Can laminate flooring be installed under a warm floor? and how to mount it correctly. Which warm floor is better for a laminate: three possible options What is laid under a laminate on warm floors

Recently, underfloor heating manufacturers are increasingly claiming that their systems are suitable for installation under any type of flooring, including laminate, parquet and solid wood. Is it really?

Indeed, it is possible to lay a heated water floor under the laminate with your own hands and operate it safely, but for this you will need to strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions and follow the recommendations indicated by him.

Is it possible to put water floors under laminate and parquet floors?

It turns out that laying the laminate on a water-heated floor (like any other glued floor covering) is possible, but this requires choosing the right material and observing special recommendations regarding installation and operation.

The operating instructions indicate separately for what kind of heating the material is intended. It is strictly forbidden to use laminate flooring intended for electric heating with water underfloor heating.

How efficiently do water floors under laminate flooring heat

The rest of the heating system "warm water floor" laid under the laminate effectively heats the room. The material itself heats up quickly and retains heat well. The thickness of the coating cake remains minimal compared to tiles.

Another advantage is the possibility of installing a parquet board or solid wood. The limiting temperature for heating the coolant to 27-28 ° C is quite enough to maintain a normal, comfortable mode in the room.

Limitations in the capacity of a water underfloor heating associated with the characteristics of the floor covering make limited the use of the heating system as the main source of heating.

How to lay underfloor heating, installation instructions

Laying laminate flooring should only be done by professionals. Despite the apparent simplicity of installation work, there are some nuances that novice installers often do not take into account. As a result, over time, the floor structure shrinks, creaks appear, joints diverge, etc.

The device of a warm water floor with a laminate does not "forgive" any mistakes associated with the installation of the coating.

How to fill the warm water floor system (what kind of screed)

When choosing a composition for pouring floors, you should also take into account some features:

All three of the above aspects explain why the largest manufacturers recommend using ready-made mixtures in laminate flooring. It is impossible to independently make a solution that fully complies with the technical characteristics of a ready-made composition.

How to choose a laminate for your water floor

Natural wood parquet species suitable for a water-heated floor are glued directly to the base of the concrete floor. The use of a backing is not provided.

Installation errors

• The choice of material - cork laminate and other flooring with a thickness of more than 10 cm, is absolutely not suitable for underfloor heating. The lack of heat transfer leads to the need to increase the heating temperature of the coolant and, as a result, heat the laminate above 30 ° C, and this leads to the appearance of toxic fumes.
  There are many samples of parquet boards and laminates that are recommended to be used specifically for water-heated floors.
• Use with laminate carpets Is another common problem. After laying the laminate, a rug is laid on top of it, furniture is installed, etc. There should be no additional coverage in the place where the warm floors pass, as this leads to overheating.
• Violation of laying technology- the smoother the prepared surface, the more likely it is that after a year of operation, the parquet or laminate will not make creaks and other noises when walking.

Thanks to modern materials, wood floors, popular for a long time, are being successfully replaced by laminated coverings. They have the appearance of wood, but are much cheaper. However, no matter how high-quality they are, they will not heat without a heating system. Laying underfloor heating is one of the options for creating a comfortable room temperature. Moreover, this heating method is much more efficient than radiator heating. A person feels more comfortable when the floor temperature is slightly higher than the air temperature at head level. It remains to choose better to put under the laminate.

Which system is best to lay under the laminate?

There are three types of underfloor heating:

• water;
• electrical cable;
• electric infrared.

They all have common advantages:

• even distribution of heat;
• system efficiency;
• aesthetics, since the heating elements are hidden from view and do not spoil the interior of the rooms;
• there is no dust circulation like with radiator heating.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Water heat-insulated floor

Such a floor heating device consists of several layers. The first of them - a waterproofing coating, is laid on the base. At this stage, the damper tape is laid around the perimeter of the room.

The second layer is thermal insulation. A small section heating pipe is laid on it. Then comes the supporting layer, which is most often used as a concrete screed, less often - materials based on gypsum fiber. A floor covering is laid on top of these layers. Heating occurs due to warm water circulating through the pipes. Depending on the type of overlap, the thickness of the heated water floors is 5-15 cm.

Due to the thickness of the water-heated floor, the ceiling height decreases

Advantages:

• safety;
• reliability;
• independence from power supply (subject to natural circulation of the coolant).

Flaws:

• complexity of installation;
• the need to fill pipes with a concrete screed;
• reduces the height of the room;
• the complexity of the repair (in the event of a coolant leak).

An article on which pipes to choose for installing a warm water floor may be useful to you:.

Electrical cable

The main element of an electric underfloor heating is a cable. The room is heated due to the fact that it converts electrical energy into heat. For electric underfloor heating, two-core and single-core cables are used. In the first version, there are two conductors: supply and heating. For residential applications, it is better to use a two-core cable, as it has less electromagnetic radiation. Moreover, it is easier to stack. However, due to the possibility of breaking the cable contact, there is a possibility of overheating.

For a uniform layout of the heating cable, use mounting tape

To avoid such a situation, a self-regulating cable is used for heated floors. If overheating occurs in some area, then the resistance of the cable increases in this place, which prevents the temperature from rising. Installation of such a system begins with surface preparation. Before laying the cable, the floor surface is cleaned, if necessary, leveled and covered with heat-insulating material. A thin screed (0.2-0.3 cm) is made on top using a reinforcing mesh and allowed to dry for at least two days. Then attach the mounting tape.

