to conventional screed assemblies. Rather than compromising the building’s primary structure through invasive methods such as milling or full-scale demolition, the system utilizes advanced bonded overlay technology.
EURORENOVA lightweight overlay instead of heavy demolition
Implementing the Eurorenova system represents a shift toward advanced overlay technology, enabling the installation of high-performance hydronic heating in environments where floor-height restrictions or structural load constraints were previously prohibitive.
Through the unique castellation and perforation geometry of the mat, the fresh heating layer penetrates the grid geometry to establish a permanent mechanical bond with the mineral substrate. This results in a durable, monolithic composite that effectively eliminates the risk of interfacial cracking or delamination. Furthermore, the system’s low mass and minimal thermal inertia ensure a rapid response to temperature control inputs and building automation.
Consequently, investors are provided with a structurally sound and energy-efficient solution that optimizes both construction schedules and project budgets by bypassing the requirement for extensive demolition and site clearance.
*In such instances, a formal structural assessment by a chartered engineer or licensed architect is required to verify the residual load-bearing capacity and the overall technical feasibility of the additional overlay.
Technology: discover the EURORENOVA.
Specifications and variants: compare the technical parameters of Eurorenova and Eurorenova with Adhesive to select the optimal solution tailored to your specific substrate requirements.
Support: Contact us at export@tia.com.pl for expert assistance in solution selection, as well as technical and cost optimization for your project.
