Finishing coatings for underfloor heating - DIY SELECTION AND INSTALLATION
Contents ✓
HOW TO USE THE COATING FOR INSTALLATION ON THE “WARM FLOOR” SYSTEM. INSTALLING YOUR OWN HANDS
Electric systems for heating the floor is not the first year used in urban apartments. Their effectiveness depends largely on the correct choice of competent installation of finishing coatings.
CERAMIC TILE
Ceramic coatings (tile or porcelain stoneware) have excellent thermal conductivity. They are not prone to deformation and are distinguished by a minimum coefficient of expansion, due to which they tolerate temperature drops (heating-cooling) well. It is not surprising that these materials are best suited as a finishing layer for all types of electrical floors.
When choosing, you should pay attention to such an indicator as water absorption. The lower it is, the smaller the porosity of the tile and the better it transfers heat. Products with a large number of pores delay thermal energy, preventing its further distribution. When planning to use ceramics together with heated floors, it is advisable to purchase a tile with water absorption within 3-6%.
You should also be aware that with a material thickness of no more than 7 mm, it is recommended to use heating elements with a capacity of 100-130 W / mg. If the thickness of the products more 7 mm. you will need a device with power already from 150 W / m2.
ATTENTION!
A tile with a smooth surface gives off heat better than a rough one. But for bathrooms the last option would be preferable.
WOOD COATINGS
According to fire safety rules, wooden floors, laminate and parquet cannot be used with cable floors. Operation of these coatings with heating mats and film devices is possible, but has its own characteristics.
Natural wood flooring is not recommended to be heated above 27 ° C. Otherwise, the boards will begin to crack and deform. It is good if they are made of hardwood - oak, walnut, rosewood or birch. Such wood is most resistant to deformation. The thickness of the board should not exceed 1, see otherwise the floor will not noticeably warm.
Some types of laminate are not designed for use with heated floors, as manufacturers usually honestly warn. As a rule, these are inexpensive laminated panels that, when heated, begin to delaminate and release toxic formaldehyde. When purchasing laminate, make sure that there is a special marking that allows you to lay it on the heating system. The maximum temperature it can withstand is 30 ° C.
Recommendations for use with infrared parquet flooring are the same as for the coating of boards. Parquet boards made of the same hardwoods 8-10 mm thick will work well. It is desirable that they are treated not with varnish, but with oil.
See also: How to arrange a "warm floor"? Professional Tips
ATTENTION!
It is not allowed to lay bamboo flooring on the heating elements. The wood of this plant very quickly comes into disrepair under the influence of thermal radiation.
PVC PLATES AND LINOLEUM
Many believe that the softness of these materials contributes to their rapid deformation. Another disadvantage is the presence of chemical components in their composition, due to which linoleum and vinyl plates emit toxic compounds when the temperature rises. However, these shortcomings manifest themselves only if serious errors were made during installation, operation or selection of the coating.
Modern industry produces at least five types of linoleum. Only two of them are suitable for use with electric floors: a coating based on natural materials (marmoleum) and linoleum from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Natural linoleum is made from cork, pine resin, linseed oil and other natural ingredients. It is non-flammable, non-toxic, non-deformable (when heated to 27 ° C) and does not even fade in the sun. However, this material is not sold everywhere, and its value can hardly be called budget.
PVC linoleum is much more accessible. For floor heating is well suited to cover the commercial and semi-commercial type. It is a durable material that is resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage. It is desirable to choose products without a heat-insulating layer and generally without any basis: in this case, linoleum will not trap the heat passing through it. To avoid possible deformation, do not raise the temperature above 30 ° C.
PVC-plates without special concerns can be laid on any heating system: due to the high elasticity and the presence of reinforcing elements (shell rock and quartz sand), this coating perfectly withstands temperature changes.
ATTENTION!
Polymeric materials are recommended to use with film, rod or cable floors with power from 60 to 150 W / m2.
See also: Warm floor with own hands (+ photo)
TABLE 1. COST AND COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF FINISHING FLOOR COVERINGS. | ||||
MATERIAL | WASTE ABSORPTION (%) | THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
(BT / (MK) |
DENSITY (KG / M2) | PRICE (RUB. / M2) |
Ceramic tile | 3-10 | 1.05 | 1700-2300 | from 322 |
Parquet board | 8-16 | 0,15-0,17 | 700-750 | from 1500 |
Laminate | 2-8 | 0.1-0,3 | 780-1000 | from 350 |
Linoleum (PVC) | 1.5 | 0,23 | 1400-1600 | from 290 |
INSTALLATION OF COATING ON THE HEATED FLOOR
IMPORTANT!
Cable floors are laid under the cement screed. Heating mats and infrared film can be mounted over the screed directly below the finishing layer. In this case, all types of warm floors are fixed on the insulating substrate.
Ceramic tile
Laying tiles on the heating elements is not much different from its installation on a regular floor. However, several important rules must be observed.
1. The thickness of the tile adhesive should not exceed 10 mm, otherwise thermal energy will not be evenly dispersed over the entire floor area.
2. The main requirement for the adhesive composition is the ability to withstand temperature changes. Only the composition will fit, the package of which will indicate the possibility of using it with vnutripolnymi heating systems.
3. It is forbidden to turn on the warm floor until the glue is completely dry: the solution must dry at normal, room temperature.
Then everything is simple.
First, using a lanyard cord or laser level, indicate the line of the first row. Then the previously prepared glue with a conventional spatula is applied with a thin layer on the base and already with a notched spatula - on the tile. The product is strictly on the markup pressed to the surface of the floor and immediately next to it paste the following. And so on until the end of the series. Excess glue in the joints is removed, and plastic crosses are inserted between the tiles, which are removed at the end of the installation. Similarly stack the other rows.
Wood materials
CREDIBLE FLOOR. Lags are mounted on the prepared base, between which heat-insulating aluminum foil is laid. Next, on both sides of the lag, wooden slats are fixed, after which the edges of the infrared film are fixed to them using a stapler. If we are talking about the installation of electrical mats, then they are placed between the lags without an air gap. At the final stage, the boards are mounted.
LAMINATE. The easiest way to install laminated panels on an infrared floor.
The panels are laid over waterproofing and foamed polyethylene in a standard way: the laminate is mounted perpendicular to the window from left to right, connecting the panels with the help of a groove-thorn system in a checkerboard pattern. For better sealing of the joints, a special paste is applied to the end and longitudinal ridges. The panels are fixed between themselves manually, without the use of heavy tools.
Installation on mats is carried out in the same way.
PARQUET BOARD. Also fit the "floating" method using the castle connection. Elastomer or waterproof plywood can be used as a substrate.
Vinyl Coating
LINOLEUM. The installation of this material does not differ in particular COMPLEXITY: a polyethylene film is placed on a mounted heated floor, and on top of it - a hardboard or chipboard. Next, linoleum is glued to the wooden surface using heat-resistant glue based on liquid glass.
PVC PLATES. They are mounted in the same way as linoleum. Instead of hardboard or chipboard, thin plywood is often laid, the surface of which is covered with vinyl primer. The plates are cut according to the instructions (pick up the picture), and then glued. Heated floor can be turned on already in 3-4 of the day.
See also: Tile and floor heating in the bathroom with their own hands - step by step instruction and photo
© Author: Sergey Vasilyev
TOOLS FOR MASTERS AND MASTERS, AND HOME GOODS ARE VERY CHEAP. FREE SHIPPING. THERE ARE REVIEWS.
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