The use of electric mats makes it easier to install a warm floor based on a heating cable

Having decided on the location of the thermostat, the heating cable is laid taking into account the manufacturer's recommendations. After fixing the sensor and thermostat, the system is tested. After making sure of its performance, the screed is poured (3-10 cm). It will be possible to lay the laminate on a warm floor after 30 days, when the screed will acquire the necessary strength. Also, underfloor heating can be installed using heating mats. Installation is a little easier as the cable is secured with a mesh.

Advantages:

• reliability;
• durability, service life over 20 years;
• ease of installation and maintenance;
• the ability to control the optimal temperature in the room.

Flaws:

• weak electromagnetic radiation;
• high cost of energy.

Infrared film

The latest development in the field of underfloor heating is infrared film. It is placed on a heat-reflecting material and covered with polyethylene on top. The topcoat can then be applied immediately.

Advantages:

• reliability and durability;
• ease of installation;
• no need to fill the screed;
• after installing underfloor heating, you can immediately start laying the laminate;
• due to the small thickness of the film and the absence of a screed, the decrease in the height of the ceilings is negligible;
• more economical use of electricity in comparison with a heating cable;

Flaws:

• high price;
• impossibility of use in wet rooms;
• in order not to damage the film during installation, a flat base is required.

What is the best choice?

When choosing a warm floor, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the laminate. It contains formaldehydes, which are released into the atmosphere when the laminate is heated to more than 26 ° C. They are capable of causing irreparable harm to health. Therefore, when choosing a laminate for laying on a warm floor, pay attention to the accompanying documentation. It should indicate whether it is allowed to install a warm floor, and which one, under this floor covering. In addition, heating the laminate above 27 ° C leads to its destruction. Analyzing all these data, it can be noted that an infrared heat-insulated floor is the most successful solution for a laminate.

Stages of installation of an infrared warm floor

Necessary equipment

Before purchasing the required equipment, you should calculate the amount of reflective material and thermal film. The reflective substrate is taken over the entire area of ​​the room. The amount of infrared film is calculated taking into account the fact that it cannot be laid under furniture. Therefore, only free space is taken into account. What materials and tools you may need:

• underfloor heating set;
• thermostat;
• temperature sensor;
• thermo-reflective substrate;
• protective film;
• tools: scissors, screwdriver, pliers, knife, tape.

Preparing the substrate for laying the film

Please note that the installation of a warm floor under the laminate is carried out only on a flat surface. The base before installing the warm floor must be clean and dry. A thermo-reflective material with a dense layer is laid on the entire surface of the floor.

Materials based on aluminum foil must not be used as a heat reflector for infrared floors.

Between themselves it is fixed with tape. After laying the substrate, the location of the thermostat is determined. If a built-in device is used, a strobe is made for it and the lead wires.

Heat-reflecting material fits over the entire area of ​​the room

Installation of thermo strips and connection to the network

To lay a film warm floor, you need to cut it into strips. With a film width of 0.5 m, the length of the strip should not exceed 13 m, with 0.8 m - 10 m and with 1 m - 7 m.

To minimize the number of cuts and connection points, it is better to lay the thermo-strips along the length of the room.

Thermo-strips should be laid at a distance of at least 1 cm from each other and 5 cm from the walls. In this case, the copper strip should be on the bottom.

To reduce the length of the connected wires, place the strips with contacts against the wall on which the thermostat will be placed. It is forbidden to overlay thermal films one on top of another!

All unused tire sections must be covered with bitumen insulation. The strips are connected in parallel. Therefore, by placing the wires on one side, they can be hidden under the skirting board.

To prevent the film from sticking during installation, it must be attached with tape to the substrate

To connect the contact clip, one end of it is inserted into the cavity between the silver strip and the film, and the other is fixed over the copper strip and clamped with pliers. This is done with all contacts.

One end of the contact clip is inserted into the space between the film and the silver strip, the other over the copper strip.

To prevent the film from sticking during the installation process, it must be attached to the substrate using construction tape.

Bare wires are inserted into the terminals and fixed with pliers. The connection points are insulated.

The wires are inserted into the terminals and securely fixed with pliers

The temperature sensor is fixed to the black strip of the heating foil from below, using bitumen insulation.

The temperature sensor is placed on the black strip at the bottom of the film and secured with bitumen insulation

To make the surface for laying the laminate as flat as possible, cutouts are made in the heat-reflecting substrate under the wires, sensor and terminals. To prevent the wires from moving, they are fixed with tape.

For wires and terminals, cutouts are made in the heat-reflecting substrate. This will help to make the laminate flooring surface as flat as possible.

Then the thermostat is mounted and the wires are connected to it. Having laid the system, they check it. After that, a protective material and a finishing floor covering are laid on top.

Systems with a power of more than 2 kW must be connected via a separate machine!

After considering three options for underfloor heating, you can choose the most suitable one. Please note only that the surface of the laminate must not be heated above 25 ° C. But even this is enough to keep the room cozy and warm.

For a long time, the "warm floor" and the laminate floor followed parallel paths. This greatly hampered their further advancement in the construction market. Therefore, just a dozen years ago, an innocent question - is it possible to put a laminate on warm floors - caused bewilderment among professional builders, because the two were incompatible. Everything changed immediately and suddenly - the manufacturers of laminate flooring could no longer tolerate the current situation and presented consumers with products with completely different characteristics, allowing symbiosis with underfloor heating systems.

