Which Option For A Warm Floor To Choose For A Device Under A Laminate

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Types of warm floors
• Infrared film
• Electrical cable
• Rod option
• Water heated floor
• Misconceptions
• Operating rules
• Popular models

The classic wooden floors in the apartment are increasingly fading into the background. This is due to the fact that there are a large number of different flooring options, among which the laminate stands out. At a cost, it is even slightly lower than ordinary wood. In addition, it should be noted that under the laminate floor heating can be arranged of various types. The main thing is to choose the appropriate type of laminate with marking. With an arranged foundation in an apartment, it is thus more comfortable to be and even just stand on the floor with bare feet. The air heats up to the required limit and does not exceed the use of energy.

Types of warm floors

In total, there are two options for warm floors, which in turn are divided into subspecies.

A water-heated floor is made in several layers: a layer of waterproofing, laying a damper tape around the perimeter of the walls in a room, a heat-insulating layer, installation of heating elements (pipes), a concrete screed (in rare cases, plasterboard materials). Only when this is done can you start laying the laminate. Among the advantages, it is worth highlighting the reliability of the entire structure, safe use without fear of getting burned, no dependence on electricity.

Electric underfloor heating has its own varieties:

• Heating mat.
• Heating cable.

• Infrared floor heating.

  

In this case, electricity is converted into heat, and serves to warm up the subfloor in the room and further increase the air temperature in the room. The main feature and difference from water heating is the ability to adjust the temperature level within any range, as well as set it depending on the time of day. In some cases, the laminate can be laid directly on heating systems, on a substrate of a certain thickness. But in this case, the laminate itself must be marked accordingly, so that it can be used under warm floors.

Film floors are popular for laminate flooring. There are two main classes that you should pay attention to during installation. The budget option is the RexVa0501, the more expensive premium option is the HFS0510 and GL-500. If it is not possible to independently make the correct and specific choice, it is best to contact specialists in this area for help.

But still, each version of the heating system, which can be mounted indoors, has its own characteristics of laying the laminate on the base of the floor. It is on this that you should stop your gaze to decide which warm floor to choose under the laminate.

Infrared film

Consumers are increasingly paying attention to the film floor due to its simple installation and low cost. In addition, it is best suited for laminate flooring due to its even heat distribution. When using a floor heating system under the laminate, there will be no overheating and damage to the floor covering.

It is worth highlighting immediately the disadvantages and advantages of an infrared warm floor, which is arranged under the laminate. The main one is economic expediency. Energy consumption is kept to a minimum limit. Even if a specific section of the film floor is damaged, it will not completely fail.

Only a separate area on the floor surface will not warm up. This is achieved by connecting the sections in parallel. In addition, the installation process is carried out within a few hours, which will depend on the area of the room.

Some will say that it makes no sense to arrange an infrared warm floor under the laminate, since it has a very high cost. But its payback takes only a few years. The production of flooring can be done in-house.

There is a main nuance here, which is to create a flat surface for the laminate. To achieve this, small holes are made in the aluminum foil-based heat-reflecting substrate under the wires, temperature sensors and contacts. So that there are no shifts of the wires, they are fixed with ordinary tape.

Before laying the laminate on the film floor, you should check it, after which we lay the material for protection (plastic wrap). The result is a structure that is insignificant in thickness, which has no effect on the distance between the ceiling and the floor in the room. It can even be called the best underfloor heating for laminate.

Electrical cable

In addition to the usual single-core cable, experts recommend using a two-core laminate under the laminate, which facilitates the installation of the entire heating system. It is more suitable for residential applications, as it has low electromagnetic radiation. There is also a variant of a self-regulating cable, which, if its integrity is violated, increases the resistance of the cable, and, therefore, does not supply heat to a separate section of the floor.

Installation of laminate on a warm cable floor is carried out with preliminary preparation of the base. In some cases, it is covered with a layer of thermal insulation. On top of this structure, a thin screed up to 3 mm is arranged. It will not be superfluous to "introduce" a reinforcing mesh into the structure. The drying process takes 2-3 days.

A mounting tape is attached on top of the screed, to which the heating elements of the warm floor are fixed. In combination with all this, the main components are installed - the thermostat and the temperature sensor of the heating system. When the functionality of the cable underfloor heating has been checked, it is possible to pour a concrete screed of a certain thickness. It will depend on the requirements for the base and the use of the premises itself. The optimum thickness for pouring the mortar is 30-70 mm.

Within 28-30 days, the screed on the warm floor acquires a certain strength and sets. In this case, you cannot turn on the heating system. The solution must reach condition on its own. After this period, you can start laying the laminate on the warm electric floor.

It should be noted that laminate flooring on a warm cable floor is similar in process, as when using heating mats. This process also takes less time and is considered simpler, since the heating cable is fixed in a special mesh. You can choose the layout of the laminate yourself depending on your preferences. It can be located parallel or perpendicular to the entrance door to the room, or even diagonally. The last option has more difficulties, since in addition to joining the lamellas with each other, you will have to trim fragments of the laminate near the walls. In this case, underfloor heating for laminate has the best performance and efficiency.

Rod option

Rod mats have their own characteristics not only during installation, but also when laying the laminate.

But if you look exactly at the instructions, the whole process can be completed as soon as possible and on your own.

