How to choose a warm floor and mount it properly

What is a heat-insulated floor

Warm floor - a heating system, which does not need the usual radiators. The heating element may be an electrical cable or the water circulating through the pipes. They are located throughout the floor and evenly heated room.

Heating occurs through radiation rather than convection. The heat spreads upwards which further increases the efficiency of heating. Hotter all at ground level, cooler - on the ceiling. This reduces the room temperature at 2 ° C, and does not change the heat sensation in humans. Even a slight decrease save energy by 12%.

How does the floor heating system

Depending on the underfloor apparatus technology is slightly different, but in general all have similar types of multi-layered structure. At the overlap or base layer of thermal insulation is placed, and the heating elements installed on it. Further settling and cement are already laid over the floor finish as needed.

heating control in warm water floors through the mixing unit. The electric thermostat for this purpose, which connects disposed within a floor sensor.

What are Floor Heating

According to the type of heating element heated floors are divided into water and electric. The latter may be in the form of cable, termomatov and film.

1. Water floor heating

The water-based floor heating is a closed circuit pipes circulating coolant, which is heated by the boiler and enters the system through the mixing unit. Due to the requirements for adjusting the flow and temperature of the coolant, this option is only suitable for private homes or apartments with individual heating.

These floors are usually installed at the initial stage of construction. The base layer of waterproofing and harboring a heater, and then it is mounted on the pipe, which are connected to the collector cabinet and filled with concrete. Further screed is laid on top Finish coating.

Pros:

• The lowest operating costs.
• The most uniform heating over the entire area.
• The heating of the coolant is possible from a variety of sources.

Minuses:

• The high cost of equipment compared with the electrical heated floors.
• The structural complexity and the complexity of installation.

2. Cable floor heating

Cable heating system in many respects similar to the water. The only difference is that instead of tubes with the coolant in the floor array is laid a heating cable. It is powered from the electrical network and controlled by a thermostat, which reads the temperature sensor inside the structure.

This type of mount during major repairsAs required concrete screed. In spreads insulation overlap, it unfolds over cable, then poured screed 3-5 cm in thickness and mounted decorative coating.

All electrical floor as opposed to the water do not have self-control functions, and can be damaged by overheating. They can not be laid under the closets, kitchens and other furniture without legs. Therefore, the arrangement of the elements of the situation it is necessary to think in advance and do not change.

An exception is the so-called smart system, that can reduce power with increasing temperature of the heating element. However, they are much more expensive.

Pros:

• Low price.
• The ability to use the apartment.
• Connection to the mains without any additional equipment.

Minuses:

• Relative complexity and complexity of installation.
• High consumption of electricity.
• Do not run under furniture without legs.

3. Termomaty

In fact termomaty - a variation of the cable floor heating. As used herein the heating element in the same cables, only much smaller cross-section and pre-fitted on the polymer grid with large cells.

Often this type selected for finishing the floor ceramic materials. Due to the thickness of at least 3 mm termomaty easily placed between the tiles and the finished coupler, occupying space within the tile adhesive layer. On sale is termomaty with different cable laying step, designed for a certain capacity.

Pros:

• Easy installation.
• Rapid heating.
• It does not affect the thickness of the floor.

Minuses:

• High energy consumption.
• Do not run under furniture without legs.

4. Film warm floor

Film - another kind of electric floor heating. Structurally is a conductive member that is laminated between two layers of insulating polymer.

Mounting of the system is carried out on the heat reflecting substrate. Laid top floor heating, and then the protective film. If you plan linoleum or carpeting, the mounted intermediate layer from plywood. A laminate flooring can be laid directly on the film.

Pros:

• Easy installation.
• Almost no effect on the thickness of the floor.
• More energy efficient than the floor and the cable termomaty.

Minuses:

• Do not run under furniture without legs.
• Not suitable for wet areas.
• Easily damaged during assembly.

Which to choose a warm floor

In many ways, the choice of floor heating technology is dependent on the planned finish. It is important to take into account the specifics of the room, and the presence of sub-floor material, as well as the possibility of resettlement screed. Well, you need to decide to whether you want to replace the heating system or only to supplement it.

• Water floor heating - ideal for a country house even as the main heating. It helps to save in accounts. It can be installed in all rooms and use any cover, but need to be installed during the initial stages of construction or repair.
• Cable floor heating - an alternative to the warm water to the floor of flats, although it may be installed in private homes. Use in the form of heating is possible, but expensive. Suitable for any room requires screed. Better coverage - tile, are less suitable special laminate and linoleum.
• Termomaty - option for cases where it is impossible to make a tie. The rest of them is true all the same as for the cable floor heating.
• Film warm floor - the kind of easy to implement. Suitable for comfort heating, but not heating. Compatible with all kinds of coatings with high thermal conductivity and low thickness: laminate, Linoleum, carpet.

Whether to set their own warm floor

Mounting system has a lot of nuances. Incorrect installation can cause damage or malfunction of the equipment, as is the case with electric heated floors and even a fire. Before starting the installation, read the instructions and soberly assess their strength.