In life, situations often arise when it is easier to explain why it is possible by analyzing the reasons why it was impossible before. So it is with laminate. For a long time, there was a categorical ban on its combination with underfloor heating. And then immediately yes. Consequently, the manufacturers have eliminated the reasons why it was forbidden to lay slats on the "warm floor".

1. The main reason is the release of toxic formaldehyde (chemical formula НСНО) at +27 o С. In the combination of laminate - "warm floor", the heating of the lamellas reaches +30 o С.
2. The insufficiently high thermal conductivity of the laminate reduced the efficiency of the floor heating systems used - the room was not entirely comfortable. Attempts to increase the temperature in the apartment led to a sharp increase in the cost of heat sources.
3. Laminate flooring was in no way combined with water floor heating due to frequent temperature fluctuations (with a large number of expansion-contraction cycles, any wooden flooring, and the laminate belongs to it, is deformed).

Rules for choosing a laminate for heating "warm floor"

The industry today produces laminate flooring for all occasions. Therefore, not all commercially available laminate panels will fit over the "warm floor". There are many reasons:

• low level of heat conduction;
• high emission (release) of formaldehyde;
• weak waterproofing, etc.

In order for the consumer to navigate the world of laminate, pictograms and signs from letters and numbers are placed on special inserts. Let's try to figure out some of them. So, in the photo below there are pictograms showing that the floor covering can be used in combination with a "warm floor".

The inscriptions state:

• H2O - for a water “warm floor” (everyone knows the formula of water);
• Warm Wasser (translated from German - "hot water") - for heating the floor with water (not shown in the photo);
• Underfloor heating (translated from English - "underfloor heating") - for cable and infrared floor heating.

Black pictograms with stylized pipes indicate good heat conductivity (which is required for underfloor heating), brown ones directly indicate that the slats are intended for underfloor heating.

But that's not all. These icons are not enough to make the right choice. The consumer needs additional characteristics in order to buy a laminate for a warm floor - marking should help in this.

The problem of harmful fumes. When the temperature rises to 27 o With the usual laminate begins to actively release harmful formaldehyde. Manufacturers have slowed down the heat-induced chemical reactions in formaldehyde resin. As a result, harmful substances begin to be released at a temperature of + 28-30 o C.

This is indicated by the pictograms in the photo above. Class E0 means that up to a temperature of 30 degrees, formaldehyde will not be emitted. E1 claims that the minimum discharge starts 2 degrees lower, but up to the critical level of 30 o С they correspond to sanitary standards.

Influence of high temperatures. The laminate over the "warm floor" is exposed to high temperatures, this indicator is especially important for heating systems with water as a heat carrier, where temporary jumps up to +40 o C. The ability of the laminate to withstand overheating is indicated by the letter B and the number 1 (see the pictogram below) ...

Thermal conductivity. According to the European standard EN4725, the thermal resistance of lamellas with a substrate for "warm floors" in total cannot be higher than 0.15 m2 x ° K / W, including lamellas 0.05-0.10 m2 x ° K / W, substrate - 0.04-0.06 m2 x ° K / W. The lower the coefficient, the better the heat passes from the heater to the room. This information can be found on the insert.

Wear resistance. The last controllable indicator for lamellas installed on underfloor heating is wear resistance. Its level shows the class of abrasion. Experts consider AC3 as the minimum class for slats on heated floors, and AC4 as optimal.

What is the best substrate to choose for a warm floor

Placing laminate flooring without a backing on a heated floor will not work. After all, it performs a number of very important functions, which is described in detail in the work: "". In the version with "warm floor" two more functions are added:

• reflect heat upward when laying under a heating system;
• let warm streams pass freely when laying from above.

It is very simple to select a substrate for laying under a heating system: it must be foil-coated (you can learn about this type of damper in the article: ""). The reason is easy to explain - the foil reflects infrared rays.

The substrate in the "above the heating system" version must have additional characteristics:

• Good thermal conductivity, which is achieved in several ways: by the property of the material it is good to conduct heat (the coefficient of heat transfer resistance should not exceed the value of 0.04-0.06 m2 x ° K / W); small thickness; the presence of perforations - through the holes, heat easily reaches the floor covering;
• Be resistant to high temperatures - do not melt or deform (sag);
• Stay environmentally friendly at high temperatures - do not emit toxic substances when exposed to heat;
• Be vapor permeable to provide protection against condensation.

These conditions are best suited for cork, expanded polyethylene and extruded polystyrene substrates.

Cork material can be purchased in rolls or sheets. It is heat resistant and environmentally friendly. Due to the high thermal resistance (good insulation), its use in the electric heated floor system is excluded. The high retail price also hinders.

Foamed polyethylene easy to lay, available in different thicknesses, easy to cut, which is convenient for complex room configurations, connecting seams can be glued with tape. However, the main advantage of such a substrate is its low price, and therefore foamed polyethylene is constantly at the top of the sales rating.

Extruded polystyrene with small holes (perforation) appeared on the construction market relatively recently (represented by the Polish brand "Arbiton Floor Ther"). This is still the best option for a laminate underlay with a decentralized heating system: it performs its basic functions more efficiently compared to foamed polyethylene and perfectly transmits heat. At the same time, it has a reasonable price.