More attention should be paid to the base, since it is leveled, all potholes, cracks, and surface chips are removed. After that, the flooring of the thermal insulation layer is made. If at the same time there was primary thermal insulation, then they should be connected together with adhesive tape.

Thermomats should be evenly distributed over the entire area. Incisions are made if necessary. The mats are attached to the floor surface where they are laid using assembly tape. All that remains is to install a thermostat and a temperature sensor, which are connected to the mains. Prior to further work, the system must be tested to establish possible installation inaccuracies.

A layer of screed is applied over the entire "pie" of the warm floor. To facilitate the distribution of the solution, self-leveling floors are used, with a thickness of up to 20 mm. In addition, the drying process takes slightly less time than a standard concrete screed (28 days).

When the layer is completely dry and gaining strength, you can think about laying a laminate on a warm floor. The process is very simple and does not require serious knowledge in this direction. Depending on the choice of lamellas locking joints, they are laid and fastened to each other. At the same time, it is important that the locks are not damaged, since everything will lead to poor-quality installation and rapid failure of the laminate.

It is forbidden to carry out work on the installation of a rod underfloor heating in case of high humidity in the room, at temperatures below 0 degrees. Carbon rods cannot be nailed to the base. This will damage them and they will not be able to transfer heat to the floor covering. Each piece of thermomats should not be more than 25 meters.

Water heated floor

In addition to the electric version of the warm floor, there is also a water one. It is more suitable for private houses, since in apartment buildings it can be used when it was laid from the beginning of construction. A water-heated floor is presented in the form of heating pipes through which the coolant circulates. The pipes are laid under the finishing coat.

No one will recommend laying a water-heated floor under wooden logs, an additional layer of hydro and thermal insulation. In the case of the subsequent laying of the laminate on the surface, the heat transfer will be reduced to zero. The best option is a concrete screed, which is used everywhere. The screed will not allow mechanical damage to the heating pipes, and also contributes to an even distribution of heat over the entire surface.

There are several ways by which a water heat-insulated floor is made under a laminate. This can be a parallel or spiral distribution of heating elements in those areas where there is a need for it. Once the pipes are distributed and connected to the system, the structure can be screed. In the absence of malfunctions, the warm floor is considered to be qualitatively installed.

At the end of the whole process, all that remains is to produce the flooring of the floor covering, namely the laminate. The main thing here is to correctly choose its specific option, suitable for the underfloor heating system. It must be marked accordingly, indicating that it can be installed on an electric or water version of the heating system.

Misconceptions

Some experts say that a water-heated floor and laminate flooring cannot be compatible with each other. But this opinion is considered incorrect for several reasons.

1. The main advantage of this combination is the even distribution of heat over the entire surface in the room.

   

2. Slight temperature fluctuations, which cannot negatively affect the flooring. This extends the life of the laminate.

Among the erroneous opinions, one can single out the fact that a water-heated floor under a laminate cannot fully heat rooms in the northern regions of the country. To achieve this, it is necessary to qualitatively calculate the design of the heating system and select the necessary material for work. There are examples when in the new buildings of Novosibirsk at a winter temperature of -40 degrees, the temperature inside residential premises did not fall below +20 degrees. Comfortable conditions were created for each tenant.

There will be no leakage of the water-heated floor if quality pipes are selected. It is not always possible to carry out high-quality installation on your own and install everything according to technology. For this purpose, specialists are involved. They will meet the deadline and create a high-quality indoor heating system.

The calculation will need to be made correctly, and when choosing such a floor covering as a laminate. Even taking into account the fact that it does not transmit heat well, a water-heated floor will be able to cope with its main task and transfer the required temperature level into the room. Moreover, the laminate will be selected suitable for the water floor heating system.

Operating rules

The warm floor, regardless of its type, makes its own adjustments to the flooring of the floor covering. Over time, the laminate can warp and lose its original appearance.

To avoid this, remember the need for a gradual increase in temperature in the first days of the heating season. It will be enough to increase the temperature by 5 degrees per day. This suggests that the laminate does not tolerate an instant rise in temperature and sudden jumps. If everything is done according to the rules, then its service life will be increased.

Marking is characteristic of the laminate installed on the underfloor heating system. The packaging must be labeled "Warm Wasser", indicating that the product may be exposed to heat from heating elements.

Popular models

In conclusion, you can give examples of flooring that can be used on an infrared floor heating system, since this is the option that is most popular among performers.

Dymsco 0510. It has an insignificant thickness of 275 microns and sufficient power - 140 W / m ². During the production, a unique technology was used, which includes a polymer laminated sheet in the composition of the film, on which a carbon paste capable of conducting current is applied. But to a greater extent, this option is suitable as an additional source of heat in the room.

RexVa0810. Designed for almost any type of room. The width of the film is 80 cm. During operation, no extraneous noise or vibration is emitted from it. The room heats up evenly and at the same time minimizes energy costs.

HFS0510. The film has a homogeneous structure along its entire length, which allows cutting into sections of different lengths. This brings its advantages to the installation. It is completely safe for health, and additionally has an antibacterial effect. When used, it has excellent efficiency rates, which reach 98 percent. That is, you can guarantee high-quality heating. True, and its cost is almost the highest.

The main thing in the end is to decide which laminate is better for a warm floor. After all, not only the quality and beauty of the base in the room will depend on this, but also the heating of the air in the room. Particular attention is paid to the installation technology, which has its own characteristics depending on the use of a water or electric underfloor heating. The article was written specifically for

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