Is there a preferred type of underfloor heating under laminate

Above, the requirements for lamellas and a substrate for a decentralized heating device are considered. But it is also important for the owners of apartments and houses to know which "warm floor" is better for a laminate. To answer this question, you need to know what types of "warm floors" can be installed, their fundamental difference from each other, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

On sale in any major hardware store will offer:

• water;
• electric;
• infrared (also called film) "warm floor" from various manufacturers. In addition, you can buy infrared rods, which represent a symbiosis of electric and infrared underfloor heating systems.

A small-diameter pipe system hidden under the floor (can be made of copper, metal-plastic, polypropylene or cross-linked polyethylene), through which a coolant is supplied in the form of hot water (sometimes antifreeze is used), is called water "warm floor"... We note right away that in the classical definition, including in various encyclopedias, the main feature of such space heating is the connection of the system to central heating, which is impossible in principle:

• Prohibited by law;
• Damage to a pipe or a connector leads to flooding not only of apartments with such a floor, but also of neighbors below (central heating heats mainly apartment buildings), which is not quickly eliminated. The water accumulated in the screed and pipes will flow to the lower floor until the entire system is dismantled;
• It is impossible to meet the requirement for heating the laminate of no more than 30 degrees Celsius - in central heating, the temperature of the coolant is much higher. Installing a thermostat will not help - you need a bulky cooling system for the incoming heat carrier. But then the neighbors will have complaints - chilled water will be supplied to them in the heating pipes.

First conclusion: water "warm floor" can be installed only in private houses and cottages or multi-apartment one-storey buildings with an individual boiler or gas (electric) heating boiler.

Such a heating system also has many disadvantages:

• difficult and expensive to install, maintain and repair;
• a complete replacement of the system and floor is required (water in most cases destroys the lamellas, despite their additional protection from moisture) when a leak occurs;
• it is difficult to regulate the temperature of the coolant entering the system.

Second conclusion: under the laminate, if there is an alternative choice, it is better to refuse a water "warm floor".

Electric floors heated to lay under the laminate is also undesirable. There is only one reason - it is difficult to warm up the room to a comfortable temperature in severe frosts outside. Several factors are intertwined here:

• The heating temperature of the cable is not very high and is fixed - otherwise it will simply melt;
• The cable is laid in a screed, which requires it to warm up, and it gives off heat not only upward, into the room, but in different directions. The thermal protection device from below and from the sides solves the problem, but not 100% - materials for household needs with absolute thermal protection have not yet been invented;
• Laying the screed and laminate flooring exacerbate the problem - it is difficult for heat to break through such a sandwich to the top.

Conclusion: the combination of electric "warm floor" and laminate is unacceptable for the Far North, undesirable for central Russia, and a convenient heating option for the southern regions of the country.

The ideal option for residents of Russia is infrared film "warm floor"... The name of the system is formed from two concepts:

• infrared - heat is generated by infrared radiation;
• film - conductors are mounted in strips in a thin film.

The undoubted advantages of such floor heating:

• Economical - the heating film is laid on the substrate, and the laminate is directly on it. As a result, there is no need to heat the screed - the heat goes directly to the floor covering;
• Safety. There are two points here: there is no risk of flooding the neighbors from below; the temperature of the heating elements is easily adjustable, which prevents the floor panels from overheating;
• It is possible to restore the system: for minor repairs, the failed strip is simply disconnected from the general power supply system, for large repairs, the floor covering is disassembled.

Infrared rods must be laid in a screed. Therefore, the disadvantages of an electric heated floor immediately appear. However, there is still a plus here - the temperature of the heating elements is higher than that of the cable, which makes it possible to heat the room more efficiently.

General conclusion on infrared heat sources: rods are much more effective than cable floor heating, but not enough to recommend them for latitudes with low temperatures, the film is so effective that it completely removes from the agenda the question of whether it is possible to lay laminate flooring on a warm floor.

Which laminate is best for each type of "warm floor"

Each underfloor heating system has its own operating characteristics, which must be taken into account when choosing a laminate. Therefore, it is important to know which laminate is better to choose for a warm floor with different heat carriers.

Water underfloor heating. Affordable purchase price and low cost of operation have made the water "warm floor" very popular. Laminate under such a floor must be resistant to high temperatures, up to +30 degrees Celsius, and its frequent drops and not collapse if leaks occur. In this situation, it is difficult to choose the right type and type of slats for the floor covering. The following criteria will help in choosing:

• Panel locks should be treated with wax, which will allow many times to increase the number of expansion cycles without destroying the lock. In addition, the wax serves as a protection against moisture penetration into the lamella body. Instead of wax, a number of manufacturers have developed special sealants with the same functions. Sealing the ends with a sealant is a decisive factor when choosing a laminate;
• Wear resistance cannot be less than 3 class;
• The thickness of the lamellas should be in the range of 8-9 mm, which will protect them from deformation when overheating over 30 degrees, and also effectively transmit heat into the surrounding space;
• The level of formaldehyde emission during overheating should not exceed class E1;
• Additional protection against moisture has been carried out, allowing direct contact with water.

Infrared film heating. The use of infrared rays as heat sources has several advantages:

• good heat transfer does not require a large power of electricity, which compensates for the high cost of the system itself;
• mounted on top of the screed, which allows access to it during operation.

Based on the given characteristics of the system, the minimum requirements are imposed on the laminate:

• wear resistance class 3-4;
• thickness not less than 8.5 mm.

Electric floor heating with a cable. You can lay on an electric "warm floor" laminate with the following characteristics:

• increased thermal conductivity (the coefficient of thermal resistance together with the substrate must be within 0.10 m2 x ° K / W);
• low level of formaldehyde emission - class E0 or E1;
• have high strength for static and dynamic loads.

Rod infrared "warm floor". The combination of electric and infrared flooring is actively gaining popularity among consumers. The requirements for the laminate in this case are the same as for electric heating.

The nuances of laying laminate on a warm floor

It is not very difficult to make a floor covering for a "warm floor" system. You can do this work yourself. For those who are starting such an operation for the first time, we advise you to study the instructions for installing the laminate - it is given in the work "".

However, there are several important nuances here.

1. Before laying the laminate, the screed must be warmed up to a temperature of + 27–30 ° C. This will solve two problems at once:

• dry the base of the floor to 5% humidity;
• find a place for the screed when expanding - in case of errors in pouring, it is better to get burst concrete before installing the floor than after.

The warm-up process involves a 2-week cycle. In the first days after turning on the heating, you need to add 3 degrees before reaching a power of 50%, in the next 2 days go to full power. The heating is switched off two days before the start of work.

Important: turning on the heating system with a finished floor occurs in the same mode. Switching off takes place in the reverse order. Violation of the rule threatens to damage pipes and cables due to the rapid expansion or contraction of the screed (expansion coefficients do not match).

2. Carrying out waterproofing measures on the top of the screed is mandatory. For these purposes, a polyethylene film with a thickness of 200 microns is well suited (laminate manufacturers prohibit waterproofing with a substrate under the laminate, which is possible with central heating).

3. Before laying, the laminate panels must be in the room where the installation will be carried out for several days. Thus, they adapt to the temperature and humidity in the room.

Conclusion

Modern materials, the question - is it possible to put a warm floor under the laminate - have become irrelevant. This is understood by itself, which does not mean that any laminate is suitable for different types of floor heating. When heating the floor with water, lamellas with special markings are needed, indicating that the manufacturer has taken into account all the requirements for this heating system.

For cable and infrared heating, a pictogram with a stylized pipe system is sufficient. However, for cable heating, lamellas with a thermal resistance in the range of 0.10-0.12 m2 x ° K / W are needed. For foil - 0.15 m2 x ° K / W.

The installation of the floor is carried out according to the general instructions, but it requires preliminary heating of the screed and exposure of the floor covering in the room before starting work.

Related Videos

Today, when the "warm floor" system is used not only for additional, but also for the main heating of premises, many are thinking: is it possible to make a warm floor under a laminate?

After all, this floor covering can change its geometric parameters depending on the humidity and temperature conditions.

Experts do not recommend heating under floor coverings such as solid board or natural parquet, since wood really does not behave in such conditions in the best way. As for such a combination as underfloor heating and laminate, it is not only possible, but also very justified.

Under what laminate can a warm floor be laid?

Everyone who has floors in an apartment with this coating knows very well that no insulation placed under the laminate will make it warm and pleasant to the touch. The surface of the laminate does not contain wood, it is a layer of durable resin that protects it from abrasion.

And it stays cool in any heat. But if you arrange a warm floor under the flooring, it will be pleasant to step on the laminate even with bare feet.

But the answer to the question of whether it is possible to lay laminate on a warm floor is not so unambiguous. It is possible, but not for any laminate and not for any underfloor heating system.

Let's start with the first part of this statement.

Since laminate is a wood-containing product, it has the properties of wood to a greater or lesser extent. Namely: the ability to absorb moisture and swell, and when the temperature rises, it shrinks and deforms.

Of course, due to the high content of resins, these properties are manifested to a minimum, but you still need to choose a laminate for a warm floor carefully, paying attention to the following indicators:

• The thickness of the laminate must be more than 8 mm. Thinner lamellas can deform due to frequent temperature changes.

Choosing a floor heating system

Now that you know what kind of laminate is needed for underfloor heating, you can talk about choosing a heating system.

Today, there are three options for floor heating: water, electric and infrared film. All of them are popular, but what kind of warm floor to choose under the laminate?

Water heat-insulated floor

This option is a low-profile, hidden underfloor piping system that is connected to the central heating.

Such warm floors can be made under the laminate, but only in private houses, since the laying of water pipes in apartment buildings over "dry" rooms is, in principle, not allowed.

Of course, you can achieve project approval or mount the system without it, but this option has several serious disadvantages:

• Installation and maintenance costs are quite high.
• Repairs in the event of a malfunction can be even more expensive.
• If a leak appears in the pipeline, you will have to change not only the entire heating system, but also the laminate for warm floors, since it will become unusable due to the influence of water.
• When connected to a central heating system, it is difficult to regulate the heating temperature, and too high temperatures are harmful to the laminate.

Electric (cable) warm floor

This is the most popular floor heating option, but it is not very suitable for floor coverings that have low thermal conductivity, including laminate flooring.

The fact is that the heating electric cable is poured with a screed, on which a laminate, tile or any other coating is subsequently laid. The cable must first heat the screed, in the thickness of which it is located, after which the screed itself transfers heat to the floor covering.

In the case when the laminate is laid on a warm floor, a substrate is laid under it, which also has a low heat transfer and further reduces the heating efficiency. Thus, in order to warm up the laminate, you will have to wait at least an hour, while spending a lot of electricity.

For reference. The installation of a cable electric underfloor heating is most effective for heating ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware coatings, which have high thermal conductivity and are laid directly on the screed.

Film warm floor

This system is based on the effect of infrared radiation, and the heat-insulated floor is named because it is a thin film with strips of conductive material.

It is he who is considered the most suitable for laying under a laminate, since it has the following advantages:

• Installation of a film underfloor heating takes place without glue and screed.
• It is very economical and efficient for heating coatings with low thermal conductivity.

• It is safe both for human health and for the laminate itself, as it maintains a certain level of heating.

For reference. Laminate flooring should not be heated above 28-30 degrees, as it can deform at higher temperatures.

In addition, strong heating provokes the release of formaldehyde vapors from the laminate, a substance hazardous to health.

Thus, the most suitable floor insulation in the case of a laminate is the infrared film option. Some Western manufacturers of laminate have already started to produce a covering with a built-in heating system, but, unfortunately, the price for it is still very high.

How to install a warm floor

It is quite easy to install a film heat-insulated floor with your own hands, if you are familiar with electrics and have some skills.

It will not take much time and will not force you to construct structures that reduce the height of the room, since the film itself is very thin, but right on top of it.

But first things first. The laying technology will be described using one of the most popular Caleo thermal films as an example.

What is required for installation

Underfloor heating Caleo under the laminate is sold as a kit, which, in addition to the film itself, includes terminals and insulation for them, as well as a wiring kit for connection.

To install a warm floor under a laminate, you will need other materials:

• Heat-reflective material on a soft base, covered with a metallized film. It can be laid over the entire area, even where there will be no warm floor. Such insulation under the laminate will serve as a substrate.

Attention! The use of materials covered with aluminum foil is not allowed!

• Polyethylene film to protect the thermal film from moisture.
• Scotch.
• Thermostat with temperature sensor. With its help, you can set the required level of floor heating.

Installation technology

1. Lay the heat-reflecting material on the previously prepared flat surface, fastening the individual sheets together with tape.
2. Cut the Caleo thermal film into strips of the desired length along the cut lines. Place the strips close to each other on top of the heat-reflecting material and secure with tape so that they do not move during operation.

Attention! Before laying the thermal film, think over the arrangement of furniture in the room, since the film warm floor can be installed only on an area free from heavy furniture.

1. Install the thermostat.

1. Connect the strips of the underfloor heating to each other using the supplied wires of different colors. The connection must be made in parallel.
2. Place the terminals on the copper strips, making sure they fit snugly and insulate the connections with the supplied bitumen insulation.

1. Connect the wires from the last strip of thermal film to the thermostat, as indicated in the connection diagram supplied with the device.
2. Attach the temperature sensor with bitumen insulation to the thermofilm from the wrong side. In the place where it will lie, a hole and a groove for the wires must be cut in the heat-reflecting material.
3. Connect the thermostat to the network and turn on the warm floor for testing.
4. Spread plastic wrap over the warm floor.

Now you can buy underfloor heating laminate and lay it as usual, right on top of the heating system.

Conclusion

Knowing how to choose a warm floor for a laminate and how to mount it, you can independently create more comfortable conditions in your bedroom or children's room.

This can be done even if the repair has already been completed and the laminate is in its place: after all, it will not take long to disassemble and assemble it again already on top of the warm floor.

Warm floors are a really necessary system for comfort in a residential building or apartment. Installation has to be done under a variety of floor coverings. Electric underfloor heating under the laminate will be an excellent combination of comfort and quality. How to install it yourself? Which "warm floor" system to choose? Read more in this article.

Laminate - although the coating is quite beautiful, compared to the same parquet, it seems colder and more unpleasant if you walk on it with bare feet. Therefore, it is recommended to install underfloor heating systems under the laminate. This is especially true of houses located in the private sector, and apartments located on the ground floor, where the cold air from below very much cools the flooring. The underfloor heating system will provide comfortable living in such premises for all family members.

On a note! Laminate is a coating sold in stores at an affordable price, and therefore more and more owners of residential premises are purchasing it. Therefore, the material is becoming more popular every year.

Underfloor heating is a system that provides floor heating, a kind of heating. Oddly enough, the history of this heating method goes back more than 20 centuries in total. The similarity of modern systems was used for space heating in ancient Rome and Korea at the beginning of our era. Of course, there was no talk of electricity, but then in some houses the stoves were built in such a way that the smoke and hot air coming out of them passed into special cavities under the floor covering and thereby heated the room from below.

Now technologies have stepped forward - modern methods of floor heating have appeared and they all have certain advantages:

• comfortable living conditions in the apartment due to warming up the flooring and air in the lower part of the room;
• invisibility of the system for the eye;
• the ability to use in any room.

There are practically no disadvantages of a warm floor. These include some complexity of installation (it is necessary to lay the systems under the cover, and if it has already been laid, then it will have to be disassembled), as well as an increase in utility bills - electricity or heating, depending on the type of floor.

Some underfloor heating systems (water) cannot be installed in apartments located in old buildings - there is no provision for connecting the heating circuit to a central heating system, and the management company may prohibit the use of such underfloor heating. There is only one way out - the purchase of an electric floor heating system.

That is why the article will focus only on electrical types of underfloor heating, the use of which will not be limited by the availability of permission from the management company to install. And their installation is much easier than water heating systems.

Types of warm electric floor

There are only two types of electric underfloor heating systems - infrared film and cable. Also, cable heat-insulated floor has another subspecies - a floor made of heat mat. Each system has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. To understand how they differ from each other, you should get to know them better.

It is not hard to guess that this underfloor heating system is a special heating cable laid in a certain way under the floor covering. Everyone can calculate the required cable length independently - it will depend on the size and area of ​​the room. Installation is carried out on a reinforcing mesh or a special tape equipped with special clamps.

Attention! For the installation of a cable underfloor heating, it is imperative to lay a concrete screed! Its thickness should be about 4 cm.

The main disadvantages of the system are high energy consumption, given that a lot of heat is spent precisely on heating the concrete screed, and the difficulty of adjusting the temperature if necessary. It is also important to know (already at the installation stage) where the furniture will be located - if the underfloor heating system runs directly under the sofa or cabinets, there will be a risk that it will overheat and fail.

Under the laminate, cable floor heating is rarely laid. The installation method is very reminiscent of laying a water-heated floor - a cable of the required length is laid out in a screed according to a certain pattern. This is where the problems begin, limiting the use of this type of system under the laminate. The fact is that if the screed first heats up, and only then everything else, then there are problems with the substrate on which the laminate is laid. It does not allow heat to pass through well. And if you refuse to use it, then, unfortunately, the noise from the operating heating system will be annoying.

Thermomats (thermomats)

This is also a cable version of the underfloor heating system, but here an element that gives off heat, that is, the wire itself, is placed in special mesh mats. And the cable is somewhat thinner than its counterpart used in the previous case. The advantage of this type is that there is no need to calculate the pitch of the wires - they will be immediately fixed at the required distance from each other.

Important! Installation of this type of heating system is quite simple, the thickness of the screed will be already less - by about 5-10 mm, which allows you to save money. And more often than not, the system is simply laid on the finished screed, but it is also practically not used under the laminate.

Infrared floor heating

Film or infrared underfloor heating is one of the most modern methods of floor heating. The system is a thin material that emits a certain frequency of electromagnetic pulses (5-25 microns), which affect the surrounding objects and increase their temperature. With this feature, the infrared floor is very much reminiscent of the sun's rays, which also heat everything around thanks to radiation.

The advantages of this heating method are as follows:

• laminate flooring ceases to emit harmful formaldehyde when heated. Unfortunately, this substance is contained in the adhesive components that connect the lamella parts;
• the laminate does not crack and does not diverge, and also does not delaminate, which usually happens when it is heated with heat mat or cable;
• the floor thickness does not increase.

Installation of a film underfloor heating is quite simple, and in operation there are usually no problems with it. Another advantage of this type of heating is economy, since it consumes less electricity than other types.

Devi

Devi electric underfloor heating is produced in Denmark. The company's products are distinguished by high quality, affordable price and versatility. All components of this brand are suitable for any type of underfloor heating produced by this manufacturer.

• easy installation;
• does not dry the air;
• manufacturer's warranty;
• service life over 20 years.

• high power consumption.

warm floor devi

Caleo

Film infrared heat-insulated floor Caleo is designed for quick installation of a heating system "warm floor" using the "dry installation" method, without screed and dust. Ideal for cosmetic repairs under laminate, carpet, linoleum and parquet boards.

• good heat dissipation;
• the set includes everything you need for installation: high-quality clamps, wires, insulation; possibility of self-installation;
• Installation and assembly instructions are included.

• increased fragility of the film.

warm floor caleo

Rehau

Rehau electric underfloor heating is a system of two-core self-regulating cables of fixed length with increased resistance. On the outside, they are covered with a double layer of insulation and a protective braid.

• excellent German quality;
• installation under any coating;
• optimal heat distribution;

• relatively high cost.

The products of the Korean company Unimat have proven themselves well in the Russian market. Infrared carbon rods, heating the surface, are not afraid of high humidity.

• heating system is quite economical
• low cost;
• warranty period of operation - 20 years.

• use as the main heating in severe frosts will not work.

warm floor unimat

The Russian-made Teplolux electric underfloor heating is an environmentally friendly and very effective option for additional or main heating of a room. Models in the form of cables, mats and rugs create the optimal temperature in a room, private house or office.

• good selection of equipment;
• easy installation;
• affordable price.

• quick failure of the thermostat;
• instability of surface heating, if a thick screed is laid and there is no good thermal insulation.

warm floor thermolux

When is it possible to lay under a laminate?

Most often, it is the infrared type of underfloor heating that is mounted under the laminate, less often - using a cable.

On a note! Cable floors are best installed under the tiles in the bathroom or toilet. There, the floor areas are small, you do not need to constantly turn on the floors, which means that it will be possible to significantly reduce the cost of electricity, which such a system consumes in large quantities.

In general, it is quite safe to lay laminate on the underfloor heating system, although there is one "but" that everyone should know about. The lamellas are based on MDF board, which contains formaldehyde in a certain concentration - a substance that is dangerous to human health. Laminate flooring in an unheated state emits negligible amount of this substance into the environment, therefore such a floor covering can be laid even in a children's room. However, under the influence of temperature, the amount of excreted substance increases. And the more the material heats up, the more formaldehyde is in the air.

Attention! Symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning are nausea, headaches, and inflammation of the respiratory system.

The use of high quality laminate and infrared underfloor heating will help reduce the risks of poisoning.

Which laminate to choose?

The choice of laminate, which will subsequently fit on a warm floor, should be approached with all responsibility. The table will help you navigate what to focus on.

Table. The main indicators that you should pay attention to when choosing a coating.

Manufacturers offer customers to purchase specially designed types of laminate that demonstrate excellent performance when laid on a warm floor system. It is on such options that we should dwell. They are not afraid of exposure to temperatures, are easy to install and retain their beautiful appearance for a long time.

Electric underfloor heating under the laminate: styling features

There are no special tips for laying a warm floor under this type of coverage. However, it is important to pay attention to the substrate. It is best to purchase extruded perforated polystyrene for these purposes. Penofol and cork are also suitable. However, it is worth remembering that penofol is by no means used if an infrared floor is being laid. In general, manufacturers offer to purchase special substrates for warm floors. These are available in specialized stores.

Electric underfloor heating under the laminate - do it yourself

Consider the installation of two types of underfloor heating under this type of coverage - infrared systems and cable.

Underfloor heating is a serious cost item for renovation, so it is important to calculate exactly how much and what materials will be needed. To ease your labor costs, we have prepared special instructions, telling how to calculate the warm floor - water or electric. Online calculators are included. And in the article "" you will find a complete list of everything that may be needed during installation.

Installation of infrared underfloor heating

In order to install a film underfloor heating, you will need the following tools and materials:

• directly heated floors themselves;
• heat-insulating material without a foil surface;
• clamps;
• thermostat;
• pliers;
• scissors;
• Scotch;
• bituminous insulation;
• wires;
• screwdriver.

Step 1. The old floor covering is removed, the concrete base is leveled. If necessary, a self-leveling mortar is used. The sub-floor is thoroughly cleaned of dust, sand, construction debris.

Step 2. The prepared surface is closed with thermal insulation, the sheets of which are connected with adhesive tape.

Step 3. Next, the warm floor is laid. The thermal film is cut into pieces of the required length with scissors. The material is laid on the thermal insulation with the copper bus down. You can cut the film anywhere without affecting the heating elements.

Step 4. Sections of infrared film are connected together with adhesive tape.

Step 6. With the help of pliers, contact clamps are attached to the thermal film.

Step 8. Cutouts for wires and terminals are made in the thermal insulation. This is necessary to prevent the floor covering from bumping up in these areas.

Step 9. A thermostat is installed. Wires are connected to it according to the instructions and connection diagram.

Step 10. Underfloor heating installed. The laminate is being laid.

Video - Installation of film underfloor heating

Installation technology on the example of cable systems

Step 1. The site is being prepared where the thermostat and heating sensor will be mounted. The first is attached to the wall at a height of at least 0.3 m from the floor level. A marking of the location of the device and wires is applied to the surface of the wall.

Step 2. Using a perforator and a special nozzle (crown), a hole is drilled for the thermostat. A channel is being prepared for laying wires - a power line. Its section is 20x20 mm.

Step 3. The sub-floor is being prepared. Construction debris is carefully removed, a primer is applied.

Step 4. The insulating layer is laid with the foil side outward. The layers are connected together with special tape.

Step 5. To lay out the cable, a metal tape is installed. If necessary, it is cut into pieces of the required length. Fastened over thermal insulation in increments of 50 to 100 cm. Fasteners are made with self-tapping screws. The main thing is not to damage the waterproofing layer.

Step 6. Heating elements are being laid. The cable is laid taking into account the location of the furniture at a distance of at least 5 cm from the walls, at least 10 cm from the heating devices. The wires are fastened between the "tendrils" on the mounting tape. They fit in a "snake".

Attention! The cable must not cross anywhere and be too tight!

Step 7. A temperature sensor is installed. It should be installed 50-60 cm away from the wall. The wires leading from the sensor to the thermostat are placed in a special corrugation, which fits into the previously made gap in the wall.

Step 8. The ends of the installation wires and the temperature sensor are connected to the thermostat. System operation is checked.

Step 9. The channel with the wires is covered with mortar.

Step 10. The underfloor heating diagram is drawn on paper with an indication of all the elements in case of repair work.

Step 11. Technological holes of 10x15 cm are made in the thermal insulation every 30-40 cm.

Step 12. A mortar is prepared and a cement screed is formed over the heating system. The screed must dry with the warm field turned off.

Video - Installation of cable underfloor heating

Knowing all of the above, you can mount different underfloor heating systems under the laminate, and additional tips will help to do the work even better:

• before laying the warm floor, you need to draw up a layout plan for both wires and thermal film;
• in an apartment with low ceilings, it is better to use thermal film, as it "eats" less height;
• for self-installation, it is better to choose a system that does not require the intervention of specialists, that is, the simplest;
• if a floor heating system is installed in a private house on the ground floor, it is recommended to install a waterproofing layer;
• to save money on wires, the temperature sensor is installed approximately in the middle of the room;
• the structure must be mounted so that in the future it will be possible to repair it;
• in rooms with a high level of humidity, thermofilm should not be used;
• if massive furniture will be placed on infrared floors, then it is necessary to equip air pockets;
• the thermal film does not fit close to heating devices, fireplaces, stoves;
• the length of one strip of thermal film should not exceed 15 m;
• at sub-zero temperatures, laying infrared floors is prohibited;
• installation of the film should be carried out with the earthing of the structure.

After the underfloor heating system has been laid and the laminate has been laid, commissioning must be carried out no earlier than on the fourth day after the end of the work. At the same time, as soon as the heating season begins, the temperature should be clearly regulated: the floors gradually warm up to the optimal temperature (the power gradually increases by 5-6 degrees). The reduction should also be done gradually.